| New American Standard Bible 1995 | International Standard Version |
| 1When Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he did not go as at other times to seek omens but he set his face toward the wilderness. | 1When Balaam noticed that the LORD was pleased that Balaam was blessing Israel, he didn't behave as he had time after time before, that is, to practice divination. Instead, he turned with his face to the wilderness, |
| 2And Balaam lifted up his eyes and saw Israel camping tribe by tribe; and the Spirit of God came upon him. | 2looked up, and saw Israel encamped in their respective tribal order. Just then, the spirit of God came upon him. |
| 3He took up his discourse and said, "The oracle of Balaam the son of Beor, And the oracle of the man whose eye is opened; | 3Balaam uttered this prophetic statement: "A declaration by Beor's son Balaam, a declaration by the strong, blind man. |
| 4The oracle of him who hears the words of God, Who sees the vision of the Almighty, Falling down, yet having his eyes uncovered, | 4A declaration from one who hears what God has to say, who saw the vision that the Almighty revealed, who keeps stumbling with open eyes. |
| 5How fair are your tents, O Jacob, Your dwellings, O Israel! | 5Jacob, your tents are so fine, as well as your dwelling places, O Israel! |
| 6"Like valleys that stretch out, Like gardens beside the river, Like aloes planted by the LORD, Like cedars beside the waters. | 6They're spread out like valleys, like gardens along river banks, like aloe planted by the LORD, or like cedars beside water. |
| 7"Water will flow from his buckets, And his seed will be by many waters, And his king shall be higher than Agag, And his kingdom shall be exalted. | 7He will pour water from his buckets, and his descendants will stream forth like abundant water. His king will be more exalted than Agag when he exalts his own kingdom. |
| 8"God brings him out of Egypt, He is for him like the horns of the wild ox. He will devour the nations who are his adversaries, And will crush their bones in pieces, And shatter them with his arrows. | 8God is bringing them out of Egypt with the strength of an ox. He'll devour enemy nations, break their bones, and impale them with arrows. |
| 9"He crouches, he lies down as a lion, And as a lion, who dares rouse him? Blessed is everyone who blesses you, And cursed is everyone who curses you." | 9He crouches, laying low like a lion. Who would awaken him? Those who bless you are blessed, and those who curse you are cursed." |
| 10Then Balak's anger burned against Balaam, and he struck his hands together; and Balak said to Balaam, "I called you to curse my enemies, but behold, you have persisted in blessing them these three times! | 10Balak flew into a rage and he started hitting his fists together. "I called you to curse my enemies," he yelled at Balaam. "But look here! You've blessed them three times! |
| 11"Therefore, flee to your place now. I said I would honor you greatly, but behold, the LORD has held you back from honor." | 11Now get out of here! I had promised you that I would definitely honor you, but now the LORD has kept me from doing that!" |
| 12Balaam said to Balak, "Did I not tell your messengers whom you had sent to me, saying, | 12But Balaam replied to Balak, "I told your messengers, |
| 13'Though Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not do anything contrary to the command of the LORD, either good or bad, of my own accord. What the LORD speaks, that I will speak '? | 13Even if Balak gives me his palace full of silver and gold, I won't double-cross the command of the LORD and do anything—whether good or evil—on my own initiative, because I'm going to say whatever the LORD says.' |
| 14"And now, behold, I am going to my people; come, and I will advise you what this people will do to your people in the days to come." | 14Meanwhile, since I have to return to my people, come and listen while I tell you what this people will be doing to your people in the last days." |
| 15He took up his discourse and said, "The oracle of Balaam the son of Beor, And the oracle of the man whose eye is opened, | 15Then Balaam uttered this prophetic statement: "The declaration by Beor's son Balaam, a declaration by the strong, blind man. |
| 16The oracle of him who hears the words of God, And knows the knowledge of the Most High, Who sees the vision of the Almighty, Falling down, yet having his eyes uncovered. | 16A declaration from one who hears what God has to say, who knows what the Most High knows, who saw the vision that the Almighty revealed, who keeps stumbling with open eyes. |
| 17"I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near; A star shall come forth from Jacob, A scepter shall rise from Israel, And shall crush through the forehead of Moab, And tear down all the sons of Sheth. | 17I can see him, but not right now. I observe him, but from a distance. A star streams forth from Jacob; a scepter arises from Israel. He will crush Moab's forehead, along with all of Seth's descendants. |
| 18"Edom shall be a possession, Seir, its enemies, also will be a possession, While Israel performs valiantly. | 18Edom will be a conquered nation and Seir will be Israel's defeated foe, while Israel performs valiantly. |
| 19"One from Jacob shall have dominion, And will destroy the remnant from the city." | 19He will rule over Jacob, annihilating those who survive in the city." |
| 20And he looked at Amalek and took up his discourse and said, "Amalek was the first of the nations, But his end shall be destruction." | 20Next, Balaam looked directly at Amalek and then uttered this prophetic statement: "Even though Amalek is an international leader, his future is permanent destruction." |
| 21And he looked at the Kenite, and took up his discourse and said, "Your dwelling place is enduring, And your nest is set in the cliff. | 21Balaam also uttered this prophetic statement about the Kenites: "Your dwelling places are stable, because your nest is carved in solid rock. |
| 22"Nevertheless Kain will be consumed; How long will Asshur keep you captive?" | 22Nevertheless, Kain will be incinerated. How long will it take until Asshur takes you hostage?" |
| 23Then he took up his discourse and said, "Alas, who can live except God has ordained it? | 23Finally, he uttered this prophetic statement: "Ah, who can live, unless God makes it happen? |
| 24"But ships shall come from the coast of Kittim, And they shall afflict Asshur and will afflict Eber; So they also will come to destruction." | 24Ships under control of Kittim will devastate Asshur and Eber, until they are permanently destroyed." |
| 25Then Balaam arose and departed and returned to his place, and Balak also went his way. | 25Then Balaam got up, returned to his country, and Balak went on his way. |
| New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit //www.lockman.org | The Holy Bible: International Standard Version® Release 2.1 Copyright © 1996-2012 The ISV Foundation
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