New International Version | New Living Translation |
1Now when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he did not resort to divination as at other times, but turned his face toward the wilderness. | 1By now Balaam realized that the LORD was determined to bless Israel, so he did not resort to divination as before. Instead, he turned and looked out toward the wilderness, |
2When Balaam looked out and saw Israel encamped tribe by tribe, the Spirit of God came on him | 2where he saw the people of Israel camped, tribe by tribe. Then the Spirit of God came upon him, |
3and he spoke his message: "The prophecy of Balaam son of Beor, the prophecy of one whose eye sees clearly, | 3and this is the message he delivered: “This is the message of Balaam son of Beor, the message of the man whose eyes see clearly, |
4the prophecy of one who hears the words of God, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who falls prostrate, and whose eyes are opened: | 4the message of one who hears the words of God, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who bows down with eyes wide open: |
5"How beautiful are your tents, Jacob, your dwelling places, Israel! | 5How beautiful are your tents, O Jacob; how lovely are your homes, O Israel! |
6"Like valleys they spread out, like gardens beside a river, like aloes planted by the LORD, like cedars beside the waters. | 6They spread before me like palm groves, like gardens by the riverside. They are like tall trees planted by the LORD, like cedars beside the waters. |
7Water will flow from their buckets; their seed will have abundant water. "Their king will be greater than Agag; their kingdom will be exalted. | 7Water will flow from their buckets; their offspring have all they need. Their king will be greater than Agag; their kingdom will be exalted. |
8"God brought them out of Egypt; they have the strength of a wild ox. They devour hostile nations and break their bones in pieces; with their arrows they pierce them. | 8God brought them out of Egypt; for them he is as strong as a wild ox. He devours all the nations that oppose him, breaking their bones in pieces, shooting them with arrows. |
9Like a lion they crouch and lie down, like a lioness--who dares to rouse them? "May those who bless you be blessed and those who curse you be cursed!" | 9Like a lion, Israel crouches and lies down; like a lioness, who dares to arouse her? Blessed is everyone who blesses you, O Israel, and cursed is everyone who curses you.” |
10Then Balak's anger burned against Balaam. He struck his hands together and said to him, "I summoned you to curse my enemies, but you have blessed them these three times. | 10King Balak flew into a rage against Balaam. He angrily clapped his hands and shouted, “I called you to curse my enemies! Instead, you have blessed them three times. |
11Now leave at once and go home! I said I would reward you handsomely, but the LORD has kept you from being rewarded." | 11Now get out of here! Go back home! I promised to reward you richly, but the LORD has kept you from your reward.” |
12Balaam answered Balak, "Did I not tell the messengers you sent me, | 12Balaam told Balak, “Don’t you remember what I told your messengers? I said, |
13Even if Balak gave me all the silver and gold in his palace, I could not do anything of my own accord, good or bad, to go beyond the command of the LORD--and I must say only what the LORD says'? | 13‘Even if Balak were to give me his palace filled with silver and gold, I would be powerless to do anything against the will of the LORD.’ I told you that I could say only what the LORD says! |
14Now I am going back to my people, but come, let me warn you of what this people will do to your people in days to come." | 14Now I am returning to my own people. But first let me tell you what the Israelites will do to your people in the future.” Balaam’s Final Messages |
15Then he spoke his message: "The prophecy of Balaam son of Beor, the prophecy of one whose eye sees clearly, | 15This is the message Balaam delivered: “This is the message of Balaam son of Beor, the message of the man whose eyes see clearly, |
16the prophecy of one who hears the words of God, who has knowledge from the Most High, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who falls prostrate, and whose eyes are opened: | 16the message of one who hears the words of God, who has knowledge from the Most High, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who bows down with eyes wide open: |
17"I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come out of Jacob; a scepter will rise out of Israel. He will crush the foreheads of Moab, the skulls of all the people of Sheth. | 17I see him, but not here and now. I perceive him, but far in the distant future. A star will rise from Jacob; a scepter will emerge from Israel. It will crush the heads of Moab’s people, cracking the skulls of the people of Sheth. |
18Edom will be conquered; Seir, his enemy, will be conquered, but Israel will grow strong. | 18Edom will be taken over, and Seir, its enemy, will be conquered, while Israel marches on in triumph. |
19A ruler will come out of Jacob and destroy the survivors of the city." | 19A ruler will rise in Jacob who will destroy the survivors of Ir.” |
20Then Balaam saw Amalek and spoke his message: "Amalek was first among the nations, but their end will be utter destruction." | 20Then Balaam looked over toward the people of Amalek and delivered this message: “Amalek was the greatest of nations, but its destiny is destruction!” |
21Then he saw the Kenites and spoke his message: "Your dwelling place is secure, your nest is set in a rock; | 21Then he looked over toward the Kenites and delivered this message: “Your home is secure; your nest is set in the rocks. |
22yet you Kenites will be destroyed when Ashur takes you captive." | 22But the Kenites will be destroyed when Assyria takes you captive.” |
23Then he spoke his message: "Alas! Who can live when God does this? | 23Balaam concluded his messages by saying: “Alas, who can survive unless God has willed it? |
24Ships will come from the shores of Cyprus; they will subdue Ashur and Eber, but they too will come to ruin." | 24Ships will come from the coasts of Cyprus ; they will oppress Assyria and afflict Eber, but they, too, will be utterly destroyed.” |
25Then Balaam got up and returned home, and Balak went his own way. | 25Then Balaam left and returned home, and Balak also went on his way. |
New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. | Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. |
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