CHAPTER 24
And when Balaam
saw
that
it pleased
the LORD
to bless
Israel,
he did not
resort
to sorcery
as on previous occasions,
but he turned
his face
toward
the wilderness.
and he lifted up
an oracle,
saying:
“This is the prophecy
of Balaam
son
of Beor,
the prophecy
of a man
whose eyes
are open,
the prophecy
of one who hears
the words
of God,
who
sees
a vision
from the Almighty,
who bows down
with eyes
wide open:
They spread out
like palm groves,
like gardens
beside
a stream,
like aloes
the LORD
has planted,
like cedars
beside
the waters.
Water
will flow
from his buckets,
and his seed
will have abundant
water.
His king
will be greater
than Agag,
and his kingdom
will be exalted.
God
brought him
out of Egypt
with strength
like a wild ox,
to devour
hostile
nations
and crush
their bones,
to pierce them
with arrows.
He crouches,
he lies down
like a lion;
like a lioness,
who
dares to rouse him?
Blessed are
those who bless you
and cursed are
those who curse you.
Then Balak’s
anger
burned
against
Balaam,
and he struck his hands
together
and said
to
Balaam,
“I summoned you
to curse
my enemies,
but behold,
you have persisted
in blessing
them these
three
times.
Therefore, flee
at once
to
your home!
I said
I would richly reward you,
but instead
the LORD
has denied
your reward.”
that even if
Balak
were to give
me
his house
full
of silver
and gold,
I could
not
do
anything of my own accord,
good
or
bad,
to go beyond
the command
of the LORD?
I will speak
whatever
the LORD
says.
Now
I am going back
to my people,
but come,
let me warn you
what
this
people
will do
to your people
in the days
to come.”
Then Balaam lifted up
an oracle,
saying,
“This is the prophecy
of Balaam
son
of Beor,
the prophecy
of a man
whose eyes
are open,
the prophecy
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:
I see him,
but not
now;
I behold him,
but not
near.
A star
will come
out of Jacob,
and a scepter
will arise
from Israel.
He will crush
the skulls
of Moab
and strike down
all
the sons
of Sheth.
Edom
will become
a possession,
Seir
will be
owned
by his enemies,
but Israel
will perform
with valor.
Then Balaam saw
Amalek
and lifted up
an oracle,
saying:
“Amalek
was first
among the nations,
but his end
shall be destruction.”
Next he saw
the Kenites
and lifted up
an oracle,
saying:
“Your dwelling place
is secure,
and your nest
is set
in a cliff.
Ships
will come from the coast
of Kittim;
they will subdue
Asshur
and Eber,
but they
too
will perish
forever.”