1When Balaam saw that it was good in the eyes of Yahweh to bless Israel, he did not go, as time after time, to seek out omens, but he set his face toward the wilderness.
2And Balaam lifted up his eyes and saw Israel dwelling by its tribes, and the Spirit of God came upon him.
3And he took up his oracle and said: “The utterance of Balaam son of Beor, and the utterance of the man whose eye is opened,
4the utterance of one who hears the words of God, who sees the vision of Shaddai, falling down but with eyes uncovered:
5How good are your tents, O Jacob, your dwellings, O Israel!
6Like valleys they stretch out, like gardens beside a river, like aloes that Yahweh has planted, like cedars beside the waters.
7Water shall flow from his buckets, and his seed shall be in abundant waters. His king shall be higher than Agag, and his kingdom shall be exalted.
8God is bringing him out of Egypt; he has strength like the wild ox for him. He shall devour the nations, his foes, and gnaw their bones, and shatter them with his arrows.
9He crouches, he lies down like a lion, and like a lioness—who dares rouse him? Those who bless you are blessed, and those who curse you are cursed.
10Then Balak’s anger burned against Balaam, and he clapped his hands together. And Balak said to Balaam, “I called you to curse my enemies, and behold, you have blessed them completely these three times!
11Now flee to your place! I said I would surely honor you, but behold, Yahweh has held you back from honor.”
12And Balaam said to Balak, “Did I not also speak to your messengers whom you sent to me, saying,
13‘If Balak gives me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the mouth of Yahweh to do good or evil out of my own heart; what Yahweh speaks, that I will speak’?
14And now, behold, I am going to my people. Come, let me advise you what this people will do to your people in the latter days.”
15And he took up his oracle and said: “The utterance of Balaam son of Beor, and the utterance of the man whose eye is opened,
16the utterance of one who hears the words of God and knows the knowledge of the Most High, who sees the vision of Shaddai, falling down but with eyes uncovered:
17I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star shall march forth from Jacob, and a scepter shall rise from Israel; it shall shatter the brow of Moab and tear down all the sons of Sheth.
18Edom shall become a possession, and Seir, his enemies, shall become a possession, while Israel does valiantly.
19And one from Jacob shall rule, and he shall destroy the survivors from the city.”
20Then he saw Amalek and took up his oracle and said: “Amalek was the first of the nations, but his end shall come to destruction.”
21Then he saw the Kenite and took up his oracle and said: “Enduring is your dwelling place, and your nest is set in the rock.
22Yet Kain shall be for burning; how long until Asshur takes you captive?”
23And he took up his oracle and said: “Alas, who shall live when God does this?
24Ships shall come from the hand of Kittim; they shall afflict Asshur and afflict Eber, but he too shall come to destruction.”
25Then Balaam rose and went and returned to his place, and Balak also went on his way.
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