1 Now 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.2 When Balaam looked out and saw Israel encamped tribe by tribe, the Spirit of God came on him3 and he spoke his message: "The prophecy of Balaam son of Beor, the prophecy of one whose eye sees clearly,4 the prophecy of one who hears the words of God, who sees a vision from the Almighty, "who falls prostrate, and whose eyes are opened:5 "How beautiful are your tents, Jacob, your dwelling places, Israel!6 "Like valleys they spread out, like gardens beside a river, like aloes planted by the LORD, like cedars beside the waters.7 Water will flow from their buckets; their seed will have abundant water. "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.9 Like 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!"10 Then 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.11 Now leave at once and go home! I said I would reward you handsomely, but the LORD has kept you from being rewarded."12 Balaam answered Balak, "Did I not tell the messengers you sent me,13 'Even 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'?14 Now 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."15 Then he spoke his message: "The prophecy of Balaam son of Beor, the prophecy of one whose eye sees clearly,16 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 falls prostrate, and whose eyes are opened: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. [^4]18 Edom will be conquered; Seir, his enemy, will be conquered, but Israel will grow strong.19 A ruler will come out of Jacob and destroy the survivors of the city."20 Then Balaam saw Amalek and spoke his message: "Amalek was first among the nations, but their end will be utter destruction."21 Then he saw the Kenites and spoke his message: "Your dwelling place is secure, your nest is set in a rock;22 yet you Kenites will be destroyed when Ashur takes you captive."23 Then he spoke his message: "Alas! Who can live when God does this? [^5]24 Ships will come from the shores of Cyprus; they will subdue Ashur and Eber, but they too will come to ruin."25 Then Balaam got up and returned home, and Balak went his own way.

1 Cumque vidisset Balaam quod placeret Domino ut benediceret Israli, nequaquam abiit ut ante perrexerat, ut augurium qureret : sed dirigens contra desertum vultum suum, 2 et elevans oculos, vidit Isral in tentoriis commorantem per tribus suas : et irruente in se spiritu Dei, 3 assumpta parabola, ait : [Dixit Balaam filius Beor :dixit homo, cujus obturatus est oculus :4 dixit auditor sermonum Dei,qui visionem Omnipotentis intuitus est,qui cadit, et sic aperiuntur oculi ejus :5 Quam pulchra tabernacula tua, Jacob,et tentoria tua, Isral !6 ut valles nemoros,ut horti juxta fluvios irrigui,ut tabernacula qu fixit Dominus,quasi cedri prope aquas.7 Fluet aqua de situla ejus,et semen illius erit in aquas multas.Tolletur propter Agag, rex ejus,et auferetur regnum illius.8 Deus eduxit illum de gypto,cujus fortitudo similis est rhinocerotis.Devorabunt gentes hostes illius,ossaque eorum confringent, et perforabunt sagittis.9 Accubans dormivit ut leo,et quasi lena, quam suscitare nullus audebit.Qui benedixerit tibi, erit et ipse benedictus :qui maledixerit, in maledictione reputabitur.]10 Iratusque Balac contra Balaam, complosis manibus ait : Ad maledicendum inimicis meis vocavi te, quibus e contrario tertio benedixisti : 11 revertere ad locum tuum. Decreveram quidem magnifice honorare te, sed Dominus privavit te honore disposito. 12 Respondit Balaam ad Balac : Nonne nuntiis tuis, quos misisti ad me, dixi : 13 Si dederit mihi Balac plenam domum suam argenti et auri, non potero prterire sermonem Domini Dei mei, ut vel boni quid vel mali proferam ex corde meo : sed quidquid Dominus dixerit, hoc loquar ? 14 verumtamen pergens ad populum meum, dabo consilium, quid populus tuus populo huic faciat extremo tempore. 15 Sumpta igitur parabola, rursum ait : [Dixit Balaam filius Beor :dixit homo, cujus obturatus est oculus :16 dixit auditor sermonum Dei,qui novit doctrinam Altissimi,et visiones Omnipotentis videt,qui cadens apertos habet oculos :17 Videbo eum, sed non modo :intuebor illum, sed non prope.Orietur stella ex Jacob,et consurget virga de Isral :et percutiet duces Moab,vastabitque omnes filios Seth.18 Et erit Iduma possessio ejus :hreditas Seir cedet inimicis suis :Isral vero fortiter aget.19 De Jacob erit qui dominetur,et perdat reliquias civitatis./] 20 Cumque vidisset Amalec, assumens parabolam, ait : [Principium gentium Amalec,cujus extrema perdentur.] 21 Vidit quoque Cinum : et assumpta parabola, ait : [Robustum quidem est habitaculum tuum :sed si in petra posueris nidum tuum,22 et fueris electus de stirpe Cin,quamdiu poteris permanere ? Assur enim capiet te.] 23 Assumptaque parabola iterum locutus est : [Heu ! quis victurus est,quando ista faciet Deus ?24 Venient in trieribus de Italia :superabunt Assyrios, vastabuntque Hebros, et ad extremum etiam ipsi peribunt.] 25 Surrexitque Balaam, et reversus est in locum suum : Balac quoque via, qua venerat, rediit.