1 Now when Balaam saw that it was good in the eyes of Jehovah to bless Israel, he did not go as at other times, to encounter an omen of divination, but he set his face toward the wilderness.

2 And Balaam raised his eyes, and saw Israel encamped according to their tribes; and the Spirit of God came upon him.

3 And he took up his parable and said: The utterance of Balaam the son of Beor, the utterance of the man whose eyes are opened,

4 the utterance of him who hears the Words of the Mighty God, who sees the vision of the Almighty, who falls down, with open eyes:

5 How delightful are your tents, O Jacob! Your dwellings, O Israel!

6 Like valleys that have been stretched out, like gardens by a river, like aloes planted by Jehovah, like cedars beside the waters.

7 He makes water flow from his buckets, and his seed in many waters, his king is higher than Agag, and his kingdom is exalted.

8 The Mighty God is bringing him out of Egypt; he has lofty horns like an oryx; he shall consume the nations, his enemies; he shall break their bones and pierce them with his arrows.

9 He has crouched, he has lain down as a lion, and as a lioness; who shall arouse him? Blessed is he who blesses you, and cursed is he who curses you.

10 And Balak’s anger burned against Balaam, and he struck his hands together; and Balak said to Balaam, I summoned you to curse my enemies, and behold, you have altogether blessed them these three times!

11 Now therefore, flee to your place. I had thought to honor you with great honor, but behold, Jehovah has kept you back from honor.

12 So Balaam said to Balak, Did I not also speak to your messengers whom you sent to me, saying,

13 If Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the mouth of Jehovah, to do good or bad of my own heart; but what Jehovah speaks, that I will speak?

14 And now, behold, I am going to my people. Come, I will advise you what this people will do to your people in the latter days.

15 And he took up his parable and said, The utterance of Balaam the son of Beor, and the utterance of the man whose eyes are opened;

16 the utterance of him who hears the words of the Mighty God, and has the knowledge of the Most High, who sees the vision of the Almighty, who falls down, with open eyes:

17 I see Him, but not now; I behold Him, but not near; a Star shall come out of Jacob; a Scepter shall rise out of Israel, and shatter the extremities of Moab, and destroy all the seats of the sons of Seth.

18 And Edom shall be a possession; Seir also, his enemies, shall be a possession; and Israel shall do mightily.

19 Out of Jacob shall be One who has dominion, and has destroyed the remnants of the city.

20 Then he looked on Amalek, and he took up his parable and said: Amalek was first among the nations, but his end shall be everlasting destruction.

21 And he looked on the Kenites, and he took up his parable and said: Firm is your dwelling place, and your nest is set in the rock;

22 nevertheless the Kenites shall be burned up, until Asshur carries you away captive.

23 And he took up his parable and said: Alas! Who shall live when the Mighty God brings this to pass?

24 But ships shall come from the coasts of Kittim, and they shall afflict Asshur and afflict Eber, unto everlasting destruction.

25 And Balaam arose and departed and returned to his place; and Balak also went his way.