Numbers 24
1BALAAM, seeing that it was good in the sight of the Lord to bless Israel, did not go, as was customary with him, to look for omens; but turned his face towards the wilderness.
2And when Balaam raised his eyes, and saw Israel encamped by tribes, a spirit of God came upon him,
3and he took up his parable, and said,
Balaam son of Beor saith—
The man who seeth according to truth saith—
4It is the saying of him, who hath heard the oracles of the Almighty—
Who in sleep hath seen a vision of God—whose eyes were opened.
5How beautiful are thy houses, Jacob! Thy tents, O Israel!
6Like shady forests, and like gardens by a river!
And like tents which the Lord hath pitched!
And like cedars by streams of water.
7There shall come forth a man from his seed,
And he shall rule over many nations:
And a kingdom greater than Gog’s shall be raised up;
And his kingdom shall be enlarged
8God hath led him out of Egypt,
His glory is like that of the unicorn;
He will eat up the nations of his enemies;
And he will exhaust their fatness,
And pierce his enemy with his darts.
9Couching down, he is gone to rest, like a lion—
Yes like a young lion; who dare rouse him?
Blessed are they who bless thee,
And they who curse thee are already cursed.
10At this Balak was inflamed with wrath against Balaam, and clapped his hands. And Balak said to Balaam, I sent for thee to curse my enemy, and behold thou hast blessed them a third time.
11Now therefore flee to thy own place. I thought to promote thee to honour. But the Lord hath now deprived thee of that glory.
12Whereupon Balaam said to Balak, Did I not tell thy messengers whom thou sentest to me,
13If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot transgress the word of the Lord, to do either good or evil, of my own mere will. Whatever God may order that I will speak.
14And now, behold, I am quickly to return to my own place: come, let me inform thee what this people will do to thy people, in the latter days.
15Then taking up his parable, he said:
Balaam son of Beor saith—
It is the saying of a man who is a true seer,
16Who heareth the oracles of God,
And hath knowlege from the Most High—
Who in sleep hath seen a vision of God, and whose eyes were opened.
17I can point to him, though he is not now;
I hail him happy though he is not near.
A star will arise out of Jacob—
There shall rise up a man out of Israel,
And he will smite the princes of Moab,
And plunder all the sons of Seth:
18And Edom shall be an inheritance,
And Esau, his enemy, shall be a heritage.
Though Israel hath done valiantly;
19Yet one shall be raised up out of Jacob,
Who will destroy him who escaped from a city.
20Then having taken a view of Amalek he took up his parable and said,
Amalek is the head of nations;
But their seed shall be destroyed.
21Then having taken a view of the Kenite, he took up his parable and said,
Strong is thy dwelling-place.
But though thou hast built thy nest upon a rock—
22And though Beor hath crafty chickens;
The Assyrians will captivate thee.
23Then looking at Og he took up his parable and said,
Oh! Who can live when God will order such things!
24For bands of Kitians will issue forth,
And afflict Assur, and afflict Hebrews:
And they themselves shall likewise be destroyed.
25Then Balaam arose, and went away, with a view to return to his own place, and Balak repaired home.