Numbers - Chapter 24

1 And when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he went not, as at other times [according to his custom], to seek for enchantments [to meet the omens], but he set his face toward the wilderness.

2 And Balaam lifted up his eyes, and he saw Israel abiding in his tents according to their tribes; and the spirit of God came upon him.

3 And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor hath said, and the man whose eyes are open [the man who sees truly] hath said:

4 He hath said, which heard the words of God [the oracle of the Mighty One], which saw the vision of the Almighty [of God], falling into a trance [in sleep], but having his eyes open:

5 How goodly are thy tents [thy habitations], O Jacob, and thy tabernacles, O Israel!

6 As the valleys are they spread forth [as shady groves], as gardens by the river’s side, and as tents which God pitched, as the trees of lign aloes which the LORD hath planted, and as cedar trees beside the waters.

7 He shall pour the water out of his buckets, and his seed shall be in many waters, and his king shall be higher than Agag, and his kingdom shall be exalted [There shall come a man out of his seed, and he shall rule over many nations; and the kingdom of Gog shall be exalted, and his kingdom shall be increased].

8 God brought him forth out of Egypt; he hath as it were the strength [the glory] of an unicorn: he shall eat up the nations his enemies, and shall break their bones [shall drain their marrow], and pierce them through with his arrows.

9 He couched, he lay down as a lion, and as a great [a Young] lion: who shall stir him up? Blessed is he that blesseth thee, and cursed is he that curseth thee.

10 And Balak’s anger was kindled against Balaam, and he smote his hands together: and Balak said unto Balaam, I called thee to curse mine enemies [my enemy], and, behold, thou hast altogether blessed them these three times [this third time].

11 Therefore now flee thou to thy place: I thought to promote thee unto great honour; but, lo, the LORD hath kept thee back from honour.

12 And Balaam said unto Balak, Spake I not also to thy messengers which thou sentest unto me, saying,

13 If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the commandment of the LORD, to do either good or bad of mine own mind; but what the LORD saith, that will I speak?

14 And now, behold, I go unto my people: come therefore, and I will advertise thee what this people shall do to thy people in the latter days.

15 And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor hath said, and the man whose eyes are open [who sees truly] hath said:

16 He hath said, which heard the words of God [hearing the oracles of God], and knew the knowledge [receiving knowledge] of the most High, which saw the vision of the Almighty [of God], falling into a trance [in sleep], but having his eyes open [his eyes were opened]:

17 I shall see him [I will point to him], but not now: I shall behold him [I bless him], but not nigh [but he draws not near]: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise [a man shall spring] out of Israel, and shall smite the corners [crush the princes] of Moab, and destroy [spoil] all the children of Sheth.

18 And Edom shall be a possession [an inheritance], Seir [Esau his enemy] also shall be a possession for his enemies; and Israel shall do valiantly.

19 Out of Jacob shall come he that shall have dominion, and shall destroy him that remaineth [that escapes] of the city.

20 And when he looked on Amalek, he took up his parable, and said, Amalek was the first of the nations; but his latter end shall be that he [his seed] perish for ever.

21 And he looked on the Kenites, and took up his parable, and said, Strong is thy dwellingplace, and thou puttest thy nest in a rock.

22 Nevertheless the Kenite shall be wasted, though Beor should have a skillfully contrived hiding-place, until Asshur shall carry thee away captive.

23 And he looked upon Og, and he took up his parable, and said, Alas, who shall live when God doeth this!

24 And ships [one] shall come from the coast of Chittim [the hands of the Citians], and shall afflict Asshur, and shall afflict Eber [the Hebrews], and he [they] also shall perish for ever.

25 And Balaam rose up, and went and returned to his place: and Balak also went his way to his own home.