Chapter 24
1 When Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel , he didn’t go , as at the other times , to use divination, but he set his face towards the wilderness .
2 Balaam lifted up his eyes , and he saw Israel dwelling according to their tribes ; and the Spirit of God came on him .
3 He took up his parable , and said , " Balaam the son of Beor says , the man whose eyes are open says ;
4 he says , who hears the words of God, who sees the vision of the Almighty , falling down , and having his eyes open :
5 How goodly are your tents , Jacob , and your dwellings , Israel !
6 As valleys they are spread out , as gardens by the riverside, as aloes which the LORD has planted , as cedar trees beside the waters .
7 Water shall flow from his buckets . His seed shall be in many waters . His king shall be higher than Agag. His kingdom shall be exalted .
8 God brings him out of Egypt . He has as it were the strength of the wild ox . He shall consume the nations his adversaries , shall break their bones in pieces, and pierce them with his arrows .
9 He couched , he lay down as a lion , as a lioness ; who shall rouse him up ? Everyone who blesses you is blessed . Everyone who curses you is cursed ."
10 Balak ’s anger burnt against Balaam , and he struck his hands together . Balak said to Balaam , " I called you to curse my enemies, and , behold , you have altogether blessed them these three times .
11 Therefore , flee to your place , now ! I thought to promote you to great honour ; but , behold , the LORD has kept you back from honour ."
12 Balaam said to Balak , "Didn’t I also tell your messengers whom you sent to me , saying ,
13 ‘If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold , I can ’t go beyond the LORD ’s word , to do either good or bad from my own mind . I will say what the LORD says ’?
14 Now , behold , I go to my people . Come , I will inform you what this people shall do to your people in the latter days ."
15 He took up his parable , and said , " Balaam the son of Beor says , the man whose eyes are open says ;
16 he says , who hears the words of God, knows the knowledge of the Most High , and who sees the vision of the Almighty , falling down , and having his eyes open :
17 I see him , but not now . I see him , but not near . A star will come out of Jacob . A sceptre will rise out of Israel , and shall strike through the corners of Moab , and crush all the sons of Sheth.
18 Edom shall be a possession . Seir , his enemy, also shall be a possession , while Israel does valiantly .
19 Out of Jacob shall one have dominion , and shall destroy the remnant from the city ."
20 He looked at Amalek , and took up his parable , and said, " Amalek was the first of the nations , but his latter end shall come to destruction."
21 He looked at the Kenite , and took up his parable , and said, " Your dwelling place is strong. Your nest is set in the rock .
22 Nevertheless Kain shall be wasted , until Asshur carries you away captive ."
23 He took up his parable , and said, "Alas, who shall live when God does this ?
24 But ships shall come from the coast of Kittim . They shall afflict Asshur, and shall afflict Eber . He also shall come to destruction."
25 Balaam rose up , and went and returned to his place ; and Balak also went his way .