1 ARST Balaam now realized that Yahweh wanted to bless the Israelite people, not curse them. So he did not use magic like a shaman would do to find out what Yahweh wanted, as he often did. Instead, he turned toward the desert. BSB BSB: And when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he did not seek omens as on previous occasions, but he turned his face toward the wilderness.
2 ARST He saw the Israelite people camped there in their tents, with each tribe gathered in one group. Then the Spirit of God came upon him, BSB BSB: When Balaam looked up and saw Israel encamped tribe by tribe, the Spirit of God came upon him,
4 ARST I hear this message from God. I see a vision from the one who is all- powerful. My eyes are open as I prostrate myself in front of him. BSB BSB: the prophecy of one who hears the words of God, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who bows down with eyes wide open:
5 ARST You descendants of Jacob, your tents are very beautiful! The places where you live are lovely! BSB BSB: How lovely are your tents, O Jacob, your dwellings, O Israel!
6 ARST Your tents are spread out in front of me like groves of palm trees in valleys, like gardens alongside a river. They are like strong aloe trees that Yahweh has planted, like strong cedar trees that grow along the rivers. BSB BSB: They spread out like palm groves, like gardens beside a stream, like aloes the LORD has planted, like cedars beside the waters.
7 ARST Your water buckets will always be full. The seeds that you plant will always have plenty of water to make them grow. The Israelites’ king will be greater than King Agag. The kingdom that he rules will be honored. BSB BSB: Water will flow from his buckets, and his seed will have abundant water. His king will be greater than Agag, and his kingdom will be exalted.
8 ARST God brought them out of Egypt, leading them along with his great power that is like a wild ox. God devastates all the nations that oppose him. He breaks all those people’ s bones into pieces, and shoots them with his arrows. BSB BSB: God brought him out of Egypt with strength like a wild ox, to devour hostile nations and crush their bones, to pierce them with arrows.
9 ARST The Israelites are like lions that crouch and lie down, ready to spring on their prey, like lionesses that are resting. No one would dare to arouse them! God will bless everyone who blesses you Israelites, and he will curse everyone who curses you.” BSB BSB: He crouches, he lies down like a lion, like a lioness—who dares to rouse him? Blessed are those who bless you and cursed are those who curse you.”
10 ARST Then King Balak was extremely angry with Balaam. He showed with his hands that he was very angry, and he shouted, saying,“I summoned you here to curse my enemies! Instead, you have blessed them three times! BSB BSB: Then Balak’s anger burned against Balaam, and he struck his hands together and said to Balaam, “I summoned you to curse my enemies, but behold, you have persisted in blessing them these three times.
11 ARST So now, get out of here! Go back home! I said that I would pay you a lot of money if you cursed them, but Yahweh has prevented you from getting any pay!” BSB BSB: Therefore, flee at once to your home! I said I would reward you richly, but instead the LORD has denied your reward.”
12 ARST Balaam said to Balak,“Do you not remember what I told the messengers that you sent to me? I said, BSB BSB: Balaam answered Balak, “Did I not already tell the messengers you sent me
13 ARST ‘Even if Balak would give me a palace filled with silver and gold, I would not disobey Yahweh. I cannot do anything bad or anything that is good that he does not approve of.’ And I told you that I could say only what Yahweh says to me. BSB BSB: that even if Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not do anything of my own accord, good or bad, to go beyond the command of the LORD? I must speak whatever the LORD says.
14 ARST So yes, I will return to my people, but first, allow me to tell you what will happen to you Moab people in the future.” BSB BSB: Now I am going back to my people, but come, let me warn you what this people will do to your people in the days to come.”
15 ARST Then Balaam said this to Balak:“I, Balaam, son of Beor, am again giving a prophecy. This prophecy that I speak is again as a man who sees what will happen in the future clearly speaks. BSB BSB: Then Balaam lifted up an oracle, saying, “This is the prophecy of Balaam son of Beor, the prophecy of a man whose eyes are open,
16 ARST I hear a message from God; I know things that God, who lives in heaven, has revealed to me. I see a vision from the one who is all- powerful. My eyes are open as I prostrate myself in front of him. BSB BSB: 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 bows down with eyes wide open:
17 ARST The things that I see in the vision are not going to happen now. I see things that God will cause to happen in the future. A man who is a descendant of Jacob will appear like a star; a king who holds a scepter will be one of the Israelite people. He will crush the heads of you people of Moab; he will wipe out the descendants of Seth. BSB BSB: I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come forth from Jacob, and a scepter will arise from Israel. He will crush the skulls of Moab and strike down all the sons of Sheth.
18 ARST The Israelites will occupy Edom, and they will conquer their enemies who live near Mount Seir. The Israelite people will be victorious. BSB BSB: Edom will become a possession, as will Seir, his enemy; but Israel will perform with valor.
19 ARST A ruler will come who is a descendant of Jacob. He will get rid of the people who still live in the city where Balaam first met Balak.” BSB BSB: A ruler will come from Jacob and destroy the survivors of the city.”
20 ARST Then Balaam looked out over where the Amalek people group lived, and he prophesied this,“The Amalek people group were the greatest nation, but they will be wiped out.” BSB BSB: Then Balaam saw Amalek and lifted up an oracle, saying: “Amalek was first among the nations, but his end is destruction.”
21 ARST Then he looked out over the area where the Kenite people group lived, and he prophesied this,“You think that the place where you live is secure like a nest that is made in the cliffs, BSB BSB: Next he saw the Kenites and lifted up an oracle, saying: “Your dwelling place is secure, and your nest is set in a cliff.
22 ARST but you will be wiped out when the army of Assyria conquers you.” BSB BSB: Yet Kain will be destroyed when Asshur takes you captive.”
23 ARST Balaam ended his prophecies by saying,“Also, who can survive when God does all these things? BSB BSB: Once more Balaam lifted up an oracle, saying: “Ah, who can live unless God has ordained it?
24 ARST Ships will come from the Island of Cyprus, and the men in those ships will defeat the armies of Assyria and Eber. But God will get rid of those men, too.” BSB BSB: Ships will come from the coasts of Cyprus; they will subdue Asshur and Eber, but they too will perish forever.”
25 ARST Then Balaam and Balak returned to their homes. BSB BSB: Then Balaam arose and returned to his homeland, and Balak also went on his way.
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