Balaam’s Third Oracle 1 DRA And when Balaam saw that it pleased the Lord that he should bless Israel. he went not as he had gone before, to seek divination: but setting his face towards 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 DRA And lifting up his eyes, he saw Israel abiding in their tents by their tribes: and the spirit of God rushing upon him, BSB BSB: When Balaam looked up and saw Israel encamped tribe by tribe, the Spirit of God came upon him,
4 DRA The hearer of the words of God hath said, he that hath beheld the vision of the Almighty, he that falleth, and so his eyes are opened: 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 DRA How beautiful are thy tabernacles, O Jacob, and thy tents, O Israel! BSB BSB: How lovely are your tents, O Jacob, your dwellings, O Israel!
6 DRA As woody valleys, as watered gardens near the rivers, as tabernacles which the Lord hath pitched, as cedars by the waterside. 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 DRA Water shall flow out of his bucket, and his seed shall be in many waters. For Agag his king shall be removed, and his kingdom shall be taken awry. 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 DRA God hath brought him out of Egypt, whose strength is like to the rhinoceros. They shall devour the nations that are his enemies, and break their bones, and pierce them with 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 DRA Lying down he hath slept as a lion, and as a lioness, whom none shall dare to rouse. He that blesseth thee, shall also himself be blessed: he that curseth thee shall be reckoned accursed. 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.”
Balak Dismisses Balaam 10 DRA And Balac being angry against Balaam, clapped his hands together and said: I called thee to curse my enemies, and thou on the contrary hast 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 DRA Return to thy place. I had determined indeed greatly to honour thee, but the Lord hath deprived thee of the honour designed for thee. 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 DRA Balaam made answer to Balac: Did I not say to thy messengers, whom thou sentest to me: BSB BSB: Balaam answered Balak, “Did I not already tell the messengers you sent me
13 DRA If Balac would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the word of the Lord my God, to utter any thing of my own head either good or evil: but whatsoever the Lord shall say, that I will speak? 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 DRA But yet going to my people, I will give thee counsel, what this people shall do to thy people in the latter days. 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.”
Balaam’s Fourth Oracle 15 DRA Therefore taking up his parable, again he said: Balaam the son of Beor hath said: The man whose eye is stopped up, hath said: 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 DRA The hearer of the words of God hath said, who knoweth the doctrine of the Highest, and seeth the visions of the Almighty, who falling hath his eyes opened: 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 DRA I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not near. A STAR SHALL RISE out of Jacob and a sceptre shall spring up from Israel: and shall strike the chiefs of Moab, and shall waste all the children 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 DRA And he shall possess Idumea: the inheritance of Seir shall come to their enemies, but Israel shall do manfully. BSB BSB: Edom will become a possession, as will Seir, his enemy; but Israel will perform with valor.
19 DRA Out of Jacob shall he come that shall rule, and shall destroy the remains of the city. BSB BSB: A ruler will come from Jacob and destroy the survivors of the city.”
Balaam’s Final Three Oracles 20 DRA And when he saw Amalec, he took up his parable, and said: Amalec the beginning of nations, whose latter ends shall be destroyed. BSB BSB: Then Balaam saw Amalek and lifted up an oracle, saying: “Amalek was first among the nations, but his end is destruction.”
21 DRA He saw also the Cinite: and took up his parable, and said: Thy habitation indeed is strong: but though thou build thy nest in a rock, 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 DRA And thou be chosen of the stock of Cin, how long shalt thou be able to continue? For Assur shall take thee captive. BSB BSB: Yet Kain will be destroyed when Asshur takes you captive.”
23 DRA And taking up his parable, again he said: Alas, who shall live when God shall do these things? BSB BSB: Once more Balaam lifted up an oracle, saying: “Ah, who can live unless God has ordained it?
24 DRA They shall come in galleys from Italy, they shall overcome the Assyrians, and shall waste the Hebrews, and at the last they themselves also shall perish. BSB BSB: Ships will come from the coasts of Cyprus; they will subdue Asshur and Eber, but they too will perish forever.”
25 DRA And Balaam rose, and returned to his place: Balac also returned the way that he came. BSB BSB: Then Balaam arose and returned to his homeland, and Balak also went on his way.