Balaam’s Third Oracle 1 UEB When Balaam saw that it pleased Yahweh to bless Israel, he did not go, as at the other times, to use sorcery. Instead, he looked toward the wilderness. 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 UEB He raised his eyes and saw that Israel was camped, each in their own tribe, and the Spirit of God came on him. BSB BSB: When Balaam looked up and saw Israel encamped tribe by tribe, the Spirit of God came upon him,
4 UEB He speaks and hears God's words. He sees a vision from the Almighty, Before whom he bows down with his eyes open. 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 UEB How beautiful are your tents, Jacob, the place where you live, Israel! BSB BSB: How lovely are your tents, O Jacob, your dwellings, O Israel!
6 UEB Like valleys they spread out, like gardens by the riverside, like aloes planted by Yahweh, like cedars beside the waters. 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 UEB Water flows from their buckets, and their seed is well-watered. Their king is to be higher than Agag, and their kingdom 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 UEB God brings him out of Egypt, with strength like a wild ox. He will eat up the nations who fight against him. He will break their bones to pieces. He will shoot 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 UEB He crouches down like a lion, like a lioness. Who dares disturb him? May everyone who blesses him be blessed; may everyone who curses him be cursed." 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 UEB Balak's anger was kindled against Balaam and he struck his hands together in anger. Balak said to Balaam, "I called you to curse my enemies, but look, 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 UEB So leave me right now and go home. I said I would greatly reward you, but Yahweh has kept you from getting any reward." 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 UEB Then Balaam replied to Balak, "I said to the messengers that you sent to me, BSB BSB: Balaam answered Balak, “Did I not already tell the messengers you sent me
13 UEB 'Even if Balak gave me his palace full of silver and gold, I could not go beyond Yahweh's word and anything bad or good, or anything at all that I might want to do. I can say only what Yahweh tells me to say.' Did I not say this to them? 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 UEB So now, look, I will go back to my people. But first let me warn you what this people will do to your people in the days ahead." 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 UEB Balaam began this prophecy. He said, "Balaam son of Beor speaks, The man whose eyes are wide open. 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 UEB This is a prophecy of someone who hears words from God, who has knowledge from the Most High, who has visions from the Almighty, Before whom he bows down with open eyes. 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 UEB I see him, but he is not here now. I look at him, but he is not near. A star will come out of Jacob, and a scepter will rise out of Israel. He will shatter Moab's leaders and destroy all 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 UEB Then Edom will become a possession of Israel, and Seir will also become their possession, enemies of Israel, whom Israel will conquer with force. BSB BSB: Edom will become a possession, as will Seir, his enemy; but Israel will perform with valor.
19 UEB Out of Jacob a king will come who will have dominion, and he will destroy the survivors of their city." BSB BSB: A ruler will come from Jacob and destroy the survivors of the city.”
Balaam’s Final Three Oracles 20 UEB Then Balaam looked at Amalek and began his prophecy. He said, "Amalek was once the greatest of nations, but his final end will be destruction." BSB BSB: Then Balaam saw Amalek and lifted up an oracle, saying: “Amalek was first among the nations, but his end is destruction.”
21 UEB Then Balaam looked toward the Kenites and began his prophecy. He said, "The place where you live is strong, and your nest is in the rocks. 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 UEB Nevertheless you Kenites will be consumed by fire when Assyria carries you away captive." BSB BSB: Yet Kain will be destroyed when Asshur takes you captive.”
23 UEB Then Balaam began his final prophecy. He said, "Woe! Who will survive when God does this? BSB BSB: Once more Balaam lifted up an oracle, saying: “Ah, who can live unless God has ordained it?
24 UEB Ships will come from the coast of Kittim; they will attack Assyria and will conquer Eber, but they, too, will end in destruction." BSB BSB: Ships will come from the coasts of Cyprus; they will subdue Asshur and Eber, but they too will perish forever.”
25 UEB Then Balaam got up and left. He returned to his home, and Balak also went away. BSB BSB: Then Balaam arose and returned to his homeland, and Balak also went on his way.
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