Numbers 24 (GNV)

1When Balaam saw that it pleased the Lord to blesse Israel, then he went not, as certaine times before, to set diuinations, but set his face toward the wildernesse.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.

2And Balaam lift vp his eyes, and looked vpon Israel, which dwelt according to their tribes, and the Spirit of God came vpon him.When Balaam looked up and saw Israel encamped tribe by tribe, the Spirit of God came upon him,

3And he vttered his parable, and sayd, Balaam the sonne of Beor hath sayde, and the man, whose eyes were shut vp, hath sayd,and he lifted up an oracle, saying: “This is the prophecy of Balaam son of Beor, the prophecy of a man whose eyes are open,

4He hath sayde, which heard the wordes of God, and sawe the vision of the Almightie, and falling in a traunce had his eyes opened:the prophecy of one who hears the words of God, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who bows down with eyes wide open:

5How goodly are thy tentes, O Iaakob, and thine habitations, O Israel!How lovely are your tents, O Jacob, your dwellings, O Israel!

6As the valleis, are they stretched forth, as gardes by the riuers side, as the aloe trees, which the Lord hath planted, as the cedars beside the waters.They spread out like palm groves, like gardens beside a stream, like aloes the LORD has planted, like cedars beside the waters.

7The water droppeth out of his bucket, and his seede shalbe in many waters, and his king shall be hier then Agag, and his kingdome shall bee exalted.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.

8God brought him out of Egypt: his strength shalbe as an vnicorne: he shall eate the nations his enemies, and bruise their bones, and shoote them through with his arrowes.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.

9He coucheth and lieth downe as a yong lion, and as a lion: who shall stirre him vp? blessed is he that blesseth thee, and cursed is he that curseth thee.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.”

10Then Balak was very angry with Balaam, and smote his handes together: so Balak sayde vnto Balaam, I sent for thee to curse mine enemies, and beholde, thou hast blessed them nowe three times.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.

11Therefore nowe flee vnto thy place: I thought surely to promote thee vnto honour, but loe, the Lord hath kept thee backe from honour.Therefore, flee at once to your home! I said I would reward you richly, but instead the LORD has denied your reward.”

12Then Balaam answered Balak, Tolde I not also thy messengers, which thou sentest vnto me, saying,Balaam answered Balak, “Did I not already tell the messengers you sent me

13If Balak would giue me his house ful of siluer and gold, I can not passe the commandement of the Lord, to doe either good or bad of mine owne minde? what the Lord shall commaund, the same will I speake.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.

14And nowe behold, I goe vnto my people: come, I will aduertise thee what this people shall doe to thy folke in the later dayes.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.”

15And he vttered his parable, and sayd, Balaam the sonne of Beor hath sayde, and the man whose eyes were shut vp, hath sayd,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,

16He hath said that heard the words of God, and hath the knowledge of the most High, and sawe the vision of the Almightie, and falling in a traunce had his eyes opened: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:

17I shall see him, but not nowe: I shall behold him, but not neere: there shall come a starre of Iaakob, and a scepter shall rise of Israel, and shall smite the coastes of Moab, and destroy all the sonnes of Sheth.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.

18And Edom shalbe possessed, and Seir shall be a possession to their enemies: but Israel shall do valiantly.Edom will become a possession, as will Seir, his enemy; but Israel will perform with valor.

19He also that shall haue dominion shall bee of Iaakob, and shall destroy the remnant of the citie.A ruler will come from Jacob and destroy the survivors of the city.”

20And when he looked on Amalek, he vttered his parable, and sayd, Amalek was the first of the nations: but his latter ende shall come to destruction.Then Balaam saw Amalek and lifted up an oracle, saying: “Amalek was first among the nations, but his end is destruction.”

21And he looked on the Kenites, and vttered his parable, and sayde, Strong is thy dwelling place, and put thy nest in the rocke.Next he saw the Kenites and lifted up an oracle, saying: “Your dwelling place is secure, and your nest is set in a cliff.

22Neuerthelesse, the Kenite shalbe spoyled vntill Asshur cary thee away captiue.Yet Kain will be destroyed when Asshur takes you captive.”

23Againe he vttered his parable, and sayd, Alas, who shall liue when God doeth this?Once more Balaam lifted up an oracle, saying: “Ah, who can live unless God has ordained it?

24The ships also shall come from the coastes of Chittim, and subdue Asshur, and shall subdue Eber, and he also shall come to destruction.Ships will come from the coasts of Cyprus; they will subdue Asshur and Eber, but they too will perish forever.”

25Then Balaam rose vp, and went and returned to his place: and Balak also went his way.Then Balaam arose and returned to his homeland, and Balak also went on his way.

Numbers 24

Balaam’s Third Oracle

Balak Dismisses Balaam

Balaam’s Fourth Oracle

Balaam’s Final Three Oracles

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