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 toward 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, ⁴ he says, who hears the words of God, ⁵ How goodly are your tents, Jacob, ⁶ As valleys they are spread out, ⁷ Water shall flow from his buckets. ⁸ God brings him out of Egypt. ⁹ He couched, he lay down as a lion,
Everyone who blesses you is blessed.
Everyone who curses you is cursed.” ¹⁰ Balak’s anger burned 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 honor; but, behold, the LORD has kept you back from honor.” 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, ¹⁶ he says, who hears the words of God, ¹⁷ I see him, but not now. ¹⁸ Edom shall be a possession. ¹⁹ Out of Jacob shall one have dominion, ²⁰ He looked at Amalek, and took up his parable, and said,
“Amalek was the first of the nations, ²¹ He looked at the Kenite, and took up his parable, and said,
“Your dwelling place is strong. ²² Nevertheless Kain shall be wasted, 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. ²⁵ Balaam rose up, and went and returned to his place; and Balak also went his way.