THE BOOK OF NUMBERS

Numbers Chapter 24

1 ¶ And when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he did not go, as before, to seek for omens, but he set his face toward the desert.

2 And Balaam lifted up his eyes, and he saw Israel abiding in their tents according to their tribes; and the spirit of God came upon him.

3 And he began his oracle, and said, Balaam the son of Beor, the oracle of a man whose eyes are open:

4 The oracle, of one who heard the words of God, who saw the vision of the Almighty, falling into a trance, but having his eyes open:

5 How goodly are your tents, O Jacob, and your tabernacles, O Israel!

6 They spread forth as the valleys, as gardens by the river’s side, as the trees of lign aloes which the LORD has planted, and as cedar trees beside the waters.

7 He shall pour the water out of his buckets, and his seed shall be in many waters, and his king shall be higher than Agag, and his kingdom shall be exalted.

8 God brought him forth out of Egypt; he has as it were the strength of an rhinoceros: he will eat up the nations of his enemies, and shall break their bones, and pierce them through with his arrows.

9 He crouched, he lay down as a lion, and as a great lion: who shall stir him up? Blessed is he that blesses you, and cursed is he that curses you.

10 ¶ Then Balak became furious with Balaam, and he struck his hands together: and Balak said to Balaam, I called you to curse my enemies, and, behold, you have altogether blessed them these three times.

11 Therefore now flee to your home: I thought to promote you to great honor; but, the LORD has kept you back from honor.

12 And Balaam said to Balak, Didn’t I say to your messengers which you sent to me,

13 If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the commandment of the LORD, to do either good or bad of my own will; but what the LORD says, that will I speak?

14 And now, behold, I return to my people: come I will tell you what these people shall do to your people in the latter days.

15 ¶ And he took up his discourse, and said, The oracle of Balaam the son of Beor, the man whose eyes are open:

16 The oracle of one who heard the words of God, and knew the knowledge of the most High, who saw the vision of the Almighty, falling into a trance, but having his eyes open:

17 I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not near: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Scepter shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth.

18 And Edom shall be a possession, Seir shall also be a possession of his enemies; but Israel shall do valiantly.

19 Out of Jacob shall come he who shall have dominion, and shall destroy what remains of the city.

20 Then Balaam saw Amalek, he took up his discourse, and said, Amalek is the foremost of the nations; but his end will be to perish forever.

21 And he looked on the Kenites, and took up his discourse, and said, Your dwelling place is strong, and you put your nest in a rock.

22 Nevertheless the Kenites shall be wasted, how long shall Asshur carry you away captive.

23 And he took up his discourse, and said, Alas, who shall live when God does this!

24 But ships shall come from the coast of Chittim, and shall afflict Asshur, and shall afflict Eber, and he also shall perish forever.

25 And Balaam rose up, and went and returned to his home: and Balak also went his way.