NumbersChapter 24

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¹Balaam saw that the LORD was pleased to bless Israel. So he did not go looking for omens as he had done the other times. Instead, he turned and faced the wilderness. ²Balaam looked up and saw Israel camped tribe by tribe. Then the Spirit of God came on him. ³And he spoke this message:
"This is the message of Balaam son of Beor.
This is the message of the man whose eyes are open. ⁴This is the message of the one who hears God's words.
He sees a vision from the Almighty.
He bows down, and his eyes are wide open. ⁵How beautiful are your tents, Jacob!
How lovely are your homes, Israel! ⁶They spread out like groves of palm trees.
They are like gardens beside a river.
They are like aloes the LORD has planted.
They are like cedar trees beside the waters. ⁷Water will flow from his buckets.
His seed will have plenty of water.
His king will be greater than Agag.
His kingdom will be lifted up high. ⁸God brought him out of Egypt.
He is as strong as a wild ox for him.
He will eat up the nations that fight him.
He will crush their bones.
He will shoot them through with his arrows. ⁹He crouches and lies down like a lion,
like a lioness. Who dares to wake him up?
Those who bless you will be blessed.
Those who curse you will be cursed." ¹⁰Then Balak became very angry with Balaam. He clapped his hands together in anger. He said to Balaam, "I called you here to curse my enemies. But look, you have kept on blessing them these three times. ¹¹So now, run off home right away! I said I would reward you well. But the LORD has kept you from your reward." ¹²Balaam answered Balak, "Didn't I already tell the messengers you sent to me? ¹³I told them, 'Even if Balak gave me his house full of silver and gold, I could not go against the LORD's command. I could not do anything on my own, good or bad. I must say whatever the LORD says.' ¹⁴Now I'm going back to my own people. But come, let me warn you. I'll tell you what these people will do to your people in the days to come." ¹⁵Then Balaam spoke this message:
"This is the message of Balaam son of Beor.
This is the message of the man whose eyes are open. ¹⁶This is the message of the one who hears God's words.
He has knowledge from the Most High.
He sees a vision from the Almighty.
He bows down, and his eyes are wide open. ¹⁷I see him, but not now.
I look at him, but he is not near.
A star will come out of Jacob.
A scepter will rise out of Israel.
He will crush the heads of Moab.
He will strike down all the sons of Sheth. ¹⁸Edom will be taken over.
Seir, his enemy, will be taken over too.
But Israel will grow strong and brave. ¹⁹A ruler will come out of Jacob.
He will destroy those left alive in the city." ²⁰Then Balaam saw Amalek, and he spoke this message:
"Amalek was first among the nations.
But in the end it will be destroyed." ²¹Next he saw the Kenites, and he spoke this message:
"The place where you live is safe.
Your nest is set in a cliff. ²²But Kain will be destroyed
when Asshur takes you away as captives."a ²³Once more Balaam spoke a message:
"Oh, who can live unless God has planned it? ²⁴Ships will come from the shores of Cyprus.
They will defeat Asshur and Eber.
But they too will be destroyed forever." ²⁵Then Balaam got up and went back home. And Balak went on his way too.