Parallel
Numbers 24
World English Bible British Edition · Berean Standard Bible
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 towards the wilderness.
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.
Balaam lifted up his eyes, and he saw Israel dwelling according to their tribes; and the Spirit of God came on him.
When Balaam looked up and saw Israel encamped tribe by tribe, the Spirit of God came upon him,
He took up his parable, and said,
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,
he says, who hears the words of God,
the prophecy of one who hears the words of God, who sees a vision from the Almighty (note: Hebrew Shaddai; also in verse 16), who bows down with eyes wide open:
How goodly are your tents, Jacob,
How lovely are your tents, O Jacob, your dwellings, O Israel!
As valleys they are spread out,
They spread out like palm groves (note: Or like valleys), like gardens beside a stream, like aloes the LORD has planted, like cedars beside the waters.
Water shall flow from his buckets.
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.
God brings him out of Egypt.
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.
He couched, he lay down as a lion,
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’s anger burnt 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.
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.
Therefore, flee to your place, now! I thought to promote you to great honour; but, behold, the LORD has kept you back from honour.”
Therefore, flee at once to your home! I said I would reward you richly, but instead the LORD has denied your reward.”
Balaam said to Balak, “Didn’t I also tell your messengers whom you sent to me, saying,
Balaam answered Balak, “Did I not already tell the messengers you sent me
‘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’?
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.
Now, behold, I go to my people. Come, I will inform you what this people shall do to your people in the latter days.”
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.”
He took up his parable, and said,
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,
he says, who hears the words of God,
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:
I see him, but not now.
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 (note: SP foreheads; Hebrew corners (of the head); LXX princes) of Moab and strike down all the sons of Sheth.
Edom shall be a possession.
Edom will become a possession, as will Seir, his enemy; but Israel will perform with valor.
Out of Jacob shall one have dominion,
A ruler will come from Jacob and destroy the survivors of the city.”
He looked at Amalek, and took up his parable, and said,
Then Balaam saw Amalek and lifted up an oracle, saying: “Amalek was first among the nations, but his end is destruction.”
He looked at the Kenite, and took up his parable, and said,
Next he saw the Kenites and lifted up an oracle, saying: “Your dwelling place is secure, and your nest is set in a cliff.
Nevertheless Kain shall be wasted,
Yet Kain will be destroyed when Asshur (note: Or Assyria; also in verse 24) takes you captive.”
He took up his parable, and said,
Once more Balaam lifted up an oracle, saying: “Ah, who can live unless God has ordained it?
But ships shall come from the coast of Kittim.
Ships will come from the coasts of Cyprus (note: Hebrew Kittim); they will subdue Asshur and Eber, but they too will perish forever.”
Balaam rose up, 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.