Numbers, 24

1. And when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he went not, as at other times, to seek for enchantments, but he set his face toward the wilderness.

1. But Balaam saw that Yahweh willingly blessed Israel. He did not seek out signs as he had done before, but turned towards the desert.

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

2. He looked up and saw Israel camping, tribe by tribe; and the spirit of God came upon him

3. And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor hath said, and the man whose eyes are open hath said:

3. and he uttered his song: "Word of Balaam, son of Beor, the seer, the one who hears the words of God,

4. He hath said, which heard the words of God, which saw the vision of the Almighty, falling [into a trance], but having his eyes open:

4. and beholds the vision of the Almighty, in ecstasy, with eyes unveiled.

5. How goodly are thy tents, O Jacob, [and] thy tabernacles, O Israel!

5. How goodly are your tents, Jacob, your encampments, Israel!

6. As the valleys are they spread forth, as gardens by the river's side, as the trees of lign aloes which the LORD hath planted, [and] as cedar trees beside the waters.

6. Like valleys stretching far, like gardens beside a stream, like aloes planted by Yahweh, like cedars 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.

7. His buckets are overflowing and his seeds are always watered. His king becomes stronger than Agag, and his kingdom grows.

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

8. His God brought him out of Egypt and fights for him like the horns of a wild ox. He devours the carcasses of his enemies and crushes their bones in pieces.

9. He couched, he lay down as a lion, and as a great lion: who shall stir him up? Blessed [is] he that blesseth thee, and cursed [is] he that curseth thee.

9. He lies like a lion, or like a lioness; who dares rouse him? Blessed is he who blesses you! And cursed is he who curses you!"

10. And Balak's anger was kindled against Balaam, and he smote his hands together: and Balak said unto Balaam, I called thee to curse mine enemies, and, behold, thou hast altogether blessed [them] these three times.

10. Balak's anger burned against Balaam; he beat his hands together and said, "I called you to curse my enemy and you have blessed him three times!

11. Therefore now flee thou to thy place: I thought to promote thee unto great honour; but, lo, the LORD hath kept thee back from honour.

11. So flee to your place now. I said I would greatly reward you but Yahweh has taken away your reward."

12. And Balaam said unto Balak, Spake I not also to thy messengers which thou sentest unto me, saying,

12. Balaam said to Balak, "Did I not tell your messengers:

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 mine own mind; [but] what the LORD saith, that will I speak?

13. though Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not do anything, good or bad, of my own accord beyond Yahweh's command? What Yahweh speaks, I speak.

14. And now, behold, I go unto my people: come [therefore, and] I will advertise thee what this people shall do to thy people in the latter days.

14. Now, before I return to my people, come that I may warn you what this people will do to your people in the days to come."

15. And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor hath said, and the man whose eyes are open hath said:

15. Then Balaam pronounced his oracle: "Word of Balaam, son of Beor, the seer,

16. He hath said, which heard the words of God, and knew the knowledge of the most High, [which] saw the vision of the Almighty, falling [into a trance], but having his eyes open:

16. the one who hears the words of God, who has knowledge from the Most High, and sees the vision of the Almighty, in ecstasy, with eyes unveiled.

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

17. I see a figure, but not really. I behold him but not near. A star shall come forth from Jacob, he rises with a staff in his hand; he shatters the forehead of Moab and tears down all the sons of Sheth.

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

18. He conquers the land of Edom, and takes the cities of his enemies. Israel grows strong;

19. Out of Jacob shall come he that shall have dominion, and shall destroy him that remaineth of the city.

19. Jacob dominates."

20. And when he looked on Amalek, he took up his parable, and said, Amalek [was] the first of the nations; but his latter end [shall be] that he perish for ever.

20. Then Balaam looked to Amalek's country; he said, "Amalek, the first of the nations, will finally meet with destruction."

21. And he looked on the Kenites, and took up his parable, and said, Strong is thy dwellingplace, and thou puttest thy nest in a rock.

21. Then he looked to the Kainite's land and continued his oracle: Your dwelling place is enduring, your nest is set in the rock,

22. Nevertheless the Kenite shall be wasted, until Asshur shall carry thee away captive.

22. but you shall be destroyed; and finally Asshur shall take you captive."

23. And he took up his parable, and said, Alas, who shall live when God doeth this!

23. Balaam continued his oracle and said: "Alas! Who will live when God does this?

24. And ships [shall come] from the coast of Chittim, and shall afflict Asshur, and shall afflict Eber, and he also shall perish for ever.

24. Ships shall come from Kittim and shall conquer Asshur, but also Eber; they too shall be destroyed."

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

25. Then Balaam rose and set out on his journey home while Balak also went on his way.