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¹ AND when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he did not go, as at other times, to seek divination; but set his face toward the wilderness.² And Balaam lifted up his eyes, and he saw Israel encamping, 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 has said, and the man whose eyes are open has said;⁴ He has said, who heard the word of God, who saw the vision of God, falling into a trance but having his eyes open:⁵ How beautiful are your tents, O Jacob, and your tabernacles, O Israel!⁶ Like the valleys that flow, like gardens by the rivers side, like the tabernacle which the LORD has pitched, and like cedar trees beside the waters.⁷ A man shall rise up from among his sons, and his offspring shall dwell by many waters; he shall be greater than Agag, and his kingdom shall be exalted.⁸ The God who brought them forth out of Egypt with his might and excellency, he shall devour the nations that are their enemies, and shall break their bones in pieces, and cut off their loins.⁹ He couched, he lay down as a lion, and as a young lion; who shall rouse him up? Blessed are they who bless you, and cursed are they who curse you.

¹⁰ And Balaks anger was kindled against Balaam, and he struck his hands together; and Balak said to Balaam, I called you to curse my enemies, and, behold, you have surely blessed them these three times.¹¹ Therefore, now get you out and go to your own country; for I had said, I will surely honor you but, lo, the LORD has deprived you of my honors.¹² And Balaam answered and said to Balak, Did I not say to your messengers whom you sent to me,¹³ If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I would not transgress the commandment of the LORD to do either good or bad of my own mind; but what the LORD says, that will I speak.¹⁴ And now, behold. I am going to my land; come, therefore, and I will give you counsel what this people shall do to your people in the latter days.

¹⁵ And he took up his parable and said, Balaam the son of Beor has said, and the man whose eyes are open has said;¹⁶ He has said, who heard the words of God and knew the knowledge of the Most High, who saw the vision of God, falling into a trance but having his eyes open;¹⁷ I have seen him, but not clearly enough; I beheld him, but he was not nigh; there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Prince shall rise out of Israel, and shall destroy the mighty men of Moab and subdue all the children of Sheth.¹⁸ And Edom shall be his possession; Seir, also the possession of his enemies, shall be his; and Israel shall gain strength.¹⁹ Out of Jacob shall come he that shall have dominion, and shall destroy him who has survived out of the city.²⁰ And when he looked on Amalek, he took up his parable and said, Amalek is the chief of the nations; but in the end he shall perish for ever.²¹ And he looked on the Kenites and took up his parable and said, Strong is your dwelling place, and your nest is set in a rock.²² Nevertheless the Kenite shall be wasted until Assyria shall carry you away captive.²³ And he took up his parable and said, Alas, who shall live when God does this!²⁴ And legions shall come from the land of China, and shall conquer Assyria, and shall subdue the Hebrews, and they also shall perish for ever.²⁵ Then Balaam rose up and returned to his country; and Balak also went his way.