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¹ Balaam saw that it pleased the Lord to speak good of Israel. So he did not go, as at other times, and look for special things to see. Instead he looked toward the desert. ² Balaam looked up and saw Israel living in their tents by their families. And the Spirit of God came upon him. ³ He began speaking and said, "Balaam the son of Beor is the man whose eye is opened. ⁴ He hears the words of God. He sees what the All-powerful wants him to see. He falls down, but has his eyes open. ⁵ How fair are your tents, O Jacob, and your homes, O Israel! ⁶ They are like valleys that spread out, and like gardens beside the river. They are like aloes planted by the Lord, and like cedars beside the waters. ⁷ Water will flow from his pails. His seed will be by many waters. His king will be more powerful than Agag, and his nation will be honored. ⁸ God brings him out of Egypt. He is for him like the horns of the wild bull. He will destroy the nations who fight against him. He will crush their bones in pieces and cut through them with his arrows. ⁹ He bows down. He lies down like a lion. And as a lion, who will wake him? Good will come to everyone who prays for you. And cursed is everyone who curses you."

¹⁰ Then Balak's anger burned against Balaam, and he hit his hands together. Balak said to Balaam, "I called you to curse those who hate me. But see, you have done nothing but pray that good would come to them these three times! ¹¹ So now run away to your place. I said I would give you much honor, but the Lord has kept you from honor." ¹² Then Balaam said to Balak, "Did I not tell the men you had sent to me, ¹³ ‘Even if Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot do anything against the Word of the Lord'? I said, ‘I cannot do good or bad because I want to. What the Lord says, I will say.' ¹⁴ Now see, I am going to my people. Come, I will tell you what this people will do to your people in the days to come."

Balaam Tells What Will Happen the Fourth Time

¹⁵ Then he began speaking and said, "Balaam the son of Beor is the man whose eye is opened. ¹⁶ He hears the words of God. He knows what the Most High wants him to know. He sees what the All-powerful wants him to see. He falls down, but has his eyes open. ¹⁷ I see him, but not now. I see him, but he is not near. A star will come out of Jacob. A special stick of power will rise from Israel. It will crush the forehead of Moab, and break down all the sons of Sheth. ¹⁸ It will take the land of Edom. And it will take the land of Seir, who fights against Israel. And Israel will fight with much power. ¹⁹ One from Jacob will rule. He will destroy from the city all who are left alive." ²⁰ Then Balaam looked at Amalek and said, "Amalek was the first of the nations. But he will be destroyed in the end." ²¹ Then he looked at the Kenite and said, "The place where you live is strong. Your nest is set in the rock. ²² But Kain will be destroyed. How long will Asshur keep you against your will?" ²³ Then Balaam said, "Who can live when God does this? ²⁴ But ships will come from Kittim. They will bring trouble to Asshur and Eber, but they will be destroyed also." ²⁵ Then Balaam got up and left. He returned to his place, and Balak went on his way.