Balaam’s Third Oracle
1 When Balaam saw that it pleased the Lord to bless Israel, he did not go seek divination, as he had done the other times, but looked out toward the wilderness. 2 When Balaam looked up and saw Israel abiding in tents, tribe by tribe, the Spirit of the Lord came upon him,3 and he proclaimed this parable:
“A declaration from Balaam, the son of Beor,
the man whose eyes are open,
4 the oracle of one who hears the words of God,
who sees the vision of the Almighty,
falling into a trance but having his eyes open:
5 How beautiful are your tents, Jacob,
and your dwelling places, Israel!
6 As valleys they are spread out,
as gardens by the riverside,
as aloes which the Lord has planted,
as cedar trees beside the waters.
7 He shall pour the water from her buckets.
Her seed shall be by abundant waters.
Her king shall be higher than Agag.
Her kingdom shall be exalted.
8 God brought her forth out of Egypt.
Her strength is like that of a wild ox.
She consumes the nations that oppose them
and breaks their bones in pieces
and pierces them through with her arrows.
9 Israel crouches and lies down like a lion,
and as a lioness,
who shall stir her up?
Blessed is he who blesses you.
And cursed is he who curses you.”
Balak Dismisses Balaam
10 Balak’s anger burned against Balaam, and he clapped his hands together and said to Balaam, “I called you to curse my enemies, and three times, you have completely blessed them! 11 Therefore, go back home now! I wanted to promote you to great honor, but the Lord has kept you back from honor.”
12 Balaam said to Balak, “Did I not also tell your messengers whom you sent to me, saying, 13 ‘Even if Balak gave me his house full of silver and gold, I could not go beyond the word of the Lord to do either good or bad of my own accord? But what the Lord says, that I will speak.” 14 Now, I am going to my people. Come, I will inform you what this people shall do to your people in the latter days.”
Balaam’s Fourth Oracle
15 He took up his parable and said,
“Balaam the son of Beor says,
the man whose eyes are open,
16 the oracle of one who hears the words of the Lord,
knows the knowledge of the Most High,
and who sees the vision of the Almighty,
falling into a trance but having his eyes open:
17 I see him, but not now.
I see him, but not near.
A star will come out of Jacob.
A scepter will rise out of Israel
and shall strike through the corners of Moab,
and crush all the sons of Sheth.
18 Edom shall be a possession.
Seir, his enemies, also shall be a possession,
while Israel shall advance triumphantly.
19 Out of Jacob shall come a ruler,
who shall destroy the survivors that remain in the city.”
Balaam’s Final Three Oracles
20 He looked at Amalek, and took up his parable and said,
“Amalek was the first of the nations,
but in the end he shall perish forever.”
21 He looked at the Kenite and took up his parable and said,
“Strong is your dwelling place,
and your nest is set in a rock.
22 Nevertheless Kain shall be wasted,
until Asshur carries you away captive.”
23 He took up his parable and said,
“Alas, who shall live when the Lord does this?
24 But ships shall come from the coast of Kittim.
They shall invade Asshur and Eber,
and they too will come to destruction.”
25 Balaam rose up and went and returned to his place, and Balak also went his way.