1 When Balaam saw that it was good in the LORD's eyes to bless Israel, he did not go off as he had the other times to seek omens, but turned his face toward the wilderness.
2 Balaam looked up and saw Israel encamped tribe by tribe, and the Spirit of God came on him.
3 He uttered his discourse: "The word of Balaam son of Beor, the word of the man whose eye is opened,
4 the word of one who hears the sayings of God, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who falls down with his eyes uncovered:
5 How fine are your tents, Jacob, your dwellings, Israel!
6 Like valleys they spread out, like gardens by a river, like aloes the LORD has planted, like cedars beside the waters.
7 Water will flow from his buckets, and his seed will be by abundant waters. His king will be greater than Agag, and his kingdom will be lifted high.
8 God brought him out of Egypt; he has strength like the horns of the wild ox. He will devour the nations that oppose him, crush their bones, and pierce them with his arrows.
9 He crouched and lay down like a lion, like a lioness—who dares rouse him? Blessed be those who bless you, and cursed be those who curse you!"
10 Balak's anger burned against Balaam, and he clapped his hands together. Balak said to Balaam, "I summoned you to curse my enemies, and look, you have blessed them all three times!
11 Now run off home! I said I would reward you richly, but see, the LORD has kept you from being rewarded."
12 Balaam said to Balak, "Didn't I tell the messengers you sent me,
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 good or bad of my own accord; what the LORD says, that is what I will say'?
14 Now I am going back to my people. Come, let me advise you of what this people will do to your people in the days to come."
15 He uttered his discourse: "The word of Balaam son of Beor, the word of the man whose eye is opened,
16 the word of one who hears the sayings of God and knows what the Most High knows, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who falls down with his eyes uncovered:
17 I see him, though not now; I look at him, though not close at hand. A star will march out from Jacob, and a scepter will rise from Israel. It will smash the temples of Moab's head and tear down all the sons of Sheth.
18 Edom will become a conquered land; Seir, his enemies, will become a conquered land, while Israel acts with strength.
19 One from Jacob will rule and wipe out the survivors of the city."
20 Then he looked at Amalek and uttered his discourse: "Amalek was first among the nations, but his end will be destruction forever."
21 He looked at the Kenites and uttered his discourse: "Your dwelling is secure, and your nest is set in the rock;
22 yet Kain will be burned away. How long before Asshur carries you off captive?"
23 Then he uttered his discourse: "Ah, who can survive when God brings this about?
24 Ships will come from the coast of Kittim; they will humble Asshur and humble Eber, but he too will perish forever."
25 Then Balaam got up and went back home, and Balak also went his way.