 1 Balaam saw that it pleased the Lord to bless Israel, and he did not go, as at other times, to seek for secret arts. But he set his face toward the wilderness. 2 Balaam lifted up his eyes and he saw Israel pitched according to their tribes. The Spirit of God came upon him. 3 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, one who heard the words of God, who saw the vision of the Almighty, falling down but having his eyes open, 5 how good are your tents, O Jacob, your tabernacles, O Israel. 6 They are spread forth like the valleys, like gardens by the river's side, like the trees of aloes that the Lord has planted like cedar trees beside the waters. 7 He will pour the water out of his buckets and his seed will be in many waters. His king will be higher than Agag and his kingdom will be exalted. 8 God brought him forth out of Egypt. He has the strength of an ox. He will eat up the nations his enemies and break their bones and pierce them through with his arrows. 9 He crouched. He lay down as a lion and as a great lion. Who will stir him up? Blessed are those who bless you and cursed are those who curse you. 10 Balak's anger was kindled against Balaam. He struck his hands together. Balak said to Balaam, I called you to curse my enemies, and behold, you have kept on blessing these three times. 11 Therefore now flee to your place. I thought to lift you up to great honor, but the Lord has kept you back from honor. 12 Balaam said to Balak, Did I not speak also to your messengers whom you sent to me saying, 13 If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the mouth of the Lord, to do good or bad of my own mind. What the Lord said, that I will speak. 14 Now, behold, I go to my people. Come. I will make known to you what this people shall do to your people in the latter days. 15 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, one who heard the words of God and knew the knowledge of the most high, who sees the vision of the Almighty, falling down but having his eyes open; 17 I shall see him, but not now. I shall behold him, but not near. A Star will come out of Jacob and a Scepter will rise out of Israel and strike the corners of Moab and destroy all the children of Sheth. 18 Edom shall be a possession. Seir also shall be a possession for his enemies. And Israel shall do valiantly. 19 Out of Jacob will come the one who shall have dominion and shall destroy him who remains of the city. 20 When he looked on Amalek, he took up his parable and said, Amalek was the first of the nations. But his latter end is destruction. 21 He looked on the Kenites and took up his parable and said, Strong is your dwelling place. You put your nest in a rock. 22 But the Kenites shall be wasted until Assyria shall carry you away captive. 23 He took up his parable and said, Alas, who shall live when God puts out. 24 Ships will come from the coast of Cyprus and will afflict Assyria and will afflict Eber. And he also shall perish forever. 25 Balaam rose and returned to his place. And Balak also went his way.
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