New International Version | New International Version |
1Now when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he did not resort to divination as at other times, but turned his face toward the wilderness. | 1Now when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he did not resort to divination as at other times, but turned his face toward the wilderness. |
2When Balaam looked out and saw Israel encamped tribe by tribe, the Spirit of God came on him | 2When Balaam looked out and saw Israel encamped tribe by tribe, the Spirit of God came on him |
3and he spoke his message: "The prophecy of Balaam son of Beor, the prophecy of one whose eye sees clearly, | 3and he spoke his message: "The prophecy of Balaam son of Beor, the prophecy of one whose eye sees clearly, |
4the prophecy of one who hears the words of God, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who falls prostrate, and whose eyes are opened: | 4the prophecy of one who hears the words of God, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who falls prostrate, and whose eyes are opened: |
5"How beautiful are your tents, Jacob, your dwelling places, Israel! | 5"How beautiful are your tents, Jacob, your dwelling places, Israel! |
6"Like valleys they spread out, like gardens beside a river, like aloes planted by the LORD, like cedars beside the waters. | 6"Like valleys they spread out, like gardens beside a river, like aloes planted by the LORD, like cedars beside the waters. |
7Water will flow from their buckets; their seed will have abundant water. "Their king will be greater than Agag; their kingdom will be exalted. | 7Water will flow from their buckets; their seed will have abundant water. "Their king will be greater than Agag; their kingdom will be exalted. |
8"God brought them out of Egypt; they have the strength of a wild ox. They devour hostile nations and break their bones in pieces; with their arrows they pierce them. | 8"God brought them out of Egypt; they have the strength of a wild ox. They devour hostile nations and break their bones in pieces; with their arrows they pierce them. |
9Like a lion they crouch and lie down, like a lioness--who dares to rouse them? "May those who bless you be blessed and those who curse you be cursed!" | 9Like a lion they crouch and lie down, like a lioness--who dares to rouse them? "May those who bless you be blessed and those who curse you be cursed!" |
10Then Balak's anger burned against Balaam. He struck his hands together and said to him, "I summoned you to curse my enemies, but you have blessed them these three times. | 10Then Balak's anger burned against Balaam. He struck his hands together and said to him, "I summoned you to curse my enemies, but you have blessed them these three times. |
11Now leave at once and go home! I said I would reward you handsomely, but the LORD has kept you from being rewarded." | 11Now leave at once and go home! I said I would reward you handsomely, but the LORD has kept you from being rewarded." |
12Balaam answered Balak, "Did I not tell the messengers you sent me, | 12Balaam answered Balak, "Did I not tell the messengers you sent me, |
13Even if Balak gave me all the silver and gold in his palace, I could not do anything of my own accord, good or bad, to go beyond the command of the LORD--and I must say only what the LORD says'? | 13Even if Balak gave me all the silver and gold in his palace, I could not do anything of my own accord, good or bad, to go beyond the command of the LORD--and I must say only what the LORD says'? |
14Now I am going back to my people, but come, let me warn you of what this people will do to your people in days to come." | 14Now I am going back to my people, but come, let me warn you of what this people will do to your people in days to come." |
15Then he spoke his message: "The prophecy of Balaam son of Beor, the prophecy of one whose eye sees clearly, | 15Then he spoke his message: "The prophecy of Balaam son of Beor, the prophecy of one whose eye sees clearly, |
16the prophecy of one who hears the words of God, who has knowledge from the Most High, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who falls prostrate, and whose eyes are opened: | 16the prophecy of one who hears the words of God, who has knowledge from the Most High, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who falls prostrate, and whose eyes are opened: |
17"I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come out of Jacob; a scepter will rise out of Israel. He will crush the foreheads of Moab, the skulls of all the people of Sheth. | 17"I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come out of Jacob; a scepter will rise out of Israel. He will crush the foreheads of Moab, the skulls of all the people of Sheth. |
18Edom will be conquered; Seir, his enemy, will be conquered, but Israel will grow strong. | 18Edom will be conquered; Seir, his enemy, will be conquered, but Israel will grow strong. |
19A ruler will come out of Jacob and destroy the survivors of the city." | 19A ruler will come out of Jacob and destroy the survivors of the city." |
20Then Balaam saw Amalek and spoke his message: "Amalek was first among the nations, but their end will be utter destruction." | 20Then Balaam saw Amalek and spoke his message: "Amalek was first among the nations, but their end will be utter destruction." |
21Then he saw the Kenites and spoke his message: "Your dwelling place is secure, your nest is set in a rock; | 21Then he saw the Kenites and spoke his message: "Your dwelling place is secure, your nest is set in a rock; |
22yet you Kenites will be destroyed when Ashur takes you captive." | 22yet you Kenites will be destroyed when Ashur takes you captive." |
23Then he spoke his message: "Alas! Who can live when God does this? | 23Then he spoke his message: "Alas! Who can live when God does this? |
24Ships will come from the shores of Cyprus; they will subdue Ashur and Eber, but they too will come to ruin." | 24Ships will come from the shores of Cyprus; they will subdue Ashur and Eber, but they too will come to ruin." |
25Then Balaam got up and returned home, and Balak went his own way. | 25Then Balaam got up and returned home, and Balak went his own way. |
New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. | New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. |
|