Numbers 24

1 And when Balaam saw that it pleased יהוה to bless Yisrael, he went not, as at other times, to seek for enchantments, but he set his face toward the wilderness.

2 And Balaam lifted up his eyes, and he saw Yisrael abiding in his tents according to their tribes; and the Spirit of God (Elohim) came upon him.

3 And he took up his parable, and said: “Balaam the son of Beor hath said, and the man whose eyes are open hath said;

4 He hath said, who heard the words of God (Elohim), who saw the vision of the Almighty, falling into a trance, but having his eyes open:

5 How goodly are your tents, O Jacob (Yaaqov), and your tabernacles, O Yisrael!

6 As the valleys are they spread forth, as gardens by the river’s side, as the trees of lign aloes which יהוה hath planted, and as cedar trees beside the waters.

7 He shall pour the water out of his buckets, and his seed shall be in many waters, and his king shall be higher than Agag, and his kingdom shall be exalted.

8 God (Elohim) brought him forth out of Egypt (Mitsrayim); he hath as it was the strength of a unicorn; he shall eat up the nations his enemies, and shall break their bones, and pierce them through with his arrows.

9 ‘He couched, he lay down as a lion, and as a great lion; who shall stir him up?’ “Blessed is he that blesseth you, and cursed is he that curseth you.”

10 And Balak’s anger was kindled against Balaam, and he smote his hands together; and Balak said unto Balaam, “I called you to curse mine enemies, and, behold, you have altogether blessed them these three times!

11 Therefore now flee you to your place. I thought to promote you unto great honor; but, behold, יהוה hath kept you back from honor.”

12 And Balaam said unto Balak, “Spake I not also to your messengers whom you sentest unto me, saying,

13 ‘If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the commandment of יהוה, to do either good or bad of mine own mind; but what יהוה saith, that will I speak’?

14 And now, behold, I go unto my people. Come therefore, and I will advertise you what this people shall do to your people in the latter days.”

15 And he took up his parable, and said, “Balaam the son of Beor hath said, and the man whose eyes are open hath said:

16 He hath said, which heard the words of God (Elohim), and knew the knowledge of the 6aMost High (Elyon), who saw the vision of the Almighty (Shaddai), falling into a trance, but having his eyes open:

17 I shall see Him, but not now; I shall behold Him, but not near; there shall come a Star out of Jacob (Yaaqov), and a Sceptre shall rise out of Yisrael, and shall smite the corners of Moav, and destroy all the children of Shet.

18 And Edom shall be a possession, Seir also shall be a possession for his enemies; and Yisrael shall do valiantly.

19 Out of Jacob (Yaaqov) shall come he that shall have dominion, and shall destroy him that remaineth of the city.”

20 And when he looked on Amalek, he took up his parable, and said: “Amalek was the first of the nations; but his latter end shall be that he perishes forever.”

21 And he looked on the Kenites, and took up his parable, and said, “Strong is your dwellingplace, and you puttest your nest in a rock;

22 Nevertheless the Kenite shall be wasted, until Asshur shall carry you away captive.

23 And he took up his parable, and said: “Alas, who shall live when God (Elohim) doeth this!

24 And ships shall come from the coast of Chittim, and shall afflict Asshur, and shall afflict Eber, and he also shall perish forever.”

25 And Balaam rose up, and went and returned to his place; and Balak also went his way.