1When Balaam saw that Yahweh was pleased to bless Israel, he didn't go off to look for omens as he had before. Instead, he turned his face toward the wilderness.
2Balaam looked up and saw the Israelites living in their tribal camps, and the Spirit of God came over him.
3He delivered his message, saying: “Balaam son of Beor says, the man whose eyes are open says;
4he says, the one who hears the words of God, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who falls down with his eyes wide open, says:
5How beautiful are your tents, Jacob, and your homes, Israel!
6They spread out like valleys, like gardens beside a river, like aloe trees planted by Yahweh, like cedar trees by the waters.
7Water will flow from his buckets, and his descendants will be abundant. His king will be greater than Agag, and his kingdom will be highly honored.
8God brought him out of Egypt; he has the strength of a wild ox. He will devour the nations that are his enemies, break their bones in pieces, and pierce them with his arrows.
9He lies down and rests like a lion, like a lioness; who dares to stir him up? Everyone who blesses you will be blessed, and everyone who curses you will be cursed.”
10Balak became furious with Balaam and clapped his hands together. Balak said to Balaam, “I called you to curse my enemies, but look, you have blessed them these three times!
11Now, get out of here and go home! I intended to honor you greatly, but look, Yahweh has prevented you from receiving honor.”
12Balaam said to Balak, “Didn't I tell your messengers, whom you sent to me,
13‘Even if Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go against the word of Yahweh to do anything good or bad on my own. I must say only what Yahweh says’?
14Now, I am going back to my people. But first, I will tell you what these people will do to your people in the future.”
15He delivered his message again, saying: “Balaam son of Beor says, the man whose eyes are open says;
16he says, the one who hears the words of God, who has knowledge from the Most High, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who falls down with his eyes wide open, says:
17I see him, but not right now. I look at him, but he is not close by. A star will come out of Jacob; a scepter will rise from Israel. It will crush the foreheads of Moab and destroy all the sons of Sheth.
18Edom will become his possession, and Seir, his enemy, will also be his possession, while Israel performs mighty deeds.
19Someone from Jacob will rule and destroy the survivors in the city.
20He looked at Amalek and spoke this message: "Amalek was the strongest of the nations, but in the end, it will be completely destroyed."
21He looked at the Kenite people and spoke this message: "Your home is strong. Your nest is built in the rock.
22Nevertheless, the Kenite people will be ruined until Assyria takes you captive."
23He spoke this message: "Oh no, who will survive when God does this?
24But ships will come from the coast of Kittim. They will attack Assyria and attack Eber. Assyria will also be destroyed."
25Balaam got up and went back to his home; Balak also went on his way.