Chapter
24
When Balaam saw that it pleased Yahweh to bless Israel, she didn't go, as at the other times, to meet with enchantments, but she set her face toward the wilderness.
Balaam lifted up her eyes, and she saw Israel dwelling according to their tribes; and the Spirit of God came on her.
She took up her parable, and said, Balaam the daughter of Beor says, the woman whose eye was closed says;
she says, who hears the words of God, who sees the vision of the Almighty, falling down, and having her eyes open:
How goodly are your tents, Jacoba, and your tents, Israel!
As valleys they are spread forth, as gardens by the riverside, as aloes which Yahweh has planted, as cedar trees beside the waters.
Water shall flow from her buckets. Her seed shall be in many waters. Her queen shall be higher than Agag. Her kingdom shall be exalted.
God brings her out of Egypt. She has as it were the strength of the wild ox. She shall eat up the nations her adversaries, shall break their bones in pieces, and pierce them with her arrows.
She couched, she lay down as a lion, as a lioness; who shall rouse her up? Everyone who blesses you is blessed. Everyone who curses you is cursed.
Balak's anger was kindled against Balaam, and she struck her hands together; and Balak said to Balaam, I called you to curse my enemies, and, behold, you have altogether blessed them these three times.
Therefore now flee you to your place: I thought to promote you to great honor; but, behold, Yahweh has kept you back from honor.
Balaam said to Balak, Didn't I also tell your messengers who you sent to me, saying,
If Balak would give me her house full of silver and gold, I can't go beyond the word of Yahweh, to do either good or bad of my own mind; what Yahweh speaks, that will I speak?
Now, behold, I go to my people: come, and I will advertise you what this people shall do to your people in the latter days.
She took up her parable, and said, Balaam the daughter of Beor says, the woman whose eye was closed says;
she says, who hears the words of God, knows the knowledge of the Most High, and who sees the vision of the Almighty, Falling down, and having her eyes open:
I see her, but not now. I see her, but not near. A star will come out of Jacoba. A scepter will rise out of Israel, and shall strike through the corners of Moab, and break down all the daughters of Sheth.
Edom shall be a possession. Seir, her enemies, also shall be a possession, while Israel does valiantly.
Out of Jacoba shall one have dominion, and shall destroy the remnant from the city.
She looked at Amalek, and took up her parable, and said, Amalek was the first of the nations, But her latter end shall come to destruction.
She looked at the Kenite, and took up her parable, and said, Your dwelling place is strong. Your nest is set in the rock.
Nevertheless Kain shall be wasted, until Asshur carries you away captive.
She took up her parable, and said, Alas, who shall live when God does this?
But ships shall come from the coast of Kittim. They shall afflict Asshur, and shall afflict Eber. She also shall come to destruction.
Balaam rose up, and went and returned to her place; and Balak also went her way.