Balaam, filled with the Spirit, blesses Israel again, and foretells a star and a sceptre rising out of Jacob. He then prophesies the downfall of other nations.
1 And when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel , 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 Israel abiding in his tents according to their tribes ; and the spirit of God 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 , which heard the words of God , which saw the vision of the Almighty , falling into a trance, but having his eyes open :
5 How goodly are thy tents , O Jacob , and thy tabernacles , O Israel !
6 As the valleys are they spread forth , as gardens by the river's side , as the trees of lign aloes which the LORD 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 brought him forth out of Egypt ; he hath as it were the strength of an 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 thee, and cursed is he that curseth thee.
10 And Balak's anger was kindled against Balaam , and he smote his hands together : and Balak said unto Balaam , I called thee to curse mine enemies , and, behold, thou hast altogether blessed them these three times .
11 Therefore now flee thou to thy place : I thought to promote thee unto great honour ; but, lo, the LORD hath kept thee back from honour .
12 And Balaam said unto Balak , Spake I not also to thy messengers which thou sentest unto me, saying ,
13 If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold , I cannot go beyond the commandment of the LORD , to do either good or bad of mine own mind ; but what the LORD saith , that will I speak ?
14 And now, behold, I go unto my people : come therefore, and I will advertise thee what this people shall do to thy 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 , and knew the knowledge of the most High , which saw the vision of the Almighty , falling into a trance, but having his eyes open :
17 I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh : there shall come a Star out of Jacob , and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel , and shall smite the corners of Moab , and destroy all the children of Sheth .
18 And Edom shall be a possession , Seir also shall be a possession for his enemies ; and Israel shall do valiantly .
19 Out of Jacob 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 perish for ever .
21 And he looked on the Kenites , and took up his parable , and said , Strong is thy dwellingplace , and thou puttest thy nest in a rock .
22 Nevertheless the Kenite shall be wasted , until Asshur shall carry thee away captive .
23 And he took up his parable , and said , Alas , who shall live when God 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 for ever .
25 And Balaam rose up , and went and returned to his place : and Balak also went his way .