1 And when Balaam saw that it pleased Jehovah 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 has said, and the man whose eyes are open has said:
4 He has 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 your tents, Oh Jacob, and your tabernacles, Oh Israel!
6 As the valleys are they spread forth, as gardens by the river's side, as the trees of lign aloes [a kind of tree] which Jehovah has 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 has as it were the strength of an auroch [huge extinct species of cattle]: 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 who blesses you, and cursed is he who curses you.
10 And Balak's anger was kindled against Balaam, and he struck his hands together: and Balak said to Balaam, I called you to curse my enemies, and, you have altogether blessed them these three times.
11 Therefore now flee you to your place: I thought to promote you to great honor; but, lo, Jehovah has kept you back from honor.
12 And Balaam said to Balak, Spoke I not also to your messengers which you sent to me, saying,
13 If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the commandment of Jehovah, to do either good or bad of my own mind; but what Jehovah says, that will I speak?
14 And now, I go to 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 has said, and the man whose eyes are open has said:
16 He has 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 see Him, but not near: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Scepter 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 who shall have dominion, and shall destroy him who remains 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 to the eon.
21 And he looked on the Kenites, and took up his parable, and said, Strong is your dwelling place, and you put 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 does this!
24 And ships shall come from the coast of Chittim, and shall humiliate Asshur, and shall humiliate Eber, and he also shall perish to the eon.
25 And Balaam rose up, and went and returned to his place: and Balak also went his way.