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24:1  Balaam saw that it pleased the Lord to bless the Israelites, so he didn’t go as the other times to seek omens. Instead, he turned toward the desert.
24:2  Balaam looked up and saw Israel camping by tribes. Then God’s spirit came on him.
24:3  He raised his voice and made his address: “The oracle of Balaam, Beor’s son; the oracle of a man whose eye is open.
24:4  The oracle of one who hears God’s speech, who perceives the Almighty’s visions, who falls down with eyes uncovered.
24:5  How beautiful are your tents, Jacob, your camps, Israel!
24:6  Like palm groves that stretch out, like gardens next to a river, like eaglewood trees that the Lord has planted, like cedar trees next to water.
24:7  Water will drip from his branches; his seed will have plenty of water; his king will be higher than Agag, and his kingdom will be lifted up.
24:8  God, who brought him from Egypt, is like a magnificent wild bull for him. He will devour enemy nations and break their bones; he will strike with his arrows.
24:9  He crouched and lay down like a lion; like a lioness, who can make her rise? The one blessing you will be blessed, and the one cursing you will be cursed.”
24:10  Balak was angry with Balaam. He pounded his fists. Balak said to Balaam, “I summoned you to curse my enemies, but now you’ve given a blessing these three times.
24:11  Now get out of here and go home. I told you I’d greatly honor you, but the Lord has denied you any honor.”
24:12  Balaam said to Balak, “Didn’t I tell your messengers, whom you sent to me,
24:13  ‘If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I wouldn’t be able to break the Lord’s command for good or ill by my own will. I’ll say whatever the Lord says’?
24:14  So now I’m going to my people. Let me advise you what this people will do to your people in the days to come.”
24:15  He raised his voice and made his address: “The oracle of Balaam, Beor’s son, the oracle of a man whose eye is open.
24:16  The oracle of one who hears God’s speech, and understands the Most High’s knowledge, who perceives the Almighty’s visions, who falls down with eyes uncovered.
24:17  I see him, but not now; I look at him, but not nearby. A star comes from Jacob; a scepter arises from Israel, smashing Moab’s forehead, the head of all the Sethites.
24:18  Edom will become a possession, Seir a possession of its enemies. But Israel acts powerfully.
24:19  Someone from Jacob will rule and destroy the survivors from Ir.”
24:20  He looked at Amalek and raised his voice and gave his address: “Amalek is foremost among the nations, but its end is to perish forever.”
24:21  He looked at the Kenites and raised his voice and gave his address: “Your dwelling is secure; your nest is set in the rock.
24:22  Yet Kain will burn when Asshur takes you away captive.”
24:23  He raised his voice and made his address: “How terrible! Who will live when God does this?
24:24  Ships from Kittim will attack Asshur; they will attack Eber, and even he will perish forever.”
24:25  Then Balaam arose, set out, and returned home. Balak also went on his way.