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24:1  When Balaam saw that Yahweh wanted to bless Israel, he didn’t look for omens as he had done before. He turned toward the desert,
24:2  looked up, and saw Israel’s camp grouped by tribes. The Ruach Elohim entered him,
24:3  and he delivered this message: “This is the message of Balaam, son of Beor. This is the message of the man whose eyesight is clear.
24:4  This is the message of the one who hears the words of El, has a vision from Shadday, and falls into a trance with his eyes open:
24:5  How beautiful are your tents, Jacob, and the places where you live, Israel.
24:6  Your tents spread out like rivers, like gardens by a river, like aloes planted by Yahweh, like cedars by the water.
24:7  Water will flow from their buckets, and their crops will have plenty of water. Their king will be greater than Agag, and their kingdom will be considered the best.
24:8  El who brought them out of Egypt has the strength of a wild bull. He will devour nations that are his enemies, crush their bones, and pierce them with arrows.
24:9  His people lie down and rest like a lion. They are like a lioness. Who dares to disturb them? Those who bless you will be blessed! Those who curse you will be cursed!”
24:10  Balak became angry with Balaam. He clapped his hands and said, “I summoned you to curse my enemies, and now you have blessed them three times.
24:11  Get out of here! Go home! I said I’d reward you richly, but Yahweh has made you lose your reward.”
24:12  Balaam answered Balak, “I told the messengers you sent me,
24:13  ‘Even if Balak would give me his palace filled with silver and gold, I couldn’t disobey Yahweh’s command no matter how good or bad the request might seem to me. I must say only what Yahweh says.’
24:14  Even though I’m going back to my people, I’ll give you some advice. I’ll tell you what these people will do to your people in the days to come.”
24:15  Then Balaam delivered this message: “This is the message of Balaam, son of Beor. This is the message of the man whose eyesight is clear.
24:16  This is the message of the one who hears the words of El, receives knowledge from Elyon, has a vision from Shadday, and falls into a trance with his eyes open:
24:17  I see someone who is not here now. I look at someone who is not nearby. A star will come from Jacob. A scepter will rise from Israel. He will crush the heads of the Moabites and destroy all the people of Sheth.
24:18  Edom will be conquered, and Seir, his enemy, will be conquered. So Israel will become wealthy.
24:19  He will rule from Jacob and destroy whoever is left in their cities.”
24:20  Then Balaam saw the Amalekites and delivered this message: “Amalek was first among the nations, but in the end it will be destroyed.”
24:21  Then he saw the Kenites and delivered this message: “You have a permanent place to live. Your nest is built in a rock.
24:22  But it is destined to be burned, you descendants of Cain, when Assyria takes you as prisoners of war.”
24:23  He delivered this message: “Oh no! Who will live when El decides to do this?
24:24  Ships will come from the shores of Cyprus. They will conquer Assyria and Eber. But they, too, will be totally destroyed.”
24:25  Then Balaam got up and went back home, and Balak also went on his way.