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24:1  Balaam saw that the Lord wanted to bless Israel. So Balaam did not try to use any magic. He looked toward the desert.
24:2  Balaam saw the Israelites camped in their tribes. Then the Spirit of God entered him.
24:3  And Balaam gave this message: “This is the message of Balaam son of Beor. This is the message of a man who sees clearly.
24:4  This is the message of a man who heard the words of God. I see a vision from the All-Powerful One. My eyes are open as I fall before him.
24:5  Your tents are beautiful, people of Jacob! So are your homes, Israel!
24:6  Your tents spread out like valleys. They are like gardens beside a river. They are like spices planted by the Lord. They are like cedar trees growing by the water.
24:7  Israel’s water buckets will always be full. Their crops will have plenty of water. Their king will be greater than Agag. Their kingdom will be very great.
24:8  God brought them out of Egypt. They are as strong as a wild ox. They will defeat their enemies. They will break their enemies’ bones. They will shoot them with arrows.
24:9  Like a lion, they lie waiting to attack. No one would wake a sleeping lion. Anyone who blesses you will be blessed. And anyone who curses you will be cursed.”
24:10  Then Balak was angry with Balaam. Balak pounded his fist. He said to Balaam, “I called you here to curse my enemies. But you have blessed them three times.
24:11  Now go home! I said I would pay you well. But the Lord has made you lose your reward.”
24:12  Balaam said to Balak, “You sent messengers to me. I told them,
24:13  ‘Balak could give me his palace filled with silver and gold. But I still cannot go against the Lord’s commands. I could not do anything, good or bad, on my own. I must say what the Lord says.’
24:14  Now I am going back to my own people. But I will tell you what these people will do to your people in the future.”
24:15  Then Balaam gave this message: “This is the message of Balaam son of Beor. This is the message of a man who sees clearly.
24:16  This is the message of a man who hears the words of God. I know the Most High God. I see a vision from the All-Powerful One. My eyes are open as I fall before him.
24:17  I see someone who will come some day. I see someone who will come, but not soon. A star will come from Jacob. A ruler will rise from Israel. He will crush the heads of the Moabites. He will smash the skulls of the sons of Sheth.
24:18  Edom will be conquered. His enemy Edom will be conquered. But Israel will grow wealthy.
24:19  The descendants of Jacob will beat them down. The Israelites will destroy those left in the city.”
24:20  Then Balaam saw Amalek and gave this message: “Amalek was the most important nation. But Amalek will be destroyed at last.”
24:21  Then Balaam saw the Kenites and gave this message: “Your home is safe. It is like a nest on a cliff.
24:22  But you Kenites will be burned up. Assyria will keep you captive.”
24:23  Then Balaam gave this message: “No one can live when God does this.
24:24  Ships will sail from the shores of Cyprus. They will defeat Assyria and Eber. But they will also be destroyed.”
24:25  Then Balaam got up and returned home. Balak also went on his way.