Numbers 24

¹ Balaam then saw that it pleased Yahweh to bless Israel. He did not go as before to seek omens but turned towards the wilderness.

² Raising his eyes Balaam saw Israel, encamped by tribes; the spirit of God came on him and he declaimed his poem.

³ He said: ‘The oracle of Balaam son of Beor, the oracle of the man with far-seeing eyes,

⁴ the oracle of one who hears the word of God. He sees what Shaddai makes him see, receives the divine answer, and his eyes are opened.

⁵ How fair are your tents, O Jacob! How fair your dwellings, Israel!

⁶ Like valleys that stretch afar, like gardens by the banks of a river, like aloes planted by Yahweh, like cedars beside the waters!

⁷ A hero arises from their stock, he reigns over countless peoples. His king is greater than Agag, his majesty is exalted.

⁸ God brings him out of Egypt, he is like the wild ox’s horns to him. He[*a] feeds on the carcase of his enemies, and breaks their bones in pieces.

⁹ He has crouched, he has lain down, like a lion, like a lioness; who dare rouse him? Blessed be those who bless you, and accursed be those who curse you!’

¹⁰ Balak flew into a rage with Balaam. He beat his hands together and said to Balaam, ‘I brought you to curse my enemies, and you bless them three times over!

¹¹ Be off with you, and go home. I promised to load you with honours. Yahweh himself has deprived you of them.’

¹² Balaam answered Balak, ‘Did I not tell the messengers you sent me:

¹³ Even if Balak gave me his house full of gold and silver I could not go against the order of Yahweh and do anything of my own accord, good or evil; what Yahweh says is what I will say.

¹⁴ Now that I am going back to my own folk, let me warn you what this people will do to your people, in time to come.’

¹⁵ Then he declaimed his poem. He said: The oracle of Balaam son of Beor, the oracle of the man with far-seeing eyes,

¹⁶ the oracle of one who hears the word of God, of one who knows the knowledge of the Most High. He sees what Shaddai makes him see, receives the divine answer, and his eyes are opened.

¹⁷ I see him – but not in the present, I behold him – but not close at hand: a star from Jacob takes the leadership, a sceptre arises from Israel. It crushes the brows of Moab the skulls of all the sons of Sheth[*b].

¹⁸ Edom becomes a conquered land; a conquered land is Seir.

¹⁹ Israel exerts his strength, Jacob dominates his enemies and destroys the fugitives from Ar.’

²⁰ Balaam looked on Amalek and declaimed his poem. He said: ‘Amalek, first among the nations! But his posterity shall perish for ever.’

²¹ Then he looked on the Kenites and declaimed his poem. He said: ‘Your house was firm, Kain, and your nest[*c] perched high in the rock.

²² But the nest belongs to Beor; how long will you be Asshur’s captive?’

²³ Then he looked on Og[*d] and declaimed his poem. He said: ‘The Sea-people[*e] gather in the north,

²⁴ ships from the coasts of Kittim. They bear down on Asshur, they bear down on Eber; he too shall perish for ever.’

²⁵ Then Balaam rose, left and went home. Balak too went his way.