Parallel Bible results for "numbers 24"

Numbers 24

The Bible in Basic English BBE

1 Now when Balaam saw that it was the Lord's pleasure to give his blessing to Israel, he did not, as at other times, make use of secret arts, but turning his face to the waste land,

2 And lifting up his eyes, he saw Israel there, with their tents in the order of their tribes: and the spirit of God came on him.

3 And moved by the spirit, he said, These are the words of Balaam, son of Beor, the words of the man whose eyes are open:

4 He says, whose ears are open to the words of God, who has seen the vision of the Ruler of all, falling down, but having his eyes open:

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

6 They are stretched out like valleys, like gardens by the riverside, like flowering trees planted by the Lord, like cedar-trees by the waters.

7 Peoples will be in fear before his strength, his arm will be on great nations: his king will be higher than Agag, and his kingdom made great in honour.

8 It is God who has taken him out of Egypt; his horns are like those of the mountain ox; the nations warring against him will be his food, their bones will be broken, they will be wounded with his arrows.

9 He took his sleep stretched out like a lion, and like a she-lion: by whom will his rest be broken? May a blessing be on everyone who gives you blessing, and a curse on everyone by whom you are cursed.

10 Then Balak was full of wrath against Balaam, and angrily waving his hands he said to Balaam, I sent for you so that those who are against me might be cursed, but now, see, three times you have given them a blessing.

11 Go back quickly to the place you came from: it was my purpose to give you a place of honour, but now the Lord has kept you back from honour.

12 Then Balaam said to Balak, Did I not say to the men you sent to me,

13 Even if Balak gave me his house full of silver and gold, it would not be possible for me to go outside the orders of the Lord, doing good or evil at the impulse of my mind; whatever the Lord says I will say?

14 So now I will go back to my people: but first let me make clear to you what this people will do to your people in days to come.

15 Then he went on with his story and said, These are the words of Balaam, the son of Beor, the words of him whose eyes are open:

16 He says, whose ear is open to the words of God, who has knowledge of the Most High, who has seen the vision of the Ruler of all, falling down and having his eyes open:

17 I see him, but not now: looking on him, but not near: a star will come out of Jacob, and a rod of authority out of Israel, sending destruction to the farthest limits of Moab and on the head of all the sons of Sheth.

18 Edom will be his heritage, and he will put an end to the last of the people of Seir.

19 And Israel will go on in strength, and Jacob will have rule over his haters.

20 Then, turning his eyes to Amalek, he went on with his story and said, Amalek was the first of the nations, but his part will be destruction for ever.

21 And looking on the Kenites he went on with his story and said, Strong is your living-place, and your secret place is safe in the rock.

22 But still the Kenites will be wasted, till Asshur takes you away prisoner.

23 Then he went on with his story and said, But who may keep his life when God does this?

24 But ships will come from the direction of Kittim, troubling Asshur and troubling Eber, and like the others their fate will be destruction.

25 Then Balaam got up and went back to his place: and Balak went away.

Good News Translation GNT

1 By now Balaam knew that the Lord wanted him to bless the people of Israel, so he did not go to look for omens, as he had done before. He turned toward the desert

2 and saw the people of Israel camped tribe by tribe. The spirit of God took control of him,

3 and he uttered this prophecy: "The message of Balaam son of Beor, The words of the man who can see clearly,

4 Who can hear what God is saying. With staring eyes I see in a trance A vision from Almighty God.

5 The tents of Israel are beautiful,

6 Like long rows of palms Or gardens beside a river, Like aloes planted by the Lord Or cedars beside the water.

7 They will have abundant rainfall And plant their seed in well-watered fields. Their king shall be greater than Agag, And his rule shall be extended far and wide.

8 God brought them out of Egypt; He fights for them like a wild ox. They devour their enemies, Crush their bones, smash their arrows.

9 The nation is like a mighty lion; When it is sleeping, no one dares wake it. Whoever blesses Israel will be blessed, And whoever curses Israel will be cursed."

10 Balak clenched his fists in anger and said to Balaam, "I called you to curse my enemies, but three times now you have blessed them instead.

11 Now get on home! I promised to reward you, but the Lord has kept you from getting the reward."

12 Balaam answered, "I told the messengers you sent to me that

13 even if you gave me all the silver and gold in your palace, I could not disobey the command of the Lord by doing anything of myself. I will say only what the Lord tells me to say."

14 Balaam said to Balak, "Now I am going back to my own people, but before I go, I am warning you what the people of Israel will do to your people in the future."

15 Then he uttered this prophecy: "The message of Balaam son of Beor, The words of the man who can see clearly,

16 Who can hear what God is saying And receive the knowledge that comes from the Most High. With staring eyes I see in a trance A vision from Almighty God.

17 I look into the future, And I see the nation of Israel. A king, like a bright star, will arise in that nation. Like a comet he will come from Israel. He will strike the leaders of Moab And beat down all the people of Seth.

18 He will conquer his enemies in Edom And make their land his property, While Israel continues victorious.

19 The nation of Israel will trample them down And wipe out the last survivors."

20 Then in his vision Balaam saw the Amalekites and uttered this prophecy: "Amalek was the most powerful nation of all, But at the end it will perish forever."

21 In his vision he saw the Kenites, and uttered this prophecy: "The place where you live is secure, Safe as a nest set high on a cliff,

22 But you Kenites will be destroyed When Assyria takes you captive."

23 Balaam uttered this prophecy: "Who are these people gathering in the north?

24 Invaders will sail from Cyprus; They will conquer Assyria and Eber, But they, in turn, will perish forever."

25 Then Balaam got ready and went back home, and Balak went on his way.