Parallel Bible results for "numbers 24"

Numbers 24

Common English Bible CEB

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.

2 Balaam looked up and saw Israel camping by tribes. Then God's spirit came on him.

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.

4 The oracle of one who hears God's speech, who perceives the Almighty's visions, who falls down with eyes uncovered.

5 How beautiful are your tents, Jacob, your camps, Israel!

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.

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.

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.

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."

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.

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."

12 Balaam said to Balak, "Didn't I tell your messengers, whom you sent to me,

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'?

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."

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.

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.

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. Seir a possession of its enemies. But Israel acts powerfully.

18 Edom will become a possession,

19 Someone from Jacob will rule and destroy the survivors from Ir."

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."

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.

22 Yet Kain will burn when Asshur takes you away captive."

23 He raised his voice and made his address: "How terrible! Who will live when God does this?

24 Ships from Kittim will attack Asshur; they will attack Eber, and even he will perish forever."

25 Then Balaam arose, set out, and returned home. Balak also went on his way.

The Message Bible MSG

1 By now Balaam realized that God wanted to bless Israel. So he didn't work in any sorcery as he had done earlier. He turned and looked out over the wilderness.

2 As Balaam looked, he saw Israel camped tribe by tribe. The Spirit of God came on him,

3 and he spoke his oracle-message: Decree of Balaam son of Beor, yes, decree of a man with 20/20 vision;

4 Decree of a man who hears God speak, who sees what The Strong God shows him, Who falls on his face in worship, who sees what's really going on.

5 What beautiful tents, Jacob, oh, your homes, Israel!

6 Like valleys stretching out in the distance, like gardens planted by rivers, Like sweet herbs planted by the gardener God, like red cedars by pools and springs,

7 Their buckets will brim with water, their seed will spread life everywhere. Their king will tower over Agag and his ilk, their kingdom surpassingly majestic.

8 God brought them out of Egypt, rampaging like a wild ox, Gulping enemies like morsels of meat, crushing their bones, snapping their arrows.

9 Israel crouches like a lion and naps, king-of-the-beasts - who dares disturb him? Whoever blesses you is blessed, whoever curses you is cursed.

10 Balak lost his temper with Balaam. He shook his fist. He said to Balaam: "I got you in here to curse my enemies and what have you done? Blessed them! Blessed them three times!

11 Get out of here! Go home! I told you I would pay you well, but you're getting nothing. You can blame God."

12 Balaam said to Balak, "Didn't I tell you up front when you sent your emissaries,

13 'Even if Balak gave me his palace stuffed with silver and gold, I couldn't do anything on my own, whether good or bad, that went against God's command'?

14 I'm leaving for home and my people, but I warn you of what this people will do to your people in the days to come."

15 Then he spoke his oracle-message: Decree of Balaam son of Beor, decree of the man with 20/20 vision,

16 Decree of the man who hears godly speech, who knows what's going on with the High God, Who sees what The Strong God reveals, who bows in worship and sees what's real.

17 I see him, but not right now, I perceive him, but not right here; A star rises from Jacob a scepter from Israel, Crushing the heads of Moab, the skulls of all the noisy windbags;

18 I see Edom sold off at auction, enemy Seir marked down at the flea market, while Israel walks off with the trophies.

19 A ruler is coming from Jacob who'll destroy what's left in the city.

20 Then Balaam spotted Amalek and delivered an oracle-message. He said, Amalek, you're in first place among nations right now, but you're going to come in last, ruined.

21 He saw the Kenites and delivered his oracle-message to them: Your home is in a nice secure place, like a nest high on the face of a cliff.

22 Still, you Kenites will look stupid when Asshur takes you prisoner.

23 Balaam spoke his final oracle-message: Doom! Who stands a chance when God starts in?

24 Sea-Peoples, raiders from across the sea, will harass Asshur and Eber, But they'll also come to nothing, just like all the rest.

25 Balaam got up and went home. Balak also went on his way.