Holman Christian Standard Bible CSB
English Standard Version ESV
1 Since Balaam saw that it pleased the Lord to bless Israel, he did not go to seek omens as on previous occasions, but turned toward the wilderness.
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When Balaam saw that it pleased the Lord to bless Israel, he did not go, as at other times, to look for omens, but set his face toward the wilderness.
2 When Balaam looked up and saw Israel encamped tribe by tribe, the Spirit of God descended on him,
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And Balaam lifted up his eyes and saw Israel camping tribe by tribe. And the Spirit of God came upon him,
3 and he proclaimed his poem: The oracle of Balaam son of Beor, the oracle of the man whose eyes are opened,
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and he took up his discourse and said, “The oracle of Balaam the son of Beor, the oracle of the man whose eye is opened,
4 the oracle of one who hears the sayings of God, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who falls [into a trance] with [his] eyes uncovered:
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the oracle of him who hears the words of God, who sees the vision of the Almighty, falling down with his eyes uncovered:
5 How beautiful are your tents, Jacob, your dwellings, Israel.
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How lovely are your tents, O Jacob, your encampments, O Israel!
6 they stretch out like river valleys, like gardens beside a stream, like aloes the Lord has planted, like cedars beside the water.
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Like palm groves that stretch afar, like gardens beside a river, like aloes that the Lord has planted, like cedar trees beside the waters.
7 Water will flow from his buckets, and his seed will be by abundant water. His king will be greater than Agag, and his kingdom will be exalted.
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Water shall flow from his buckets, and his seed shall be in many waters; his king shall be higher than Agag, and his kingdom shall be exalted.
8 God brought him out of Egypt; He is like the horns of a wild ox for them. He will feed on enemy nations and gnaw their bones; he will strike [them] with his arrows.
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God brings him out of Egypt and is for him like the horns of the wild ox; he shall eat up the nations, his adversaries, and shall break their bones in pieces and pierce them through with his arrows.
9 He crouches, he lies down like a lion or a lioness-who dares to rouse him? Those who bless you will be blessed, and those who curse you will be cursed.
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He crouched, he lay down like a lion and like a lioness; who will rouse him up? Blessed are those who bless you, and cursed are those who curse you. ”
10 Then Balak became furious with Balaam, struck his hands together, and said to him, "I summoned you to put a curse on my enemies, but instead, you have blessed [them these three times].
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And Balak’s anger was kindled against Balaam, and he struck his hands together. And Balak said to Balaam, “I called you to curse my enemies, and behold, you have blessed them these three times.
11 Now go to your home! I said I would reward you richly, but look, the Lord has denied you a reward."
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Therefore now flee to your own place. I said, ‘I will certainly honor you, ’ but the Lord has held you back from honor. ”
12 Balaam answered Balak, "Didn't I previously tell the messengers you sent me:
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And Balaam said to Balak, “Did I not tell your messengers whom you sent to me,
13 If Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not go against the Lord's command, to do [anything] good or bad of my own will? I will say whatever the Lord says.
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‘If Balak should give me his house full of silver and gold, I would not be able to go beyond the word of the Lord, to do either good or bad of my own will. What the Lord speaks, that will I speak’?
14 Now I am going back to my people, but first, let me warn you what these people will do to your people in the future."
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And now, behold, I am going to my people. Come, I will let you know what this people will do to your people in the latter days. ”
15 Then he proclaimed his poem: The oracle of Balaam son of Beor, the oracle of the man whose eyes are opened;
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And he took up his discourse and said, “The oracle of Balaam the son of Beor, the oracle of the man whose eye is opened,
16 the oracle of one who hears the sayings of God and has knowledge from the Most High, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who falls [into a trance] with [his] eyes uncovered:
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the oracle of him who hears the words of God, and knows the knowledge of the Most High, who sees the vision of the Almighty, falling down with his eyes uncovered:
17 I see him, but not now; I perceive him, but not near. A star will come from Jacob, and a scepter will arise from Israel. He will smash the forehead of Moab and strike down all the Shethites.
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I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near: a star shall come out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel; it shall crush the forehead of Moab and break down all the sons of Sheth.
18 Edom will become a possession; Seir will become a possession of its enemies, but Israel will be triumphant.
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Edom shall be dispossessed; Seir also, his enemies, shall be dispossessed. Israel is doing valiantly.
19 One who comes from Jacob will rule; he will destroy the city's survivors.
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And one from Jacob shall exercise dominion and destroy the survivors of cities! ”
20 Then Balaam saw Amalek and proclaimed his poem: Amalek was first among the nations, but his future is destruction.
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Then he looked on Amalek and took up his discourse and said, “Amalek was the first among the nations, but its end is utter destruction. ”
21 Next he saw the Kenites and proclaimed his poem: Your dwelling place is enduring; your nest is set in the cliffs.
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And he looked on the Kenite, and took up his discourse and said, “Enduring is your dwelling place, and your nest is set in the rock.
22 Kain will be destroyed when Asshur takes you captive.
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Nevertheless, Kain shall be burned when Asshur takes you away captive. ”
23 Once more he proclaimed his poem: Ah, who can live when God does this?
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And he took up his discourse and said, “Alas, who shall live when God does this?
24 Ships will come from the coast of Kittim; they will afflict Asshur and Eber, but they too will come to destruction.
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But ships shall come from Kittim and shall afflict Asshur and Eber; and he too shall come to utter destruction. ”
25 Balaam then arose and went back to his homeland, and Balak also went his way.
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Then Balaam rose and went back to his place. And Balak also went his way.
Holman Christian Standard Bible ® Copyright © 2003, 2002, 2000, 1999 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®) © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved. ESV Text Edition: 2025