New International Version NIV
The Complete Jewish Bible CJB
1 Now when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he did not resort to divination as at other times, but turned his face toward the wilderness.
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When Bil'am saw that it pleased ADONAI to bless Isra'el, he didn't go, as at the other times, to make use of divination, but looked out toward the desert.
2 When Balaam looked out and saw Israel encamped tribe by tribe, the Spirit of God came on him
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Bil'am raised his eyes and saw Isra'el encamped tribe by tribe. Then the Spirit of God came upon him,
3 and he spoke his message: “The prophecy of Balaam son of Beor, the prophecy of one whose eye sees clearly,
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and he made his pronouncement: "This is the speech of Bil'am, son of B'or; the speech of the man whose eyes have been opened;
4 the prophecy of one who hears the words of God, who sees a vision from the Almighty,who falls prostrate, and whose eyes are opened:
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the speech of him who hears God's words; who sees what Shaddai sees, who has fallen, yet has open eyes:
5 “How beautiful are your tents, Jacob, your dwelling places, Israel!
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"How lovely are your tents, Ya'akov; your encampments, Isra'el!
6 “Like valleys they spread out, like gardens beside a river, like aloes planted by the LORD, like cedars beside the waters.
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They spread out like valleys, like gardens by the riverside, like succulent aloes planted by ADONAI, like cedar trees next to the water.
7 Water will flow from their buckets; their seed will have abundant water. “Their king will be greater than Agag; their kingdom will be exalted.
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"Water will flow from their branches, their seed will have water aplenty. Their king will be higher than Agag and his kingdom lifted high.
8 “God brought them out of Egypt; they have the strength of a wild ox. They devour hostile nations and break their bones in pieces; with their arrows they pierce them.
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God, who brought them out of Egypt, gives them the strength of a wild ox. They will devour the nations opposing them, break their bones, pierce them with their arrows.
9 Like a lion they crouch and lie down, like a lioness—who dares to rouse them? “May those who bless you be blessed and those who curse you be cursed!”
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"When they lie down they crouch like a lion, or like a lioness - who dares to rouse it? Blessed be all who bless you! Cursed be all who curse you!"
10 Then Balak’s anger burned against Balaam. He struck his hands together and said to him, “I summoned you to curse my enemies, but you have blessed them these three times.
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Balak blazed with fury against Bil'am. He struck his hands together and said to Bil'am, "I summoned you to curse my enemies. But here, you have done nothing but bless them - three times already!
11 Now leave at once and go home! I said I would reward you handsomely, but the LORD has kept you from being rewarded.”
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Now you had better escape to your own place! I had planned to reward you very well, but now ADONAI has deprived you of payment."
12 Balaam answered Balak, “Did I not tell the messengers you sent me,
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Bil'am answered Balak, "Didn't I tell the messengers you sent me
13 ‘Even if Balak gave me all the silver and gold in his palace, I could not do anything of my own accord, good or bad, to go beyond the command of the LORD—and I must say only what the LORD says’?
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that even if Balak would give me his palace full of silver and gold, I could not of my own accord go beyond the word of ADONAI to do either good or bad? that what ADONAI said is what I would say?
14 Now I am going back to my people, but come, let me warn you of what this people will do to your people in days to come.”
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But now that I am going back to my own people, come, I will warn you what this people will do to your people in the acharit-hayamim.
15 Then he spoke his message: “The prophecy of Balaam son of Beor, the prophecy of one whose eye sees clearly,
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So he made his pronouncement: "This is the speech of Bil'am, son of B'or; the speech of the man whose eyes have been opened;
16 the prophecy of one who hears the words of God, who has knowledge from the Most High, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who falls prostrate, and whose eyes are opened:
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the speech of him who hears God's words; who knows what 'Elyon knows, who sees what Shaddai sees, who has fallen, yet has open eyes:
17 “I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come out of Jacob; a scepter will rise out of Israel. He will crush the foreheads of Moab, the skulls of all the people of Sheth.
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"I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not soon -a star will step forth from Ya'akov, a scepter will arise from Isra'el, to crush the corners of Mo'av and destroy all descendants of Shet.
18 Edom will be conquered; Seir, his enemy, will be conquered, but Israel will grow strong.
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His enemies will be his possessions -Edom and Se'ir, possessions. Isra'el will do valiantly,
19 A ruler will come out of Jacob and destroy the survivors of the city.”
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From Ya'akov will come someone who will rule, and he will destroy what is left of the city."
20 Then Balaam saw Amalek and spoke his message: “Amalek was first among the nations, but their end will be utter destruction.”
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He saw 'Amalek and made this pronouncement: "First among nations was 'Amalek, but destruction will be its end."
21 Then he saw the Kenites and spoke his message: “Your dwelling place is secure, your nest is set in a rock;
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He saw the Keini and made this pronouncement: "Though your dwelling is firm, your nest set on rock,
22 yet you Kenites will be destroyed when Ashur takes you captive.”
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Kayin will be wasted while captive to Ashur."
23 Then he spoke his message: “Alas! Who can live when God does this?
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Finally, he made this pronouncement: "Oh no! Who can live when God does this?
24 Ships will come from the shores of Cyprus; they will subdue Ashur and Eber, but they too will come to ruin.”
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But ships will come from the coast of Kittim to subdue Ashur and subdue 'Ever, but they too will come to destruction."
25 Then Balaam got up and returned home, and Balak went his own way.
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Then Bil'am got up, left and returned to his home; and Balak too went his way.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.
Complete Jewish Bible Copyright 1998 by David H. Stern. Published by Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.