New Living Translation NLT
Common English Bible CEB
1 By now Balaam realized that the LORD was determined to bless Israel, so he did not resort to divination as before. Instead, he turned and looked out toward the wilderness,
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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 where he saw the people of Israel camped, tribe by tribe. Then the Spirit of God came upon him,
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Balaam looked up and saw Israel camping by tribes. Then God's spirit came on him.
3 and this is the message he delivered: “This is the message of Balaam son of Beor, the message of the man whose eyes see clearly,
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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 message of one who hears the words of God, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who bows down with eyes wide open:
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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, O Jacob; how lovely are your homes, O Israel!
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How beautiful are your tents, Jacob, your camps, Israel!
6 They spread before me like palm groves, like gardens by the riverside. They are like tall trees planted by the LORD, like cedars beside the waters.
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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 flow from their buckets; their offspring have all they need. Their king will be greater than Agag; their kingdom will be exalted.
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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 brought them out of Egypt; for them he is as strong as a wild ox. He devours all the nations that oppose him, breaking their bones in pieces, shooting them with arrows.
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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 Like a lion, Israel crouches and lies down; like a lioness, who dares to arouse her? Blessed is everyone who blesses you, O Israel, and cursed is everyone who curses you.”
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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 King Balak flew into a rage against Balaam. He angrily clapped his hands and shouted, “I called you to curse my enemies! Instead, you have blessed them three times.
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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! Go back home! I promised to reward you richly, but the LORD has kept you from your reward.”
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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 told Balak, “Don’t you remember what I told your messengers? I said,
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Balaam said to Balak, "Didn't I tell your messengers, whom you sent to me,
13 ‘Even if Balak were to give me his palace filled with silver and gold, I would be powerless to do anything against the will of the LORD .’ I told you that I could say only what the LORD says!
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‘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 Now I am returning to my own people. But first let me tell you what the Israelites will do to your people in the future.”
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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 This is the message Balaam delivered: “This is the message of Balaam son of Beor, the message of the man whose eyes see clearly,
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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 message of one who hears the words of God, who has knowledge from the Most High, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who bows down with eyes wide open:
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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 here and now. I perceive him, but far in the distant future. A star will rise from Jacob; a scepter will emerge from Israel. It will crush the heads of Moab’s people, cracking the skulls of the people of Sheth.
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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 be taken over, and Seir, its enemy, will be conquered, while Israel marches on in triumph.
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Edom will become a possession,
19 A ruler will rise in Jacob who will destroy the survivors of Ir.”
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Someone from Jacob will rule and destroy the survivors from Ir."
20 Then Balaam looked over toward the people of Amalek and delivered this message: “Amalek was the greatest of nations, but its destiny is destruction!”
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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 Then he looked over toward the Kenites and delivered this message: “Your home is secure; your nest is set in the rocks.
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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 But the Kenites will be destroyed when Assyria takes you captive.”
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Yet Kain will burn when Asshur takes you away captive."
23 Balaam concluded his messages by saying: “Alas, who can survive unless God has willed it?
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He raised his voice and made his address: "How terrible! Who will live when God does this?
24 Ships will come from the coasts of Cyprus ; they will oppress Assyria and afflict Eber, but they, too, will be utterly destroyed.”
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Ships from Kittim will attack Asshur; they will attack Eber, and even he will perish forever."
25 Then Balaam left and returned home, and Balak also went on his way.
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Then Balaam arose, set out, and returned home. Balak also went on his way.
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