1 And Balaam saw that it was good in the eyes of the LORD {YHWH, Blessing Giver} to bless Israel, and he did not go as at other times to seek omens {nechashim: acts of divination}, but he turned his face toward the wilderness.
2 And Balaam lifted his eyes and saw Israel dwelling {šōḵēn: settled presence} by their tribes. Then the Spirit of God {Elohim, Divine Inspirer} came upon him.
3 And he lifted up his oracle {mesholo: parabolic speech} and said, “The utterance of Balaam son of Beor, and the utterance of the man whose eye is opened {satum: enabled to see clearly}.”
4 The prophecy of one who hears the words of God, who sees the vision of Shaddai {shadday: Almighty One}, and falls prostrate {nofel: prostrate in awe} with eyes unveiled.
5 How beautiful are your tents {ohel: place of shelter}, Jacob, your dwelling places {mishkan: sacred habitation}, Israel!
6 Like valleys they are stretched out, like gardens beside a river, like aloes the LORD {YHWH, Life-Giver} has planted, like cedars beside the waters {mayim: sources of abundance}.
7 Water will flow from his buckets, and his seed {zera': descendants} will be in many waters. His king will be exalted above Agag, and his kingdom {malkhut: royal dominion} will be lifted up.
8 God{El, Mighty Deliverer} brings him out of Egypt; horns{ketoʿap̄ōt: symbols of strength} like those of a wild ox are his. He will devour nations, his adversaries; he will break their bones, and with his arrows he will smash them.
9 He crouched and lay down like a lion, and like a lioness—who will rouse him? Those who bless you are blessed {barukh: divinely favored}, and those who curse you are cursed {arur: under judgment}.
10 Then Balak’s anger {af: intense wrath} was kindled against Balaam, and he struck his hands together. And Balak said to Balaam, “I summoned you to curse my enemies, but behold, you have blessed them—blessing {barekh: emphatic repetition} them—these three times.”
11 And now, flee for yourself to your place! I said, “I will surely honor {kabed: grant distinguished recognition} you.” But behold, the LORD {YHWH, Sovereign Restrainer} has prevented you from honor.
12 Balaam said to Balak, “Have I not also told {dibarti: emphatic speech} your messengers {mal’akhekha: official delegates} whom you sent to me, saying?”
13 Even if Balak gave me the full contents of his house, silver and gold, I am not able to go beyond the mouth of the LORD {YHWH, Divine Commander} to do good {tovah: beneficial action} or evil from my own heart; what the LORD says, that I will speak.
14 And now, behold, I am going to my people. Come, let me advise you {iatsekha: offer counsel}, what this people will do to your people in the latter days {acharit hayamim: final period}.
15 And he lifted up his oracle {mešāl: parabolic form} and said, “The oracle of Balaam, son of Beor, and the oracle of the man whose eye {šetum: enabled to see clearly} is opened.”
16 An oracle {ne’um: prophetic utterance} of one who hears the sayings of God {ēl: Supreme Judge} and who knows the knowledge of the Most High; a vision of the Almighty he beholds—falling, yet with uncovered eyes.
17 I shall see him, but not now; I shall behold him, but not near. A star {kokhav: royal symbol} will proceed from Jacob, and a scepter {shevet: emblem of authority} will arise from Israel. He will crush the corners of Moab and break down all the sons of Sheth.
18 And Edom will become a possession {yereshah: subjugated territory}, and Seir will become a possession; but Israel will accomplish valor {chayil: heroic prowess}.
19 And a ruler shall arise {yered: exercise authority} from Jacob {ya‘aqov: tribal origin}, and he will destroy the survivor from the city.
20 And he saw Amalek and lifted up his oracle, and he said, “Amalek was the first {reshith: earliest origin} of the nations, but his end {acharit: final outcome} will be utter destruction.”
21 And he saw the Kenite, and he lifted up his proverb and said, “Secure {eitan: steadfast, enduring} is your dwelling, and you set your nest in the rock {sela: place of refuge}.”
22 Nevertheless the Kenite {kayin: southern clan} will be burned up {le-vaer: complete consumption}, until Assyria carries you away captive.
23 And he lifted up his proverb and said, “Alas! Who can live when God {El, Supreme Judge} does this {misummo: appointed action}?”
24 And ships will come from the hand of Kittim {kittim: western maritime peoples}, and they will afflict Asshur, and they will afflict Eber, but he too will come to destruction {oved: utter ruin}.
25 Then Balaam {bilam: foreign diviner} arose and went and returned to his place {makom: designated home}, and Balak also went on his way.