Numbers

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 Decree of Balaam son of Beor, yes, decree of a man with 20/20 vision;

⁴ who sees what The Strong God shows him, Who falls on his face in worship, who sees what's really going on.

⁵ oh, your homes, Israel!

⁶ like gardens planted by rivers, Like sweet herbs planted by the gardener God, like red cedars by pools and springs,

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

⁸ rampaging like a wild ox, Gulping enemies like morsels of meat, crushing their bones, snapping their arrows.

⁹ 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 Decree of Balaam son of Beor, decree of the man with vision,

¹⁶ 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 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 enemy Seir marked down at the flea market, while Israel walks off with the trophies.

¹⁹ who'll destroy what's left in the city.

²⁰ Amalek, you're in first place among nations right now, but you're going to come in last, ruined.

²¹ Your home is in a nice secure place, like a nest high on the face of a cliff.

²² when Asshur takes you prisoner.

²³ Doom! Who stands a chance when God starts in?

²⁴ 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.