Numbers 24 :: New Living Translation (NLT)

Num 24:1

Num 24:1By 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,

Num 24:2

Num 24:2where he saw the people of Israel camped, tribe by tribe. Then the Spirit of God came upon him,

Num 24:3

Num 24:3and this is the message he delivered:
“This is the message of Balaam son of Beor,
the message of the man whose eyes see clearly,

Num 24:4

Num 24:4the message of one who hears the words of God,
who sees a vision from the Almighty,
who bows down with eyes wide open:

Num 24:5

Num 24:5How beautiful are your tents, O Jacob;
how lovely are your homes, O Israel!

Num 24:6

Num 24:6They spread before me like palm groves,[fn]
like gardens by the riverside.
They are like tall trees planted by the LORD,
like cedars beside the waters.

Num 24:7

Num 24:7Water will flow from their buckets;
their offspring have all they need.
Their king will be greater than Agag;
their kingdom will be exalted.

Num 24:8

Num 24:8God 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.

Num 24:9

Num 24:9Like 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.”

Num 24:10

Num 24:10King 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.

Num 24:11

Num 24:11Now get out of here! Go back home! I promised to reward you richly, but the LORD has kept you from your reward.”

Num 24:12

Num 24:12Balaam told Balak, “Don’t you remember what I told your messengers? I said,

Num 24:13

Num 24:13‘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!

Num 24:14

Num 24:14Now I am returning to my own people. But first let me tell you what the Israelites will do to your people in the future.”

Balaam’s Final Messages

Num 24:15

Num 24:15This is the message Balaam delivered:
“This is the message of Balaam son of Beor,
the message of the man whose eyes see clearly,

Num 24:16

Num 24:16the 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:

Num 24:17

Num 24:17I 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 foreheads of Moab’s people,
cracking the skulls of the people of Sheth.

Num 24:18

Num 24:18Edom will be taken over,
and Seir, its enemy, will be conquered,
while Israel marches on in triumph.

Num 24:19

Num 24:19A ruler will rise in Jacob
who will destroy the survivors of Ir.”

Num 24:20

Num 24:20Then Balaam looked over toward the people of Amalek and delivered this message:
“Amalek was the greatest of nations,
but its destiny is destruction!”

Num 24:21

Num 24:21Then he looked over toward the Kenites and delivered this message:
“Your home is secure;
your nest is set in the rocks.

Num 24:22

Num 24:22But the Kenites will be destroyed
when Assyria[fn] takes you captive.”

Num 24:23

Num 24:23Balaam concluded his messages by saying:
“Alas, who can survive
unless God has willed it?

Num 24:24

Num 24:24Ships will come from the coasts of Cyprus[fn];
they will oppress Assyria and afflict Eber,
but they, too, will be utterly destroyed.”

Num 24:25

Num 24:25Then Balaam and Balak returned to their homes.