Numbers 24
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1Balaam saw that it was good before the Lord to bless Israel, so he did not go as usual to seek omens. He turned his face toward the wilderness.
2Balaam raised his eyes and saw Israel encamped by tribes, and God's Spirit came within him.
3He took up his parable and said: Balaam son of Beor declares; the man who sees truly declares,
4one who hears God's oracles declares, who saw a vision of God in sleep, with his eyes uncovered:
5How beautiful are your houses, Jacob, your tents, Israel!
6Like shaded wooded valleys, like gardens beside rivers, like tents pitched by the Lord, like cedars beside waters.
7A man shall come forth from his offspring and rule over many nations. His kingdom shall rise higher than Gog, and his kingdom shall increase.
8God guided him out of Egypt; his glory is like a one-horned beast's. He shall devour the nations of his enemies, suck out their fat, and shoot down an enemy with his missiles.
9He lay down and rested like a lion, like a lion cub—who will rouse him? Those who bless you are blessed, and those who curse you are cursed.
10Balak became angry with Balaam and clapped his hands. He said to Balaam: I summoned you to curse my enemy, and look, you have thoroughly blessed them this third time!
11Now flee to your own place! I said I would honor you, but now the Lord has deprived you of glory.
12Balaam said to Balak: Did I not tell the messengers you sent to me:
13Even if Balak gave me his house full of silver and gold, I could not transgress the Lord's word to do evil or good on my own. Whatever God says, I must say.
14Now look, I am returning to my place. Come, I will advise you what this people will do to your people at the end of the days.
15He took up his parable and said: Balaam son of Beor declares; the man who sees truly declares,
16one who hears God's oracles, who knows knowledge from the Most High and has seen a vision of God in sleep, with his eyes uncovered:
17I will show him, but not now; I pronounce him blessed, but he does not draw near. A star shall rise from Jacob, and a man shall arise from Israel. He shall crush Moab's leaders and plunder all the sons of Seth.
18Edom shall become an inheritance, and Esau, his enemy, shall become an inheritance; Israel has acted with strength.
19One shall arise from Jacob and destroy whoever escapes from a city.
20He saw Amalek, took up his parable, and said: Amalek is the beginning of nations, and their offspring shall perish.
21He saw the Kenite, took up his parable, and said: Your dwelling is strong; even if you set your nest in a rock,
22even if a nest of craftiness should belong to Beor, Assyrians shall take you captive.
23He saw Og, took up his parable, and said: Alas, alas! Who will live when God brings these things about?
24One shall come forth from the hand of the Kitians, and they shall afflict Asshur and the Hebrews; they themselves shall perish together.
25Balaam rose and departed, returning to his place, and Balak went home.
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Saints Translation · Liturgical reading edition · working draft awaiting specialist review.