1. Balaam was sure that the Lord would tell him to bless Israel again. So he did not use any magic to find out what the Lord wanted him to do, as he had the first two times. Instead, he looked out towards the desert
2. and saw the tribes of Israel camped below. Just then, God's Spirit took control of him,
3. and Balaam said:“I am the son of Beor,and my words are true,so listen to my message!
4. It comes from the Lord,the God All-Powerful.I bowed down to himand saw a vision of Israel.
5. “People of Israel,your camp is lovely.
6. It's like a grove of palm treesor a garden beside a river.You are like tall aloe treesthat the Lord has planted,or like cedarsgrowing near water.
7. You and your descendantswill prosper like an orchardbeside a stream.Your king will rule with powerand be a greater kingthan Agag the Amalekite.
8. With the strength of a wild ox,God led you out of Egypt.You will defeat your enemies,shooting them with arrowsand crushing their bones.
9. Like a lion you lie down,resting after an attack.Who would dare disturb you?“Anyone who blesses youwill be blessed;anyone who curses youwill be cursed.”
10. When Balak heard this, he was so furious that he pounded his fist against his hand and said, “I called you here to place a curse on my enemies, and you've blessed them three times.
11. Leave now and go home! I told you I would pay you well, but since the Lord didn't let you do what I asked, you won't be paid.”
12. Balaam answered, “I told your messengers
13. that even if you offered me a palace full of silver or gold, I would still obey the Lord. And I explained that I would say only what he told me.
14. So I'm going back home, but I'm leaving you with a warning about what the Israelites will some day do to your nation.”
15. Balaam said:“I am the son of Beor,and my words are true,so listen to my message!
16. My knowledge comesfrom God Most High,the Lord All-Powerful.I bowed down to himand saw a vision of Israel.
17. “What I saw in my visionhasn't happened yet.But some day, a king of Israelwill appear like a star.He will wipe out you Moabitesand destroy those tribeswho live in the desert.
18. Israel will conquer Edomand capture the landof that enemy nation.
19. The king of Israel will ruleand destroy the survivorsof every town there.
20. “And I saw this visionabout the Amalekites:Their nation is now great,but it will some daydisappear for ever.
21. “And this is what I sawabout the Kenites:They think they're safe,living among the rocks,
22. but they will be wiped outwhen Assyria conquers them.
23. “No one can surviveif God plans destruction.
24. Ships will come from Cyprus,bringing people who will invadethe lands of Assyria and Eber.But finally, Cyprus itselfwill be ruined.”
25. After Balaam finished, he started home, and Balak also left.