1. When Balaam saw that the Lord wanted to bless Israel, he didn’t look for omens as he had done before. He turned toward the desert,
2. looked up, and saw Israel’s camp grouped by tribes. The Spirit of God entered him,
3. and he delivered this message:“This is the message of Balaam, son of Beor.This is the message of the man whose eyesight is clear.
4. This is the message of the one who hears the words of God,has a vision from the Almighty,and falls ⌊into a trance⌋ with his eyes open:
5. How beautiful are your tents, Jacob,and the places where you live, Israel.
6. Your tents spread out like rivers,like gardens by a river,like aloes planted by the Lord,like cedars by the water.
7. Water will flow from their buckets,and their crops will have plenty of water.Their king will be greater than Agag,and their kingdom will be considered the best.
8. The God who brought them out of Egypthas the strength of a wild bull.He will devour nations that are his enemies,crush their bones,and pierce them with arrows.
9. His people lie down ⌊and⌋ rest like a lion.They are like a lioness. Who dares to disturb them?Those who bless you will be blessed!Those who curse you will be cursed!”
10. Balak became angry with Balaam. He clapped his hands and said, “I summoned you to curse my enemies, and now you have blessed them three times.
11. Get out of here! Go home! I said I’d reward you richly, but the Lord has made you lose your reward.”
12. Balaam answered Balak, “I told the messengers you sent me,
13. ‘Even if Balak would give me his palace filled with silver and gold, I couldn’t disobey the Lord’s command no matter how good or bad the request might seem to me. I must say only what the Lord says.’