1. When Balaam realized that it was pleasing in the eyes of Adonai to bless Israel, he did not resort to sorceries as at the other times, but turned his face toward the wilderness.
2. Lifting up his eyes, Balaam saw Israel dwelling by tribes. The Ruach Elohim came over him.
3. He uttered his oracle and said: “This is the oracle of Balaam son of Beor, and the oracle of a strong man whose eye has been opened,
4. the oracle of one hearing God’s speech, one seeing Shaddai’s vision, one fallen down, yet with open eyes:
5. How lovely are your tents, O Jacob, and your dwellings, O Israel!
6. Like valleys they are spread out, like gardens beside a river, like aloes planted by Adonai, like cedars beside the waters.