Read Amplified Bible, 2015 Numbers 24 Bible Online

Numbers 24 - Amplified Bible, 2015 bible

Numbers 24

¹When Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he did not go as he had done each time before [superstitiously] to seek omens and signs [in the natural world], but he set his face toward the wilderness (desert).

²And Balaam raised his eyes and he saw Israel living in their tents tribe by tribe; and the Spirit of God came on him.

³He took up his [third] discourse (oracle) and said: "The oracle of Balaam the son of Beor, And the oracle of the man whose eye is opened [at last, to see clearly the purpose and will of God],

⁴The oracle of one who hears the words of God, Who sees the vision of the Almighty, Falling down, but having his eyes open and uncovered,

⁵How fair are your tents, O Jacob, And your tabernacles, O Israel!

⁶"Like valleys that stretch out, Like gardens beside the river, Like aloes planted by the LORD, Like cedars beside the waters.

⁷"Water [that is, great blessings] will flow from his buckets, And his offspring will live by many waters, And his king will be higher than[1] Agag, And his kingdom shall be exalted.

⁸"God brought Israel out of Egypt; Israel has[2] strength like the wild ox; He will devour [Gentile] nations, his adversaries (enemies), And will crush their bones in pieces, And shatter them with his arrows.

⁹"He bowed down [to rest], he lies down as a lion; And as a lioness, who dares to rouse him? Blessed [of God] is he who blesses you, And cursed [of God] is he who curses you."

¹⁰Then Balak's anger was kindled against Balaam, and he struck his hands together; and Balak said to Balaam, "I called you to curse my enemies, but behold, you have done nothing but bless them these three times.

¹¹Therefore now flee to your place! I had intended to honor you greatly, but behold, the LORD has held you back from honor."

¹²Balaam said to Balak, "Did I not tell your messengers whom you had sent to me,

¹³'Even if Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not go beyond the command of the LORD, to do either good or bad of my own accord. What the LORD speaks, that I will speak?'

¹⁴And now, look, I am going to my people; come, I will advise you as to what this people [Israel] will do to your people [Moab] in the days to come."

¹⁵He took up his [fourth] discourse (oracle) and said: "The oracle of Balaam the son of Beor, The oracle of the man whose eye is opened,

¹⁶The oracle of him who hears the words of God And knows the knowledge of the[3] Most High, Who sees the vision of the[4] Almighty, Falling down, but having his eyes open and uncovered:

¹⁷"I see Him, but not now; I behold Him, but not near. A star shall come forth from [the descendants of] Jacob, A scepter shall rise out of [the descendants of] Israel And shall crush the forehead of Moab And destroy all the sons of Sheth.

¹⁸"Edom shall be [taken as] a possession, [Mount] Seir, Israel's enemies, also will be a possession, While Israel performs valiantly.

¹⁹"One from [the descendants of] Jacob shall have dominion And will destroy the remnant from the city."

²⁰Balaam looked at Amalek and took up his [fifth] discourse (oracle) and said: "Amalek was the first of the [neighboring] nations [to oppose the Israelites after they left Egypt], But his end shall be[5] destruction."

²¹And Balaam looked at the Kenites and took up his [sixth] discourse (oracle) and said: "Strong is your dwelling place, And you set your nest in the cliff.

²²"Nevertheless the Kenites will be consumed. How long will Asshur (Assyria) keep you (Israel) captive?"

²³Then he took up his [seventh] discourse (oracle) and said: "Alas, who can live unless God has ordained it?

²⁴"But ships shall come from the coast of[6] Kittim, And shall afflict Asshur (Assyria) and[7] Eber; So they (the victors) also will come to destruction."

²⁵Then Balaam arose and departed and returned to his place, and Balak also went on his way.