65 lines
3.0 KiB
Markdown
65 lines
3.0 KiB
Markdown
# Chapter 24
|
||
1 Since Balaam saw that it pleased the Lord to bless Israel, he did not go to seek omens as on previous occasions, but turned toward the wilderness.
|
||
2 When Balaam looked up and saw Israel encamped tribe by tribe, the Spirit of God came on him,
|
||
3 and he proclaimed his poem:
|
||
The oracle of Balaam son of Beor,
|
||
the oracle of the man whose eyes are opened,
|
||
4 the oracle of one who hears the sayings of God,
|
||
who sees a vision from the Almighty,
|
||
who falls into a trance with his eyes uncovered:
|
||
5 How beautiful are your tents, Jacob,
|
||
your dwellings, Israel.
|
||
6 They stretch out like river valleys,
|
||
like gardens beside a stream,
|
||
like aloes the Lord has planted,
|
||
like cedars beside the water.
|
||
7 Water will flow from his buckets,
|
||
and his seed will be by abundant water.
|
||
His king will be greater than Agag,
|
||
and his kingdom will be exalted.
|
||
8 God brought him out of Egypt;
|
||
he is like the horns of a wild ox for them.
|
||
He will feed on enemy nations
|
||
and gnaw their bones;
|
||
he will strike them with his arrows.
|
||
9 He crouches, he lies down like a lion
|
||
or a lioness—who dares to rouse him?
|
||
Those who bless you will be blessed,
|
||
and those who curse you will be cursed.
|
||
10 Then Balak became furious with Balaam, struck his hands together, and said to him, “I summoned you to put a curse on my enemies, but instead, you have blessed them these three times.
|
||
11 Now go to your home! I said I would reward you richly, but look, the Lord has denied you a reward.”
|
||
12 Balaam answered Balak, “Didn’t I previously tell the messengers you sent me:
|
||
13 If Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not go against the Lord’s command, to do anything good or bad of my own will? I will say whatever the Lord says.
|
||
14 Now I am going back to my people, but first, let me warn you what these people will do to your people in the future.”
|
||
15 Then he proclaimed his poem:
|
||
The oracle of Balaam son of Beor,
|
||
the oracle of the man whose eyes are opened;
|
||
16 the oracle of one who hears the sayings of God
|
||
and has knowledge from the Most High,
|
||
who sees a vision from the Almighty,
|
||
who falls into a trance with his eyes uncovered:
|
||
17 I see him, but not now;
|
||
I perceive him, but not near.
|
||
A star will come from Jacob,
|
||
and a scepter will arise from Israel.
|
||
He will smash the forehead of Moab
|
||
and strike down all the Shethites.
|
||
18 Edom will become a possession;
|
||
Seir will become a possession of its enemies,
|
||
but Israel will be triumphant.
|
||
19 One who comes from Jacob will rule;
|
||
he will destroy the city’s survivors.
|
||
20 Then Balaam saw Amalek and proclaimed his poem:
|
||
Amalek was first among the nations,
|
||
but his future is destruction.
|
||
21 Next he saw the Kenites and proclaimed his poem:
|
||
Your dwelling place is enduring;
|
||
your nest is set in the cliffs.
|
||
22 Kain will be destroyed
|
||
when Asshur takes you captive.
|
||
23 Once more he proclaimed his poem:
|
||
Ah, who can live when God does this?
|
||
24 Ships will come from the coast of Kittim;
|
||
they will carry out raids against Asshur and Eber,
|
||
but they too will come to destruction.
|
||
25 Balaam then arose and went back to his homeland, and Balak also went his way. |