Numbers:24

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* Balaam knew that Jehovah wanted him to bless the people of Israel . So he did not go to look for omens , as he had done before . He turned toward the desert . * There he saw the people of Israel camped tribe by tribe . The Spirit of God took control of him . * He uttered this prophecy : The message of Balaam son of Beor . These are the words of the man who can see clearly . * The oracle of him who hears the words of God and who sees the vision of the Almighty . Falling down , yet having his eyes open . * How good are your tents , O Jacob , Your dwellings , O Israel ! * »They are like valleys that stretch out , like gardens beside the river , like aloes planted by Jehovah , like cedars beside the waters . * »Water will flow from his buckets and his seed will be by many waters . His king shall be higher than Agag . And his kingdom shall be exalted . * »God brings him out of Egypt . He is for him like the horns of the wild bull . He will devour the nations who are his adversaries . He will crush their bones in pieces and shatter them with his arrows . * »He bows down and he lies down like a lion . Like a lion , who dares rouse him ? Blessed is everyone who blesses you ! Cursed is everyone who curses you !« * Balak ’s anger burned against Balaam . He struck his hands together and Balak said to Balaam : I called you to curse my enemies ! But you have persisted in blessing them three times ! * Therefore , run away to your place now . I said : »I will honor you greatly , but Jehovah has held you back from honor .« * Balaam replied to Balak : »Did I not tell the messengers whom you sent to me : * »Even if Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold , I could not do anything contrary to the command of Jehovah either good or bad , of my own accord . What Jehovah speaks , that I will speak ! * »Now I am going to my people . Come along and I will advise you what this people will do to your people in the days to come .« * He began his discourse by saying : »The oracle of Balaam the son of Beor . The oracle of the man , whose eye is opened , * »The oracle of him who hears the words of God , knows the knowledge of the Most High , and sees the vision of the Almighty . Falling down , yet having his eyes uncovered . * »I see him , but not now ! I behold him , but not near ! A star shall come forth from Jacob . A scepter shall rise from Israel and shall crush through the forehead of Moab . It will tear down all the sons of Sheth . * »Edom shall be a possession . Seir , its enemies , also will be a possession . This while Israel performs valiantly . * »One from Jacob will have dominion and will destroy the remnant from the city .« * He looked at Amalek and continued his discourse . He said : Amalek was the first of the nations but he will end in destruction . * And he looked at the Kenite and continued his discourse . He said : »Your dwelling place is enduring and your nest is set in the cliff . * »Nevertheless Kain will be consumed ! How long will Asshur keep you captive ?« * He again offered his discourse and said : »Alas , who can live except God ordain it ? * »Ships will come from the coast of Kittim . They will afflict Asshur and will afflict Eber . They will also come to destruction .« * Balaam got up and went back home . Balak also went his way .

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