Balaam sees in vision and prophesies of the destiny of Israel—He prophesies of the Messiah: There shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel.

1 - And when Balaam saw that it pleased the L ORD to bless Israel, he went not, as at other times, to seek for enchantments, but he set his face toward the wilderness.

2 - And Balaam lifted up his eyes, and he saw Israel abiding in his tents according to their tribes ; and the spirit of God came upon him.

3 - And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor hath said, and the man whose eyes are open hath said:

4 - He hath said, which heard the words of God, which saw the vision of the Almighty, falling into a trance, but having his eyes open:

5 - How goodly are thy tents, O Jacob, and thy tabernacles, O Israel!

6 - As the valleys are they spread forth, as gardens by the river’s side, as the trees of lign aloes which the L ORD hath planted, and as cedar trees beside the waters.

7 - He shall pour the water out of his buckets, and his seed shall be in many waters, and his king shall be higher than Agag, and his kingdom shall be exalted.

8 - God brought him forth out of Egypt; he hath as it were the strength of an unicorn: he shall eat up the nations his enemies, and shall break their bones, and pierce them through with his arrows.

9 - He couched, he lay down as a lion, and as a great lion: who shall stir him up? Blessed is he that blesseth thee, and cursed is he that curseth thee.

10 - ¶ And Balak’s anger was kindled against Balaam, and he smote his hands together: and Balak said unto Balaam, I called thee to curse mine enemies, and, behold, thou hast altogether blessed them these three times.

11 - Therefore now flee thou to thy place: I thought to promote thee unto great honour; but, lo, the L ORD hath kept thee back from honour.

12 - And Balaam said unto Balak, Spake I not also to thy messengers which thou sentest unto me, saying,

13 - If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the commandment of the L ORD, to do either good or bad of mine own mind ; but what the L ORD saith, that will I speak ?

14 - And now, behold, I go unto my people: come therefore, and I will advertise thee what this people shall do to thy people in the latter days.

15 - ¶ And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor hath said, and the man whose eyes are open hath said:

16 - He hath said, which heard the words of God, and knew the knowledge of the most High, which saw the vision of the Almighty, falling into a trance, but having his eyes open:

17 - I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth.

18 - And Edom shall be a possession, Seir also shall be a possession for his enemies; and Israel shall do valiantly.

19 - Out of Jacob shall come he that shall have dominion, and shall destroy him that remaineth of the city.

20 - ¶ And when he looked on Amalek, he took up his parable, and said, Amalek was the first of the nations; but his latter end shall be that he perish for ever.

21 - And he looked on the Kenites, and took up his parable, and said, Strong is thy dwellingplace, and thou puttest thy nest in a rock.

22 - Nevertheless the Kenite shall be wasted, until Asshur shall carry thee away captive.

23 - And he took up his parable, and said, Alas, who shall live when God doeth this!

24 - And ships shall come from the coast of Chittim, and shall afflict Asshur, and shall afflict Eber, and he also shall perish for ever.

25 - And Balaam rose up, and went and returned to his place: and Balak also went his way.