23
Numbers

Balaam’s Third Oracle

Numbers 23:27-24:14
27Balak said to Balaam, "Please come; I will take you to another place. Perhaps it will be pleasing in the sight of God, and I will curse him for myself from there." 28So Balak took Balaam to the summit of Peor, which overlooks the face of the Jeshimon. 29Balaam said to Balak, "Build seven altars for me here, and prepare seven bulls and seven rams for me here." 30Balak did exactly as Balaam had said, and he offered a bull and a ram on the altar.
Chapter 24
1Balaam saw that the LORD was pleased to bless Israel, so he did not go as before to seek omens; instead he turned his face toward the wilderness. 2Balaam lifted his eyes and saw Israel encamped tribe by tribe, and the Spirit of God came upon him. 3He took up his discourse and said: "The oracle of Balaam son of Beor, the oracle of the man whose eye is opened." 4The oracle of one who hears the words of God, who sees the vision of the Almighty, who falls down with eyes uncovered. 5How beautiful are your tents, O Jacob, your dwelling places, O Israel. 6They spread out like palm groves, like gardens beside a river, like aloes that the LORD has planted, like cedars beside waters. 7Water shall flow from his buckets, and his seed shall be in abundant waters; his king shall be higher than Agag, and his kingdom shall be exalted. 8God brings him out of Egypt; he is like the horns of a wild ox for him; he devours nations that are his foes and breaks their bones and pierces them with his arrows. 9He crouches; he lies down like a lion and like a lioness; who dares rouse him? Blessed be everyone who blesses you, and cursed be everyone who curses you. 10Then Balak's anger burned against Balaam; he struck his hands together and said to Balaam, "I summoned you to curse my enemies, but you have blessed them these three times." 11Now leave at once and return to your own place. I intended to reward you richly, but the LORD has kept you from honor. 12Balaam said to Balak, "Did I not also speak to your messengers whom you sent to me, saying, 13Even if Balak gave me his house full of silver and gold, I could not go beyond the command of the LORD to do either good or evil of my own will; I must speak only what the LORD puts in my mouth?" 14And now I am returning to my people. Let me advise you what this people will do to your people in the latter days.
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