When Balaam saw that it pleased Yahweh to bless Israel, he did not go, as at the other times, to meet with enchantments, but he set his face toward the wilderness.
Balaam lifted up his eyes and he saw Israel dwelling according to their tribes; and the spirit of God came on him.
He took up his parable, and said, “Balaam the son of Beor says, the man whose eye was closed says;
He says, who hears the words of God, who sees the vision of the Almighty, falling down, and having his eyes open:
How lovely are your tents, Jacob, and your tents, Israel!
Like valleys they are stretched out, like gardens beside a river, like aloes that Yahweh has planted, like cedar trees beside the waters.
Water will flow from his buckets. His seed will be in many waters. His king will be higher than Agag. His kingdom will be exalted.
God is bringing him out of Egypt. He has as it were the strength of the wild ox. He will eat up the nations who are his adversaries, will break their bones in pieces, and pierce them with his arrows.
He couched, he lay down as a lion, as a lioness; who dares rouse him up? Everyone who blesses you is blessed. Everyone who curses you is cursed.”
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, and, behold, you have altogether blessed them these three times.
Therefore now flee you to your place! I thought to promote you to great honor; but behold, Yahweh has kept you back from honor.”
Balaam said to Balak, “Did I not also tell your messengers who you sent to me, saying,
‘If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the word of Yahweh, to do either good or bad of my own mind. I will say what Yahweh says’?
Now, behold, I go to my people. Come, I will let you know what this people will do to your people in the last days.”
Balaam's Final Oracle
He took up his parable and said “Balaam the son of Beor says, the man whose eye was closed says;
He says, who hears the words of God, knows the knowledge of the Most High and who sees the vision of the Almighty, falling down, and having his eyes open:
I see him, but not now. I behold him, but not near. A star will come out of Jacob. A scepter will rise out of Israel, and will strike through the corners of Moab, and break down all the sons of Sheth.
Edom will be a possession. Seir, his enemies, also will be a possession, while Israel does valiantly.
Out of Jacob will one have dominion, and will destroy the remnant from the city.”
He looked at Amalek and took up his parable and said, “Amalek was the first of the nations, but his latter end will come to destruction.”
He looked at the Kenite and took up his parable and said, “Your dwelling place is strong. Your nest is set in the rock.
Nevertheless Kain will be wasted, until Asshur carries you away captive.”
He took up his parable and said, “Alas, who can live when God does this?
But ships will come from the coast of Kittim. They will afflict Asshur, and will afflict Eber. He also will come to destruction.”
Balaam rose up and went and returned to his place; and Balak also went his way.