Numbers
24 And Balaam saw that Jehovah was pleased to bless Israel, and did not go as at other times to meet with signs, but set his face toward the wilderness; 2* and Balaam raised his eyes and saw Israel outspread by tribes, and a spirit of God was upon him, 3* and he struck up his lay and said
“Quoth Beʽor’s son Balaam,
quoth the man enlightened of eye,
4 Quoth he who hears the Deity’s say,
who beholds the vision of Shaddai,
fallen down and with unveiled eyes:
5 How goodly are your tents, Jacob,
your lodges, Israel!
like riverside gardens,
Like spice-trees that Jehovah has planted,
like cedars by water.
7* Let water drip from his buckets,
his seed be in much water,
And his king be loftier than Agag,
and his kingdom hold its head high.
8* It is a Deity that brings him out of Egypt,
he has pikes like a ure’s.
He shall eat nations, his foes,
and crunch their bones
and shatter by his arrows.
9 He lies down, lies at ease,
Like a lion and like a lioness; who will stir him up?
He who blesses you is blessed
and he who curses you is cursed.”
10 And Balak was angry at Balaam and struck his hands together; and Balak said to Balaam “It was to lay a curse on my enemies I called you, and here you have been blessing them these three times. 11 Now get away to your place; I meant to do honors to you, but here Jehovah has withheld you from honors.” 12 And Balaam said to Balak “Did I not tell even your messengers whom you sent to me 13 ‘If Balak gives me his house full of silver and gold I cannot do anything good or bad of my own free will in violation of Jehovah’s charge: what Jehovah says, that I say’? 14 Now here I am going to my people; come, I will advise you what this people will do to yours in future days.” 15* And he struck up his lay and said
“Quoth Beʽor’s son Balaam,
quoth the man enlightened of eye,
16* Quoth he who hears the Deity’s say
and has the knowledge of the Lord above,
Who beholds the vision of Shaddai,
fallen down and with unveiled eyes:
I behold him, but not near:
A star has traveled from Jacob
and a scepter has risen from Israel
Which will shatter Moab’s brow
and the crown of all sons of Shuth.
20** And he saw the ʽAmalekites, and struck up his lay and said
“First of nations was ʽAmalek,
but in future it will perish evermore.”
21* And he saw the Cainites, and struck up his lay and said
“Permanent is your home,
set on a cliff your nest,
25 And Balaam went off, and back to his place; and Balak also went his way.