Numbers 24:1-14

21st Century King James Version

24 And when Balaam saw that it pleased the Lord to bless Israel, he went not, as at other times, to seek out 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, who heard the words of God, who 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 lignaloes which the Lord 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 a 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 honor, but lo, the Lord hath kept thee back from honor.”

¹² And Balaam said unto Balak, “Spoke I not also to thy messengers whom 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 Lord to do either good or bad of mine own mind; but what the Lord saith, that will I speak’?

¹⁴ And now, behold, I go unto my people. Come therefore, and I will warn thee what this people shall do to thy people in the latter days.”