1 When Balaam saw that the Lord wanted to bless Israel, he didn’t look for omens as he had done before. He turned toward the desert,
2 looked up, and saw Israel’s camp grouped by tribes. The Spirit of God entered him,
3 and he delivered this message:
4 This is the message of the one who hears God’s words,
5 How beautiful are your tents, Jacob,
6 Your tents spread out like rivers,
7 Water will flow from their buckets,
8 The God who brought them out of Egypt
9 His people lie down ⌞and⌟ rest like a lion.
10 Balak became angry with Balaam. He clapped his hands and said, “I summoned you to curse my enemies, and now you have blessed them three times.
11 Get out of here! Go home! I said I’d reward you richly, but the Lord has made you lose your reward.”
12 Balaam answered Balak, “I told the messengers you sent me,
13 ‘Even if Balak would give me his palace filled with silver and gold, I couldn’t disobey the Lord’s command no matter how good or bad the request might seem to me. I must say only what the Lord says.’
14 Even though I’m going back to my people, I’ll give you some advice. I’ll tell you what these people will do to your people in the days to come.”
15 Then Balaam delivered this message:
16 This is the message of the one who hears God’s words,
17 I see someone who is not here now.
18 Edom will be conquered,
19 He will rule from Jacob
20 Then Balaam saw the Amalekites and delivered this message:
21 Then he saw the Kenites and delivered this message:
22 But it is destined to be burned, you ⌞descendants of⌟ Cain,
23 He delivered this message:
24 Ships will come from the shores of Cyprus.
25 Then Balaam got up and went back home, and Balak also went on his way.