Balaam's Third Oracle

1 And Balaam saw that it was appointed before the Lord to bless Israel; and he did not go to seek omens as he had before, but set his face toward the calf that the sons of Israel had made in the wilderness.⁠a 2 And Balaam lifted up his eyes, and saw Israel dwelling by his tribes; and the Spirit of prophecy rested upon him from before the Lord.⁠b 3 And he took up his oracle, and said: Balaam, the son of Beor, says, The man who sees clearly says, 4 The one who heard the Memra from before God and saw the vision of the Almighty, lying prostrate when it was revealed to him, declares: 5 How beautiful is your land, Jacob, And your dwelling place, Israel! 6 As rivers flowing onward; as the watered garden by Euphrates, As aromatics planted by the Lord; as cedars planted by the waters. 7 The king anointed from his sons shall increase, And rule over many nations;⁠c His king shall be mightier than Agag, and his kingdom be raised high. 8 God, who brought them from Egypt, is mighty and high, and through Him Israel shall use the wealth of the nations their enemies, Enjoy the captured goods of their kings, and inherit their lands. 9 He rested in his strength, as the lion and the lioness, And no kingdom may disturb him. They who bless you shall be blessed, And they who curse you be cursed.

Balak's Anger

10 And the anger of Balak was roused against Balaam, and he struck his hands together. And Balak said to Balaam, I called you to curse my enemies, and, look, you have done nothing but bless them these three times! 11 And now go to your place. I said, I would honor you greatly; but, look, the Lord has kept you from honor. 12 But Balaam said to Balak, Did I not also tell the messengers whom you sent to me, saying, 13 If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I have no power to transgress the decree of the Memra of the Lord, to do good or evil of my own will; whatever the Lord shall say, I will speak? 14 And now, look, I go to my people. Come, I will advise you what to do; and will show you what this people will do to your people at the end of the days.

Balaam's Final Oracles

15 And he took up his oracle, and said: Balaam, the son of Beor, speaks, The man who sees clearly speaks, 16 He speaks as one who heard the Memra from before God, And who has knowledge from the Most High, Who saw the vision of the Almighty, lying prostrate when it was revealed to him. 17 I see him, but not now; I see him, but not near. When a king arises from Jacob,⁠d And the Meshiha is anointed from Israel, He will kill the leaders of Moab, and reign over all humankind; 18 And Edom shall be an inheritance, And Seir a possession of his adversaries; But Israel shall grow wealthy. 19 One will descend from the house of Jacob, Who will destroy him that escapes from the city of the peoples. 20 And he looked on the Amalekites, and took up his oracle, and said: Amalek was the beginning of the wars of Israel, But in his end he shall perish forever. 21 And he saw the Shalmaah, and took up his oracle, and said: Your dwelling place is strong, And in a strong fortress you have made your home; 22 But yet Shalmaah shall be destroyed, For Assyria will make you captive. 23 And he took up his oracle, and said: Woe to the wicked who may live when God does this! 24 And ships will come from the Kittim, And afflict Assyria, and subdue beyond the Euphrates; But they also shall perish forever. 25 And Balaam arose, and went and returned to his place; and Balak also went on his way.