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[1]Andwhen Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he went not, as at other times, to seek for enchantments, but he set his face toward the wilderness.
[2]AndBalaam 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]Andhe took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor hath said, and the man whose eyes are open hath said:
[4]Hehath said, which heard the words of God, which saw the vision of the Almighty, falling [into a trance], but having his eye open:
[5]Howgoodly are thy tents, O Jacob, [and] thy tabernacles, O Israel!
[6]Asthe valleys are they spread forth, as gardens by the river's side, as the trees of lign aloes which the LORD hath planted, [and] as cedar trees beside the waters.
[7]Heshall 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]Godbrought him forth out of Egypt; he hath as it were the strength of an unicorn: he shall eat up the nations his enemies, and shall break their bones, and pierce [them] through with his arrows.
[9]Hecouched, 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]AndBalak'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]Thereforenow flee thou to thy place: I thought to promote thee unto great honour; but, lo, the LORD hath kept thee back from honour.
[12]AndBalaam said unto Balak, Spake I not also to thy messengers which thou sentest unto me, saying
[13]IfBalak 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 to me, that will I speak?
[14]Andnow, behold, I go unto my people: come [therefore, and] I will advertise thee what this people shall do to thy people in the latter days.
[15]Andhe took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor hath said, and the man whose eyes are open hath said:
[16]Hehath said, which heard the words of God, and knew the knowledge of the most High, [which] saw the vision of the Almighty, falling [into a trance], but having his eyes open:
[17]Ishall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth.
[18]AndEdom shall be a possession, Esau also shall be a possession for his enemies; and Israel shall do valiantly.
[19]Outof Jacob shall come he that shall have dominion, and shall destroy him that remaineth of the city.
[20]Andwhen he looked on Amalek, he took up his parable, and said, Amalek [was] the first of the nations; but his latter end [shall be] that he perish for ever.
[21]Andhe looked on the Kenites, and took up his parable, and said, Strong is thy dwellingplace, and thou puttest thy nest in a rock.
[22]Neverthelessthe Kenite shall be wasted, until Asshur shall carry thee away captive.
[23]Andhe took up his parable, and said, Alas, who shall live when God doeth this!
[24]Andships [shall come] from the coast of Chittim, and shall afflict Asshur, and shall afflict Eber, and he also shall perish for ever.
[25]AndBalaam rose up, and went and returned to his place: and Balak also went his way.
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