Catholic Public Domain Version

Numbers 24:9-18 Catholic Public Domain Version (CPDV)

9. Lying down, he has slept like a lion, and like a lioness, whom no one would dare to awaken. He who blesses you, shall himself also be blessed. He who curses you, shall be considered cursed."

10. And Balak, being angry against Balaam, clapped his hands together and said: "I called you to curse my enemies, and, to the contrary, you have blessed them three times.

11. Return to your place. I had decided, indeed, to honor you greatly, but the Lord has deprived you of the designated honor."

12. Balaam responded to Balak: "Did I not say to your messengers, whom you sent to me:

13. Even if Balak would give me his house, filled with silver and gold, I still could not go away from the word of the Lord my God, so as to offer anything, either good or evil, from my own heart; but whatever the Lord will speak, this, too, I shall speak.

14. Yet truly, as I continue on to my own people, I will give you counsel as to what this people shall do to your people in the end times."

15. Therefore, taking up his parable, he again spoke: "Balaam the son of Beor, the man whose eye has been obstructed,

16. the hearer of the sermon of God, he who knows the doctrine of the Most High, and who sees the visions of the Almighty, who, falling down, has his eyes opened, has declared:

17. I shall see him, but not presently. I shall gaze upon him, but not soon. A star shall rise out of Jacob, and a rod shall spring up from Israel. And he shall strike down the commanders of Moab, and he shall devastate all the sons of Seth.

18. And he shall possess Idumea; the inheritance of Seir shall fall to their enemies. Yet truly, Israel shall act with strength.