1. Balaam, however, perceiving that the Lord was pleased to bless Israel, did not go aside as before to seek omens, but turned his gaze toward the wilderness.
2. When Balaam looked up and saw Israel encamped, tribe by tribe, the spirit of God came upon him,
3. and he recited his poem:The oracle of Balaam, son of Beor,the oracle of the man whose eye is true,
4. The oracle of one who hears what God says,and knows what the Most High knows,Of one who sees what the Almighty sees,in rapture and with eyes unveiled:
5. How pleasant are your tents, Jacob;your encampments, Israel!
6. Like palm trees spread out,like gardens beside a river,Like aloes the Lord planted,like cedars beside water;
7. Water will drip from their buckets,their seed will have plentiful water;Their king will rise higher than Agagand their dominion will be exalted.
8. They have the like of a wild ox’s horns:God who brought them out of Egypt.They will devour hostile nations,break their bones, and crush their loins.
9. Crouching, they lie like a lion,or like a lioness; who will arouse them?Blessed are those who bless you,and cursed are those who curse you!
10. In a blaze of anger at Balaam, Balak clapped his hands and said to him, “It was to lay a curse on my foes that I summoned you here; yet three times now you have actually blessed them!
11. Now flee to your home. I promised to reward you richly, but the Lord has withheld the reward from you!”