13. ‘Even if Balak gave me his house full of silver and gold, I could not of my own accord do anything, good or evil, contrary to the command of the Lord’? Whatever the Lord says I must say.
14. “But now that I am about to go to my own people, let me warn you what this people will do to your people in the days to come.”
15. Then he recited his poem:The oracle of Balaam, son of Beor,the oracle of the man whose eye is true,
16. 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.
17. I see him, though not now;I observe him, though not near:A star shall advance from Jacob,and a scepter shall rise from Israel,That will crush the brows of Moab,and the skull of all the Sethites,
18. Edom will be dispossessed,and no survivor is left in Seir.Israel will act boldly,
19. and Jacob will rule his foes.
20. Upon seeing Amalek, Balaam recited his poem:First of the nations is Amalek,but their end is to perish forever.
21. Upon seeing the Kenites, he recited his poem:Though your dwelling is safe,and your nest is set on a cliff;
22. Yet Kain will be destroyedwhen Asshur takes you captive.
23. Upon seeing [the Ishmaelites?] he recited his poem:Alas, who shall survive of Ishmael,