1. Balaam saw that the Lord wanted to bless Israel, so he did not try to use any magic but looked toward the desert.
2. When Balaam saw the Israelites camped in their tribes, the Spirit of God took control of him,
3. and he gave this message:“This is the message of Balaam son of Beor,the message of a man who sees clearly;
4. this is the message of a man who hears the words of God.I see a vision from the Almighty,and my eyes are open as I fall before him.
5. Your tents are beautiful, people of Jacob!So are your homes, Israel!
6. Your tents spread out like valleys,like gardens beside a river.They are like spices planted by the Lord,like cedar trees growing by the water.
7. Israel’s water buckets will always be full,and their crops will have plenty of water.Their king will be greater than Agag;their kingdom will be very great.
8. God brought them out of Egypt;they are as strong as a wild ox.They will defeat their enemiesand break their enemies’ bones;they will shoot them with arrows.
9. Like a lion, they lie waiting to attack;like a lioness, no one would be brave enough to wake them.Anyone who blesses you will be blessed,and anyone who curses you will be cursed.”