8. God brought them out of Egypt.They have, as it were, the strength of a young bull;they will devour hostile peopleand will break their bonesand will pierce them through with arrows.
9. They crouch and lie down like a lion,and as a lioness, who can stir him?Blessed is the one who blesses you,and cursed is the one who curses you!’”
10. Then Balak became very angry at Balaam, and he struck his hands together. Balak said to Balaam, “I called you to curse my enemies, and look, you have done nothing but bless them these three times!
11. So now, go back where you came from! I said that I would greatly honor you; but now the Lord has stood in the way of your honor.”
12. Balaam said to Balak, “Did I not also tell your messengers whom you sent to me,
13. ‘If Balak would give me his palace full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the commandment of the Lord to do either good or evil of my own will, but whatever the Lord tells me I must speak’?
14. And now, I am about to go back to my own people. Come now, and I will advise you as to what this people will do to your people in the future.”
15. Then he uttered this oracle:“The oracle of Balaam son of Beor;the oracle of the man whose eyes are open;
16. the oracle of the one who hears the words of God,and who knows the knowledge of the Most High,who sees a vision from the Almighty,although falling flat on the ground with eyes open:
17. ‘I see him, but not now;I behold him, but not close at hand.A star will march forth out of Jacob,and a scepter will rise out of Israel.He will crush the skulls of Moab,and the heads of all the sons of Sheth.
18. Edom will be a possession,Seir, his enemies, will also be a possession;but Israel will act valiantly.
19. A ruler will be established from Jacob;he will destroy the remains of the city.’”