Study Desk

And when Balaam saw that it was good in the eyes of Yahweh to bless Israel, he went not as at other times to invoke enchantments, - but set towards the desert, his face.

So Balaam lifted up his eyes and saw Israel, dwelling, according to his tribes, - then came upon him the Spirit of God;

and he took up his parable, and said, - The oracle of Balaam, son of Beor, Yea the oracle of the man, of opened eye;

The oracle of one hearing sayings of GOD, Who the sight of the Almighty, receiveth in vision, Who falleth down but hath unveiled eyes: -

How pleasing are thy tents, O Jacob, - Thy habitations, O Israel:

Like ravines extended, Like gardens by a river, - Like aloe-trees Yahweh hath planted, Like cedars by waters:

He poureth forth water from his buckets, And, his seed, is among many waters, - And taller than Agag is his King, And exalted is his kingdom.

GOD having brought him forth out of Egypt, The very horns of the buffalo, are his, - He eateth up nations that assail him And the bones of them, he breaketh And the loins of him, he crusheth:

He hath knelt - hath lain down, Like a strong lion, yea like a lioness, Who shall rouse him up? Such as bless thee are each one blessed, But, such, as curse thee, are each one cursed.

Then kindled the anger of Balak against Balaam, and he smote together his hands, - and Balak said unto Balaam - To revile my foes, I called thee, And lo! thou hast kept on blessing, these three times.

Now, therefore, flee thou unto thy place, - I said, I will, highly honour, thee; but lo! Yahweh hath kept thee back from honour.

And Balaam said unto Balak, - Was it not so that even unto thy messengers whom thou didst send unto m, I spake saying-

Though Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, yet could I not go beyond the bidding of Yahweh, to, do good or ill, out of my own heart, - what Yahweh shall speak, that, must I speak?

Now, therefore, behold me! going to my own people, - Come now! let me advise thee, what this people shall do unto thy people in the after-part of the days.