1 Balaam saw that it pleased the Lord to bless the Israelites, so he didn’t go as the other times to seek omens. Instead, he turned toward the desert.
2 Balaam looked up and saw Israel camping by tribes. Then God’s spirit came on him.
3 He raised his voice and made his address:"The oracle of Balaam, Beor’s son;the oracle of a man whose eye is open.
4 The oracle of one who hears God’s speech,who perceives the Almighty’s visions,who falls down with eyes uncovered.
5 How beautiful are your tents, Jacob,your camps, Israel!
6 Like palm groves that stretch out,like gardens next to a river,like eaglewood trees that the Lord has planted,like cedar trees next to water.
7 Water will drip from his branches;his seed will have plenty of water;his king will be higher than Agag,and his kingdom will be lifted up.