20 Then Balaam saw Amalek and proclaimed his poem:

Amalek was first among the nations,(A)
but his future is destruction.

21 Next he saw the Kenites and proclaimed his poem:

Your dwelling place is enduring;
your nest is set in the cliffs.
22 Kain will be destroyed
when Asshur takes you captive.

23 Once more he proclaimed his poem:

Ah, who can live when God does this?
24 Ships will come from the coast of Kittim;(B)
they will carry out raids against Asshur and Eber,(C)
but they too will come to destruction.

25 Balaam then arose and went back to his homeland, and Balak also went his way.

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20 Next, Balaam[a] looked directly at Amalek and then uttered this prophetic statement:

“Even though Amalek is an international leader,
    his future is permanent destruction.”

21 Balaam also uttered this prophetic statement about the Kenites:[b]

“Your dwelling places are stable,
    because your nest is carved in solid rock.
22 Nevertheless, Kain will be incinerated.
    How long will it take until Asshur[c] takes you hostage?”

23 Finally, he uttered this prophetic statement:

“Ah, who can live,
    unless God makes it happen?
24 Ships under control of Kittim will devastate Asshur and Eber,
    until they are permanently destroyed.”

25 Then Balaam got up, returned to his country, and Balak went on his way.

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Footnotes

  1. Numbers 24:20 Lit. he
  2. Numbers 24:21 I.e. gentile Midianites
  3. Numbers 24:22 I.e. ancient Assyria

Balaam’s Fifth Message

20 Then Balaam saw Amalek(A) and spoke his message:

“Amalek was first among the nations,
    but their end will be utter destruction.”(B)

Balaam’s Sixth Message

21 Then he saw the Kenites(C) and spoke his message:

“Your dwelling place is secure,(D)
    your nest is set in a rock;
22 yet you Kenites will be destroyed
    when Ashur(E) takes you captive.”

Balaam’s Seventh Message

23 Then he spoke his message:

“Alas! Who can live when God does this?[a]
24     Ships will come from the shores of Cyprus;(F)
they will subdue Ashur(G) and Eber,(H)
    but they too will come to ruin.(I)

25 Then Balaam(J) got up and returned home, and Balak went his own way.

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Footnotes

  1. Numbers 24:23 Masoretic Text; with a different word division of the Hebrew The people from the islands will gather from the north.