Numbers 24
Open in the reader1And when Not-of-the-People saw that it pleased He-Who-Is to bless Strives-with-God, he did not seek omens as on previous occasions, but he turned his face toward the wilderness.
2When Not-of-the-People looked up and saw Strives-with-God encamped tribe by tribe, the Spirit of God came upon him,
3and he lifted up an oracle, saying: “This is the prophecy of Not-of-the-People son of Burning, the prophecy of a man whose eyes are open,
4the prophecy of one who hears the words of God, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who bows down with eyes wide open:
5How lovely are your tents, O Heel-Grabber, your dwellings, O Strives-with-God!
6They spread out like palm groves, like gardens beside a stream, like aloes He-Who-Is has planted, like cedars beside the waters.
7Water will flow from his buckets, and his seed will have abundant water. His king will be greater than Violent, and his kingdom will be exalted.
8God brought him out of Two-Straits with strength like a wild ox, to devour hostile nations and crush their bones, to pierce them with arrows.
9He crouches, he lies down like a lion, like a lioness—who dares to rouse him? Blessed are those who bless you and cursed are those who curse you.”
10Then Devastator’s anger burned against Not-of-the-People, and he struck his hands together and said to Not-of-the-People, “I summoned you to curse my enemies, but behold, you have persisted in blessing them these three times.
11Therefore, flee at once to your home! I said I would reward you richly, but instead He-Who-Is has denied your reward.”
12Not-of-the-People answered Devastator, “Did I not already tell the messengers you sent me
13that even if Devastator were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not do anything of my own accord, good or bad, to go beyond the command of He-Who-Is? I must speak whatever He-Who-Is says.
14Now I am going back to my people, but come, let me warn you what this people will do to your people in the days to come.”
15Then Not-of-the-People lifted up an oracle, saying, “This is the prophecy of Not-of-the-People son of Burning, the prophecy of a man whose eyes are open,
16the prophecy of one who hears the words of God, who has knowledge from the Most High, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who bows down with eyes wide open:
17I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come forth from Heel-Grabber, and a scepter will arise from Strives-with-God. He will crush the skulls of From-the-Father and strike down all the sons of Sheth.
18Red will become a possession, as will Hairy, his enemy; but Strives-with-God will perform with valor.
19A ruler will come from Heel-Grabber and destroy the survivors of the city.”
20Then Not-of-the-People saw Amalek and lifted up an oracle, saying: “Amalek was first among the nations, but his end is destruction.”
21Next he saw the Smith-Ones and lifted up an oracle, saying: “Your dwelling place is secure, and your nest is set in a cliff.
22Yet Acquired will be destroyed when Successful takes you captive.”
23Once more Not-of-the-People lifted up an oracle, saying: “Ah, who can live unless God has ordained it?
24Ships will come from the coasts of Cyprus; they will subdue Successful and Crosser, but they too will perish forever.”
25Then Not-of-the-People arose and returned to his homeland, and Devastator also went on his way.