Numbers 22:26-37

²⁶And nevertheless the angel went to a strait place, where was no going out of the way, neither to the right side, nor to the left, and stood against Balaam (Nevertheless the angel went to a narrow place, where there was no going out of the way, neither to the right side, nor to the left, and stood before Balaam.)

²⁷And when the (she-)ass saw the angel standing (there), she felled down under the feet of the sitter upon her, the which was wroth full greatly (or who then was greatly angered), and (once more) he beat her sides with a staff.

²⁸And the Lord opened the mouth of the (she-)ass, and she spake, (or And the Lord opened the donkey’s mouth, and she said), What have I done to thee? why smitest thou me, lo! now the third time?

²⁹Balaam answered, For thou hast dis-served (me), and hast scorned me; I would that I had a sword to slay thee.

³⁰And the (she-)ass said, Whether I am not thy beast upon which thou were wont to ride evermore till into this present day? say thou, what like thing to this I did ever to thee? And Balaam said, Never thus thou servedest me. (And the donkey said, Am I not the beast upon which thou were always wont to ride until this present day? say thou, what thing like this have I ever done to thee before? And Balaam said, Never before hast thou served me thus.)

³¹Anon the Lord opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel standing in the way, holding a drawn sword in his hand; and Balaam worshipped him lowly into the earth. (And at once the Lord opened Balaam’s eyes, and he saw the angel standing in the way, holding a drawn sword in his hand; and Balaam worshipped, or honoured, him lowly on the ground.)

³²To whom the angel said, Why hast thou thrice beaten thine (she-)ass? I came (here) to be (an) adversary to thee, for thy way is wayward, and contrary to me;

³³and if the (she-)ass had not bowed away from the way, and given place to the against-stander, I had slain thee, and the (she-)ass should have lived. (and if the donkey had not turned aside from the way, and given place to the one who stood against thee, I would have already killed thee, but the donkey would have lived.)

³⁴Balaam said, I have sinned, not witting that thou stoodest against me; and now, if it displeaseth thee that I go, I shall turn again. (And Balaam said, I have sinned, not knowing that thou stoodest against me; and now, if it displeaseth thee I shall turn back or I shall go back home.)

³⁵The angel said, (No), Go thou with these men, but beware, that thou speak not any other thing than (what) I shall command to thee. Therefore Balaam went with the princes (or And so Balaam went forth with Balak’s leaders).

³⁶And when Balak heard that Balaam was nigh, he went out into the coming of him, in (Ar), the city of Moabites, which is set in the last coast of (the) Arnon. (And when Balak heard that Balaam was near, he went out to meet him, at Ar, the city of the Moabites, which is set on their most distant border, by the Arnon River.)

³⁷And Balak said to Balaam, I sent messengers to call thee; why camest thou not anon to me? whether for I may not yield meed to thy coming? (And Balak said to Balaam, I sent messengers to call thee; why did thou not come at once to me? did you think that I would not reward thee for coming?)