29. “You made me look stupid!” Balaam answered. “If I had a sword, I'd kill you here and now!”
30. “But you're my owner,” replied the donkey, “and you've ridden me many times. Have I ever done anything like this before?”“No,” Balaam admitted.
31. Just then, the Lord let Balaam see the angel standing in the road, holding a sword, and Balaam bowed down.
32. The angel said, “You had no right to treat your donkey like that! I was the one who blocked your way, because I don't think you should go to Moab.
33. If your donkey had not seen me and stopped those three times, I would have killed you and let the donkey live.”
34. Balaam replied, “I was wrong. I didn't know you were trying to stop me. If you don't think I should go, I'll return home at once.”
35. “It's all right for you to go,” the Lord's angel answered. “But you must say only what I tell you.” So Balaam went on with Balak's officials.
36. When Balak heard that Balaam was coming, he went to meet him at the town of Ir, which is on the northern border of Moab.
37. Balak asked, “Why didn't you come when I invited you the first time? Did you think I wasn't going to pay you?”
38. “I'm here now,” Balaam answered. “But I will say only what God tells me to say.”