20
God came to Bil`am at night, and said to him, If the men are come to call you, rise up, go with them; but only the word which I speak to you, that shall you do.
21
Bil`am rose up in the morning, and saddled his donkey, and went with the princes of Mo'av.
22
God's anger was kindled because he went; and the angel of the LORD placed himself in the way for an adversary against him. Now he was riding on his donkey, and his two servants were with him.
23
The donkey saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, with his sword drawn in his hand; and the donkey turned aside out of the way, and went into the field: and Bil`am struck the donkey, to turn her into the way.
24
Then the angel of the LORD stood in a narrow path between the vineyards, a wall being on this side, and a wall on that side.
25
The donkey saw the angel of the LORD, and she thrust herself to the wall, and crushed Bil`am's foot against the wall: and he struck her again.
26
The angel of the LORD went further, and stood in a narrow place, where was no way to turn either to the right hand or to the left.
27
The donkey saw the angel of the LORD, and she lay down under Bil`am: and Bil`am's anger was kindled, and he struck the donkey with his staff.
28
The LORD opened the mouth of the donkey, and she said to Bil`am, What have I done to you, that you have struck me these three times?
29
Bil`am said to the donkey, Because you have mocked me, I would there were a sword in my hand, for now I had killed you.
30
The donkey said to Bil`am, Am I not your donkey, on which you have ridden all your life long to this day? was I ever wont to do so to you? and he said, No.