23
The donkey saw the angel of Yahweh 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 Balaam struck the donkey, to turn her into the way.
24
Then the angel of Yahweh 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 Yahweh, and she thrust herself to the wall, and crushed Balaam's foot against the wall: and he struck her again.
26
The angel of Yahweh 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 Yahweh, and she lay down under Balaam: and Balaam's anger was kindled, and he struck the donkey with his staff.
28
Yahweh opened the mouth of the donkey, and she said to Balaam, What have I done to you, that you have struck me these three times?
29
Balaam 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 Balaam, 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.
31
Then Yahweh opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of Yahweh standing in the way, with his sword drawn in his hand; and he bowed his head, and fell on his face.
32
The angel of Yahweh said to him, Why have you struck your donkey these three times? behold, I am come forth for an adversary, because your way is perverse before me:
33
and the donkey saw me, and turned aside before me these three times: unless she had turned aside from me, surely now I had even slain you, and saved her alive.