^{21 Ref} So in the morning Balaam got up and, making his ass ready, went with the chiefs of Moab.

^{22 Ref} But God was moved to wrath because he went: and the angel of the Lord took up a position in the road to keep him from his purpose. Now he was seated on his ass, and his two servants were with him.

^{23 Ref} And the ass saw the angel of the Lord waiting in the road with his sword in his hand; and turning from the road, the ass went into the field; and Balaam gave the ass blows, to get her back on to the road.

²⁴ Then the angel of the Lord took up his position in a narrow road through the vine-gardens, with a wall on this side and on that.

^{25 Ref} And the ass saw the angel of the Lord, and went near the wall, crushing Balaam's foot against the wall; and he gave her more blows.

^{26 Ref} Then the angel of the Lord went further, stopping in a narrow place where there was no room for turning to the right or to the left.

^{27 Ref} And the ass saw the angel of the Lord and went down on the earth under Balaam; and full of wrath, Balaam gave her hard blows with his stick.

^{28 Ref} Then the Lord gave the ass the power of talking, and opening her mouth she said to Balaam, What have I done to you that you have given me blows these three times?

^{29 Ref} And Balaam said to the ass, You have made me seem foolish: if only I had a sword in my hand I would put you to death.

^{30 Ref} And the ass said to Balaam, Am I not your ass upon which you have gone all your life till this day? and have I ever done this to you before? And he said, No.

^{31 Ref} Then the Lord made Balaam's eyes open, and he saw the angel of the Lord in the way with his sword in his hand: and he went down on his face to the earth.

^{32 Ref} And the angel of the Lord said to him, Why have you given your ass blows these three times? See, I have come out against you to keep you back, because your purpose is not pleasing to me.

^{33 Ref} And the ass saw me, turning to one side from me three times: if she had not gone to one side, I would certainly have put you to death and kept her safe.