This time, when the donkey saw the angel, it lay down. Balaam lost his temper and began to beat the donkey with his stick. Then the LORD gave the donkey the power of speech, and it said to Balaam, AWhat have I done to you? Why have you beaten me these three times?@

Balaam answered, ABecause you have made a fool of me! If I had a sword, I would kill you.@

The donkey replied, AAm I not the same donkey on which you have ridden all your life? Have I ever treated you like this before?@ ANo,@ he answered.

Then the LORD let Balaam see the angel standing there with his sword; and Balaam threw himself face downward on the ground. The angel demanded, AWhy have you beaten your donkey three times like this? I have come to bar your way, because you should not be making this journey.@

But your donkey saw me and turned aside three times. If it hadn=t, I would have killed you and spared the donkey.@

Balaam replied, AI have sinned. I did not know that you were standing in the road to oppose me; but now if you think it is wrong for me to go on, I will return home.@

But the angel said, AGo on with these men, but say only what I tell you to say.@ So Balaam went on with them.