27. So it just lay down. Balaam lost his temper, then picked up a stick and hit the donkey.
28. When that happened, the Lord told the donkey to speak, and it asked Balaam, “What have I done to you that made you beat me three times?”
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.