28. And the Lord opened the mouth of the ass, and she said: What have I done to thee? Why strikest thou me, lo, now this third time?
29. Balaam answered: Because thou hast deserved it, and hast served me ill: I would I had a sword that I might kill thee.
30. The ass said: Am not I thy beast, on which thou hast been always accustomed to ride until this present day? tell me if I ever did the like thing to thee. But he said: Never.
31. Forthwith the Lord opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel standing in the way with a drawn sword, and he worshipped him falling flat on the ground.
32. And the angel said to him: Why beatest thou thy ass these three times? I am come to withstand thee, because thy way is perverse, and contrary to me:
33. And unless the ass had turned out of the way, giving place to me who stood against thee, I had slain thee, and she should have lived.
34. Balaam said: I have sinned, not knowing that thou didst stand against me: and now if it displease thee that I go, I will return.
35. The angel said: Go with these men, and see thou speak no other thing than what I shall command thee. He went therefore with the princes.