26. Then the Messenger of the Lord moved ahead and stood in a narrower place where there was no room to turn to the right or the left.
27. When the donkey saw the Messenger of the Lord, it lay down under Balaam. Balaam became so angry he hit the donkey with his stick.
28. Then the Lord made the donkey speak, and it asked Balaam, “What have I done to make you hit me three times?”
29. Balaam answered, “You’ve made a fool of me! If I had a sword in my hand, I’d kill you right now.”
30. The donkey said to Balaam, “I’m your own donkey. You’ve always ridden me. Have I ever done this to you before?”“No,” he answered.
31. Then the Lord let Balaam see the Messenger of the Lord who was standing in the road with his sword drawn. So Balaam knelt, bowing with his face touching the ground.
32. The Messenger of the Lord asked him, “Why have you hit your donkey three times like this? I’ve come here to stop you because the trip you’re taking is evil.