22. But God became angry because Balaam went. So the angel of the Lord stood in the road to stop Balaam. Balaam was riding his donkey. And he had two servants with him.
23. The donkey saw the angel of the Lord standing in the road. The angel had a sword in his hand. So the donkey left the road and went into the field. Balaam hit the donkey to force her back on the road.
24. Later, the angel of the Lord stood on a narrow path between two vineyards. There were walls on both sides.
25. Again the donkey saw the angel of the Lord. So the donkey walked close to one wall. This crushed Balaam’s foot against the wall. So he hit her again.
26. The angel of the Lord went ahead again. The angel stood at a narrow place. It was too narrow to turn left or right.
27. The donkey saw the angel of the Lord. So she lay down under Balaam. Balaam was very angry and hit her with his stick.
28. Then the Lord made the donkey talk. She said to Balaam, “What have I done to make you hit me three times?”
29. Balaam answered the donkey, “You have made me look foolish! I wish I had a sword in my hand! I would kill you right now!”
30. But the donkey said to Balaam, “I am your very own donkey. You have ridden me for years. Have I ever done this to you before?”“No,” Balaam said.
31. Then the Lord let Balaam see the angel. The angel of the Lord was standing in the road with his sword drawn. Then Balaam bowed facedown on the ground.
32. The angel of the Lord asked Balaam, “Why have you hit your donkey three times? I have stood here to stop you. What you are doing is wrong.