Numbers 22:21-41 - Balaam's Journey To Moab
21 And Balaam rose up in the morning, and saddled his donkey, and went with the rulers of Moab.
22 And God's anger was kindled because he went, and the agent of LORD placed himself in the way for an adversary against him. Now he was riding upon his donkey, and his two servants were with him. 23 And the donkey saw the agent of LORD standing in the way, with his sword drawn in his hand, and the donkey turned aside out of the way, and went into the field. And Balaam smote the donkey, to turn her into the way. 24 Then the agent of LORD stood in a narrow path between the vineyards, a wall being on this side, and a wall on that side. 25 And the donkey saw the agent of LORD, and she thrust herself to the wall, and crushed Balaam's foot against the wall. And he smote her again. 26 And the agent of LORD went further, and stood in a narrow place, where was no way to turn either to the right hand or to the left. 27 And the donkey saw the agent of LORD, and she lay down under Balaam. And Balaam's anger was kindled, and he smote the donkey with his staff.
28 And LORD opened the mouth of the donkey, and she said to Balaam, What have I done to thee, that thou have smitten me these three times?
29 And Balaam said to the donkey, Because thou have mocked me, I would there were a sword in my hand, for now I would have killed thee.
30 And the donkey said to Balaam, Am not I thy donkey, upon which thou have ridden all thy life long to this day? Was I ever accustomed to do so to thee? And he said, No.
31 Then LORD opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the agent of LORD standing in the way, with his sword drawn in his hand. And he bowed his head, and fell on his face. 32 And the agent of LORD said to him, Why have thou smitten thy donkey these three times? Behold, I have come forth as an adversary, because thy way is perverse before me. 33 And the donkey saw me, and turned aside before me these three times. Unless she had turned aside from me, surely now I would have even slain thee, and saved her alive.
34 And Balaam said to the agent of LORD, I have sinned, for I knew not that thou stood in the way against me. Now therefore, if it displease thee, I will get back again.
35 And the agent of LORD said to Balaam, Go with the men, but only the word that I shall speak to thee, that thou shall speak. So Balaam went with the rulers of Balak.
36 And when Balak heard that Balaam came, he went out to meet him to the City of Moab, which is on the border of the Arnon, which is in the outmost part of the border. 37 And Balak said to Balaam, Did I not earnestly send to thee to call thee? Why did thou not come to me? Am I not able indeed to promote thee to honor?
38 And Balaam said to Balak, Lo, I have come to thee. Have I now any power at all to speak anything? The word that God puts in my mouth, that shall I speak. 39 And Balaam went with Balak, and they came to Kiriath-huzoth. 40 And Balak sacrificed oxen and sheep, and sent to Balaam, and to the rulers that were with him.
41 And it came to pass in the morning, that Balak took Balaam, and brought him up into the high places of Baal, and he saw from there the outmost part of the people.