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So Balaam arose in the morning, and sad-dled his ass, - and went with the princes of Moab.

Then kindled the anger of God, because he was going, and the messenger of Yahweh stationed himself in the way, to withstand him, - as he was riding upon his ass, his two young men being with him.

And the ass saw the messenger of Yahweh stationed in the road with his drawn sword in his hand, so the ass turned aside out of the road and went into the field, - and Balaam smote the ass, to make her turn back into the road.

But the messenger of Yahweh took his stand, in a hollow pass of the vineyards, - with a fence on this side, and a fence on that side.

And when the ass saw the messenger of Yahweh, she squeezed herself against the wall, and squeezed the foot of Balaam against the wall, - and again he smote her.

And the messenger of Yahweh went on further, and took his stand in a narrow place, where there was no way to turn to the right hand or to the left.

And, when the ass saw the messenger of Yahweh, she sank down under Balaam, - then was Balaam's anger kindled, and he smote the ass with the staff.

And Yahweh opened the mouth of the ass, - and she said unto Balaam - What have I done to thee, that thou hast smitten me, these three times?

And Balaam said unto the ass, Surely thou hast been making sport of me, - Would there had been a sword in my hand, for, now, would I have slain thee.

Then said the ass unto Balaam - Am not I thine own ass on which thou hast ridden all thy life, until this day? Have I, been wont, to do unto thee, thus? And he said, Nay!

Then did Yahweh unveil the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the messenger of Yahweh stationed in the road, with his sword drawn in his hand, - so he bent his head and bowed down before him.

And the messenger of Yahweh said unto him, Wherefore hast thou smitten thine ass, these three times? Lo! I, myself, am come forth to withstand thee, because headlong was thy way before me.

And the ass hath seen me, and hath turned aside at ray presence these three times: Unless she had turned aside from my presence, yea now even thee, had I slain, but, her, had I suffered to live.

Then said Balaam unto the messenger of Yahweh - I have sinned, for I knew not, that, thou, wast stationed to meet me in the road, - Now, therefore, if it be displeasing in thine eyes, I must get me back again.

And the messenger of Yahweh said unto Balaam - Go with the men: Only the word that I shall speak unto thee, that, shalt thou speak. So Balaam went his way with the princes of Balak.