Numbers 22:21-35
1599 Geneva Bible
21 So Balaam rose up early, and saddled his ass, and went with the princes of Moab.
22 And the wrath of God was kindled, because he [a]went: and the Angel of the Lord stood in the way to be against him, as he rode upon his ass, and his two servants were with him.
23 And (A)when the ass saw the Angel of the Lord stand in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand, the ass turned out of the way, and went into the field, but Balaam smote the ass to turn her into the way.
24 [b]Again the Angel of the Lord stood in a path of the vineyards, having a wall on the one side, and a wall on the other.
25 And when the ass saw the Angel of the Lord, she thrust herself unto the wall, and dashed Balaam’s foot against the wall: wherefore he smote her again.
26 Then the Angel of the 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 when the ass saw the Angel of the Lord, she [c]lay down under Balaam: therefore Balaam was very wroth, and smote the ass with a staff.
28 Then the Lord [d]opened the mouth of the ass, and she said unto Balaam, What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me now three times?
29 And Balaam said unto the ass, Because thou hast mocked me: I would there were a sword in mine hand, for now would I kill thee.
30 And the ass said unto Balaam, Am not I thine ass, which thou hast ridden upon [e]since thy first time unto this day? have I used at any time, to do thus unto thee? Who said, Nay.
31 And the Lord [f]opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the Angel of the Lord standing in the way with his sword drawn in his hand: then he bowed himself, and fell flat on his face.
32 And the Angel of the Lord said unto him, Wherefore hast thou now smitten thine ass three times? behold, I came out to withstand thee, because thy [g]way is not straight before me.
33 But the ass saw me, and turned from me now three times: for else, if she had not turned from me, surely I had even now slain thee, and saved her alive.
34 Then Balaam said unto the Angel of the Lord, I have sinned: for I wist not that thou stoodest in the way [h]against me: now therefore if it displease thee, I will turn [i]home again.
35 But the Angel said unto Balaam, Go with the men: but [j]what I say unto thee, that shalt thou speak. So Balaam went with the princes of Balak.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Numbers 22:22 Moved rather with covetousness than to obey God.
- Numbers 22:24 The second time.
- Numbers 22:27 Or, fell.
- Numbers 22:28 Gave her power to speak.
- Numbers 22:30 Since thou hast been my master.
- Numbers 22:31 For whose eyes the Lord doth not open, they can neither see his anger, nor his love.
- Numbers 22:32 Both thy heart is corrupt, and thine enterprise wicked.
- Numbers 22:34 Or, before me, or to meet me.
- Numbers 22:34 Hebrew, I will return to me.
- Numbers 22:35 Because his heart was evil, his charge was renewed, that he should not pretend ignorance.
Geneva Bible, 1599 Edition. Published by Tolle Lege Press. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without written permission from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations in articles, reviews, and broadcasts.
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