³⁵ The angel of the Lord said to Balaam, “Go with the men, but speak only what I tell you.” So Balaam went with Balak’s officials.

¹² He answered, “Must I not speak what the Lord puts in my mouth?”^(A)

²⁶ Balaam answered, “Did I not tell you I must do whatever the Lord says?”^(A)

¹³ ‘Even if Balak gave me all the silver and gold in his palace, I could not do anything of my own accord, good or bad, to go beyond the command of the Lord^(A)—and I must say only what the Lord says’?^(B)