34. Then Balaam confessed to the angel of the lord, “I have sinned. I didn’t realize you were standing in the road to block my way. I will return home if you are against my going.”
35. But the angel of the lord told Balaam, “Go with these men, but say only what I tell you to say.” So Balaam went on with Balak’s officials.
36. When King Balak heard that Balaam was on the way, he went out to meet him at a Moabite town on the Arnon River at the farthest border of his land.
37. “Didn’t I send you an urgent invitation? Why didn’t you come right away?” Balak asked Balaam. “Didn’t you believe me when I said I would reward you richly?”
38. Balaam replied, “Look, now I have come, but I have no power to say whatever I want. I will speak only the message that God puts in my mouth.”