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.

³⁸ “Well, I have come to you now,” Balaam replied. “But I can’t say whatever I please. I must speak only what God puts in my mouth.”^(A)

⁵ The Lord put a word in Balaam’s mouth^(A) and said, “Go back to Balak and give him this word.”^(B)

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

¹⁶ The Lord met with Balaam and put a word in his mouth^(A) and said, “Go back to Balak and give him this word.”

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)

¹³ But Micaiah said, “As surely as the Lord lives, I can tell him only what my God says.”^(A)