¹⁸ But Balaam answered them, “Even if Balak gave me all the silver and gold in his palace, I could not do anything great or small to go beyond the command of the Lord my God.^(A)

³⁷ Balak said to Balaam, “Did I not send you an urgent summons? Why didn’t you come to me? Am I really not able to reward you?”

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)

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

¹² Balaam answered Balak, “Did I not tell the messengers you sent me,^{(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^(B)—and I must say only what the Lord says’?^{(C) 14} Now I am going back to my people, but come, let me warn you of what this people will do to your people in days to come.”^(D)