Numbers 23:12
◄  Numbers 23:12  ►
New International Version (©2011)
He answered, "Must I not speak what the LORD puts in my mouth?"

New Living Translation (©2007)
But Balaam replied, "I will speak only the message that the LORD puts in my mouth."

English Standard Version (©2001)
And he answered and said, “Must I not take care to speak what the LORD puts in my mouth?”

New American Standard Bible (©1995)
He replied, "Must I not be careful to speak what the LORD puts in my mouth?"

King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)
And he answered and said, Must I not take heed to speak that which the LORD hath put in my mouth?

Holman Christian Standard Bible (©2009)
He answered, "Shouldn't I say exactly what the LORD puts in my mouth?"

International Standard Version (©2012)
But in response, Balaam asked, "Shouldn't I be careful to communicate only what the LORD puts in my mouth?"

NET Bible (©2006)
Balaam replied, "Must I not be careful to speak what the LORD has put in my mouth?"

GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
Balaam answered, "I must say what the LORD tells me to say."

King James 2000 Bible (©2003)
And he answered and said, Must I not take heed to speak that which the LORD has put in my mouth?

American King James Version
And he answered and said, Must I not take heed to speak that which the LORD has put in my mouth?

American Standard Version
And he answered and said, Must I not take heed to speak that which Jehovah putteth in my mouth?

Douay-Rheims Bible
He answered him: Call I speak any thing else but what the Lord commandeth?

Darby Bible Translation
And he answered and said, Must I not take heed to speak that which Jehovah puts in my mouth?

English Revised Version
And he answered and said, Must I not take heed to speak that which the LORD putteth in my mouth?

Webster's Bible Translation
And he answered and said, Must I not take heed to speak that which the LORD hath put in my mouth?

World English Bible
He answered and said, "Must I not take heed to speak that which Yahweh puts in my mouth?"

Young's Literal Translation
and he answereth and saith, 'That which Jehovah doth put in my mouth -- it do I not take heed to speak?'

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

23:11-30 Balak was angry with Balaam. Thus a confession of God's overruling power is extorted from a wicked prophet, to the confusion of a wicked prince. A second time the curse is turned into a blessing; and this blessing is both larger and stronger than the former. Men change their minds, and break their words; but God never changes his mind, and therefore never recalls his promise. And when in Scripture he is said to repent, it does not mean any change of his mind; but only a change of his way. There was sin in Jacob, and God saw it; but there was not such as might provoke him to give them up to ruin. If the Lord sees that we trust in his mercy, and accept of his salvation; that we indulge no secret lust, and continue not in rebellion, but endeavour to serve and glorify him; we may be sure that he looks upon us as accepted in Christ, that our sins are all pardoned. Oh the wonders of providence and grace, the wonders of redeeming love, of pardoning mercy, of the new-creating Spirit! Balak had no hope of ruining Israel, and Balaam showed that he had more reason to fear being ruined by them. Since Balaam cannot say what he would have him, Balak wished him to say nothing. But though there are many devices in man's heart, God's counsels shall stand. Yet they resolve to make another attempt, though they had no promise on which to build their hopes. Let us, who have a promise that the vision at the end shall speak and not lie, continue earnest in prayer, Lu 18:1.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

And he answered and said,.... By reply to Balak:

must I not take heed to speak that which the Lord hath put in my mouth? pretending a great regard to the word of God, and to great carefulness to speak it, exactly and punctually as he received it, whereas he was forced to it, and could not do otherwise.

Numbers 23:12 Parallel Commentaries

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Balaam's First Oracle
…10Who can count the dust of Jacob, and the number of the fourth part of Israel? Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his! 11And Balak said to Balaam, What have you done to me? I took you to curse my enemies, and, behold, you have blessed them altogether. 12And he answered and said, Must I not take heed to speak that which the LORD has put in my mouth?

Exodus 4:15 You shall speak to him and put words in his mouth; I will help both of you speak and will teach you what to do.
Numbers 22:20 That night God came to Balaam and said, "Since these men have come to summon you, go with them, but do only what I tell you."
Numbers 23:13 Then Balak said to him, "Come with me to another place where you can see them; you will not see them all but only the outskirts of their camp. And from there, curse them for me."