Numbers 23:26
◄  Numbers 23:26  ►
New International Version (©2011)
Balaam answered, "Did I not tell you I must do whatever the LORD says?"

New Living Translation (©2007)
But Balaam replied to Balak, "Didn't I tell you that I can do only what the LORD tells me?"

English Standard Version (©2001)
But Balaam answered Balak, “Did I not tell you, ‘All that the LORD says, that I must do’?”

New American Standard Bible (©1995)
But Balaam replied to Balak, "Did I not tell you, 'Whatever the LORD speaks, that I must do '?"

King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)
But Balaam answered and said unto Balak, Told not I thee, saying, All that the LORD speaketh, that I must do?

Holman Christian Standard Bible (©2009)
But Balaam answered him, "Didn't I tell you: Whatever the LORD says, I must do?"

International Standard Version (©2012)
"Didn't I tell you," Balaam responded to Balak, "that I'll say whatever the LORD tells me to say?"

NET Bible (©2006)
But Balaam replied to Balak, "Did I not tell you, 'All that the LORD speaks, I must do'?"

GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
Balaam answered, "Didn't I tell you that I must do whatever the LORD says?"

King James 2000 Bible (©2003)
But Balaam answered and said unto Balak, Told not I you, saying, All that the LORD speaks, that I must do?

American King James Version
But Balaam answered and said to Balak, Told not I you, saying, All that the LORD speaks, that I must do?

American Standard Version
But Balaam answered and said unto Balak, Told not I thee, saying, All that Jehovah speaketh, that I must do?

Douay-Rheims Bible
And he said: Did I not tell thee, that whatsoever God should command me, that I would do?

Darby Bible Translation
And Balaam answered and said to Balak, Did I not tell thee, saying, All that Jehovah shall speak, that will I do?

English Revised Version
But Balaam answered and said unto Balak, Told not I thee, saying, All that the LORD speaketh, that I must do?

Webster's Bible Translation
But Balaam answered and said to Balak, Did I not tell thee, saying, All that the LORD speaketh, that I must do?

World English Bible
But Balaam answered Balak, "Didn't I tell you, saying, 'All that Yahweh speaks, that I must do?'"

Young's Literal Translation
and Balaam answereth and saith unto Balak, 'Have I not spoken unto thee, saying, All that Jehovah speaketh -- it I do?'

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

But Balaam answered and said unto Balak, told not I thee,.... He appeals to him for his honesty and faithfulness, for honest and faithful he would be thought to be, both to God and man; that when he first met him, he plainly told him what he must expect: from him:

saying, all that the Lord speaketh, that I must do; which was very true, he was obliged to do as he had bid him, and speak what he had said unto him, though it was sore against his will; he would fain both have spoken and done otherwise, if he might have been permitted.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

26. All that the Lord speaketh, that I must do—a remarkable confession that he was divinely constrained to give utterances different from what it was his purpose and inclination to do.

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Balaam's Second Oracle
…25And Balak said to Balaam, Neither curse them at all, nor bless them at all. 26But Balaam answered and said to Balak, Told not I you, saying, All that the LORD speaks, that I must do? 27And Balak said to Balaam, Come, I pray you, I will bring you to another place; peradventure it will please God that you may curse me them from there. …

Numbers 22:18 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.
Numbers 23:25 Then Balak said to Balaam, "Neither curse them at all nor bless them at all!"
Numbers 23:27 Then Balak said to Balaam, "Come, let me take you to another place. Perhaps it will please God to let you curse them for me from there."