Genesis 32:1-11 ▼

1 Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him.

2 When he saw them, Jacob said, |This is God's camp.| He called the name of that place Mahanaim.

3 Jacob sent messengers ahead of him to Esau, his brother, to the land of Seir, the region of Edom.

4 He commanded them, saying, |This is what you shall tell my lord, Esau: 'This is what your servant, Jacob, says. I have lived as a foreigner with Laban, and stayed until now.

5 I have cattle, donkeys, flocks, male servants, and female servants. I have sent to tell my lord, that I may find favor in your sight.'|

6 The messengers returned to Jacob, saying, |We came to your brother Esau. Not only that, but he comes to meet you, and four hundred men with him.|

7 Then Jacob was very afraid and was distressed. He divided the people who were with him, and the flocks, and the herds, and the camels, into two camps;

8 and he said, |If Esau comes to the one camp, and strikes it, then the other camp will escape.|

9 Jacob said, |God of my father Abraham, and God of my father Isaac, who said to me, 'Return to your country, and to your relatives, and I will do you good,'

10 I am not worthy of the least of all the loving kindnesses and of all the faithfulness which you have shown to your servant; for with just my staff I passed over this Jordan, and now I have become two camps.

11 Please deliver me from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau: for I fear that he will come and attack me and the mothers with the children.