Genesis 33

1Jacob looked up and saw Esau coming, and four hundred men with him. So he divided the children among Leah, Rachel, and the two female servants.

2He put the servants and their children in front, Leah and her children next, and Rachel and Joseph at the back.

3He himself went on ahead of them and bowed to the ground seven times as he approached his brother.

4But Esau ran to meet him and embraced him. He threw his arms around his neck and kissed him, and they wept.

5When Esau looked up and saw the women and children, he asked, “Who are these with you?” Jacob answered, “The children God has graciously given your servant.”

6Then the servants came forward with their children and bowed down.

7Leah also came forward with her children, and they bowed down. Last of all Joseph and Rachel came forward, and they bowed down.

8Esau asked, “What did you mean by all this company I met?” Jacob answered, “To find favor in the eyes of my lord.”

9But Esau said, “I have plenty, my brother. Keep what you have for yourself.”

10Jacob said, “No, please! If I have found favor in your eyes, accept this gift from my hand. For seeing your face is like seeing the face of God, now that you have received me so kindly.

11Please accept my gift that has been brought to you, because God has been gracious to me, and I have everything I need.” Because Jacob urged him, he accepted it.

12Then Esau said, “Let us be on our way. I will go alongside you.”

13But Jacob said to him, “My lord knows that the children are frail, and I have to take care of the sheep and cattle that are nursing their young. If they are driven hard for even one day, all the flocks will die.

14Please let my lord go on ahead of his servant, and I will move along slowly at the pace of the livestock in front of me and at the pace of the children, until I come to my lord in Seir.”

15Esau said, “Then let me leave some of my people with you.” But Jacob said, “Why do that? Just let me find favor in the eyes of my lord.”

16So that day Esau started back on his way to Seir.

17But Jacob traveled to Succoth, where he built himself a house and made shelters for his livestock. That is why the place is called Succoth.

18After Jacob came from Paddan Aram, he arrived safely at the city of Shechem in the land of Canaan and camped within sight of the city.

19For a hundred kesitahs he bought from the sons of Hamor, Shechem’s father, the plot of ground where he had pitched his tent.

20There he set up an altar and called it El, the God of Israel.