Genesis 33

Now Jacob looked up and saw Esau coming toward him with four hundred men. So he divided the children among Leah, Rachel, and the two maidservants. Begin Abide·

He put the maidservants and their children in front, Leah and her children next, and Rachel and Joseph at the rear. Begin Abide·

But Jacob himself went on ahead and bowed to the ground seven times as he approached his brother. Begin Abide·

Esau, however, ran to him and embraced him, threw his arms around his neck, and kissed him. And they both wept. Begin Abide·

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

Then the maidservants and their children approached and bowed down. Begin Abide·

Leah and her children also approached and bowed down, and then Joseph and Rachel approached and bowed down. Begin Abide·

“What do you mean by sending this whole company to meet me?” asked Esau. “To find favor in your sight, my lord,” Jacob answered. Begin Abide·

“I already have plenty, my brother,” Esau replied. “Keep what belongs to you.” Begin Abide·

But Jacob insisted, “No, please! If I have found favor in your sight, then receive this gift from my hand. For indeed, I have seen your face, and it is like seeing the face of God, since you have received me favorably. Begin Abide·

Please accept my gift that was brought to you, because God has been gracious to me and I have all I need.” So Jacob pressed him until he accepted. Begin Abide·

Then Esau said, “Let us be on our way, and I will go ahead of you.” Begin Abide·

But Jacob replied, “My lord knows that the children are frail, and I must care for sheep and cattle that are nursing their young. If they are driven hard for even a day, all the animals will die. Begin Abide·

Please let my lord go ahead of his servant. I will continue on slowly, at a comfortable pace for the livestock and children, until I come to my lord at Seir.” Begin Abide·

“Let me leave some of my people with you,” Esau said. But Jacob replied, “Why do that? Let me find favor in the sight of my lord.” Begin Abide·

So that day Esau started on his way back to Seir, Begin Abide·

but Jacob went on to Succoth, where he built a house for himself and shelters for his livestock; that is why the place was called Succoth. Begin Abide·

After Jacob had come from Paddan-aram, he arrived safely at the city of Shechem in the land of Canaan, and he camped just outside the city. Begin Abide·

And the plot of ground where he pitched his tent, he purchased from the sons of Hamor, Shechem’s father, for a hundred pieces of silver. Begin Abide·

There he set up an altar and called it El-Elohe-Israel. Begin Abide·