Genesis 33

Esau forgives Jacob

1Jacob looked up and saw Esau approaching with four hundred men. Jacob divided the children among Leah, Rachel, and the two women servants. 2He put the servants and their children first, Leah and her children after them, and Rachel and Joseph last. 3He himself went in front of them and bowed to the ground seven times as he was approaching his brother. 4But Esau ran to meet him, threw his arms around his neck, kissed him, and they wept. 5Esau looked up and saw the women and children and said, “Who are these with you?”

Jacob said, “The children that God generously gave your servant.” 6The women servants and their children came forward and bowed down. 7Then Leah and her servants also came forward and bowed, and afterward Joseph and Rachel came forward and bowed.

8Esau said, “What’s the meaning of this entire group of animals that I met?”

Jacob said, “To ask for my master’s kindness.”

9Esau said, “I already have plenty, my brother. Keep what’s yours.”

10Jacob said, “No, please, do me the kindness of accepting my gift. Seeing your face is like seeing God’s face, since you’ve accepted me so warmly. 11Take this present that I’ve brought because God has been generous to me, and I have everything I need.” So Jacob persuaded him, and he took it.

12Esau said, “Let’s break camp and set out, and I’ll go with you.”

13But Jacob said to him, “My master knows that the children aren’t strong and that I am responsible for the nursing flocks and cattle. If I push them hard for even one day, all of the flocks will die. 14My master, go on ahead of your servant, but I’ve got to take it easy, going only as fast as the animals in front of me and the children are able to go, until I meet you in Seir.”

15Esau said, “Let me leave some of my people with you.”

But Jacob said, “Why should you do this since my master has already been so kind to me?” 16That day Esau returned on the road to Seir, 17but Jacob traveled to Succoth. He built a house for himself but made temporary shelters for his animals; therefore, he named the place Succoth.#33.17 Or temporary shelters

Dinah and the conflict at Shechem

18Jacob arrived safely at the city of Shechem in the land of Canaan on his trip from Paddan-aram, and he camped in front of the city. 19He bought the section of the field where he pitched his tent from the sons of Hamor, Shechem’s father, for one hundred qesitahs.#33.19 A monetary weight 20Then he set up an altar there and named it El Elohe Israel.#33.20 Or El, God of Israel

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Genesis 33: CEB

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