17. And he instructed the first, saying: "If you happen to meet my brother Esau, and he questions you: "Whose are you?" or, "Where are you going?" or, "Whose are these which follow you?"
18. you shall respond: "Your servant Jacob's. He has sent them as a gift to my lord Esau. And he is also coming after us."
19. Similarly, he gave orders to the second, and the third, and to all who followed the flocks, saying: "Speak these same words to Esau, when you find him.
20. And you will add: 'Your servant Jacob himself also follows after us, for he said: "I will appease him with the gifts that go ahead, and after this, I will see him; perhaps he will be gracious to me." ' "
21. And so the gifts went before him, but he himself lodged that night in the camp.
22. And when he had arisen early, he took his two wives, and the same number of handmaids, with his eleven sons, and he crossed over the ford of Jabbok.
23. And having delivered over all the things that belonged to him,
24. he remained alone. And behold, a man wrestled with him until morning.
25. And when he saw that he would not be able to overcome him, he touched the nerve of his thigh, and immediately it withered.
26. And he said to him, "Release me, for now the dawn ascends." He responded, "I will not release you, unless you bless me."