3. Then Jacob sent messengers before him to Esau his brother, to the land of Seir, the territory of Edom.
4. And he instructed them, saying, “Thus you must say to my lord, to Esau, ‘Thus says your servant Jacob, I have dwelled as an alien with Laban, and I have remained there until now.
5. And I have acquired cattle, male donkeys, flocks, and male and female slaves, and I have sent to tell my lord, to find favor in your eyes.’ ”
6. And the messengers returned to Jacob and said, “We came to your brother, to Esau, and he is coming to meet you, and four hundred men are with him.”
7. Then Jacob was very frightened and distressed. So he divided the people, flocks, cattle, and camels that were with him into two companies.
8. And he thought, “If Esau comes to one company and destroys it, the remaining company will be able to escape.”
9. Then Jacob said, “O God of my father Abraham, and God of my father Isaac, O Yahweh, who said to me, ‘Return to your land and to your family, and I will deal well with you.’