1. Jacob also went on his way. The angels of God met him.
2. Jacob saw them. He said, "This is the army of God!" So he named that place Mahanaim.
3. Jacob sent messengers ahead of him to his brother Esau. Esau lived in the land of Seir. It was also called the country of Edom.
4. Jacob told the messengers what to do. He said, "Here's what you must tell my master Esau. 'Your servant Jacob says, "I've been staying with Laban. I've remained there until now.
5. I have cattle and donkeys and sheep and goats. I also have male and female servants. Now I'm sending this message to you. I hope I can please you." ' "
6. The messengers came back to Jacob. They said, "We went to your brother Esau. He's coming now to meet you. He has 400 men with him."
7. Jacob was very worried and afraid. So he separated the people who were with him into two groups. He also separated the flocks and herds and camels.
8. He thought, "Esau may come and attack one group. If he does, the group that's left can escape."
9. Then Jacob prayed, "You are the God of my grandfather Abraham. You are the God of my father Isaac. "Lord, you are the one who said to me, 'Go back to your country and your relatives. Then I will give you success.'
10. You have been very kind and faithful to me. But I'm not worthy of any of this. When I crossed this Jordan River, all I had was my walking stick. But now I've become two groups.
11. "Please save me from the hand of my brother Esau. I'm afraid he'll come and attack me and the mothers with their children.
12. But you have said, 'I will certainly give you success. I will make your children as many as the grains of sand on the seashore. People will not be able to count them.' "
13. Jacob spent the night there. He chose a gift for his brother Esau from what he had with him.
14. He chose 200 female goats and 20 male goats. He chose 200 female sheep and 20 male sheep.