1. Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him.
2. When he saw them, Jacob said, “This is God’s army.” He called the name of that place Mahanaim.
3. Jacob sent messengers in front of him to Esau, his brother, to the land of Seir, the field of Edom.
4. He commanded them, saying, “This is what you shall tell my lord, Esau: ‘This is what your servant, Jacob, says. I have lived as a foreigner with Laban, and stayed until now.
5. I have cattle, donkeys, flocks, male servants, and female servants. I have sent to tell my lord, that I may find favor in your sight.’”
6. The messengers returned to Jacob, saying, “We came to your brother Esau. Not only that, but he comes to meet you, and four hundred men with him.”
7. Then Jacob was greatly afraid and was distressed. He divided the people who were with him, and the flocks, and the herds, and the camels, into two companies;
8. and he said, “If Esau comes to the one company, and strikes it, then the company which is left will escape.”
9. Jacob said, “God of my father Abraham, and God of my father Isaac, Yahweh, who said to me, ‘Return to your country, and to your relatives, and I will do you good,’