33:1 Jacob looked up and saw Esau approaching with four hundred men. Jacob divided the children among Leah, Rachel, and the two women servants.
33:2 He put the servants and their children first, Leah and her children after them, and Rachel and Joseph last.
33:3 He himself went in front of them and bowed to the ground seven times as he was approaching his brother.
33:4 But Esau ran to meet him, threw his arms around his neck, kissed him, and they wept.
33:5 Esau 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.”
33:6 The women servants and their children came forward and bowed down.
33:7 Then Leah and her servants also came forward and bowed, and afterward Joseph and Rachel came forward and bowed.
33:8 Esau said, “What’s the meaning of this entire group of animals that I met?” Jacob said, “To ask for my master’s kindness.”
33:9 Esau said, “I already have plenty, my brother. Keep what’s yours.”
33:10 Jacob 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.
33:11 Take 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.
33:12 Esau said, “Let’s break camp and set out, and I’ll go with you.”
33:13 But 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.
33:14 My 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.”
33:15 Esau 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?”
33:17 but Jacob traveled to Succoth. He built a house for himself but made temporary shelters for his animals; therefore, he named the place Succoth.
33:18 Jacob 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.
33:19 He bought the section of the field where he pitched his tent from the sons of Hamor, Shechem’s father, for one hundred qesitahs.
33:20 Then he set up an altar there and named it El Elohe Israel.
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