New Living Translation NLT
The Message Bible MSG
1 Then Jacob looked up and saw Esau coming with his 400 men. So he divided the children among Leah, Rachel, and his two servant wives.
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Jacob looked up and saw Esau coming with his four hundred men. He divided the children between Leah and Rachel and the two maidservants.
2 He put the servant wives and their children at the front, Leah and her children next, and Rachel and Joseph last.
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He put the maidservants out in front, Leah and her children next, and Rachel and Joseph last.
3 Then Jacob went on ahead. As he approached his brother, he bowed to the ground seven times before him.
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He led the way and, as he approached his brother, bowed seven times, honoring his brother.
4 Then Esau ran to meet him and embraced him, threw his arms around his neck, and kissed him. And they both wept.
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But Esau ran up and embraced him, held him tight and kissed him. And they both wept.
5 Then Esau looked at the women and children and asked, “Who are these people with you?” “These are the children God has graciously given to me, your servant,” Jacob replied.
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Then Esau looked around and saw the women and children: "And who are these with you?" Jacob said, "The children that God saw fit to bless me with."
6 Then the servant wives came forward with their children and bowed before him.
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Then the maidservants came up with their children and bowed;
7 Next came Leah with her children, and they bowed before him. Finally, Joseph and Rachel came forward and bowed before him.
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then Leah and her children, also bowing; and finally, Joseph and Rachel came up and bowed to Esau.
8 “And what were all the flocks and herds I met as I came?” Esau asked. Jacob replied, “They are a gift, my lord, to ensure your friendship.”
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Esau then asked, "And what was the meaning of all those herds that I met?" "I was hoping that they would pave the way for my master to welcome me."
9 “My brother, I have plenty,” Esau answered. “Keep what you have for yourself.”
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Esau said, "Oh, brother. I have plenty of everything - keep what is yours for yourself."
10 But Jacob insisted, “No, if I have found favor with you, please accept this gift from me. And what a relief to see your friendly smile. It is like seeing the face of God!
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Jacob said, "Please. If you can find it in your heart to welcome me, accept these gifts. When I saw your face, it was as the face of God smiling on me.
11 Please take this gift I have brought you, for God has been very gracious to me. I have more than enough.” And because Jacob insisted, Esau finally accepted the gift.
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Accept the gifts I have brought for you. God has been good to me and I have more than enough." Jacob urged the gifts on him and Esau accepted.
12 “Well,” Esau said, “let’s be going. I will lead the way.”
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Then Esau said, "Let's start out on our way; I'll take the lead."
13 But Jacob replied, “You can see, my lord, that some of the children are very young, and the flocks and herds have their young, too. If they are driven too hard, even for one day, all the animals could die.
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But Jacob said, "My master can see that the children are frail. And the flocks and herds are nursing, making for slow going. If I push them too hard, even for a day, I'd lose them all.
14 Please, my lord, go ahead of your servant. We will follow slowly, at a pace that is comfortable for the livestock and the children. I will meet you at Seir.”
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So, master, you go on ahead of your servant, while I take it easy at the pace of my flocks and children. I'll catch up with you in Seir."
15 “All right,” Esau said, “but at least let me assign some of my men to guide and protect you.” Jacob responded, “That’s not necessary. It’s enough that you’ve received me warmly, my lord!”
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Esau said, "Let me at least lend you some of my men." "There's no need," said Jacob. "Your generous welcome is all I need or want."
16 So Esau turned around and started back to Seir that same day.
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So Esau set out that day and made his way back to Seir.
17 Jacob, on the other hand, traveled on to Succoth. There he built himself a house and made shelters for his livestock. That is why the place was named Succoth (which means “shelters”).
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And Jacob left for Succoth. He built a shelter for himself and sheds for his livestock. That's how the place came to be called Succoth (Sheds).
18 Later, having traveled all the way from Paddan-aram, Jacob arrived safely at the town of Shechem, in the land of Canaan. There he set up camp outside the town.
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And that's how it happened that Jacob arrived all in one piece in Shechem in the land of Canaan - all the way from Paddan Aram. He camped near the city.
19 Jacob bought the plot of land where he camped from the family of Hamor, the father of Shechem, for 100 pieces of silver.
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He bought the land where he pitched his tent from the sons of Hamor, the father of Shechem. He paid a hundred silver coins for it.
20 And there he built an altar and named it El-Elohe-Israel.
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Then he built an altar there and named it El-Elohe-Israel (Mighty Is the God of Israel).
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by
Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.