Genesis 32:3–11

³Jacob sent messengers ahead of him to his brother Esau in the land of Seir, the territory of Edom. ⁴He commanded them, “You are to say to my lord Esau, ‘This is what your servant Jacob says. I have been staying with Laban and have been delayed until now. ⁵I have oxen, donkeys, flocks, and male and female slaves. I have sent this message to inform my lord, in order to seek your favor.’ ”^c

⁶When the messengers returned to Jacob, they said, “We went to your brother Esau; he is coming to meet you—and he has four hundred men with him.”^{d 7}Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed; he divided the people with him into two camps, along with the flocks, herds, and camels. ⁸He thought, “If Esau comes to one camp and attacks it, the remaining one can escape.”^e

⁹Then Jacob said, “God of my father Abraham and God of my father Isaac,^f the Lord who said to me, ‘Go back to your land and to your family, and I will cause you to prosper,’^{g 10}I am unworthy of all the kindness and faithfulness you have shown your servant. Indeed, I crossed over the Jordan with my staff, and now I have become two camps. ¹¹Please rescue me from my brother Esau, for I am afraid of him; otherwise, he may come and attack me, the mothers, and their children.