^2–4“I’m an old man,” he said; “I might die any day now. Do me a favor: Get your quiver of arrows and your bow and go out in the country and hunt me some game. Then fix me a hearty meal, the kind that you know I like, and bring it to me to eat so that I can give you my personal blessing before I die.”

^5–7Rebekah was eavesdropping as Isaac spoke to his son Esau. As soon as Esau had gone off to the country to hunt game for his father, Rebekah spoke to her son Jacob. “I just overheard your father talking with your brother, Esau. He said, ‘Bring me some game and fix me a hearty meal so that I can eat and bless you with God’s blessing before I die.’

^8–10“Now, my son, listen to me. Do what I tell you. Go to the flock and get me two young goats. Pick the best; I’ll prepare them into a hearty meal, the kind that your father loves. Then you’ll take it to your father, he’ll eat and bless you before he dies.”

^11–12“But Mother,” Jacob said, “my brother Esau is a hairy man and I have smooth skin. What happens if my father touches me? He’ll think I’m playing games with him. I’ll bring down a curse on myself instead of a blessing.”

¹³“If it comes to that,” said his mother, “I’ll take the curse on myself. Now, just do what I say. Go and get the goats.”

¹⁴So he went and got them and brought them to his mother and she cooked a hearty meal, the kind his father loved so much.

^15–17Rebekah took the dress-up clothes of her older son Esau and put them on her younger son Jacob. She took the goatskins and covered his hands and the smooth nape of his neck. Then she placed the hearty meal she had fixed and fresh bread she’d baked into the hands of her son Jacob.

¹⁸He went to his father and said, “My father!”

“Yes?” he said. “Which son are you?”

¹⁹Jacob answered his father, “I’m your firstborn son Esau. I did what you told me. Come now; sit up and eat of my game so you can give me your personal blessing.”

²⁰Isaac said, “So soon? How did you get it so quickly?”

“Because your God cleared the way for me.”

²¹Isaac said, “Come close, son; let me touch you—are you really my son Esau?”

^22–23So Jacob moved close to his father Isaac. Isaac felt him and said, “The voice is Jacob’s voice but the hands are the hands of Esau.” He didn’t recognize him because his hands were hairy, like his brother Esau’s.

^23–24But as he was about to bless him he pressed him, “You’re sure? You are my son Esau?”

“Yes. I am.”

²⁵Isaac said, “Bring the food so I can eat of my son’s game and give you my personal blessing.” Jacob brought it to him and he ate. He also brought him wine and he drank.

²⁶Then Isaac said, “Come close, son, and kiss me.”

^27–29He came close and kissed him and Isaac smelled the smell of his clothes. Finally, he blessed him,

Ahhh. The smell of my son

is like the smell of the open country

blessed by God.

May God give you

of Heaven’s dew

and Earth’s bounty of grain and wine.

May peoples serve you

and nations honor you.

You will master your brothers,

and your mother’s sons will honor you.

Those who curse you will be cursed,

those who bless you will be blessed.

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