3 Jacob sent messengers on ahead to Esau, who lived in the land of Seir, also known as Edom.
4 Jacob told them to say to Esau, “Master, I am your servant! I have lived with Laban all this time,
5 and now I own cattle, donkeys, and sheep, as well as many slaves. Master, I am sending these messengers in the hope that you will be kind to me.”
6 When the messengers returned, they told Jacob, “We went to your brother Esau, and now he is heading this way with four hundred men.”
7 Jacob was so frightened that he divided his people, sheep, cattle, and camels into two groups.
8 He thought, “If Esau attacks one group, perhaps the other can escape.”
9 Then Jacob prayed:You, Lord, are the God who was worshipped by my grandfather Abraham and by my father Isaac. You told me to return home to my family, and you promised to be with me and make me successful.