3 Then Jacob sent messengers before him to Esau his brother, to the land of Seir, the territory of Edom.
4 And he instructed them, saying, “Thus you must say to my lord, to Esau, ‘Thus says your servant Jacob, I have dwelled as an alien with Laban, and I have remained there until now.
5 And I have acquired cattle, male donkeys, flocks, and male and female slaves, and I have sent to tell my lord, to find favor in your eyes.’ ”
6 And the messengers returned to Jacob and said, “We came to your brother, to Esau, and he is coming to meet you, and four hundred men are with him.”
7 Then Jacob was very frightened and distressed. So he divided the people, flocks, cattle, and camels that were with him into two companies.
8 And he thought, “If Esau comes to one company and destroys it, the remaining company will be able to escape.”
9 Then Jacob said, “O God of my father Abraham, and God of my father Isaac, O Yahweh, who said to me, ‘Return to your land and to your family, and I will deal well with you.’