Genesis 33 in plain modern English. New Ground English Translation.

Jacob looked up and saw Esau coming toward him with four hundred men. So he divided the children among Leah, Rachel, and the two female servants.

He put the servants and their children in front, Leah and her children behind them, and Rachel and Joseph last of all.

He himself went on ahead of them and bowed to the ground seven times as he approached his brother.

But Esau ran to meet him, threw his arms around him, fell on his neck, and kissed him. And they both wept.

Then Esau looked up and saw the women and children. "Who are all these people with you?" he asked. Jacob answered, "They are the children God has generously given your servant."

Then the female servants came forward with their children and bowed down.

Leah also came forward with her children and bowed down. Finally, Joseph and Rachel came forward and bowed down.

Esau asked, "What did you mean by all those herds I met along the way?" Jacob said, "They were to win your favor, my lord."

Esau said, "I already have plenty, my brother. Keep what you have for yourself."

"No, please!" Jacob said. "If I have found favor with you, accept this gift from my hand. Because seeing your face is like seeing the face of God -- and you have received me so warmly."

Please, take the gift that was brought to you, because God has been generous to me, and I have everything I need." He urged him until Esau accepted.

Then Esau said, "Let's get going. I'll travel alongside you."

But Jacob said to him, "My lord can see that the children are young, and I have nursing ewes and cows to think about. If they're driven too hard for even one day, all the animals will die."

"Please, let my lord go on ahead of his servant. I'll move along slowly, at whatever pace the livestock and the children can handle, until I come to my lord in Seir."

Esau said, "At least let me leave some of my men with you." But Jacob said, "There's no need -- I just want your good will, my lord."

So that day Esau started back toward Seir.

But Jacob traveled to Sukkot, where he built himself a house and made shelters for his livestock. That's why the place is called Sukkot.

Jacob arrived safely at the city of Shechem in the land of Canaan -- having come all the way from Paddan-aram -- and camped near the city.

He bought the piece of land where he had pitched his tent from the sons of Hamor, Shechem's father, for a hundred qesitah.

He set up an altar there and called it El-Elohe-Yisrael.