But God came to Laban the Aramean in a dream at night and warned him, “Be careful that you neither bless nor curse Jacob.”

The messengers returned to Jacob and said, “We went to your brother Esau. He is coming to meet you and has four hundred men with him.”

Jacob was very afraid and upset. So he divided the people who were with him into two camps, as well as the flocks, herds, and camels.

He also gave these instructions to the second and third servants, as well as all those who were following the herds, saying, “You must say the same thing to Esau when you meet him.

“No longer will your name be Jacob,” the man told him, “but Israel, because you have fought with God and with men and have prevailed.”

Then Jacob asked, “Please tell me your name.” “Why do you ask my name?” the man replied. Then he blessed Jacob there.

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

Please take my present that was brought to you, for God has been generous to me and I have all I need.” When Jacob urged him, he took it.

When Jacob heard that Shechem had violated his daughter Dinah, his sons were with the livestock in the field. So Jacob remained silent until they came in.

They said to them, “We cannot give our sister to a man who is not circumcised, for it would be a disgrace to us.

Only on this one condition will these men consent to live with us and become one people: They demand that every male among us be circumcised just as they are circumcised.

He replied, “I’ll send you a young goat from the flock.” She asked, “Will you give me a pledge until you send it?”

Judah said, “Let her keep the things for herself. Otherwise we will appear to be dishonest. I did indeed send this young goat, but you couldn’t find her.”

Even though she continued to speak to Joseph day after day, he did not respond to her invitation to have sex with her.

In three more days Pharaoh will decapitate you and impale you on a pole. Then the birds will eat your flesh from you.”

So the men took these gifts, and they took double the money with them, along with Benjamin. Then they hurried down to Egypt and stood before Joseph.

Doesn’t my master drink from this cup and use it for divination? You have done wrong!’”

Joseph said to them, “What did you think you were doing? Don’t you know that a man like me can find out things like this by divination?”

If you take this one from me too and an accident happens to him, then you will bring down my gray hair in tragedy to the grave.’

Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still alive?” His brothers could not answer him because they were dumbfounded before him.