Genesis 32:1-10 (Vespers, 8th reading)
- 1
- So Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him.
- 2
- When Jacob saw them, he said, “This is God’s camp.” And he called the name of that place Mahanaim.
- 3
- Then Jacob sent messengers before him to Esau his brother in the land of Seir, the country of Edom.
- 4
- And he commanded them, saying, “Speak thus to my lord Esau, ‘Thus your servant Jacob says: “I have dwelt with Laban and stayed there until now.
- 5
- “I have oxen, donkeys, flocks, and male and female servants; and I have sent to tell my lord, that I may find favor in your sight.”’”
- 6
- Then the messengers returned to Jacob, saying, “We came to your brother Esau, and he also is coming to meet you, and four hundred men are with him.”
- 7
- So Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed; and he divided the people that were with him, and the flocks and herds and camels, into two companies.
- 8
- And he said, “If Esau comes to the one company and attacks it, then the other company which is left will escape.”
- 9
- Then Jacob said, “O God of my father Abraham and God of my father Isaac, the Lord who said to me, ‘Return to your country and to your family, and I will deal well with you’:
- 10
- “I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies and of all the truth which You have shown Your servant; for I crossed over this Jordan with my staff, and now I have become two companies.