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far of his apology was made； in order to clear himself of having
acted unjustly。 To which he added his own complaint and
accusation of Laban； saying； 〃While I was thy sister's son； and
thou hadst given me thy daughters in marriage； thou hast worn me
out with thy harsh commands； and detained me twenty years under
them。 That indeed which was required in order to my marrying thy
daughters； hard as it was； I own to have been tolerable； but as
to those that were put upon me after those marriages； they were
worse； and such indeed as an enemy would have avoided。〃 For
certainly Laban had used Jacob very ill； for when he saw that God
was assisting to Jacob in all that he desired； he promised him；
that of the young cattle which should be born； he should have
sometimes what was of a white color； and sometimes what should be
of a black color； but when those that came to Jacob's share
proved numerous； he did not keep his faith with him； but said he
would give them to him the next year； because of his envying him
the multitude of his possessions。 He promised him as before；
because he thought such an increase was not to be expected； but
when it appeared to be fact； he deceived him。
11。 But then； as to the sacred images； he bid him search for
them； and when Laban accepted of the offer； Rachel； being
informed of it； put those images into that camel's saddle on
which she rode； and sat upon it； and said； that her natural
purgation hindered her rising up： so Laban left off searching any
further； not supposing that his daughter in such circumstances
would approach to those images。 So he made a league with Jacob；
and bound it by oaths； that he would not bear him any malice on
account of what had happened； and Jacob made the like league； and
promised to love Laban's daughters。 And these leagues they
confirmed with oaths also； which the made upon certain as whereon
they erected a pillar； in the form of an altar： whence that hill
is called Gilead； and from thence they call that land the Land of
Gilead at this day。 Now when they had feasted； after the making
of the league； Laban returned home。
CHAPTER 20。
Concerning The Meeting Of Jacob And Esau。
1。 Now as Jacob was proceeding on his journey to the land of
Canaan； angels appeared to him； and suggested to him good hope of
his future condition； and that place he named the Camp of God。
And being desirous of knowing what his brother's intentions were
to him； he sent messengers； to give him an exact account of every
thing； as being afraid； on account of the enmities between them。
He charged those that were sent； to say to Esau； 〃Jacob had
thought it wrong to live together with him while he was in anger
against him； and so had gone out of the country； and that he now；
thinking the length of time of his absence must have made up
their differences； was returning； that he brought with him his
wives； and his children； with what possessions he had gotten； and
delivered himself； with what was most dear to him； into his
hands； and should think it his greatest happiness to partake
together with his brother of what God had bestowed upon him。〃 So
these messengers told him this message。 Upon which Esau was very
glad； and met his brother with four hundred men。 And Jacob； when
he heard that he was coming to meet him with such a number of
men； was greatly afraid： however； he committed his hope of
deliverance to God； and considered how； in his present
circumstances； he might preserve himself and those that were with
him； and overcome his enemies if they attacked him injuriously。
He therefore distributed his company into parts； some he sent
before the rest； and the others he ordered to come close behind；
that so； if the first were overpowered when his brother attacked
them； they might have those that followed as a refuge to fly
unto。 And when he had put his company in this order； he sent some
of them to carry presents to his brother。 The presents were made
up of cattle； and a great number of four…footed beasts； of many
kinds； such as would be very acceptable to those that received
them； on account of their rarity。 Those who were sent went at
certain intervals of space asunder； that； by following thick； one
after another； they might appear to be more numerous； that Esau
might remit of his anger on account of these presents； if he were
still in a passion。 Instructions were also given to those that
were sent to speak gently to him。
2。 When Jacob had made these appointments all the day； and night
came on； he moved on with his company； and； as they were gone
over a certain river called Jabboc； Jacob was left behind； and
meeting with an angel； he wrestled with him； the angel beginning
the struggle： but he prevailed over the angel； who used a voice；
and spake to him in words； exhorting him to be pleased with what
had happened to him； and not to suppose that his victory was a
small one； but that he had overcome a divine angel； and to esteem
the victory as a sign of great blessings that should come to him；
and that his offspring should never fall； and that no man should
be too hard for his power。 He also commanded him to be called
Israel； which in the Hebrew tongue signifies one that struggled
with the divine angel。 （37） These promises were made at the
prayer of Jacob； for when he perceived him to be the angel of
God； he desired he would signify to him what should befall him
hereafter。 And when the angel had said what is before related； he
disappeared； but Jacob was pleased with these things； and named
the place Phanuel； which signifies； the face of God。 Now when he
felt pain； by this struggling； upon his broad sinew； he abstained
from eating that sinew himself afterward； and for his sake it is
still not eaten by us。
3。 When Jacob understood that his brother was near； he ordered
his wives to go before； each by herself； with the handmaids； that
they might see the actions of the men as they were fighting； if
Esau were so disposed。 He then went up to his brother Esau； and
bowed down to him； who had no evil design upon him； but saluted
him； and asked him about the company of the children and of the
women； and desired； when he had understood all he wanted to know
about them； that he would go along with him to their father； but
Jacob pretending that the cattle were weary； Esau returned to
Seir； for there was his place of habitation； he having named the
place Roughness； from his own hairy roughness。
CHAPTER 21。
Concerning The Violation Of Dina's Chastity。
1。 Hereupon Jacob came to the place； till this day called Tents
（Succoth）； from whence he went to Shechem； which is a city of the
Canaanites。 Now as the Shechemites were keeping a festival Dina；
who was the only daughter of Jacob； went into the city to see the
finery of the women of that country。 But when Shechem； the son of
Hamor the king； saw her； he defiled her by violence； and being
greatly in love with her； desired of his father that he would
procure the damsel to him for a wife。 To which desire he
condescended； and came to Jacob； desiring him to give leave that
his son Shechem might； according to law； marry Dina。 But Jacob；
not knowing how to deny the des