Genesis 32:4

King James Version (KJV)

And he commanded them, saying, Thus shall ye speak unto my lord Esau; Thy servant Jacob saith thus, I have sojourned with Laban, and stayed there until now:

Translations

Genesis 32:4 - Amplified Bible

And he commanded them, Say this to my lord Esau: Your servant Jacob says this: I have been living temporarily with Laban and have stayed there till now.

Genesis 32:4 - American Standard Version

And he commanded them, saying, Thus shall ye say unto my lord Esau: Thus saith thy servant Jacob, I have sojourned with Laban, and stayed until now:

Genesis 32:4 - Bible in Basic English

And he gave them orders to say these words to Esau: Your servant Jacob says, Till now I have been living with Laban:

Genesis 32:4 - Darby Bible

And he commanded them, saying, Thus shall ye speak to my lord, to Esau: Thy servant Jacob speaks thus -- With Laban have I sojourned and tarried until now;

Genesis 32:4 - English Standard Version

instructing them, "Thus you shall say to my lord Esau: Thus says your servant Jacob, "I have sojourned with Laban and stayed until now.

Genesis 32:4 - King James Version

And he commanded them, saying, Thus shall ye speak unto my lord Esau; Thy servant Jacob saith thus, I have sojourned with Laban, and stayed there until now:

Genesis 32:4 - La Biblia de las Americas

Y les dio òrdenes, diciendo: Asì diréis a mi señor Esaù: "Asì dice tu siervo Jacob: 'He morado con Labán, y allì me he quedado hasta ahora.

Genesis 32:4 - The Message

Genesis 32:4 - New American Standard Bible

He also commanded them saying, "Thus you shall say to my lord Esau: `Thus says your servant Jacob, "I have sojourned with Laban, and stayed until now;

Genesis 32:4 - Nueva Biblia Latinoamericana de Hoy

Y les dio òrdenes, diciendo: "Asì dirán a mi señor Esaù: 'Asì dice su siervo Jacob: "He morado con Labán, y allì me he quedado hasta ahora.

Genesis 32:4 - World English Bible

He commanded them, saying, "This is what you shall tell my lord, Esau: `This is what your servant, Jacob, says. I have sojourned with Laban, and stayed until now.

Genesis 32:4 - Young's Living Translation

and commandeth them, saying, `Thus do ye say to my lord, to Esau: Thus said thy servant Jacob, With Laban I have sojourned, and I tarry until now;

Genesis 32:4 - Additional Comments

Jacob is trying to remove the sibling rivalry that has existed for years between him and Esau (see Gen 27:41). As far as we can tell, they no longer had a conflict, but their tribes would later become enemies - Esau's tribes became the Edomites - Gen 36:43, 2 Kings 14:8.
The notes on Gen 27:41 describe what parents can do to avoid sibling rivalry.
What a sibling can do to restore a relationship with a sibling: (See also 33:1-11) Actually, this may apply to restoration of any relationship.
- Admit there is trouble in the relationship
- Recognize that probably both siblings helped build the rivalry; one may instigate, and the other may react, like Jacob and Esau
- Truly forgive any hurt the other had caused; remove any root of bitterness
- Honestly desire restoration
- Soften your attitude
- Approach restoration with humility (33:3)
- Be willing to sacrifice to show earnestness and as recompense for any harm caused
- As much as you try to restore, the other may have no interest, and may still want to do battle (vs 8)
- Pray for the situation; pray for what you are to do; pray for God's intervention (vs 9-12)
- Request forgiveness (Gen 33:8)
- Accept any efforts your sibling brings to restoration (33:4).

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