He protects his flock like a shepherd; he gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them in the fold of his garment. He gently leads those that are nursing.
Now here are the Ammonites, Moabites, and the inhabitants of Mount Seir. You did not let Israel invade them when Israel came out of the land of Egypt, but Israel turned away from them and did not destroy them.
‘Then we turned back and headed for the wilderness by way of the Red Sea, as the Lord had told me, and we travelled round the hill country of Seir for many days.
Jacob replied, ‘My lord knows that the children are weak, and I have nursing flocks and herds. If they are driven hard for one day, the whole herd will die.
He commanded them, ‘You are to say to my lord Esau, “This is what your servant Jacob says. I have been staying with Laban and have been delayed until now.