should be caught in his evil practice, and lest he should, on the
contrary, provoke his father to curse him. So he brought in the
supper to his father. Isaac perceivest to be Esau." So suspecting
no deceit, he ate the supper, and betook himself to his prayers
and intercessions with God; and said, "O Lord of all ages, and
Creator of all substance; for it was thou that didst propose to
my father great plenty of good things, and hast vouchsafed to
bestow on me what I have; and hast promised to my posterity to be
their kind supporter, and to bestow on them still greater
blessings; do thou therefore confirm these thy promises, and do
not overlook me, because of my present weak condition, on account
of which I most earnestly pray to thee. Be gracious to this my
son; and preserve him and keep him from every thing that is evil.
Give him a happy life, and the possession of as many good things
as thy power is able to bestow. Make him terrible to his enemies,
and honorable and beloved among his friends."

7. Thus did Isaac pray to God, thinking his prayers had been made
for Esau. He had but just finished them, when Esau came in from
hunting. And when Isaac perceived his mistake, he was silent: but
Esau required that he might be made partaker of the like blessing
from his father that his brother had partook of; but his father
refused it, because all his prayers had been spent upon Jacob: so
Esau lamented the mistake. However, his father being grieved at
his weeping, said, that "he should excel in hunting and strength
of body, in arms, and all such sorts of work; and should obtain
glory for ever on those accounts, he and his posterity after him;
but still should serve his brother."

8. Now the mother delivered Jacob, when she was afraid that his