The Deception, But Who Was Deceived? (Leader Copy)

(1) And it came to pass, that when Isaac was old, and his eyes were dim, so that he could not see, he called Esau his elder son, and said unto him: ‘My son’; and he said unto him: ‘Here am I.’ (2) And he said: ‘Behold now, I am old, I know not the day of my death. (3) Now therefore take, I pray you, your weapons, your quiver and your bow, and go out to the field, and take me venison; (4) and make me savory food, such as I love, and bring it to me, that I may eat; that my soul may bless you before I die.’

(5) And Rebekah heard when Isaac spoke to Esau his son. And Esau went to the field to hunt for venison, and to bring it. (6) And Rebekah spoke unto Jacob her son, saying: ‘Behold, I heard your father speak unto Esau your brother, saying: (7) Bring me venison, and make me savory food, that I may eat, and bless you before ADONAI before my death. (8) Now therefore, my son, hearken to my voice according to that which I command you. (9) Go now to the flock, and fetch me from there two good kids of the goats; and I will make them savory food for your father, such as he loves; (10) and you shall bring it to your father, that he may eat, so that he may bless you before his death.’ (11) And Jacob said to Rebekah his mother: ‘Behold, Esau my brother is a hairy man, and I am a smooth man. (12) My father peradventure will feel me, and I shall seem to him as a mocker; and I shall bring a curse upon me, and not a blessing.’ (13) And his mother said unto him: ‘Upon me be your curse, my son; only hearken to my voice, and go fetch me them.’

14) And he went, and fetched, and brought them to his mother; and his mother made savory food, such as his father loved. (15) And Rebekah took the choicest garments of Esau her elder son, which were with her in the house, and put them upon Jacob her younger son. (16) And she put the skins of the kids of the goats upon his hands, and upon the smooth of his neck. (17) And she gave the savory food and the bread, which she had prepared, into the hand of her son Jacob.

(18) And he came unto his father, and said: ‘My father’; and he said: ‘Here am I; who are you, my son?’ (19) And Jacob said unto his father: ‘I am Esau your first-born; I have done according as you have bidden me. Arise, I pray you, sit and eat of my venison, that your soul may bless me.’ (20) And Isaac said unto his son: ‘How is it that you have found it so quickly, my son?’ And he said: ‘Because ADONAI your God sent me good speed.’ (21) And Isaac said unto Jacob: ‘Come near, I pray you, that I may feel you, my son, whether you be my very son Esau or not.’ (22) And Jacob went near unto Isaac his father; and he felt him, and said: ‘The voice is the voice of Jacob, but the hands are the hands of Esau.’ (23) And he discerned him not, because his hands were hairy, as his brother Esau’s hands; so he blessed him. (24) And he said: ‘Are you my very son Esau?’ And he said: ‘I am.’ (25) And he said: ‘Bring it near to me, and I will eat of my son’s venison, that my soul may bless you.’ And he brought it near to him, and he did eat; and he brought him wine, and he drank.

(26) And his father Isaac said unto him: ‘Come near now, and kiss me, my son.’ (27) And he came near, and kissed him. And he smelled the smell of his raiment, and blessed him, and said: See, the smell of my son Is as the smell of a field which ADONAI has blessed. (28) So God give you of the dew of heaven, And of the fat places of the earth, And plenty of corn and wine. (29) Let peoples serve you, And nations bow down to you. Be lord over your brethren, And let your mother’s sons bow down to you. Cursed be every one that curses you, And blessed be every one that blesses you. (30) And it came to pass, as soon as Isaac had made an end of blessing Jacob, and Jacob was yet scarce gone out from the presence of Isaac his father, that Esau his brother came in from his hunting.