Genesis 25:19-35

19  This is the genealogy of Isaac, Abraham’s son.  Abraham begot Isaac.

20  Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah as wife, the daughter of Bethuel the Syrian of Padan Aram, the sister of Laban the Syrian.

21  Now Isaac pleaded with the Lord for his wife, because she was barren and the Lord granted his plea, and Rebekah his wife conceived.

22  But the children struggled together within her; and she said, “If all is well why am I like this?”  So she went to inquire of the Lord.

23  And the Lord said to her:  “Two nations are in your womb, two peoples shall be separated from your body; one people shall be stronger than the other, and the older shall serve the younger.”

24  So when her days were fulfilled for her to give birth, indeed there were twins in her womb.

25  And the first came out red.  He was like a hairy garment al over; so they called his name Esau.

26  Afterward his brother came out, and his hand took hold of Esau’s heel; so his name was called Jacob.  Isaac was sixty years old when she bore them.

27  So the boys grew.  And Esau was a skillful hunter, a man of the field; but Jacob was a mild man, dwelling in tents.

28  And Isaac loved Esau because he ate of his game, but Rebekah loved Jacob.

29  Now Jacob cooked a stew; and Esau came in from the field, and he was weary.

30  And Esau said to Jacob, “Please feed me with that same red stew, for  am weary.”  Therefore his name was called Edom.

31  But Jacob said, “Sell me your birthright as of this day.”

32  And Esau said, “Look, I am about to die; so what is this birthright to me?”

33  Then Jacob said, “Swear to me as of this day.”  So he swore to him, and sold his birthright to Jacob.

34  And Jacob gave Esau bread and stew of lentils; then he ate and drank, arose, and went his way.  Thus Esau despised his birthright.