²⁷ The boys grew up, and Esau became a skillful hunter,^(A) a man of the open country,^(B) while Jacob was content to stay at home among the tents. ²⁸ Isaac, who had a taste for wild game,^(C) loved Esau, but Rebekah loved Jacob.^(D)

²⁹ Once when Jacob was cooking some stew,^(E) Esau came in from the open country,^(F) famished. ³⁰ He said to Jacob, “Quick, let me have some of that red stew!^(G) I’m famished!” (That is why he was also called Edom.^[a])^(H)

³¹ Jacob replied, “First sell me your birthright.^(I)”

³² “Look, I am about to die,” Esau said. “What good is the birthright to me?”

³³ But Jacob said, “Swear^(J) to me first.” So he swore an oath to him, selling his birthright^(K) to Jacob.

³⁴ Then Jacob gave Esau some bread and some lentil stew.^(L) He ate and drank, and then got up and left.

So Esau despised his birthright.