Just ask them, and they will tell you. We have come on a feast day, and David asks you to receive us kindly. Please give what you can to us your servants and to your dear friend David."

You must say, 'Yes, your servant Jacob is right behind us.' " Jacob was thinking, "I will win him over with the gifts, and when I meet him, perhaps he will forgive me."

He sent the gifts on ahead of him and spent that night in camp.

he looked up and saw three men standing there. As soon as he saw them, he ran out to meet them. Bowing down with his face touching the ground,

Jacob said, "No, please, if I have gained your favor, accept my gift. To see your face is for me like seeing the face of God, now that you have been so friendly to me.

Joseph, as governor of the land of Egypt, was selling grain to people from all over the world. So Joseph's brothers came and bowed down before him with their faces to the ground.

Their father said to them, "If that is how it has to be, then take the best products of the land in your packs as a present for the governor: a little resin, a little honey, spices, pistachio nuts, and almonds.

When Joseph got home, they took the gifts into the house to him and bowed down to the ground before him.

Please, sir, accept this present I have brought you, and give it to your men.

Some people think a bribe works like magic; they believe it can do anything.

Do you want to meet an important person? Take a gift and it will be easy.

Everyone tries to gain the favor of important people; everyone claims the friendship of those who give out favors.

If someone is angry with you, a gift given secretly will calm him down.