1Then Jacob continued his journey, and came into the land of the people of the east.
2And he saw a well in a field, and, there were three flocks of sheep lying by it; for it was out of that well that they watered the flocks: and a great stone was upon the well's mouth.
3And when all the flocks were gathered there, the shepherds rolled the stone from the well's mouth, and watered the sheep, and then put the stone back in its place upon the well's mouth.
4And Jacob asked the shepherds, “Where are you from?” And they said, “We are from Haran.”
5And he said to them, “Do you know Laban, the son of Nahor?” And they said, “We know him.”
6And asked them, “Is he well?” And they said, “He is well: and, here comes Rachel, his daughter with the sheep.”
7And he said, “Look, the sun is yet high, and not the time that the cattle should be gathered together: water the sheep, and take them to pasture.”
8And they said, “We cannot, until all the flocks are gathered together, and until they roll the stone from the well's mouth; then we can water the sheep.”
9And while he yet spoke with them, Rachel came with her father's sheep; for she kept them.
10And when Jacob saw Rachel, he went near, and rolled the stone from the well's mouth, and watered the flock of Laban his uncle.
11And Jacob kissed Rachel, and wept aloud.
12And when Jacob told Rachel that he was her relative - that he was Rebekah's son, she ran and told her father.
13And when Laban heard the news of Jacob his sister's son, he ran to meet him, and embraced him, and kissed him, and brought him to his house. And Jacob told Laban all these things.
14And Laban said to him, “Surely you are my bone and my flesh”. And he stayed with him for a month.
15And Laban said to Jacob, “Because you are my brother, should you serve me for nothing? Tell me, what shall your wages be?”
16And Laban had two daughters: the name of the elder was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel.
17Leah was weak-eyed; but Rachel was beautiful and well favored.
18And Jacob loved Rachel; and said, “I will serve you seven years for Rachel, your younger daughter.”
19And Laban said, “It is better that I give her to you, than to give her to another man: remain with me.”
20And Jacob served Laban seven years for Rachel; and they seemed to him but a few days, because of the love he had for her.
21And Jacob said to Laban, “Give me my wife, for my days are finished, that I may go in unto her.”
22And Laban gathered all the men of the place, and made a feast.
23And in the evening, he took Leah his elder daughter, and brought her to him; and he went in unto her.
24And Laban gave Zilpah, his maid, to his daughter Leah for a handmaid.
25And in the morning, behold, it was Leah: and Jacob said to Laban, “What is this you have done to me? Did I not serve with you for Rachel? Why then have you deceived me?”
26And Laban said, “It must not be done so in our country, to give a younger before the firstborn.
27Fulfill her week (7 more years), and we will also give you this one (Rachel) for the service which you shall serve with me - yet another seven years.”
28And Jacob did so, and finished the week for her; and he gave him Rachel to also be his wife.
29And Laban gave Bilhah, his handmaid, to Rachel to be her maid.
30And he went in unto Rachel, and he loved Rachel more than Leah, and served with him yet seven more years.
31And when the LORD saw that Leah was not loved, He opened her womb: but Rachel was barren.
32And Leah conceived, and bore a son, and she named him Reuben; for she said, “Surely the LORD has looked upon my affliction; now my husband will love me.”
33And she conceived again, and bore a son; and said, “Because the LORD has heard that I was not loved, He has also given me this son”: and she called him Simeon.
34And she conceived yet again, and bore a son; and said, “Now this time will my husband become attached to me, because I have born him three sons”: therefore, she named him Levi.
35And she conceived again, and bore a son: and she said, “Now will I praise the LORD”: so she called him Judah; and quit bearing. Easy Reader Bible: Purple Letter Edition © 2023 by Jim Musser. Used by Permission. All rights Reserved. Bible Hub |
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