1Then Jacob resumed his journey, and came into the land of the people of the east (Mesopotamia). 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 the flocks were watered: and a great stone was upon the well’s mouth. 3And when all the flocks were gathered there, the shepherds would roll the stone from the well’s mouth, water 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, my friends?” And they said, “We are from Haran.” 5And he asked them, “Do you know Laban, the son of Nahor?” And they said, “We know him.” 6And he asked, “Is he well?” And they said, “He is well; and, here comes Rachel, his daughter, with their sheep.” 7And Jacob said, “Look, it is still broad daylight - too early to gather the flocks for the night. Water the sheep, and take them back to pasture.” 8And they said, “We cannot do that until all the flocks are gathered together, and they roll the stone from the well's mouth; then we can water the sheep.”

9And while he was speaking with them, Rachel came with her father's sheep; for she was their shepherd. 10And when Jacob saw Rachel, he went over, 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, embraced him, kissed him, and brought him to his house. And Jacob told Laban his story. 14And Laban said to him, “Surely you are my bone and my flesh.” And Jacob stayed with Laban for a month. 15Then Laban said to Jacob, “You should not you work for me for nothing just because you are my relative. Tell me what your wages should be.” 16And Laban had two daughters: the elder was Leah, and the younger was Rachel. 17Leah was weak-eyed (probably some form of ophthalmia, regarded in the east as a great defect); but Rachel had a beautiful face and figure. 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 then 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 Jacob; and he went in unto her. 24And Laban gave Zilpah, his maid, to Leah for her handmaid.

25And in the morning, there 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 the week for this one, and we will also give you the other one in return for yet another seven years of service to me.” 28And Jacob did so, and fulfilled the week for her; and then he gave him Rachel to also be his wife. 29And Laban gave Bilhah, his maid, to Rachel to be her handmaid. 30And Jacob went in unto Rachel, and he loved Rachel more than Leah, and he worked for him another seven 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 (a son!); and she said, “Surely the LORD has taken notice of my affliction; and 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 (hearing). 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 (joined). 35And she conceived again, and bore a fourth son: and she said, “Now will I praise the LORD;” so she called him Judah (praise); and she quit bearing.