1
Then Jacob went on his journey, and came into the land of the people of the east.
2
And he looked, and behold a well in the field, and, lo, there were threeflocks of sheeplying by it; for out of that well they watered the flocks: and a greatstone was upon the well's mouth.
3
And thither were all the flocksgathered: and they rolled the stone from the well's mouth, and watered the sheep, and put the stoneagain upon the well's mouth in his place.
4
And Jacobsaid unto them, My brethren, whence be ye? And they said, Of Haran are we.
5
And he said unto them, Know ye Laban the son of Nahor? And they said, We know him.
6
And he said unto them, Is he well? And they said, He is well: and, behold, Rachel his daughtercometh with the sheep.
7
And he said, Lo, it is yet highday, neither is it time that the cattle should be gathered together: water ye the sheep, and go and feed them.
8
And they said, We cannot, until all the flocks be gathered together, and till they roll the stone from the well's mouth; then we water the sheep.
9
And while he yetspake with them, Rachelcame with her father's sheep: for she kept them.
10
And it came to pass, when JacobsawRachel the daughter of Laban his mother's brother, and the sheep of Laban his mother's brother, that Jacob went near, and rolled the stone from the well's mouth, and watered the flock of Laban his mother's brother.
11
And JacobkissedRachel, and lifted up his voice, and wept.
12
And JacobtoldRachel that he was her father's brother, and that he was Rebekah's son: and she ran and told her father.
13
And it came to pass, when Labanheard the tidings of Jacob his sister's son, that he ran to meet him, and embraced him, and kissed him, and brought him to his house. And he toldLaban all these things.
14
And Labansaid to him, Surely thou art my bone and my flesh. And he abode with him the space of a month.
15
And Labansaid unto Jacob, Because thou art my brother, shouldest thou therefore serve me for nought?tell me, what shall thy wages be?
16
And Laban had twodaughters: the name of the elder was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel.
17Leah was tendereyed; but Rachel was beautiful and wellfavoured.
18
And JacoblovedRachel; and said, I will serve thee sevenyears for Rachel thy youngerdaughter.
19
And Labansaid, It is better that I give her to thee, than that I should give her to anotherman: abide with me.
20
And Jacobservedsevenyears for Rachel; and they seemed unto him but a fewdays, for the love he had to her.
21
And Jacobsaid unto Laban, Give me my wife, for my days are fulfilled, that I may go in unto her.
22
And Laban gathered together all the men of the place, and made a feast.
23
And it came to pass in the evening, that he tookLeah his daughter, and brought her to him; and he went in unto her.
24
And Labangave unto his daughterLeahZilpah his maid for an handmaid.
25
And it came to pass, that in the morning, behold, it was Leah: and he said to Laban, What is this thou hast done unto me? did not I serve with thee for Rachel? wherefore then hast thou beguiled me?
26
And Labansaid, It must not be so done in our country, to give the youngerbefore the firstborn.
27Fulfilherweek, and we will give thee this also for the service which thou shalt serve with me yet sevenotheryears.
28
And Jacobdid so, and fulfilled her week: and he gave him Rachel his daughter to wife also.
29
And Labangave to Rachel his daughterBilhah his handmaid to be her maid.
30
And he went in also unto Rachel, and he loved also Rachel more than Leah, and served with him yet sevenotheryears.
31
And when the LORDsaw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb: but Rachel was barren.
32
And Leahconceived, and bare a son, and she called his nameReuben: for she said, Surely the LORD hath looked upon my affliction; now therefore my husband will love me.
33
And she conceived again, and bare a son; and said, Because the LORD hath heard that I was hated, he hath therefore given me this son also: and she called his nameSimeon.
34
And she conceived again, and bare a son; and said, Now this time will my husband be joined unto me, because I have born him threesons: therefore was his namecalledLevi.
35
And she conceived again, and bare a son: and she said, Now will I praise the LORD: therefore she called his nameJudah; and leftbearing.