Genesis 29 : 1 (HCSB)
Jacob resumed his journey and went to the eastern country.
Genesis 29 : 2 (HCSB)
He looked and saw a well in a field. Three flocks of sheep were lying there beside it because the sheep were watered from this well. A large stone covered the opening of the well.
Genesis 29 : 3 (HCSB)
When all the flocks were gathered there, the *shepherds would roll the stone from the opening of the well and water the sheep. The stone was then placed back on the well's opening.
Genesis 29 : 4 (HCSB)
Jacob asked the men at the well, "My brothers! Where are you from?" "We're from Haran," they answered.
Genesis 29 : 5 (HCSB)
"Do you know Laban son of Nahor?" Jacob asked them. They answered, "We know *him ."
Genesis 29 : 6 (HCSB)
"Is he well?" Jacob asked. "Yes," they said, "and here is his daughter Rachel, coming with his sheep."
Genesis 29 : 7 (HCSB)
Then Jacob said, "Look, it is still broad daylight. It's not time for the animals to be gathered. Water the flock, then go out and let them graze."
Genesis 29 : 8 (HCSB)
But they replied, "We can't, until all the flocks have been gathered and the stone is rolled from the well's opening. Then we will water the sheep."
Genesis 29 : 9 (HCSB)
While he was still speaking with them, Rachel came with her father's sheep, for she was a shepherdess.
Genesis 29 : 10 (HCSB)
As soon as Jacob saw his uncle Laban's daughter Rachel with his sheep, he went up and rolled the stone from the opening and watered his uncle Laban's sheep.
Genesis 29 : 11 (HCSB)
Then Jacob kissed Rachel and wept loudly.
Genesis 29 : 12 (HCSB)
He told Rachel that he was her father's relative, Rebekah's son. She ran and told her father.
Genesis 29 : 13 (HCSB)
When Laban heard the news about his sister's son Jacob, he ran to meet him, hugged him, and kissed him. Then he took him to his house, and Jacob told him all that had happened.
Genesis 29 : 14 (HCSB)
Laban said to him, "Yes, you are my own flesh and blood." After Jacob had stayed with him a month,
Genesis 29 : 15 (HCSB)
Laban said to him, "Just because you're my relative, should you work for me for nothing? Tell me what your wages should be."
Genesis 29 : 16 (HCSB)
Now Laban had two daughters: the older was named Leah, and the younger was named Rachel.
Genesis 29 : 17 (HCSB)
Leah had delicate eyes, but Rachel was shapely and beautiful.
Genesis 29 : 18 (HCSB)
Jacob loved Rachel, so he answered Laban, "I'll work for you seven years for your younger daughter Rachel."
Genesis 29 : 19 (HCSB)
Laban replied, "Better that I give her to you than to some other man. Stay with me."
Genesis 29 : 20 (HCSB)
So Jacob worked seven years for Rachel, and they seemed like only a few days to him because of his love for her.
Genesis 29 : 21 (HCSB)
Then Jacob said to Laban, "Give me my wife, for my time is completed. I want to sleep with her."
Genesis 29 : 22 (HCSB)
So Laban invited all the men of the place to a feast.
Genesis 29 : 23 (HCSB)
That evening, Laban took his daughter Leah and gave her to Jacob, and he slept with her.
Genesis 29 : 24 (HCSB)
And Laban gave his slave Zilpah to his daughter Leah as her slave.
Genesis 29 : 25 (HCSB)
When morning came, there was Leah! So he said to Laban, "What is this you have done to me? Wasn't it for Rachel that I worked for you? Why have you deceived me?"
Genesis 29 : 26 (HCSB)
Laban answered, "It is not the custom in this place to give the younger *daughter in marriage before the firstborn.
Genesis 29 : 27 (HCSB)
Complete this week *of wedding celebration , and we will also give you this younger one in return for working yet another seven years for me."
Genesis 29 : 28 (HCSB)
And Jacob did just that. He finished the week *of celebration , and Laban gave him his daughter Rachel as his wife.
Genesis 29 : 29 (HCSB)
And Laban gave his slave Bilhah to his daughter Rachel as her slave.
Genesis 29 : 30 (HCSB)
Jacob slept with Rachel also, and indeed, he loved Rachel more than Leah. And he worked for Laban another seven years.
Genesis 29 : 31 (HCSB)
When the LORD saw that Leah was unloved, He opened her womb; but Rachel was barren.
Genesis 29 : 32 (HCSB)
Leah conceived, gave birth to a son, and named him Reuben, for she said, "The LORD has seen my affliction; surely my husband will love me now."
Genesis 29 : 33 (HCSB)
She conceived again, gave birth to a son, and said, "The LORD heard that I am unloved and has given me this *son also." So she named him Simeon.
Genesis 29 : 34 (HCSB)
She conceived again, gave birth to a son, and said, "At last, my husband will become attached to me because I have borne him three sons." Therefore he was named Levi.
Genesis 29 : 35 (HCSB)
And she conceived again, gave birth to a son, and said, "This time I will praise the LORD." Therefore she named him Judah. Then Leah stopped having children.
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