Genesis 29 : 1 (NLV)
Then Jacob went on his way and came to the land of the people of the east.
Genesis 29 : 2 (NLV)
He looked up and saw a well in the field where three flocks of sheep were lying beside it. The people gave water to the flocks from that well. The stone covering the top of the well was large.
Genesis 29 : 3 (NLV)
When all the flocks were gathered there, the men would roll the stone from the top of the well. Then after giving water to the sheep, they would put the stone again in its place on top of the well.
Genesis 29 : 4 (NLV)
Jacob said to them, "My brothers, where are you from?" They said, "We are from Haran."
Genesis 29 : 5 (NLV)
He said to them, "Do you know Laban the son of Nahor?" They said, "We know him."
Genesis 29 : 6 (NLV)
He asked them, "Is he well?" They said, "He is well. And see, his daughter Rachel is coming with the sheep."
Genesis 29 : 7 (NLV)
Jacob said, "See, the sun is still high. It is not time for the flocks to be gathered. Give water to the sheep, and return them to their field."
Genesis 29 : 8 (NLV)
But they said, "We cannot, until all the flocks are gathered and they roll the stone from the top of the well. Then we will give the sheep water."
Genesis 29 : 9 (NLV)
He was still talking with them when Rachel came with her father's sheep, for she cared for them.
Genesis 29 : 10 (NLV)
When Jacob saw Rachel the daughter of his mother's brother Laban, and the sheep of his mother's brother Laban, Jacob went near and rolled the stone from the top of the well. And he gave water to the flock of his mother's brother Laban.
Genesis 29 : 11 (NLV)
Then Jacob kissed Rachel and began to cry for joy.
Genesis 29 : 12 (NLV)
Jacob told Rachel that he was of her father's family, the son of Rebekah. And she ran and told her father.
Genesis 29 : 13 (NLV)
When Laban heard the news of his sister's son Jacob, he ran to meet him. He put his arms around him and kissed him, and brought him to his house. Then Jacob told Laban all these things.
Genesis 29 : 14 (NLV)
Laban said to him, "For sure you are my bone and my flesh." And Jacob stayed with him a month.
Genesis 29 : 15 (NLV)
Then Laban said to Jacob, "Because you are one of my family, should you serve me for nothing? Tell me, what do you want to be paid?"
Genesis 29 : 16 (NLV)
Now Laban had two daughters. The name of the older one was Leah, and the name of the younger one was Rachel.
Genesis 29 : 17 (NLV)
Leah's eyes were weak. But Rachel was beautiful in body and face.
Genesis 29 : 18 (NLV)
Jacob loved Rachel. So he said, "I will serve you seven years for your younger daughter Rachel."
Genesis 29 : 19 (NLV)
Laban said, "It is better that I give her to you than to another man. Stay with me."
Genesis 29 : 20 (NLV)
So Jacob worked seven years for Rachel. It was only like a few days to him, because of his love for her.
Genesis 29 : 21 (NLV)
Then Jacob said to Laban, "Give me my wife so I may go in to her. For my time is finished."
Genesis 29 : 22 (NLV)
And Laban gathered all the men of the place together, and made a special supper.
Genesis 29 : 23 (NLV)
But in the evening he took his daughter Leah to him. Jacob went in to her.
Genesis 29 : 24 (NLV)
Laban also took Zilpah, a woman who served him, and gave her to his daughter Leah, to serve her.
Genesis 29 : 25 (NLV)
When the morning came, Jacob saw that it was Leah. He said to Laban, "What have you done to me? Did I not work for you for Rachel? Why have you fooled me?"
Genesis 29 : 26 (NLV)
Laban said, "It is not allowed in our country to give the younger in marriage before the first-born.
Genesis 29 : 27 (NLV)
Complete the wedding week of this one. Then we will give you the other one also if you work for me seven years more."
Genesis 29 : 28 (NLV)
Jacob did so and completed her wedding week. And Laban gave him his daughter Rachel as his wife.
Genesis 29 : 29 (NLV)
Laban also took Bilhah, a woman who served him, and gave her to his daughter Rachel, to serve her.
Genesis 29 : 30 (NLV)
So Jacob went in to Rachel also. He loved Rachel more than Leah. And he worked for Laban seven years more.
Genesis 29 : 31 (NLV)
When the Lord saw that Leah was not loved, He made her able to give birth. But Rachel could not give birth.
Genesis 29 : 32 (NLV)
Leah was able to have a child and she gave birth to a son. She gave him the name Reuben. For she said, "The Lord has seen my trouble. Now my husband will love me."
Genesis 29 : 33 (NLV)
Then she was going to have another child and she gave birth to a son. She said, "The Lord has given me this son also, because He has heard that I am not loved." So she gave him the name Simeon.
Genesis 29 : 34 (NLV)
She was going to have another child and she gave birth to a son. She said, "Now this time my husband will be joined to me because I have given birth to his three sons." So she gave him the name Levi.
Genesis 29 : 35 (NLV)
She was going to have another child and she gave birth to a son. And she said, "This time I will praise the Lord." So she gave him the name of Judah. Then she stopped giving birth.
❮
❯