 1 Jacob then went to the land of the people of the east. 2 He looked and behold there was a well in the field and three flocks of sheep lying by it. For they watered the flocks out of that well. And a great stone was on the well's mouth. 3 All the flocks were gathered there. So they rolled the stone from the well's mouth, watered the sheep, and put the stone back in its place on the well's mouth. 4 Jacob said to them, My brothers, where are you from? They said, We are from Haran. 5 He said to them, Do you know Laban the son of Nahor? They said, We know him. 6 He said to them, Is he well? They said, He is well. And, behold, his daughter Rachel comes with the sheep. 7 He said, The day is yet high. It is not yet time for gathering the cattle together. Water the sheep, and go feed them. 8 They said, We cannot, until all the flocks have been gathered together. So they rolled the stone from the mouth of the well to water the sheep. 9 While he still spoke with them, Rachel came with her father's sheep, for she kept them. 10 When Jacob saw Rachel the daughter of Laban his mother's brother, and the sheep of Laban his mother's brother, then Jacob went near and rolled the stone from the well's mouth, and watered the flocks of Laban his mother's brother. 11 Jacob kissed Rachel, and lifted up his voice and wept. 12 Jacob told Rachel that he was her father's brother, and that he was Rebekah's son. And she ran and told her father. 13 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 he told Laban all these things. 14 Laban said to him, Surely you are my bone and my flesh. And he stayed with him for a month. 15 Laban said to Jacob, Because you are my brother, should you then serve me for nothing? Tell me, what shall be your wages? 16 Laban had two daughters. The name of the older was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel. 17 Leah was weak of eyes, but Rachel was beautiful and well favored. 18 Jacob loved Rachel and said, I will serve you seven years for Rachel your younger daughter. 19 Laban said, It is better that I give her to you than that I should give her to another man. Stay with me. 20 Jacob served seven years for Rachel, and they seemed to him a few days, for the love he had for her. 21 Jacob said to Laban, Give me my wife, for my days are fulfilled, so that I may go in to her. 22 Laban gathered together all the men of the place, and made a feast. 23 In the evening, he took his daughter Leah and brought her to him. And he went in to her. 24 Laban gave Zilpah his slave woman to his daughter Leah for a handmaid. 25 In the morning, behold, it was Leah. And he said to Laban, What is this you have done to me? Did I not serve with you for Rachel? Why then have you tricked me? 26 Laban said, It must not be done so in our country, to give the younger before the firstborn. 27 Fulfill her week, and we will give you this one also for the service that you shall serve with me still another seven years. 28 Jacob did so, and fulfilled her week. And he gave him Rachel his daughter to wife also. 29 Laban gave Bilhah his slave woman to his daughter Rachel, to be her handmaid. 30 He also went in to Rachel. He also loved Rachel more than Leah, and served with him still seven more years. 31 When the Lord saw that Leah was hated, even He opened her womb. But Rachel was barren. 32 Leah conceived and gave birth to a son and named him Reuben. For she said, Surely the Lord has looked upon my afflictions. Now therefore my husband will love me. 33 She conceived again and gave birth to a son and said, Because the Lord has heard that I was hated, He has therefore given me this son also, and she named him Simeon. 34 She conceived again and gave birth to a son and said, Now this time my husband will return to me, because I have borne him three sons. Therefore his name was called Levi. 35 She conceived again and gave birth to a son. And she said, This time I will praise the Lord. Therefore she named him Judah, and quit bearing.
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