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 three
flocks of sheep lying by it; for out of that well they watered the flocks: and
a great stone was upon the well's mouth.
3 And
thither were all the flocks gathered: and they rolled the stone from the well's
mouth, and watered the sheep, and put the stone again upon the well's mouth in
his place.
4 And
Jacob said 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 daughter cometh with the sheep.
7 And
he said, Lo, it is yet
high day, 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 yet spake with them, Rachel came with her father's sheep: for she kept
them.
10 And
it came to pass, when Jacob saw Rachel 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
Jacob kissed Rachel, and lifted up his voice, and wept.
12 And
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 And
it came to pass, when Laban heard 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 told Laban all these things.
14 And
Laban said to him, Surely thou art my bone and my flesh. And he abode
with him the space of a month.
15 And
Laban said 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 two daughters: the name of the elder was Leah,
and the name of the younger was Rachel.
17 Leah was tender
eyed; but Rachel was beautiful and well favoured.
18 And
Jacob loved Rachel; and said, I will serve thee seven years for Rachel thy
younger daughter.
19 And
Laban said, It is better
that I give her to thee, than that I should give her to another man: abide with
me.
20 And
Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed unto him but a few
days, for the love he had to her.
21 And
Jacob said 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 took Leah his daughter, and brought her
to him; and he went in unto her.
24 And
Laban gave unto his daughter Leah Zilpah 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
Laban said, It must not be so done in our country, to give the younger before
the firstborn.
27 Fulfil
her week, and we will give thee this also for the service which thou shalt
serve with me yet seven other years.
28 And
Jacob did so, and fulfilled her week: and he gave him Rachel his daughter to
wife also.
29 And
Laban gave to Rachel his daughter Bilhah 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 seven other years.
31 And
when the LORD saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb: but Rachel was barren.
32 And
Leah conceived, and bare a son, and she called his name Reuben: 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 name Simeon.
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 three sons: therefore was his name
called Levi.
35 And
she conceived again, and bare a son: and she said, Now will I praise the LORD:
therefore she called his name Judah; and left bearing.
