1Then
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.