Genesis 29

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1. 1Jacob continued on his way and traveled to the land of the eastern peoples.
2. 2He noticed a well out in a field, and three flocks of sheep were resting beside it. The flocks were given water from this well, and a large stone covered its opening.
3. 3When all the flocks had been brought together, the shepherds would roll the stone off the opening, give water to the sheep, and then place the stone back over the opening.
4. 4Jacob asked them, "Brothers, where are you from?" They replied, "We are from Haran."
5. 5He asked them, "Do you know Laban, the son of Nahor?" They answered, "Yes, we know him."
6. 6Then he asked, "Is he doing well?" They said, "He is doing well. Look, his daughter Rachel is coming with the sheep right now."
7. 7Jacob said, "The sun is still high, and it's not yet time to bring the animals in. Give the sheep water and take them back out to graze."
8. 8They replied, "We can't do that until all the flocks have arrived and the stone is rolled away from the well's opening. Only then do we water the sheep."
9. 9While he was still talking with them, Rachel arrived with her father's sheep, because she was their shepherd.
10. 10When Jacob saw Rachel, the daughter of his mother's brother Laban, along with Laban's flock, he went over, rolled the stone off the well's opening, and watered the flock of his mother's brother Laban.
11. 11Then Jacob kissed Rachel, raised his voice, and cried.
12. 12Jacob told Rachel that he was her father's kinsman and that he was Rebekah's son. She ran and told her father.
13. 13As soon as Laban heard the news about Jacob, his sister's son, he rushed out to meet him, threw his arms around him, kissed him, and brought him into his home. Jacob then told Laban everything that had happened.
14. 14Laban said to him, "You truly are my own flesh and blood." Jacob stayed with him for a full month.
15. 15Then Laban said to Jacob, "Just because you are my relative, should you work for me without pay? Tell me what your wages should be."
16. 16Now Laban had two daughters. The older one was named Leah, and the younger one was named Rachel.
17. 17Leah had delicate eyes, but Rachel had a beautiful figure and a lovely face.
18. 18Jacob was in love with Rachel, so he said, "I will work for you for seven years in exchange for your younger daughter Rachel."
19. 19Laban replied, "I would rather give her to you than to some other man. Stay here with me."
20. 20So Jacob worked for seven years to earn Rachel, but they felt like only a few days to him because of how much he loved her.
21. 21Then Jacob said to Laban, "My time is complete. Give me my wife so that I can be with her."
22. 22Laban invited all the people of that place and held a celebration.
23. 23But that evening, he took his daughter Leah and brought her to Jacob, and Jacob slept with her.
24. 24Laban also gave his servant Zilpah to his daughter Leah as her maid.
25. 25When morning came, Jacob discovered it was Leah! He confronted Laban, saying, "What have you done to me? Didn't I work for you in exchange for Rachel? Why have you deceived me?"
26. 26Laban answered, "It is not our custom here to marry off the younger daughter before the firstborn."
27. 27"Complete the bridal week with Leah, and then we will also give you Rachel — in return for another seven years of work."
28. 28Jacob agreed and finished the bridal week. Then Laban gave him his daughter Rachel as his wife as well.
29. 29Laban gave his servant Bilhah to his daughter Rachel as her maid.
30. 30Jacob also slept with Rachel, and he loved Rachel more than Leah. He then worked for Laban for another seven years.
31. 31When the LORD saw that Leah was hated, he enabled her to have children, but Rachel remained unable to conceive.
32. 32Leah became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She named him Reuben, saying, "The LORD has surely seen my suffering. Now my husband will love me."
33. 33She became pregnant again and gave birth to another son. She said, "Because the LORD heard that I was hated, he has given me this son too." So she named him Simeon.
34. 34She became pregnant once more and gave birth to a son. She said, "This time my husband will become attached to me, because I have given him three sons." That is why he was named Levi.
35. 35She became pregnant yet again and gave birth to a son. She said, "This time I will praise the LORD." So she named him Judah. After that, she stopped having children.