THE FIRST BOOK OF MOSES CALLED GENESIS
CHAPTER 29
Jacob meets Rachel at the wellHe serves Laban seven years for herLaban gives to Jacob, first Leah, then Rachel in marriageJacob serves another seven yearsLeah bears Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah.
THEN Jacob went on his journey, and came into the land of the people of the east.
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 wells mouth.
And thither were all the flocks gathered: and they rolled the stone from the wells mouth, and watered the sheep, and put the stone again upon the wells mouth in his place.
And Jacob said unto them, My brethren, whence be ye? And they said, Of aHaran are we.
And he said unto them, Know ye aLaban the son of Nahor? And they said, We know him.
And he said unto them, Is he well? And they said, He is well: and, behold, Rachel his daughter cometh with the sheep.
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.
And they said, We cannot, until all athe flocks be gathered together, and till they roll the stone from the wells mouth; then we water the sheep.
¶ And while he yet spake with them, Rachel came with her fathers sheep: for she kept them.
And it came to pass, when Jacob saw Rachel the daughter of Laban his mothers brother, and the sheep of Laban his mothers brother, that Jacob went near, and rolled the stone from the wells mouth, and awatered the flock of Laban his mothers brother.
And Jacob kissed Rachel, and lifted up his voice, and wept.
And Jacob told Rachel that he was her fathers brother, and that he was Rebekahs son: and she ran and told her father.
And it came to pass, when Laban heard the tidings of Jacob his sisters 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.
And Laban said to him, Surely thou art my bone and my aflesh. And he abode with him the space of a month.
¶ And Laban said unto Jacob, Because thou art my brother, shouldest thou therefore serve me for nought? tell me, what shall thy wages be?
And Laban had two daughters: the name of the elder was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel.
Leah was tender eyed; but Rachel was abeautiful and well bfavoured.
And Jacob loved Rachel; and said, I will aserve thee seven years for Rachel thy younger daughter.
And Laban said, It is better that I give her to thee, than that I should give her to another man: abide with me.
And Jacob served seven years for aRachel; and they seemed unto him but a few days, for the blove he had to her.
¶ And Jacob said unto Laban, Give me my wife, for my days are fulfilled, that I may go in unto her.
And Laban gathered together all the men of the place, and made a afeast.
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.
And Laban gave unto his daughter Leah aZilpah his maid for an handmaid.
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?
And Laban said, It must not be so done in our country, to give the younger before the afirstborn.
Fulfil her week, and we will give thee this also for the service which thou shalt serve with me yet seven other years.
And Jacob did so, and fulfilled her week: and he gave him Rachel his daughter to wife also.
And Laban gave to Rachel his daughter aBilhah his handmaid to be her maid.
And he went in also unto Rachel, and he aloved also Rachel more than Leah, and bserved with him yet seven other years.
¶ And when the LORD saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb: but Rachel was abarren.
And aLeah conceived, and bare a son, and she called his name bReuben: for she said, Surely the LORD hath looked upon my affliction; now therefore my husband will love me.
And she conceived again, and bare a son; and said, Because the LORD hath heard that I was ahated, he hath therefore given me this son also: and she called his name bSimeon.
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 aLevi.
And she conceived again, and bare a son: and she said, Now will I apraise the LORD: therefore she called his name bJudah; and left bearing.
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