Genesis 29

1Jacob lifted up his feet and went to the land of the sons of the east.

2He saw, and look, a well in the field, and look, there were three flocks of sheep lying upon it, for from that well they water the flocks, and a large stone was upon the mouth of the well.

3All the flocks gathered there and rolled the stone from off the mouth of the well, watered the sheep, and returned the stone upon the mouth of the well to its place.

4Jacob said to them, "My brothers, where are you from?" They said, "We are from Haran."

5He said to them, "Do you know Laban son of Nahor?" They said, "We know him."

6He said to them, "Is he well?" They said, "He is well—and look, Rachel his daughter is coming with the sheep."

7He said, "Look, the day is still high; it is not time to gather the livestock. Water the sheep, and go feed them."

8They said, "We cannot until all the flocks are gathered and they roll the stone from the well's mouth; then we water the sheep."

9While he was still speaking with them, Rachel came with her father's sheep, for she kept them.

10When Jacob saw Rachel the daughter of Laban his mother's brother and the flock of Laban his mother's brother, he drew near, rolled the stone from the mouth of the well, and watered the flock of Laban his mother's brother.

11Jacob kissed Rachel, lifted up his voice, and wept.

12Jacob told Rachel that he was her father's brother and that he was Rebekah's son, and she ran and told her father.

13When Laban heard the report about Jacob his sister's son, he ran to meet him, embraced him, kissed him, and brought him to his house. Jacob recounted to Laban all these matters.

14Laban said to him, "Indeed, you are my bone and my flesh." He stayed with him for a month.

15Laban said to Jacob, "Because you are my brother, have you served me for nothing? Tell me, what will your wages be?"

16Laban had two daughters; the elder's name was Leah, and the younger's was Rachel.

17Leah's eyes were tender, and Rachel was beautiful in form and appearance.

18Jacob loved Rachel and said, "I will serve you seven years for your younger daughter Rachel."

19Laban said, "Better that I give her to you than that I give her to another man. Stay with me."

20Jacob served seven years for Rachel, and they felt like only a few days in his eyes because of his love for her.

21Jacob said to Laban, "Give me my wife, for my days have been fulfilled, that I may go in to her."

22Laban gathered all the men of the place and made a feast.

23It came about in the evening that he took Leah his daughter, brought her to him, and went in to her.

24Laban gave his maidservant Zilpah to Leah his daughter as a handmaid.

25When morning came, there was Leah, so he said to Laban, "What is this you have done to me? Didn't I serve with you for Rachel? Why then have you deceived me?"

26Laban said, "We don't do it that way here, giving the younger before the firstborn."

27Complete this week, and we will give you the other also for the service you will perform with me for seven more years.

28Jacob did so, fulfilled her week, and gave him Rachel his daughter as a wife.

29Laban gave his maidservant Bilhah to his daughter Rachel to be her maidservant.

30He also lay with Rachel, loved her more than Leah too, and served with him yet another seven years.

31Yahweh saw that Leah was hated and opened her womb, but Rachel was barren.

32Leah conceived and bore a son, and she named him Reuben, for she said, “Because Yahweh has seen my affliction; now my husband will love me.”

33She conceived again and bore a son, and said, "Because Yahweh has heard that I am hated, he has given me this son also." She called his name Simeon.

34She conceived again and bore a son, and she said, "Now this time my husband will join himself to me, because I have borne three sons to him." Therefore his name was called Levi.

35She conceived again and bore a son, and she said, "This time I will praise Yahweh." So she named him Judah, then ceased bearing.