Genesis 29

Jacob picked up his feet and went on his journey to the land where the Easterners dwell,
Looked around and saw there a well in the field, and three sheep lying down by the well,
For it was from that well that they gave the sheep water, but on the well’s mouth was a stone
Which was so large, they’d roll it off to let the sheep drink, and put it back when they were done.
Jacob said to them, “Brothers, where are you from?” They said, “We are from Haran.” He asked them,
“Do you know Laban son of Nahor?” They said, “Yes, we do.” He said, “Is all well with him?”
They said, “It is well; And here comes Rachel his daughter, girl of shear beauty, with the flock.”
Jacob said, “But it is still broad daylight, too early to gather up all the livestock,
So go give the sheep water and take them to pasture.” But they said, “This we cannot do
Until all the flocks have been gathered, only then is the stone moved to let water through.”

While he still spoke to them, Rachel came with her father’s flock, for she was a shepherdess.
Now when Jacob saw Rachel, daughter of Laban, there grew in him a great happiness.
When he saw the sheep of Laban his mother’s brother, he neared, rolled the stone from the well,
And gave water to the sheep of Laban his mother’s brother– Then Jacob kissed Rachel.
He kissed her, then he lifted his voice and wept, telling her that he was her father’s kin,
That he was Rebekah’s son. So Rachel did run to give her father information.
Now as soon as Laban heard of Jacob, the son of his sister, he ran out to meet him,
He embraced Jacob and then he kissed Jacob, and then brought him into his house to greet him.
Jacob told Laban all that had happened. Laban told him, “Truly, you’re my flesh and bone.”
And he stayed with Laban for a month. Laban said to Jacob, “Though you’re kin of my own,
It seems silly to serve me for nothing, so tell me, what do you desire as a wage?”
Now Laban had two daughters, the older named Leah, Rachel the one of younger age.
Leah had tender eyes, but Rachel was quite shapely, so Jacob fell in love with her.
He told Laban, “I will serve you for seven years all for Rachel, your younger daughter.”
Laban said, “Better that I should give her to you than to some outsider. Stay with me.”
And so Jacob served seven years for Rachel, but to Jacob, mere days it seemed to be,
Due to his great love for Rachel. When he was done, Jacob said to Laban, “Come now, sir,
Give me my wife, for my term of work is completed, so that I may come into her.”

Laban gathered all people of that place together for a feast. And that very night,
He took his daughter Leah and brought her to Jacob, who went into her (without sight).
Laban also gave Zilpah his maid to Leah his daughter. When morning came to be,
Surprise! Here– she was Leah! He said to Laban, “What is this that you have done to me?
Was I not in your service for Rachel? Why have you deceived me?” Laban calmly said,
“It is not our practice to give the younger one away before the firstborn is wed.
Just wait until this one’s bridal week is completed, and we’ll give you that one also,
Provided that you serve me for seven more years in return for this.” Jacob did so.
He completed the bridal week for this one, then Laban gave him his daughter Rachel
As a wife. Laban gave Rachel his daughter Bilhah his maid to be her maid as well.
So Jacob came into Rachel also, and gave her more love than Leah had collected.
Then he served Laban for seven more years. Now when the Lord saw that Leah was rejected,
The Lord opened her womb, but Rachel remained barren. Leah conceived and bore a son,
Who she named “Reuben” (“See, a son!”), for she said, “Surely, the Lord has seen my affliction.
Surely now my husband will love me.” She conceived again and bore one more son and said,
“Surely, the Lord has heard that I’m unloved, so to me a second son he has granted.”
And she named him “Shimon” (“Hearing”). She conceived again and then she bore another son,
And she said, “Now this time my husband will be joined to me, for I have borne him three sons.”
Therefore, he was named “Levi” (or “Joining”). She conceived again, and bore a son once more,
And she said, “This time I will give thanks to the Lord, because after all, this one makes four.”
And that’s why she called his name “Judah” (which means “Giving Thanks”) Then Leah stopped giving birth
After she had borne her husband Jacob four children, all of which were boys, on the earth.