Genesis 29:1-20

Good News Translation

Jacob Arrives at Laban's Home

29 Jacob continued on his way and went toward the land of the East. ² Suddenly he came upon a well out in the fields with three flocks of sheep lying around it. The flocks were watered from this well, which had a large stone over the opening. ³ Whenever all the flocks came together there, the shepherds would roll the stone back and water them. Then they would put the stone back in place.

⁴ Jacob asked the shepherds, “My friends, where are you from?”

“From Haran,” they answered.

⁵ He asked, “Do you know Laban, grandson of Nahor?”

“Yes, we do,” they answered.

⁶ “Is he well?” he asked.

“He is well,” they answered. “Look, here comes his daughter Rachel with his flock.”

⁷ Jacob said, “Since it is still broad daylight and not yet time to bring the flocks in, why don't you water them and take them back to pasture?”

⁸ They answered, “We can't do that until all the flocks are here and the stone has been rolled back; then we will water the flocks.”

⁹ While Jacob was still talking with them, Rachel arrived with the flock. ¹⁰ When Jacob saw Rachel with his uncle Laban's flock, he went to the well, rolled the stone back, and watered the sheep. ¹¹ Then he kissed her and began to cry for joy. ¹² He told her, “I am your father's relative, the son of Rebecca.”

She ran to tell her father; ¹³ and when he heard the news about his nephew Jacob, he ran to meet him, hugged him and kissed him, and brought him into the house. When Jacob told Laban everything that had happened, ¹⁴ Laban said, “Yes, indeed, you are my own flesh and blood.” Jacob stayed there a whole month.

Jacob Serves Laban for Rachel and Leah

¹⁵ Laban said to Jacob, “You shouldn't work for me for nothing just because you are my relative. How much pay do you want?” ¹⁶ Laban had two daughters; the older was named Leah, and the younger Rachel. ¹⁷ Leah had lovely^[a] eyes, but Rachel was shapely and beautiful.

¹⁸ Jacob was in love with Rachel, so he said, “I will work seven years for you, if you will let me marry Rachel.”

¹⁹ Laban answered, “I would rather give her to you than to anyone else; stay here with me.” ²⁰ Jacob worked seven years so that he could have Rachel, and the time seemed like only a few days to him, because he loved her.