Chapter 29 - Chapter 29

Then Jacob went on in his journey, and cameinto the east country.2 And he saw a well in the field, and threeflocks of sheep lying by it: for the beasts werewatered out of it, and the mouth thereof wasclosed with a great stone.3 And the custom was, when all the sheepwere gathered together, to roll away the stone,and after the sheep were watered, to put it onthe mouth of the well again.4 And he said to the shepherds: Brethren,whence are you? They answered: Of Haran.5 And he asked them, saying: Know you Laban, the son of Nachor? They said: We knowhim.6 He said: Is he in health? He is in health, saythey: and behold, Rachel, his daughter, comethwith his flock.7 And Jacob said: There is yet much day remaining, neither is it time to bring the flocks intothe folds again: first give the sheep drink, andso lead them back to feed.8 They answered: We cannot, till all the cattlebe gathered together, and we remove the stonefrom the well's mouth, that we may water theflocks.9 They were yet speaking, and behold Rachelcame with her father's sheep; for she fed theflock.10 And when Jacob saw her, and knew herto be his cousin german, and that they were thesheep of Laban, his uncle: he removed the stonewherewith the well was closed.11 And having watered the flock, he kissedher: and lifting up his voice wept.12 And he told her that he was her father'sbrother, and the son of Rebecca: but she wentin haste and told her father.13 Who, when he heard that Jacob his sister'sson was come, ran forth to meet him: and embracing him, and heartily kissing him, broughthim into his house. And when he had heard thecauses of his journey,14 He answered: Thou art my bone and myflesh. And after the days of one month wereexpired,15 He said to him: Because thou art mybrother, shalt thou serve me without wages? Tellme what wages thou wilt have.16 Now he had two daughters, the name ofthe elder was Lia; and the younger was calledRachel.17 But Lia was blear eyed: Rachel was wellfavoured, and of a beautiful countenance.18 And Jacob being in love with her, said:I will serve thee seven years for Rachel, thyyounger daughter.Book of Genesis 3719 Laban answered: It is better that I give herto thee than to another man; stay with me.20 So Jacob served seven years for Rachel:and they seemed but a few days, because of thegreatness of his love.21 And he said to Laban: Give me my wife;for now the time is fulfilled, that I may go inunto her.22 And he, having invited a great number ofhis friends to the feast, made the marriage.23 And at night he brought in Lia, his daughter, to him,24 Giving his daughter a handmaid, namedZelpha. Now when Jacob had gone in to heraccording to custom, when morning was comehe saw it was Lia.25 And he said to his father in law: What isit that thou didst mean to do? did not I servethee for Rachel? why hast thou deceived me?26 Laban answered: It is not the custom inthis place, to give the younger in marriage first.27 Make up the week of days of this match:and I will give thee her also, for the service thatthou shalt render me other seven years.28 He yielded to his pleasure: and after theweek was past, he married Rachel:29 To whom her father gave Bala, for her servant.30 And having at length obtained the marriage he wished for, he preferred the love of thelatter before the former, and served with himother seven years.31 And the Lord seeing that he despised Lia,opened her womb, but her sister remained barren.32 And she conceived and bore a son, andcalled his name Ruben, saying: The Lord sawmy affliction: now my husband will love me.33 And again she conceived and bore a son,and said: Because the Lord heard that I wasdespised, he hath given this also to me: and shecalled his name Simeon.34 And she conceived the third time, and boreanother son, and said: Now also my husband willbe joined to me, because I have borne him threesons: and therefore she called his name Levi.35 The fourth time she conceived and bore ason, and said: Now will I praise the Lord: and forthis she called him Juda. And she left bearing.