Genesis 29
1 Then Iaakob lift vp his feete and came into the East countrey.
Then Jacob went on in his journey, and came into the east country.
2 And as he looked about, behold there was a well in the field, and lo, three flocks of sheepe lay thereby (for at that well were the flockes watered) and there was a great stone vpon the welles mouth.
And he saw a well in the field, and three flocks of sheep lying by it: for the beasts were watered out of it, and the mouth thereof was closed with a great stone.
3 And thither were all the flockes gathered, and they rolled the stone from the welles mouth, and watered the sheepe, and put the stone againe vpon the welles mouth in his place.
And the custom was, when all the sheep were gathered together to roll away the stone, and after the sheep were watered, to put it on the mouth of the well again.
4 And Iaakob sayde vnto them, My brethren, whence be ye? And they answered, We are of Haran.
And he said to the shepherds: Brethren, whence are you? They answered: Of Haran.
5 Then he sayd vnto them, Know ye Laban the sonne of Nahor? Who said, We know him.
And he asked them, saying: Know you Laban the son of Nachor? They said: We know him.
6 Againe he sayd vnto them, Is he in good health? And they answered, He is in good health, and beholde, his daughter Rahel commeth with the sheepe.
He said: Is he in health? He is in health, say they: and behold Rachel his daughter cometh with his flock.
7 Then he sayd, Lo, it is yet hie day, neither is it time that the cattell shoulde be gathered together: water ye the sheepe and go feede them.
And Jacob said: There is yet much day remaining, neither is it time to bring the flocks into the folds again: first give the sheep drink, and so lead them back to feed.
8 But they sayde, We may not vntill all the flocks be brought together, and till men rolle the stone from the welles mouth, that we may water the sheepe.
They answered: We cannot, till all the cattle be gathered together, and we remove the stone from the well’s mouth, that we may water the flocks.
9 While he talked with them, Rahel also came with her fathers sheepe, for she kept them.
They were yet speaking, and behold Rachel came with her father’s sheep: for she fed the flock.
10 And assoone as Iaakob saw Rahel ye daughter of Laban his mothers brother, and the sheepe of Laban his mothers brother, then came Iaakob neere, and rolled the stone from the welles mouth, and watered ye flocke of Laban his mothers brother.
And when Jacob saw her, and knew her to be his cousin-german, and that they were the sheep of Laban, his uncle: he removed the stone wherewith the well was closed.
11 And Iaakob kissed Rahel, and lift vp his voyce and wept.
And having watered the flock, he kissed her: and lifting up his voice, wept.
12 (For Iaakob tolde Rahel, that he was her fathers brother, and that he was Rebekahs sonne) then she ranne and tolde her father.
And he told her that he was her father’s brother, and the son of Rebecca: but she went in haste and told her father.
13 And when Laban heard tell of Iaakob his sisters sonne, he ranne to meete him, and embraced him and kissed him, and brought him to his house: and he tolde Laban all these things.
Who, when he heard that Jacob his sister’s son was come, ran forth to meet him; and embracing him, and heartily kissing him, brought him into his house. And when he had heard the causes of his journey,
14 To whome Laban sayd, Well, thou art my bone and my flesh. and he abode with him the space of a moneth.
He answered: Thou art my bone and my flesh. And after the days of one month were expired,
15 For Laban sayde vnto Iaakob, Though thou be my brother, shouldest thou therfore serue me for nought? tell me, what shalbe thy wages?
He said to him: Because thou art my brother, shalt thou serve me without wages? Tell me what wages thou wilt have.
16 Now Laban had two daughters, the elder called Leah, and the yonger called Rahel.
Now he had two daughters, the name of the elder was Lia: and the younger was called Rachel.
17 And Leah was tender eyed, but Rahel was beautifull and faire.
But Lia was blear eyed: Rachel was well favoured, and of a beautiful countenance.
18 And Iaakob loued Rahel, and sayde, I will serue thee seuen yeeres for Rahel thy yonger daughter.
And Jacob being in love with her, said: I will serve thee seven years for Rachel thy younger daughter.
19 Then Laban answered, It is better that I giue her thee, then that I should giue her to another man: abide with me.
Laban answered: It is better that I give her to thee than to another man; stay with me.
20 And Iaakob serued seuen yeres for Rahel, and they seemed vnto him but a few dayes, because he loued her.
So Jacob served seven years for Rachel: and they seemed but a few days, because of the greatness of his love.
21 Then Iaakob sayde to Laban, Giue me my wife, that I may goe in to her: for my terme is ended.
And he said to Laban: Give me my wife; for now the time is fulfilled, that I may go in unto her.
22 Wherefore Laban gathered together all the men of the place, and made a feast.
And he, having invited a great number of his friends to the feast, made the marriage.
23 But whe the euening was come, he tooke Leah his daughter and brought her to him, and he went in vnto her.
And at night he brought in Lia his daughter to him,
24 And Laban gaue his mayde Zilpah to his daughter Leah, to be her seruant.
Giving his daughter a handmaid, named Zelpha. Now when Jacob had gone in to her according to custom when morning was come he saw it was Lia:
25 But when the morning was come, behold, it was Leah. Then sayde he to Laban, Wherefore hast thou done thus to mee? did not I serue thee for Rahel? wherfore then hast thou beguiled me?
And he said to his father in law: What is it that thou didst mean to do? did not I serve thee for Rachel? why hast thou deceived me?
26 And Laban answered, It is not the maner of this place, to giue the yonger before the elder.
Laban answered: It is not the custom in this place, to give the younger in marriage first.
27 Fulfill seuen yeeres for her, and we wil also giue thee this for the seruice, which thou shalt serue me yet seuen yeeres more.
Make up the week of days of this match: and I will give thee her also, for the service that thou shalt render me other seven years.
28 Then Iaakob did so, and fulfilled her seuen yeeres, so he gaue him Rahel his daughter to be his wife.
He yielded to his pleasure: and after the week was past, he married Rachel:
29 Laban also gaue to Rahel his daughter Bilhah his mayde to be her seruant.
To whom her father gave Bala for her servant.
30 So entred he in to Rahel also, and loued also Rahel more then Leah, and serued him yet seuen yeeres more.
And having at length obtained the marriage he wished for, he preferred the love of the latter before the former, and served with him other seven years.
31 When the Lord saw that Leah was despised, he made her fruitful: but Rahel was barren.
And the Lord seeing that he despised Lia, opened her womb, but her sister remained barren.
32 And Leah conceiued and bare a sonne, and she called his name Reuben: for she said, Because the Lord hath looked vpon my tribulation, now therefore mine husband will loue me.
And she conceived and bore a son, and called his name Ruben, saying: The Lord saw my affliction: now my husband will love me.
33 And she conceiued againe and bare a sonne, and sayde, Because the Lord heard that I was hated, he hath therefore giuen me this sonne also, and she called his name Simeon.
And again she conceived and bore a son, and said: Because the Lord heard that I was despised, he hath given this also to me: and she called his name Simeon.
34 And she conceiued againe and bare a sonne, and said, Now at this time wil my husband keepe mee company, because I haue borne him three sonnes: therefore was his name called Leui.
And she conceived the third time, and bore another son: and said: Now also my husband will be joined to me, because I have borne him three sons: and therefore she called his name Levi.
35 Moreouer shee conceiued againe and bare a sonne, saying, Nowe will I prayse the Lord: therefore shee called his name Iudah, and left bearing.
The fourth time she conceived and bore a son, and said: now will I praise the Lord: and for this she called him Juda. And she left bearing.
