Common English Bible

Genesis 29:9-25 Common English Bible (CEB)

9. While he was still talking to them, Rachel came with her father’s flock since she was its shepherd.

10. When Jacob saw Rachel the daughter of Laban his uncle, and the flock of Laban, Jacob came up, rolled the stone from the well’s opening, and watered the flock of his uncle Laban.

11. Jacob kissed Rachel and wept aloud.

12. Jacob told Rachel that he was related to her father and that he was Rebekah’s son. She then ran to tell her father.

13. When Laban heard about Jacob his sister’s son, he ran to meet him. Laban embraced him, kissed him, and invited him into his house, where Jacob recounted to Laban everything that had happened.

14. Laban said to him, "Yes, you are my flesh and blood."After Jacob had stayed with Laban for a month,

15. Laban said to Jacob, "You shouldn’t have to work for free just because you are my relative. Tell me what you would like to be paid."

16. Now Laban had two daughters: the older was named Leah and the younger Rachel.

17. Leah had delicate eyes, but Rachel had a beautiful figure and was good-looking.

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

19. Laban said, "I’d rather give her to you than to another man. Stay with me."

20. Jacob worked for Rachel for seven years, but it seemed like a few days because he loved her.

21. Jacob said to Laban, "The time has come. Give me my wife so that I may sleep with her."

22. So Laban invited all the people of that place and prepared a banquet.

23. However, in the evening, he took his daughter Leah and brought her to Jacob, and he slept with her.

24. Laban had given his servant Zilpah to his daughter Leah as her servant.

25. In the morning, there she was—Leah! Jacob said to Laban, "What have you done to me? Didn’t I work for you to have Rachel? Why did you betray me?"