6. Then Jacob said, “How is he?” They answered, “He is well. Look, that is his daughter Rachel coming now with his sheep.”
7. Jacob said, “Look, it is still day and long before the sun sets. It is not yet time for the animals to be gathered together for the night. So give them water and let them go back into the field.”
8. But they said, “We cannot do that until all the flocks are gathered together. Then we will move the rock from the well, and all the sheep will drink.”
9. While Jacob was talking with the shepherds, Rachel came with her father’s sheep. (It was her job to take care of the sheep.)
10. Rachel was Laban’s daughter. Laban was the brother of Rebekah, Jacob’s mother. When Jacob saw Rachel, he went and moved the rock and gave water to the sheep.
11. Then Jacob kissed Rachel and cried.
12. He told her that he was from her father’s family. He told her that he was the son of Rebekah. So Rachel ran home and told her father.
13. When Laban heard the news about his sister’s son Jacob, he ran to meet him. Laban hugged him and kissed him and brought him to his house. Jacob told Laban everything that had happened.
14. Then Laban said, “This is wonderful! You are from my own family.” So Jacob stayed with Laban for a month.
15. One day Laban said to Jacob, “You are a relative of mine. It is not right for you to continue working for me without pay. What should I pay you?”
16. Now Laban had two daughters. The older was Leah and the younger was Rachel.
17. Leah’s eyes were gentle, but Rachel was beautiful.
18. Jacob loved Rachel, so he said to Laban, “I will work seven years for you if you will allow me to marry your daughter Rachel.”