10. Once, during the flock’s mating season, I had a dream in which I saw he-goats mating that were streaked, speckled and mottled.
11. In the dream God’s angel said to me, ‘Jacob!’ and I replied, ‘Here I am!’
12. Then he said: ‘Look up and see. All the he-goats that are mating are streaked, speckled and mottled, for I have seen all the things that Laban has been doing to you.
13. I am the God of Bethel, where you anointed a sacred pillar and made a vow to me. Get up now! Leave this land and return to the land of your birth.’”
14. Rachel and Leah answered him: “Do we still have an heir’s portion in our father’s house?
15. Are we not regarded by him as outsiders? He not only sold us; he has even used up the money that he got for us!
16. All the wealth that God took away from our father really belongs to us and our children. So do whatever God has told you.”
17. Jacob proceeded to put his children and wives on camels,
18. and he drove off all his livestock and all the property he had acquired in Paddan-aram, to go to his father Isaac in the land of Canaan.
19. Now Laban was away shearing his sheep, and Rachel had stolen her father’s household images.
20. Jacob had hoodwinked Laban the Aramean by not telling him that he was going to flee.
21. Thus he fled with all that he had. Once he was across the Euphrates, he headed for the hill country of Gilead.
22. On the third day, word came to Laban that Jacob had fled.
23. Taking his kinsmen with him, he pursued him for seven days until he caught up with him in the hill country of Gilead.
24. But that night God appeared to Laban the Aramean in a dream and said to him: Take care not to say anything to Jacob.
25. When Laban overtook Jacob, Jacob’s tents were pitched in the hill country; Laban also pitched his tents in the hill country of Gilead.
26. Laban said to Jacob, “How could you hoodwink me and carry off my daughters like prisoners of war?
27. Why did you dupe me by stealing away secretly? You did not tell me! I would have sent you off with joyful singing to the sound of tambourines and harps.