22. On the third day Laban was told that Jacob had run away.
23. He took his relatives with him and went after Jacob. Seven days later he caught up with him in the hill country of Gilead.
24. Then God came to Laban the Aramean in a dream at night. He said to him, "Be careful. Do not say anything to Jacob, whether it is good or bad."
25. Jacob had set up his tent in the hill country of Gilead. That's where Laban caught up with him. Laban and his relatives camped there too.
26. Laban said to Jacob, "What have you done? You have tricked me. You have taken my daughters away like prisoners of war.
27. Why did you run away in secret and trick me? Why didn't you tell me? Then I could have sent you away happily. We could have sung to the music of tambourines and harps.
28. You didn't even let me kiss my grandchildren and my daughters good-by. You have done a foolish thing.
29. "I have the power to harm you. But last night the God of your father spoke to me. He said, 'Be careful. Do not say anything to Jacob, whether it is good or bad.'
30. "Now you have run away. You longed to go back to your father's home. But why did you have to steal my gods?"
31. Jacob answered Laban, "I was afraid. I thought you would take your daughters away from me by force.
32. "But if you find anyone who has your gods, he will not remain alive. While our relatives are watching, look for yourself. See if there's anything of yours here with me. If you find anything belonging to you, take it." But Jacob didn't know that Rachel had stolen the gods.