1-3. Jacob set out again on his way to the people of the east. He noticed a well out in an open field with three flocks of sheep bedded down around it. This was the common well from which the flocks were watered. The stone over the mouth of the well was huge. When all the flocks were gathered, the shepherds would roll the stone from the well and water the sheep; then they would return the stone, covering the well.
4. Jacob said, “Hello friends. Where are you from?”They said, “We’re from Haran.”
5. Jacob asked, “Do you know Laban son of Nahor?”“We do.”
6. “Are things well with him?” Jacob continued.“Very well,” they said. “And here is his daughter Rachel coming with the flock.”
7. Jacob said, “There’s a lot of daylight still left; it isn’t time to round up the sheep yet, is it? So why not water the flocks and go back to grazing?”