Genesis:29

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* Then Jacob (note :)Or , «lifted up his feet ».(:note ) went on his journey , and came into the land of the people of the east . * And he looked , and behold a well in the field , (note :)Thus he was directed by the providence of God , who brought him to Laban 's house .(:note ) and , lo , there [were ] three flocks of sheep lying by it ; for out of that well they watered the flocks : and a great stone [was ] upon the well 's mouth . * And thither were all the flockes gathered , &amp ; they rolled the stone from the welles mouth , and watered the sheepe , and put the stone againe vpon the welles mouth in his place . * And Jacob said unto them , My (note :)It seems that in those days the custom was to call even strangers , brethren .(:note ) brethren , whence [be ] ye ? And they said , Of Haran [are ] we . * Then he sayd vnto them , Know ye Laban the sonne of Nahor ? Who said , We know him . * And he said unto them , (note :)Or , «he is in peace ?» by which the Hebrews mean prosperity .(:note ) [Is ] he well ? And they said , [He is ] well : and , behold , Rachel his daughter cometh with the sheep . * Then he sayd , Lo , it is yet hie day , neither is it time that the cattell shoulde be gathered together : water ye the sheepe and go feede them . * But they sayde , We may not vntill all the flocks be brought together , and till men rolle the stone from the welles mouth , that we may water the sheepe . * While he talked with them , Rahel also came with her fathers sheepe , for she kept them . * And assoone as Iaakob saw Rahel ye daughter of Laban his mothers brother , and the sheepe of Laban his mothers brother , then came Iaakob neere , &amp ; rolled the stone fro the welles mouth , &amp ; watered ye flocke of Laban his mothers brother . * And Iaakob kissed Rahel , and lift vp his voyce and wept . * (For Iaakob tolde Rahel , that he was her fathers brother , &amp ; that he was Rebekahs sonne ) then she ranne and tolde her father . * And it came to pass , when Laban heard the tidings of Jacob his sister 's son , that he ran to meet him , and embraced him , and kissed him , and brought him to his house . And he told Laban (note :)That is , the reason why he departed from his father 's house , and what he saw during his journey .(:note ) all these things . * And Laban said to him , Surely thou [art ] my (note :)That is , of my blood and kindred .(:note ) bone and my flesh . And he abode with him the space of a month . * For Laban sayde vnto Iaakob , Though thou be my brother , shouldest thou therfore serue me for nought ? tell me , what shalbe thy wages ? * Now Laban had two daughters , the elder called Leah , and the yonger called Rahel . * And Leah was tender eyed , but Rahel was beautifull and faire . * And Iaakob loued Rahel , and sayde , I will serue thee seuen yeeres for Rahel thy yonger daughter . * Then Laban answered , It is better that I giue her thee , then that I should giue her to another man : abide with me . * And Jacob served seven years for Rachel ; and they seemed unto him [but ] a (note :)Meaning after the years were accomplished .(:note ) few days , for the love he had to her . * Then Iaakob sayde to Laban , Giue me my wife , that I may goe in to her : for my terme is ended . * Wherefore Laban gathered together all the men of the place , and made a feast . * And (note :)The reason Jacob was deceived was that in ancient times the wife was covered with a veil , when she was brought to her husband as a sign of purity and humbleness .(:note ) it came to pass in the evening , that he took Leah his daughter , and brought her to him ; and he went in unto her . * And Laban gaue his mayde Zilpah to his daughter Leah , to be her seruant . * But when the morning was come , behold , it was Leah . Then sayde he to Laban , Wherefore hast thou done thus to mee ? did not I serue thee for Rahel ? wherfore then hast thou beguiled me ? * And Laban said , (note :)He valued the profit he had from Jacob 's service more than either his promise or the customs of the country , though he used custom for his excuse .(:note ) It must not be so done in our country , to give the younger before the firstborn . * Fulfill seuen yeeres for her , and we wil also giue thee this for the seruice , which thou shalt serue me yet seuen yeeres more . * Then Iaakob did so , and fulfilled her seuen yeeres , so he gaue him Rahel his daughter to be his wife . * Laban also gaue to Rahel his daughter Bilhah his mayde to be her seruant . * So entred he in to Rahel also , and loued also Rahel more then Leah , and serued him yet seuen yeeres mo . * And when the LORD saw that Leah [was ] hated , he (note :)This declares that often they who are despised by men are favoured by God .(:note ) opened her womb : but Rachel [was ] barren . * And Leah conceived , and bare a son , and she called his name Reuben : for she said , Surely the (note :)By this it appears that she had sought help from God in her affliction .(:note ) LORD hath looked upon my affliction ; now therefore my husband will For children are a great cause of mutual love between man and wife . love me . * And she conceiued againe &amp ; bare a sonne , and sayde , Because the Lord heard that I was hated , he hath therefore giuen me this sonne also , &amp ; she called his name Simeon . * And she conceiued againe &amp ; bare a sonne , and said , Now at this time wil my husband keepe mee company , because I haue borne him three sonnes : therefore was his name called Leui . * Moreouer shee conceiued againe and bare a sonne , saying , Nowe will I prayse the Lorde : therefore shee called his name Iudah , and left bearing .

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