Genesis 29

Then Jacob went on his journey, and came into the land of the people of the east.

Jacob, filled with anticipation, continued his travels, finally reaching the exotic lands of the eastern folks.

And he looked, and behold a well in the field, 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.

He gazed upon a well in the open field, surrounded by three peaceful flocks of sheep resting nearby. They drank from this well, their lifeline. A massive stone, however, blocked the well's opening.

And thither were all the flocks gathered: and they rolled the stone from the well’s mouth, and watered the sheep, and put the stone again upon the well’s mouth in his place.

All the herds gathered there. They moved the stone from the well, quenched the sheep's thirst, and then returned the stone to its original place.

And Jacob said unto them, My brethren, whence be ye? And they said, Of Haran are we.

Jacob asked them, "Brothers, where are you from?" They replied, "We're from Haran."

And he said unto them, Know ye Laban the son of Nahor? And they said, We know him.

He asked them, "Are you familiar with Laban, Nahor's son?" They replied, "Yes, we know him well."

And he said unto them, Is he well? And they said, He is well: and, behold, Rachel his daughter cometh with the sheep.

He asked them, "Is everything okay?" They replied, "All is well. Look, Rachel, his daughter, is coming with the sheep."

And he said, Lo, it is yet high day, neither is it time that the cattle should be gathered together: water ye the sheep, and go and feed them.

He spoke, "Look, the day is still young. It's not time to gather the cattle yet. Quench the sheep's thirst and lead them to graze."

And they said, We cannot, until all the flocks be gathered together, and till they roll the stone from the well’s mouth; then we water the sheep.

They replied, "We can't, not until all the sheep are gathered and the stone is moved from the well. Only then can we quench their thirst."

And while he yet spake with them, Rachel came with her father’s sheep; for she kept them.

As he was still talking with them, Rachel arrived, guiding her father's flock with care and dedication, for she was their shepherd.

And it came to pass, when Jacob saw Rachel the daughter of Laban his mother’s brother, and the sheep of Laban his mother’s brother, that Jacob went near, and rolled the stone from the well’s mouth, and watered the flock of Laban his mother’s brother.

When Jacob first laid eyes on Rachel, his cousin, and her father Laban's sheep, he was moved. He approached, pushed the stone away from the well, and lovingly gave water to Laban's flock.

And Jacob kissed Rachel, and lifted up his voice, and wept.

Overwhelmed with love, Jacob tenderly kissed Rachel, his voice trembling with emotion as tears streamed down his face.

And Jacob told Rachel that he was her father’s brother, and that he was Rebekah’s son: and she ran and told her father.

Jacob, with a surge of emotion, revealed to Rachel that he was her father's relative, Rebekah's son. Overwhelmed, she rushed to share this news with 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 all these things.

When Laban heard the news about Jacob, his sister's son, he ran to meet him, embraced and kissed him, and brought him into his house. There Jacob told Laban everything that had happened.

And Laban said to him, Surely thou art my bone and my flesh. And he abode with him the space of a month.

Laban warmly told him, "You're truly my own flesh and blood." So, he stayed with him for a month.

And Laban said unto Jacob, Because thou art my brother, shouldest thou therefore serve me for nought? tell me, what shall thy wages be?

Laban asked Jacob, "Just because you're family, should you work for me for free? Tell me, what should I pay you?"

And Laban had two daughters: the name of the elder was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel.

Laban was blessed with two daughters. The elder was named Leah, and the younger was named Rachel.

Leah was tender eyed; but Rachel was beautiful and well favoured.

Leah had weak eyes, but Rachel was lovely in form and radiated stunning beauty.

And Jacob loved Rachel; and said, I will serve thee seven years for Rachel thy younger daughter.

Jacob's heart was filled with deep love for Rachel. He passionately declared, "I will devote seven years of service to you, in exchange for your younger daughter, Rachel."

And Laban said, It is better that I give her to thee, than that I should give her to another man: abide with me.

Laban expressed, "I'd rather have her marry you than any other man. Please, stay with me."

And Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed unto him but a few days, for the love he had to her.

Jacob worked for seven years to win Rachel's hand, but his deep love for her made the time feel like mere days.

And Jacob said unto Laban, Give me my wife, for my days are fulfilled, that I may go in unto her.

Jacob pleaded with Laban, "Please, give me my wife. I've waited long enough and I yearn to be with her."

And Laban gathered together all the men of the place, and made a feast.

Laban, filled with joy, gathered all the local men and joyously hosted a grand feast.

And it came to pass in the evening, that he took Leah his daughter, and brought her to him; and he went in unto her.

As night fell, he gently led his daughter Leah to him, and they shared an intimate moment.

And Laban gave unto his daughter Leah Zilpah his maid for an handmaid.

Laban presented his daughter Leah with his servant Zilpah, to serve as her handmaid.

And it came to pass, that in the morning, behold, it was Leah: and he said to Laban, What is this thou hast done unto me? did not I serve with thee for Rachel? wherefore then hast thou beguiled me?

When morning came, Jacob was shocked to find Leah instead of Rachel. He confronted Laban, "Why have you deceived me? Didn't I work for you to marry Rachel?"

And Laban said, It must not be so done in our country, to give the younger before the firstborn.

Laban protested, "In our land, it's not right to give the younger daughter in marriage before the elder."

Fulfil her week, and we will give thee this also for the service which thou shalt serve with me yet seven other years.

Finish this wedding week with her, and we will give you Rachel too, in return for another seven years of work for me.

And Jacob did so, and fulfilled her week: and he gave him Rachel his daughter to wife also.

Jacob, filled with joy and anticipation, completed the required week. Then, with a heart full of love, he was given Rachel, his beloved, as his wife.

And Laban gave to Rachel his daughter Bilhah his handmaid to be her maid.

With a generous heart, Laban gifted his daughter Rachel with his loyal servant Bilhah, to serve as her personal maid.

And he went in also unto Rachel, and he loved also Rachel more than Leah, and served with him yet seven other years.

He slept with Rachel too, his love for her surpassing his feelings for Leah. He dedicated another seven years of service to Laban.

And when the LORD saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb: but Rachel was barren.

Seeing Leah's deep sorrow from being unloved, the LORD, in His compassion, blessed her with the ability to bear children. However, Rachel, despite her desire, remained unable to conceive.

And Leah conceived, and bare a son, and she called his name Reuben: for she said, Surely the LORD hath looked upon my affliction; now therefore my husband will love me.

Leah, filled with joy, gave birth to a son named Reuben. She believed that God had seen her struggles and hoped this would finally earn her husband's love.

And she conceived again, and bare a son; and said, Because the LORD hath heard I was hated, he hath therefore given me this son also: and she called his name Simeon.

Once more, she was blessed with a son. She felt joy and relief, saying, "God has heard my pain and loneliness, and in His mercy, He has gifted me another son." She named him Simeon.

And she conceived again, and bare a son; and said, Now this time will my husband be joined unto me, because I have born him three sons: therefore was his name called Levi.

She became pregnant again and gave birth to a son. She joyfully exclaimed, "Now, my husband will feel more connected to me, for I've given him three sons." That's why they named him Levi.

And she conceived again, and bare a son: and she said, Now will I praise the LORD: therefore she called his name Judah; and left bearing.

Once more, she was blessed with a son. Overwhelmed with joy, she declared, "Now, I will honor the Lord!" She named him Judah, marking the end of her childbearing journey.