Genesis 29:1–20

Then Jacob went on in his journey, and came into the east country.

²And he saw a well in the field, and three flocks of sheep lying by it: for the beasts were watered out of it, and the mouth thereof was closed with a great stone.

³And the custom was, when all the sheep were gathered together, to roll away the stone, and after the sheep were watered, to put it on the mouth of the well again.

⁴And he said to the shepherds: Brethren, whence are you? They answered: Of Haran.

⁵And he asked them, saying: Know you Laban, the son of Nachor? They said: We know him.

⁶He said: Is he in health? He is in health, say they: and behold, Rachel, his daughter, cometh with his flock.

⁷And Jacob said: There is yet much day remaining, neither is it time to bring the flocks into the folds again: first give the sheep drink, and so lead them back to feed.

⁸They answered: We cannot, till all the cattle be gathered together, and we remove the stone from the well’s mouth, that we may water the flocks.

⁹They were yet speaking, and behold Rachel came with her father’s sheep; for she fed the flock.

¹⁰And when Jacob saw her, and knew her to be his cousin german, and that they were the sheep of Laban, his uncle: he removed the stone wherewith the well was closed.

¹¹And having watered the flock, he kissed her: and lifting up his voice wept.

¹²And he told her that he was her father’s brother, and the son of Rebecca: but she went in haste and told her father.

¹³Who, when he heard that Jacob his sister’s son was come, ran forth to meet him: and embracing him, and heartily kissing him, brought him into his house. And when he had heard the causes of his journey,

¹⁴He answered: Thou art my bone and my flesh. And after the days of one month were expired,

¹⁵He said to him: Because thou art my brother, shalt thou serve me without wages? Tell me what wages thou wilt have.

¹⁶Now he had two daughters, the name of the elder was Lia; and the younger was called Rachel.

¹⁷But Lia was blear eyed: Rachel was well favoured, and of a beautiful countenance.

¹⁸And Jacob being in love with her, said: I will serve thee seven years for Rachel, thy younger daughter.

¹⁹Laban answered: It is better that I give her to thee than to another man; stay with me.

²⁰So Jacob served seven years for Rachel: and they seemed but a few days, because of the greatness of his love.