Genesis 31:14–35

14 Then Rachel and Leah answered and said to him, r“Is there still any portion or inheritance for us in our father’s house? 15 Are we not considered strangers by him? For she has sold us, and also completely consumed our money. 16 For all these riches which God has taken from our father are really ours and our children’s; now then, whatever God has said to you, do it.”

17 Then Jacob rose and set his sons and his wives on camels. 18 And he carried away all his livestock and all his possessions which he had gained, his acquired livestock which he had gained in Padan Aram, to go to his father Isaac in the land of tCanaan. 19 Now Laban had gone to shear his sheep, and Rachel had stolen the uhousehold 2idols that were her father’s. 20 And Jacob stole away, unknown to Laban the Syrian, in that he did not tell him that he intended to flee. 21 So he fled with all that he had. He arose and crossed the river, and vheaded 3toward the mountains of Gilead.

Laban Pursues Jacob

22 And Laban was told on the third day that Jacob had fled. 23 Then he took whis brethren with him and pursued him for seven days’ journey, and he overtook him in the mountains of Gilead. 24 But God xhad come to Laban the Syrian in a dream by night, and said to him, “Be careful that you yspeak to Jacob neither good nor bad.”

25 So Laban overtook Jacob. Now Jacob had pitched his tent in the mountains, and Laban with his brethren pitched in the mountains of Gilead.

26 And Laban said to Jacob: “What have you done, that you have stolen away unknown to me, and zcarried away my daughters like captives taken with the sword? 27 Why did you flee away secretly, and steal away from me, and not tell me; for I might have sent you away with joy and songs, with timbrel and harp? 28 And you did not allow me ato kiss my sons and my daughters. Now byou have done foolishly in so doing. 29 It is in my power to do you harm, but the cGod of your father spoke to me dlast night, saying, ‘Be careful that you speak to Jacob neither good nor bad.’ 30 And now you have surely gone because you greatly long for your father’s house, but why did you esteal my gods?”

31 Then Jacob answered and said to Laban, “Because I was fafraid, for I said, ‘Perhaps you would take your daughters from me by force.’ 32 With whomever you find your gods, gdo not let him live. In the presence of our brethren, identify what I have of yours and take it with you.” For Jacob did not know that Rachel had stolen them.

33 And Laban went into Jacob’s tent, into Leah’s tent, and into the two maids’ tents, but he did not find them. Then he went out of Leah’s tent and entered Rachel’s tent. 34 Now Rachel had taken the 4household idols, put them in the camel’s saddle, and sat on them. And Laban 5searched all about the tent but did not find them. 35 And she said to her father, “Let it not displease my lord that I cannot hrise before you, for the manner of women is with me.” And he searched but did not find the 6household idols.