Génesis 31
Grunewald-Ubersetzung
1Er vernahm aber die Reden der Labansöhne, die sagten: "Jakob bringt die ganze Habe unseres Vaters an sich; von dem, was unseres Vaters war, hat er all diesen Reichtum geschaffen."
2Jakob sah auch an Labans Angesicht, daß er nicht mehr so wie früher gegen ihn war.
3Da sprach der Herr zu Jakob: "Kehr in deiner Väter Land zurück, zu deiner Verwandtschaft! Ich will mit dir sein."
4Da sandte Jakob und rief Rachel und Lea aufs Feld zu seiner Herde.
5Er sprach zu ihnen: "Ich sehe an eures Vaters Angesicht, daß er zu mir nicht mehr so ist wie früher, und doch ist meines Vaters Gott mit mir.
6Ihr wißt aber, daß ich mit all meiner Kraft eurem Vater gedient habe.
7Doch euer Vater hat mich betrogen und mir den Lohn zehnmal geändert. Aber Gott hat ihm nicht verstattet, mich zu schädigen.
8Sprach er: 'Die Gesprenkelten seien dein Lohn!', dann warfen alle Tiere Gesprenkelte. Und sprach er: 'Die Gestreiften seien dein Lohn!', dann warfen alle Tiere Gestreifte.
9So entzog Gott das Vieh eurem Vater und gab es mir.
10Es war in der Brunstzeit der Tiere, da erhob ich meine Augen und sah im Traum, wie die Böcke die Schafe bespringen, gestreift, gesprenkelt und gescheckt.
11Und Gottes Engel sprach zu mir im Traum: 'Jakob!' Ich sprach: 'Hier bin ich.'
12Er sprach: 'Hebe deine Augen und sieh: Alle Böcke, die die Schafe bespringen, sind gestreift, gesprenkelt und gescheckt. Ich sehe ja alles, was Laban dir tut.
13Ich bin der Herr, der Gott von Betel, wo du ein Steinmal gesalbt und mir ein Gelübde gemacht. Nun auf! Zieh aus diesem Land und kehr in dein Heimatland zurück!"'
14Da antworteten Rachel und Lea und sprachen zu ihm: "Haben wir noch Teil und Erbe im Hause unseres Vaters?
15Gelten wir ihm nicht als Fremde? Er hat uns ja verhandelt. Soll er auch unseren Erlös verzehren dürfen?
16Ja, all der Reichtum, den Gott unserem Vater entzogen, gehört uns und unseren Kindern. Tu also ganz, wie Gott zu dir gesagt!"
17Da erhob sich Jakob, hob seine Kinder und Weiber auf die Kamele
18und führte all sein Vieh weg und all seine Habe, die er erworben, das Vieh seines Besitzes, das er zu Paddan Aram erworben, um zu seinem Vater Isaak ins Land Kanaan zu ziehen.
19Während Laban ging, seine Schafe zu scheren, stahl Rachel ihres Vaters Teraphim.
20Jakob aber überlistete Laban, den Aramäer; durch nichts hatte er ihn ahnen lassen, daß er fliehen wollte.
21So floh er mit all seiner Habe. Er brach auf und setzte über den Strom und nahm die Richtung auf das Gebirge Gilead.
22Am dritten Tage bekam Laban die Kunde, Jakob sei entflohen.
23Da nahm er seine Brüder mit, verfolgte ihn sieben Tagereisen und holte ihn auf dem Gebirge Gilead ein.
24Da kam Gott zu Laban, dem Aramäer, nachts im Traum und sprach zu ihm: "Hüte dich, mit Jakob herausfordernd zum Bösen zu reden!"
25Als Laban Jakob erreichte, hatte Jakob auf dem Berge sein Zelt aufgeschlagen; Laban aber schlug es mit seinen Brüdern auf dem Gebirge Gilead auf.
26Und Laban sprach zu Jakob: "Was hast du getan, daß du mich überlistet und meine Töchter wie Kriegsgefangene fortgeführt hast?
27Warum bist du heimlich geflohen und hast mich bestohlen? Warum hast du's mir nicht kundgetan? Dann hätte ich dir mit Jauchzen und Singen, mit Pauken und Zithern das Geleite gegeben.
28Warum hast du mich nicht zum Abschied meine Enkel und meine Töchter küssen lassen? Nun, du hast recht töricht gehandelt.
29Ich habe die Macht, euch übel zu tun. Aber deines Vaters Gott hat gestern Nacht zu mir gesprochen: 'Hüte dich, mit Jakob herausfordernd zum Bösen zu reden!'
30Nun bist du eben fortgezogen, weil du dich nach deinem Vaterhause gesehnt hast. Warum hast du aber meine Götter gestohlen?"
31Da antwortete Jakob und sprach zu Laban: "Wohl! Ich habe Angst gehabt, weil ich gedacht habe, du könntest deine Töchter mir entreißen.
32Bei wem du aber deine Götter findest, der soll nicht länger leben. Erkennst du im Beisein unserer Brüder etwas als dein eigen, dann nimm es an dich!" Jakob aber wußte nicht, daß Rachel sie gestohlen hatte.
33So kam Laban in Jakobs und in Leas Zelt sowie in das Zelt der beiden Mägde, fand aber nichts; dann ging er aus Leas Zelt und kam in das der Rachel.
34Rachel aber hatte die Teraphim genommen und legte sie in die Kamelsänfte und setzte sich auf sie. Laban durchstöberte das ganze Zelt, fand aber nichts.
35Da sprach sie zu ihrem Vater: "Sei nicht böse, mein Herr, daß ich vor dir nicht aufstehe! Mir ergeht es nach Weiberart." So suchte er, fand aber die Teraphim nicht.
36Da ward Jakob zornig und schalt Laban. Und Jakob hob an und sprach zu Laban: "Was ist mein Verbrechen? Was mein Vergehen, daß du hinter mir herhetzest
37und mir all mein Gerät durchstöberst? Was hast du von all deinem Hausrat gefunden? Leg's her vor meine und vor deine Brüder, daß sie zwischen uns entscheiden!
38Zwanzig Jahre bin ich so bei dir gewesen. Deine Mutterschafe und -ziegen haben nie einen Fehlwurf, und nie habe ich deiner Herde Widder verzehrt.
39Zerrissenes habe ich nie vor dich bringen dürfen; ich mußte es ersetzen; von mir fordertest du es. So bin ich betrogen worden bei Tag und bei Nacht.
40So ist es mir ergangen: Bei Tage hat mich die Hitze gefressen und der Frost bei Nacht. Meine Augen floh der Schlaf.
41Volle zwanzig Jahre habe ich so in deinem Hause dir gedient, vierzehn Jahre um deine beiden Töchter und sechs um deine Schafe, und zehnmal ändertest du meinen Lohn.
42Hätte ich nicht meines Vaters Gott gehabt, den Gott Abrahams und Isaaks Schrecken, leer hättest du mich ziehen lassen. Mein Abplagen und meiner Hände Mühen hat aber Gott gesehen und gestern nacht hat er entschieden."
43Da erwiderte Laban und sprach zu Jakob: "Mein sind die Töchter, mein die Kinder, mein das Vieh, und alles, was du siehst, gehört mir, also meinen Töchtern. Was könnte ich heute diesen tun oder ihren Kindern, die sie geboren haben?
44Nun komm! Wir wollen einen Bund miteinander schließen. Der Herr sei Zeuge zwischen mir und dir!"
45Und Jakob nahm einen Stein und richtete ihn als Steinmal auf.
46Jakob aber sprach zu seinen Brüdern: "Sammelt Steine!" Da nahmen sie Steine und machten einen Wall. Und sie aßen dort auf dem Wall.
47Laban nannte ihn Jegar Sahaduta, und Jakob nannte ihn Galed.
48Da sprach Laban: "Dieser Wall ist heute Zeuge zwischen mir und dir." Deshalb nannte er ihn Galed.
49Auch Mispa, weil er sagte: "Der Herr wache zwischen mir und dir, wenn wir einander ferne sind.
50Ob du meine Töchter schlecht behandelst oder ob du noch andere Weiber zu meinen Töchtern nimmst, ist auch kein Mensch bei uns, bedenke: Zwischen mir und dir ist ein Gott Zeuge!"
51Ferner sprach Laban zu Jakob: "Hier dieser Wall und dieses Steinmal, das ich errichte zwischen mir und dir:
52Dieser Wall sei Zeuge und Zeuge dieses Steinmal! Ich darf diesen Wall zu dir nicht überschreiten, noch darfst du diesen Wall und dieses Steinmal zu mir überschreiten in böser Absicht.
53Zwischen uns richte der Gott Abrahams und Nachors Gott, der Gott ihrer Väter!" Da schwur Jakob beim Schrecken seines Vaters Isaak.
54Dann schlachtete Jakob ein Schlachtopfer auf dem Berg und lud seine Brüder ein, das Mahl zu halten. Da hielten sie das Mahl und nächtigten auf dem Berg.
55—
Reina-Valera 1909
1Y OÍA él las palabras de los hijos de Labán, que decían: Jacob ha tomado todo lo que era de nuestro padre; y de lo que era de nuestro padre ha adquirido toda esta grandeza.
2Miraba también Jacob el semblante de Labán, y veía que no era para con él como ayer y antes de ayer.
3También Jehová dijo á Jacob: Vuélvete á la tierra de tus padres, y á tu parentela; que yo seré contigo.
4Y envió Jacob, y llamó á Rachêl y á Lea al campo á sus ovejas,
5Y díjoles: Veo que el semblante de vuestro padre no es para conmigo como ayer y antes de ayer: mas el Dios de mi padre ha sido conmigo.
6Y vosotras sabéis que con todas mis fuerzas he servido á vuestro padre:
7Y vuestro padre me ha engañado, y me ha mudado el salario diez veces: pero Dios no le ha permitido que me hiciese mal.
8Si él decía así: Los pintados serán tu salario; entonces todas las ovejas parían pintados: y si decía así: Los listados serán tu salario; entonces todas las ovejas parían listados.
9Así quitó Dios el ganado de vuestro padre, y diómelo á mí.
10Y sucedió que al tiempo que las ovejas se recalentaban, alcé yo mis ojos y vi en sueños, y he aquí los machos que cubrían á las hembras eran listados, pintados y abigarrados.
11Y díjome el ángel de Dios en sueños: Jacob. Y yo dije: Heme aquí.
12Y él dijo: Alza ahora tus ojos, y verás todos los machos que cubren á las ovejas listados, pintados y abigarrados; porque yo he visto todo lo que Labán te ha hecho.
13Yo soy el Dios de Beth-el, donde tú ungiste el título, y donde me hiciste un voto. Levántate ahora, y sal de esta tierra, y vuélvete á la tierra de tu naturaleza.
14Y respondió Rachêl y Lea, y dijéronle: ¿Tenemos ya parte ni heredad en la casa de nuestro padre?
15¿No nos tiene ya como por extrañas, pues que nos vendió, y aun se ha comido del todo nuestro precio?
16Porque toda la riqueza que Dios ha quitado á nuestro padre, nuestra es y de nuestros hijos: ahora pues, haz todo lo que Dios te ha dicho.
17Entonces se levantó Jacob, y subió sus hijos y sus mujeres sobre los camellos.
18Y puso en camino todo su ganado, y toda su hacienda que había adquirido, el ganado de su ganancia que había obtenido en Padan-aram, para volverse á Isaac su padre en la tierra de Canaán.
19Y Labán había ido á trasquilar sus ovejas: y Rachêl hurtó los ídolos de su padre.
20Y recató Jacob el corazón de Labán Arameo, en no hacerle saber que se huía.
21Huyó, pues, con todo lo que tenía; y levantóse, y pasó el río, y puso su rostro al monte de Galaad.
22Y fué dicho á Labán al tercero día como Jacob se había huído.
23Entonces tomó á sus hermanos consigo, y fué tras él camino de siete días, y alcanzóle en el monte de Galaad.
24Y vino Dios á Labán Arameo en sueños aquella noche, y le dijo: Guárdate que no hables á Jacob descomedidamente.
25Alcanzó pues Labán á Jacob, y éste había fijado su tienda en el monte: y Labán plantóla con sus hermanos en el monte de Galaad.
26Y dijo Labán á Jacob: ¿Qué has hecho, que me hurtaste el corazón, y has traído á mis hijas como prisioneras de guerra?
27¿Por qué te escondiste para huir, y me hurtaste, y no me diste noticia, para que yo te enviara con alegría y con cantares, con tamborín y vihuela?
28Que aun no me dejaste besar mis hijos y mis hijas. Ahora locamente has hecho.
29Poder hay en mi mano para haceros mal: mas el Dios de vuestro padre me habló anoche diciendo: Guárdate que no hables á Jacob descomedidamente.
30Y ya que te ibas, porque tenías deseo de la casa de tu padre, ¿por qué me hurtaste mis dioses?
31Y Jacob respondió, y dijo á Labán: Porque tuve miedo; pues dije, que quizá me quitarías por fuerza tus hijas.
32En quien hallares tus dioses, no viva: delante de nuestros hermanos reconoce lo que yo tuviere tuyo, y llévatelo. Jacob no sabía que Rachêl los había hurtado.
33Y entró Labán en la tienda de Jacob, y en la tienda de Lea, y en la tienda de las dos siervas, y no los halló, y salió de la tienda de Lea, y vino á la tienda de Rachêl.
34Y tomó Rachêl los ídolos, y púsolos en una albarda de un camello, y sentóse sobre ellos: y tentó Labán toda la tienda, y no los halló.
35Y ella dijo á su padre: No se enoje mi señor, porque no me puedo levantar delante de ti; pues estoy con la costumbre de las mujeres. Y él buscó, pero no halló los ídolos.
36Entonces Jacob se enojó, y regañó con Labán; y respondió Jacob y dijo á Labán: ¿Qué prevaricación es la mía? ¿cuál es mi pecado, que con tanto ardor has venido en seguimiento mío?
37Pues que has tentado todos mis muebles, ¿qué has hallado de todas las alhajas de tu casa? Ponlo aquí delante de mis hermanos y tuyos, y juzguen entre nosotros ambos.
38Estos veinte años he estado contigo: tus ovejas y tus cabras nunca abortaron, ni yo comí carnero de tus ovejas.
39Nunca te traje lo arrebatado por las fieras; yo pagaba el daño; lo hurtado así de día como de noche, de mi mano lo requerías.
40De día me consumía el calor, y de noche la helada, y el sueño se huía de mis ojos.
41Así he estado veinte años en tu casa: catorce años te serví por tus dos hijas, y seis años por tu ganado; y has mudado mi salario diez veces.
42Si el Dios de mi padre, el Dios de Abraham, y el temor de Isaac, no fuera conmigo, de cierto me enviarías ahora vacío: vió Dios mi aflicción y el trabajo de mis manos, y reprendióte anoche.
43Y respondió Labán, y dijo á Jacob: Las hijas son hijas mías, y los hijos, hijos míos son, y las ovejas son mis ovejas, y todo lo que tú ves es mío: ¿y qué puedo yo hacer hoy á estas mis hijas, ó á sus hijos que ellas han parido?
44Ven pues ahora, y hagamos alianza yo y tú; y sea en testimonio entre mí y entre ti.
45Entonces Jacob tomó una piedra, y levantóla por título.
46Y dijo Jacob á sus hermanos: Coged piedras. Y tomaron piedras é hicieron un majano; y comieron allí sobre aquel majano.
47Y llamólo Labán Jegar Sahadutha: y lo llamó Jacob Galaad.
48Porque Labán dijo: Este majano es testigo hoy entre mí y entre ti; por eso fué llamado su nombre Galaad;
49Y Mizpa, por cuanto dijo: Atalaye Jehová entre mí y entre ti, cuando nos apartáremos el uno del otro.
50Si afligieres mis hijas, ó si tomares otras mujeres además de mis hijas, nadie está con nosotros; mira, Dios es testigo entre mí y entre ti.
51Dijo más Labán á Jacob: He aquí este majano, y he aquí este título, que he erigido entre mí y ti.
52Testigo sea este majano, y testigo sea este título, que ni yo pasaré contra ti este majano, ni tú pasarás contra mí este majano ni este título, para mal.
53El Dios de Abraham, y el Dios de Nachôr juzgue entre nosotros, el Dios de sus padres. Y Jacob juró por el temor de Isaac su padre.
54Entonces Jacob inmoló víctimas en el monte, y llamó á sus hermanos á comer pan: y comieron pan, y durmieron aquella noche en el monte.
55Y levantóse Labán de mañana, y besó sus hijos y sus hijas, y los bendijo; y retrocedió y volvióse á su lugar.
King James Version
1And he heard the words of Laban’s sons, saying, Jacob hath taken away all that was our father’s; and of that which was our father’s hath he gotten all this glory.
2And Jacob beheld the countenance of Laban, and, behold, it was not toward him as before.
3And the LORD said unto Jacob, Return unto the land of thy fathers, and to thy kindred; and I will be with thee.
4And Jacob sent and called Rachel and Leah to the field unto his flock,
5And said unto them, I see your father’s countenance, that it is not toward me as before; but the God of my father hath been with me.
6And ye know that with all my power I have served your father.
7And your father hath deceived me, and changed my wages ten times; but God suffered him not to hurt me.
8If he said thus, The speckled shall be thy wages; then all the cattle bare speckled: and if he said thus, The ringstraked shall be thy hire; then bare all the cattle ringstraked.
9Thus God hath taken away the cattle of your father, and given them to me.
10And it came to pass at the time that the cattle conceived, that I lifted up mine eyes, and saw in a dream, and, behold, the rams which leaped upon the cattle were ringstraked, speckled, and grisled.
11And the angel of God spake unto me in a dream, saying, Jacob: And I said, Here am I.
12And he said, Lift up now thine eyes, and see, all the rams which leap upon the cattle are ringstraked, speckled, and grisled: for I have seen all that Laban doeth unto thee.
13I am the God of Beth-el, where thou anointedst the pillar, and where thou vowedst a vow unto me: now arise, get thee out from this land, and return unto the land of thy kindred.
14And Rachel and Leah answered and said unto him, Is there yet any portion or inheritance for us in our father’s house?
15Are we not counted of him strangers? for he hath sold us, and hath quite devoured also our money.
16For all the riches which God hath taken from our father, that is ours, and our children’s: now then, whatsoever God hath said unto thee, do.
17Then Jacob rose up, and set his sons and his wives upon camels;
18And he carried away all his cattle, and all his goods which he had gotten, the cattle of his getting, which he had gotten in Padan-aram, for to go to Isaac his father in the land of Canaan.
19And Laban went to shear his sheep: and Rachel had stolen the images that were her father’s.
20And Jacob stole away unawares to Laban the Syrian, in that he told him not that he fled.
21So he fled with all that he had; and he rose up, and passed over the river, and set his face toward the mount Gilead.
22And it was told Laban on the third day that Jacob was fled.
23And he took his brethren with him, and pursued after him seven days’ journey; and they overtook him in the mount Gilead.
24And God came to Laban the Syrian in a dream by night, and said unto him, Take heed that thou speak not to Jacob either good or bad.
25Then Laban overtook Jacob. Now Jacob had pitched his tent in the mount: and Laban with his brethren pitched in the mount of Gilead.
26And Laban said to Jacob, What hast thou done, that thou hast stolen away unawares to me, and carried away my daughters, as captives taken with the sword?
27Wherefore didst thou flee away secretly, and steal away from me; and didst not tell me, that I might have sent thee away with mirth, and with songs, with tabret, and with harp?
28And hast not suffered me to kiss my sons and my daughters? thou hast now done foolishly in so doing.
29It is in the power of my hand to do you hurt: but the God of your father spake unto me yesternight, saying, Take thou heed that thou speak not to Jacob either good or bad.
30And now, though thou wouldest needs be gone, because thou sore longedst after thy father’s house, yet wherefore hast thou stolen my gods?
31And Jacob answered and said to Laban, Because I was afraid: for I said, Peradventure thou wouldest take by force thy daughters from me.
32With whomsoever thou findest thy gods, let him not live: before our brethren discern thou what is thine with me, and take it to thee. For Jacob knew not that Rachel had stolen them.
33And Laban went into Jacob’s tent, and into Leah’s tent, and into the two maidservants’ tents; but he found them not. Then went he out of Leah’s tent, and entered into Rachel’s tent.
34Now Rachel had taken the images, and put them in the camel’s furniture, and sat upon them. And Laban searched all the tent, but found them not.
35And she said to her father, Let it not displease my lord that I cannot rise up before thee; for the custom of women is upon me. And he searched, but found not the images.
36And Jacob was wroth, and chode with Laban: and Jacob answered and said to Laban, What is my trespass? what is my sin, that thou hast so hotly pursued after me?
37Whereas thou hast searched all my stuff, what hast thou found of all thy household stuff? set it here before my brethren and thy brethren, that they may judge betwixt us both.
38This twenty years have I been with thee; thy ewes and thy she goats have not cast their young, and the rams of thy flock have I not eaten.
39That which was torn of beasts I brought not unto thee; I bare the loss of it; of my hand didst thou require it, whether stolen by day, or stolen by night.
40Thus I was; in the day the drought consumed me, and the frost by night; and my sleep departed from mine eyes.
41Thus have I been twenty years in thy house; I served thee fourteen years for thy two daughters, and six years for thy cattle: and thou hast changed my wages ten times.
42Except the God of my father, the God of Abraham, and the fear of Isaac, had been with me, surely thou hadst sent me away now empty. God hath seen mine affliction and the labour of my hands, and rebuked thee yesternight.
43And Laban answered and said unto Jacob, These daughters are my daughters, and these children are my children, and these cattle are my cattle, and all that thou seest is mine: and what can I do this day unto these my daughters, or unto their children which they have born?
44Now therefore come thou, let us make a covenant, I and thou; and let it be for a witness between me and thee.
45And Jacob took a stone, and set it up for a pillar.
46And Jacob said unto his brethren, Gather stones; and they took stones, and made an heap: and they did eat there upon the heap.
47And Laban called it Jegar-sahadutha: but Jacob called it Galeed.
48And Laban said, This heap is a witness between me and thee this day. Therefore was the name of it called Galeed;
49And Mizpah; for he said, The LORD watch between me and thee, when we are absent one from another.
50If thou shalt afflict my daughters, or if thou shalt take other wives beside my daughters, no man is with us; see, God is witness betwixt me and thee.
51And Laban said to Jacob, Behold this heap, and behold this pillar, which I have cast betwixt me and thee;
52This heap be witness, and this pillar be witness, that I will not pass over this heap to thee, and that thou shalt not pass over this heap and this pillar unto me, for harm.
53The God of Abraham, and the God of Nahor, the God of their father, judge betwixt us. And Jacob sware by the fear of his father Isaac.
54Then Jacob offered sacrifice upon the mount, and called his brethren to eat bread: and they did eat bread, and tarried all night in the mount.
55And early in the morning Laban rose up, and kissed his sons and his daughters, and blessed them: and Laban departed, and returned unto his place.
World English Bible
1Jacob heard Laban’s sons’ words, saying, “Jacob has taken away all that was our father’s. He has obtained all this wealth from that which was our father’s.”
2Jacob saw the expression on Laban’s face, and, behold, it was not toward him as before.
3The LORD said to Jacob, “Return to the land of your fathers, and to your relatives, and I will be with you.”
4Jacob sent and called Rachel and Leah to the field to his flock,
5and said to them, “I see the expression on your father’s face, that it is not toward me as before; but the God of my father has been with me.
6You know that I have served your father with all of my strength.
7Your father has deceived me, and changed my wages ten times, but God didn’t allow him to hurt me.
8If he said, ‘The speckled will be your wages,’ then all the flock bore speckled. If he said, ‘The streaked will be your wages,’ then all the flock bore streaked.
9Thus God has taken away your father’s livestock, and given them to me.
10During mating season, I lifted up my eyes, and saw in a dream, and behold, the male goats which leaped on the flock were streaked, speckled, and grizzled.
11The angel of God said to me in the dream, ‘Jacob,’ and I said, ‘Here I am.’
12He said, ‘Now lift up your eyes, and behold, all the male goats which leap on the flock are streaked, speckled, and grizzled, for I have seen all that Laban does to you.
13I am the God of Bethel, where you anointed a pillar, where you vowed a vow to me. Now arise, get out from this land, and return to the land of your birth.’”
14Rachel and Leah answered him, “Is there yet any portion or inheritance for us in our father’s house?
15Aren’t we considered as foreigners by him? For he has sold us, and has also used up our money.
16For all the riches which God has taken away from our father are ours and our children’s. Now then, whatever God has said to you, do.”
17Then Jacob rose up, and set his sons and his wives on the camels,
18and he took away all his livestock, and all his possessions which he had gathered, including the livestock which he had gained in Paddan Aram, to go to Isaac his father, to the land of Canaan.
19Now Laban had gone to shear his sheep; and Rachel stole the teraphim that were her father’s.
20Jacob deceived Laban the Syrian, in that he didn’t tell him that he was running away.
21So he fled with all that he had. He rose up, passed over the River, and set his face toward the mountain of Gilead.
22Laban was told on the third day that Jacob had fled.
23He took his relatives with him, and pursued him seven days’ journey. He overtook him in the mountain of Gilead.
24God came to Laban the Syrian in a dream of the night, and said to him, “Be careful that you don’t speak to Jacob either good or bad.”
25Laban caught up with Jacob. Now Jacob had pitched his tent in the mountain, and Laban with his relatives encamped in the mountain of Gilead.
26Laban said to Jacob, “What have you done, that you have deceived me, and carried away my daughters like captives of the sword?
27Why did you flee secretly, and deceive me, and didn’t tell me, that I might have sent you away with mirth and with songs, with tambourine and with harp;
28and didn’t allow me to kiss my sons and my daughters? Now you have done foolishly.
29It is in the power of my hand to hurt you, but the God of your father spoke to me last night, saying, ‘Be careful that you don’t speak to Jacob either good or bad.’
30Now, you want to be gone, because you greatly longed for your father’s house, but why have you stolen my gods?”
31Jacob answered Laban, “Because I was afraid, for I said, ‘Lest you should take your daughters from me by force.’
32Anyone you find your gods with shall not live. Before our relatives, discern what is yours with me, and take it.” For Jacob didn’t know that Rachel had stolen them.
33Laban went into Jacob’s tent, into Leah’s tent, and into the tent of the two female servants; but he didn’t find them. He went out of Leah’s tent, and entered into Rachel’s tent.
34Now Rachel had taken the teraphim, put them in the camel’s saddle, and sat on them. Laban felt around all the tent, but didn’t find them.
35She said to her father, “Don’t let my lord be angry that I can’t rise up before you; for I’m having my period.” He searched, but didn’t find the teraphim.
36Jacob was angry, and argued with Laban. Jacob answered Laban, “What is my trespass? What is my sin, that you have hotly pursued me?
37Now that you have felt around in all my stuff, what have you found of all your household stuff? Set it here before my relatives and your relatives, that they may judge between us two.
38“These twenty years I have been with you. Your ewes and your female goats have not cast their young, and I haven’t eaten the rams of your flocks.
39That which was torn of animals, I didn’t bring to you. I bore its loss. Of my hand you required it, whether stolen by day or stolen by night.
40This was my situation: in the day the drought consumed me, and the frost by night; and my sleep fled from my eyes.
41These twenty years I have been in your house. I served you fourteen years for your two daughters, and six years for your flock, and you have changed my wages ten times.
42Unless the God of my father, the God of Abraham, and the fear of Isaac, had been with me, surely now you would have sent me away empty. God has seen my affliction and the labor of my hands, and rebuked you last night.”
43Laban answered Jacob, “The daughters are my daughters, the children are my children, the flocks are my flocks, and all that you see is mine! What can I do today to these my daughters, or to their children whom they have borne?
44Now come, let’s make a covenant, you and I. Let it be for a witness between me and you.”
45Jacob took a stone, and set it up for a pillar.
46Jacob said to his relatives, “Gather stones.” They took stones, and made a heap. They ate there by the heap.
47Laban called it Jegar Sahadutha, but Jacob called it Galeed.
48Laban said, “This heap is witness between me and you today.” Therefore it was named Galeed
49and Mizpah, for he said, “The LORD watch between me and you, when we are absent one from another.
50If you afflict my daughters, or if you take wives in addition to my daughters, no man is with us; behold, God is witness between me and you.”
51Laban said to Jacob, “See this heap, and see the pillar, which I have set between me and you.
52May this heap be a witness, and the pillar be a witness, that I will not pass over this heap to you, and that you will not pass over this heap and this pillar to me, for harm.
53The God of Abraham, and the God of Nahor, the God of their father, judge between us.” Then Jacob swore by the fear of his father, Isaac.
54Jacob offered a sacrifice in the mountain, and called his relatives to eat bread. They ate bread, and stayed all night in the mountain.
55Early in the morning, Laban rose up, and kissed his sons and his daughters, and blessed them. Laban departed and returned to his place.