Part 18 (2/2)

29:14. He answered: Thou art my bone and my flesh. And after the days of one month were expired,

29:15. He said to him: Because thou art my brother, shalt thou serve me without wages? Tell me what wages thou wilt have.

29:16. Now he had two daughters, the name of the elder was Lia; and the younger was called Rachel.

29:17. But Lia was blear eyed: Rachel was well favoured, and of a beautiful countenance.

29:18. And Jacob being in love with her, said: I will serve thee seven years for Rachel, thy younger daughter.

29:19. Laban answered: It is better that I give her to thee than to another man; stay with me.

29:20. So Jacob served seven years for Rachel: and they seemed but a few days, because of the greatness of his love.

29:21. And he said to Laban: Give me my wife; for now the time is fulfilled, that I may go in unto her.

29:22. And he, having invited a great number of his friends to the feast, made the marriage.

29:23. And at night he brought in Lia, his daughter, to him,

29:24. Giving his daughter a handmaid, named Zelpha. Now when Jacob had gone in to her according to custom, when morning was come he saw it was Lia.

29:25. And he said to his father in law: What is it that thou didst mean to do? did not I serve thee for Rachel? why hast thou deceived me?

29:26. Laban answered: It is not the custom in this place, to give the younger in marriage first.

29:27. Make up the week of days of this match: and I will give thee her also, for the service that thou shalt render me other seven years.

29:28. He yielded to his pleasure: and after the week was past, he married Rachel:

29:29. To whom her father gave Bala, for her servant.

29:30. And having at length obtained the marriage he wished for, he preferred the love of the latter before the former, and served with him other seven years.

29:31. And the Lord seeing that he despised Lia, opened her womb, but her sister remained barren.

29:32. And she conceived and bore a son, and called his name Ruben, saying: The Lord saw my affliction: now my husband will love me.

29:33. And again she conceived and bore a son, and said: Because the Lord heard that I was despised, he hath given this also to me: and she called his name Simeon.

29:34. And she conceived the third time, and bore another son, and said: Now also my husband will be joined to me, because I have borne him three sons: and therefore she called his name Levi.

29:35. The fourth time she conceived and bore a son, and said: Now will I praise the Lord: and for this she called him Juda. And she left bearing.

Genesis Chapter 30

Rachel, being barren, delivereth her handmaid to Jacob; she beareth two sons. Lia ceasing to bear, giveth also her handmaid, and she beareth two more. Then Lia beareth other two sons and one daughter. Rachel beareth Joseph. Jacob, desirous to return home, is hired to stay for a certain part of the flock's increase, whereby he becometh exceeding rich.

<script>