Genesis 29:18-27

New International Version

¹⁸Jacob was in love with Rachel^(A) and said, “I’ll work for you seven years in return for your younger daughter Rachel.”^(B)

¹⁹Laban said, “It’s better that I give her to you than to some other man. Stay here with me.” ²⁰So Jacob served seven years to get Rachel,^(C) but they seemed like only a few days to him because of his love for her.^(D)

²¹Then Jacob said to Laban, “Give me my wife. My time is completed, and I want to make love to her.^(E)”

²²So Laban brought together all the people of the place and gave a feast.^(F) ²³But when evening came, he took his daughter Leah^(G) and brought her to Jacob, and Jacob made love to her. ²⁴And Laban gave his servant Zilpah^(H) to his daughter as her attendant.^(I)

²⁵When morning came, there was Leah! So Jacob said to Laban, “What is this you have done to me?^(J) I served you for Rachel, didn’t I? Why have you deceived me?^(K)”

²⁶Laban replied, “It is not our custom here to give the younger daughter in marriage before the older one.^(L) ²⁷Finish this daughter’s bridal week;^(M) then we will give you the younger one also, in return for another seven years of work.^(N)”

Read full chapter

Genesis 29:18-27

King James Version

¹⁸And Jacob loved Rachel; and said, I will serve thee seven years for Rachel thy younger daughter.

¹⁹And Laban said, It is better that I give her to thee, than that I should give her to another man: abide with me.

²⁰And Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed unto him but a few days, for the love he had to her.

²¹And Jacob said unto Laban, Give me my wife, for my days are fulfilled, that I may go in unto her.

²²And Laban gathered together all the men of the place, and made a feast.

²³And it came to pass in the evening, that he took Leah his daughter, and brought her to him; and he went in unto her.

²⁴And Laban gave unto his daughter Leah Zilpah his maid for an handmaid.

²⁵And 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?

²⁶And Laban said, It must not be so done in our country, to give the younger before the firstborn.

²⁷Fulfil her week, and we will give thee this also for the service which thou shalt serve with me yet seven other years.

Read full chapter

Genesis 29:18-27

New King James Version

¹⁸Now Jacob loved Rachel; so he said, ^(A)“I will serve you seven years for Rachel your younger daughter.”

¹⁹And Laban said, “It is better that I give her to you than that I should give her to another man. Stay with me.” ²⁰So Jacob ^(B)served seven years for Rachel, and they seemed only a few days to him because of the love he had for her.

²¹Then Jacob said to Laban, “Give me my wife, for my days are fulfilled, that I may ^(C)go in to her.” ²²And Laban gathered together all the men of the place and ^(D)made a feast. ²³Now it came to pass in the evening, that he took Leah his daughter and brought her to Jacob; and he went in to her. ²⁴And Laban gave his maid ^(E)Zilpah to his daughter Leah as a maid. ²⁵So it came to pass in the morning, that behold, it was Leah. And he said to Laban, “What is this you have done to me? Was it not for Rachel that I served you? Why then have you ^(F)deceived me?”

²⁶And Laban said, “It must not be done so in our ^[a]country, to give the younger before the firstborn. ²⁷^(G)Fulfill her week, and we will give you this one also for the service which you will serve with me still another seven years.”

Read full chapter