Genesis 29:15-30 - Jacob's Marriages

15 Later, Laban asked Jacob, "Should you serve me for free, just because you're my nephew? Let's talk about what your wages should be." 16 Now Laban happened to have two daughters. The older one was named Leah and the younger was named Rachel. 17 Leah looked rather plain, but Rachel was lovely in form and appearance. 18 Jacob loved Rachel, so he made this offer to Laban: "I'll serve you for seven years for Rachel, your younger daughter."

19 "It's better that I give her to you than to another man," Laban replied, "so stay with me." 20 Jacob served seven years for Rachel, but it seemed like only a few days because of his love for her.

21 Eventually, Jacob told Laban, "Bring me my wife, now that my time of service has been completed, so I can go be with her." 22 So Laban gathered all the men who lived in that place and held a wedding festival. 23 That night Laban took his daughter Leah and brought her to Jacob. He had marital relations with her. 24 Laban also gave his servant woman Zilpah to Leah to be her maidservant.

25 The next morning, Jacob realized that it was Leah! "What have you done to me?" he demanded of Laban. "Didn't I serve you for seven years in order to marry Rachel? Why did you deceive me?"

26 But Laban responded, "It's not the practice of our place to give the younger one in marriage before the firstborn. 27 Fulfill the week for this daughter, then we'll give you the other one in exchange for serving me another seven years."

28 So Jacob completed another seven years' work, and then Laban gave him his daughter Rachel to be his wife. 29 Laban also gave his woman servant Bilhah to his daughter Rachel to be her maidservant. 30 Jacob also married Rachel, since he loved her. He served Laban another full seven years' work for Rachel.


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