Genesis 31:25-42 - The Search For The Stolen Idols
25 Jacob camped on a mountain. So when Laban caught up with Jacob as he was camped in the hill country of Gilead, he set up his camp not far from Jacod's. 26 Laban said to Jacob: Why did you deceive me and carry off my daughters like women captured in war? 27 Why did you deceive me and slip away without telling me? If you had told me, I would have sent you on your way with rejoicing and singing to the music of tambourines and harps. 28 You did not even let me give a kiss to my sons and my daughters. This was a foolish thing you did. 29 It is in my power to do you harm. But the God of your father came to me this night. He said, 'Take care that you say nothing good or bad to Jacob.' 30 It appears that you are going because your heart's desire is for your father's house. But why have you taken my gods?
31 Jacob answered Laban: I was afraid you might take your daughters from me by force. 32 As for your gods, if anyone of us has them, let him be put to death. Make a search in front of us all for what is yours, and take it. Jacob had no knowledge that Rachel had taken them.
33 So Laban went into Jacob's tent and into Leah's tent, and into the tents of the two servant-women, but they were not there. He left Leah's tent and went into Rachel's. 34 Rachel took the images. She put them in the camels' basket and was seated on them. Laban searched through the tent and did not find them.
35 Rachel said to her father: Do not be angry, Father, but I cannot get up to greet you. I am having my period. So even though Laban had made a thorough search, he did not find the idols.
36 Jacob lost his temper. What crime have I committed? he asked angrily. What law have I broken that gives you the right to hunt me down? 37 Now that you have searched through all my belongings, what household article have you found that belongs to you? Put it out here where your men and mine can see it. Let them decide which one of us is right. 38 I have been with you now for twenty years. Your sheep and your goats have not failed to reproduce. I have not even eaten any rams from your flocks. 39 I always absorbed the loss when wild animals killed a sheep. I did not take it to you to show that it was not my fault. You demanded that I make good anything that was stolen during the day or during the night. 40 Many times I suffered from the heat during the day and from the cold at night. I was not able to sleep. 41 I have been in your house twenty years! I was your servant for fourteen years because of your daughters. I kept your flock for six years. You changed my wages ten times. 42 If the God of my father, the God of Abraham, out of respect for Isaac, had not been with me, you would have sent me away empty-handed by now. God has seen my misery and hard work. Last night he made it right!