Let me take my wives and my children whom I have acquired by working for you. Then I’ll depart, because you know how hard I’ve worked for you.”

You know that I’ve worked for your father as hard as I could,

The Lord God took the man and placed him in the orchard in Eden to care for it and to maintain it.

So the Lord God expelled him from the orchard in Eden to cultivate the ground from which he had been taken.

For twelve years they had served Kedorlaomer, but in the thirteenth year they rebelled.

But I will execute judgment on the nation that they will serve. Afterward they will come out with many possessions.

Then Laban said to Jacob, “Should you work for me for nothing because you are my relative? Tell me what your wages should be.”

Since Jacob had fallen in love with Rachel, he said, “I’ll serve you seven years in exchange for your younger daughter Rachel.”

So Jacob worked for seven years to acquire Rachel. But they seemed like only a few days to him because his love for her was so great.

“You know how I have worked for you,” Jacob replied, “and how well your livestock have fared under my care.

Then she gave birth to his brother Abel. Abel took care of the flocks, while Cain cultivated the ground.

When you try to cultivate the ground it will no longer yield its best for you. You will be a homeless wanderer on the earth.”

Then the Lord said to Abram, “Know for certain that your descendants will be strangers in a foreign country. They will be enslaved and oppressed for four hundred years.

and the Lord said to her, “Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples will be separated from within you. One people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger.”

May peoples serve you and nations bow down to you. You will be lord over your brothers, and the sons of your mother will bow down to you. May those who curse you be cursed, and those who bless you be blessed.”

You will live by your sword but you will serve your brother. When you grow restless, you will tear off his yoke from your neck.”

In the morning Jacob discovered it was Leah! So Jacob said to Laban, “What in the world have you done to me! Didn’t I work for you in exchange for Rachel? Why have you tricked me?”

Complete my older daughter’s bridal week. Then we will give you the younger one too, in exchange for seven more years of work.”

Jacob had marital relations with Rachel as well. He loved Rachel more than Leah, so he worked for Laban for seven more years.

When he sees a good resting place, and the pleasant land, he will bend his shoulder to the burden and become a slave laborer.