Three days later Laban discovered Jacob had left.

But if the animals were weaker, he did not set the branches there. So the weaker animals ended up belonging to Laban and the stronger animals to Jacob.

If, however, the raw flesh once again turns white, then he must come to the priest.

The priest will then examine it, and if the infection has turned white, the priest is to pronounce the person with the infection clean – he is clean.

“I left secretly because I was afraid!” Jacob replied to Laban. “I thought you might take your daughters away from me by force.

Jacob became angry and argued with Laban. “What did I do wrong?” he demanded of Laban. “What sin of mine prompted you to chase after me in hot pursuit?

“You must no longer give straw to the people for making bricks as before. Let them go and collect straw for themselves.

When Laban heard this news about Jacob, his sister’s son, he rushed out to meet him. He embraced him and kissed him and brought him to his house. Jacob told Laban how he was related to him.

The Israelite foremen whom Pharaoh’s slave masters had set over them were beaten and were asked, “Why did you not complete your requirement for brickmaking as in the past – both yesterday and today?”