The Bible (Old and New Testaments)

And he said unto them, Know ye Laban the son of Nahor? And they said, We know him.

Plain English · paraphraseHe asked them, "Do you know Laban, the son of Nahor?" They said, "We know him."

And he said unto them, Is he well? And they said, He is well: and, behold, Rachel his daughter cometh with the sheep.

Plain English · paraphraseHe said to them, "Is he well?" They said, "He is well." Then Rachel, his daughter, came with the sheep.

And he said, Lo, it is yet high day, neither is it time that the cattle should be gathered together: water ye the sheep, and go and feed them.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd he said, "Look, it is still early in the day, and it is not yet time to bring the cattle together. Water the sheep, and go feed them."

And they said, We cannot, until all the flocks be gathered together, and till they roll the stone from the well’s mouth; then we water the sheep.

And while he yet spake with them, Rachel came with her father’s sheep; for she kept them.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd while he was still speaking with them, Rachel came with her father’s sheep; for she took care of them.

And it came to pass, when Jacob saw Rachel the daughter of Laban his mother’s brother, and the sheep of Laban his mother’s brother, that Jacob went near, and rolled the stone from the well’s mouth, and watered the flock of Laban his mother’s brother.

Plain English · paraphraseWhen Jacob saw Rachel, the daughter of Laban his mother’s brother, and saw the sheep of Laban his mother’s brother, Jacob went close, rolled the stone from the mouth of the well, and watered the flock of Laban his mother’s brother.

And Jacob kissed Rachel, and lifted up his voice, and wept.

And Jacob told Rachel that he was her father’s brother, and that he was Rebekah’s son: and she ran and told her father.

And it came to pass, when Laban heard the tidings of Jacob his sister’s son, that he ran to meet him, and embraced him, and kissed him, and brought him to his house. And he told Laban all these things.

Plain English · paraphraseWhen Laban heard about Jacob, his sister’s son, he ran to meet him, hugged him, kissed him, and brought him into his house. Jacob told Laban all that had happened.

And Laban said to him, Surely thou art my bone and my flesh. And he abode with him the space of a month.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd Laban said to him, "You are surely my own bone and flesh." He stayed with him for a month.

And Laban said unto Jacob, Because thou art my brother, shouldest thou therefore serve me for nought? tell me, what shall thy wages be?

Plain English · paraphraseLaban said to Jacob, “Because you are my brother, should you therefore work for me without pay? Tell me, what will your wages be?”

And Laban had two daughters: the name of the elder was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel.

Plain English · paraphraseLaban had two daughters. The older one was named Leah, and the younger one was named Rachel.

Leah was tender eyed; but Rachel was beautiful and well favoured.

Plain English · paraphraseLeah had weak eyes; but Rachel was beautiful and attractive.

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

Plain English · paraphraseJacob loved Rachel and said, "I will work for you seven years for Rachel, your younger daughter."

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

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

Plain English · paraphraseJacob worked for seven years to marry Rachel. Because he loved her so much, those years felt like only a few days to him.

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

Plain English · paraphraseJacob said to Laban, "Give me my wife. My time is up. I want to go to her."

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

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

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

Plain English · paraphraseAnd Laban gave to his daughter Leah Zilpah his maid as a servant.

And 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?

Plain English · paraphraseAnd it came to pass that in the morning, behold, it was Leah. And he said to Laban, What is this you have done to me? Did I not serve with you for Rachel? Why then have you deceived me?

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

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

Plain English · paraphraseWait out her week, and we will give you this also for the service you will perform for me for seven more years.

And Jacob did so, and fulfilled her week: and he gave him Rachel his daughter to wife also.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd Jacob did this, and completed her week. Then he gave him Rachel, his daughter, as a wife as well.

And Laban gave to Rachel his daughter Bilhah his handmaid to be her maid.

And he went in also unto Rachel, and he loved also Rachel more than Leah, and served with him yet seven other years.

And when the LORD saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb: but Rachel was barren.

And Leah conceived, and bare a son, and she called his name Reuben: for she said, Surely the LORD hath looked upon my affliction; now therefore my husband will love me.

Plain English · paraphraseLeah became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She named him Reuben. She said, "The Lord has seen my suffering. Now my husband will love me."

And she conceived again, and bare a son; and said, Because the LORD hath heard I was hated, he hath therefore given me this son also: and she called his name Simeon.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd she became pregnant again and gave birth to a son. She said, "The Lord has heard that I was hated. That is why he has given me this son too." She named him Simeon.

And she conceived again, and bare a son; and said, Now this time will my husband be joined unto me, because I have born him three sons: therefore was his name called Levi.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd she became pregnant again and gave birth to a son. She said, "Now at last my husband will be united to me, because I have given him three sons." That is why he was named Levi.

And she conceived again, and bare a son: and she said, Now will I praise the LORD: therefore she called his name Judah; and left bearing.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd she became pregnant again and gave birth to a son. She said, "Now I will praise the Lord." So she named him Judah. After that, she stopped having children.

And when Rachel saw that she bare Jacob no children, Rachel envied her sister; and said unto Jacob, Give me children, or else I die.

Plain English · paraphraseWhen Rachel saw that she had given Jacob no children, she envied her sister. She said to Jacob, "Give me children, or else I die."

And Jacob’s anger was kindled against Rachel: and he said, Am I in God’s stead, who hath withheld from thee the fruit of the womb?

Plain English · paraphraseJacob was angry with Rachel. He said, "Am I in God’s place, taking away from you the children of the womb?"

And she said, Behold my maid Bilhah, go in unto her; and she shall bear upon my knees, that I may also have children by her.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd she said, "Here is my servant Bilhah. Go to her, and she will have children for me. Then I will have children through her."

And she gave him Bilhah her handmaid to wife: and Jacob went in unto her.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd she gave him Bilhah, her handmaid, to be his wife. And Jacob went in to her.

And Bilhah conceived, and bare Jacob a son.

Plain English · paraphraseBilhah became pregnant and gave birth to a son for Jacob.

And Rachel said, God hath judged me, and hath also heard my voice, and hath given me a son: therefore called she his name Dan.

Plain English · paraphraseRachel said, "God has judged me and heard my voice and given me a son." So she named him Dan.

And Bilhah Rachel’s maid conceived again, and bare Jacob a second son.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd Bilhah, Rachel’s servant, became pregnant again and gave birth to Jacob’s second son.

And Rachel said, With great wrestlings have I wrestled with my sister, and I have prevailed: and she called his name Naphtali.

Plain English · paraphraseRachel said, "I have struggled greatly with my sister, and I have overcome." She named his name Naphtali.

When Leah saw that she had left bearing, she took Zilpah her maid, and gave her Jacob to wife.

Plain English · paraphraseWhen Leah saw that she had stopped having children, she took Zilpah, her servant, and gave her to Jacob as a wife.

And Zilpah Leah’s maid bare Jacob a son.

Plain English · paraphraseZilpah, Leah's servant, gave Jacob a son.

And Leah said, A troop cometh: and she called his name Gad.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd Leah said, "A troop is coming." And she named him Gad.

And Zilpah Leah’s maid bare Jacob a second son.

Plain English · paraphraseZilpah, Leah's servant, gave Jacob a second son.

And Leah said, Happy am I, for the daughters will call me blessed: and she called his name Asher.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd Leah said, "I am happy, for the daughters will call me blessed." She named him Asher.

And Reuben went in the days of wheat harvest, and found mandrakes in the field, and brought them unto his mother Leah. Then Rachel said to Leah, Give me, I pray thee, of thy son’s mandrakes.

Plain English · paraphraseReuben went during the wheat harvest days and found mandrakes in the field. He brought them to his mother Leah. Rachel said to Leah, "Please give me some of your son's mandrakes."

And she said unto her, Is it a small matter that thou hast taken my husband? and wouldest thou take away my son’s mandrakes also? And Rachel said, Therefore he shall lie with thee to night for thy son’s mandrakes.

And Jacob came out of the field in the evening, and Leah went out to meet him, and said, Thou must come in unto me; for surely I have hired thee with my son’s mandrakes. And he lay with her that night.

Plain English · paraphraseJacob came out of the field in the evening. Leah went out to meet him and said, "You must come in to me. I have certainly hired you with my son’s mandrakes." He lay with her that night.

And God hearkened unto Leah, and she conceived, and bare Jacob the fifth son.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd God listened to Leah, and she became pregnant and gave birth to Jacob, the fifth son.

And Leah said, God hath given me my hire, because I have given my maiden to my husband: and she called his name Issachar.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd Leah said, "God has given me my reward, because I gave my servant girl to my husband." And she named him Issachar.

And Leah conceived again, and bare Jacob the sixth son.

And Leah said, God hath endued me with a good dowry; now will my husband dwell with me, because I have born him six sons: and she called his name Zebulun.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd Leah said, God has given me a good dowry; now my husband will live with me, because I have given him six sons: and she named him Zebulun.

And afterwards she bare a daughter, and called her name Dinah.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd after that, she gave birth to a daughter and named her Dinah.

And God remembered Rachel, and God hearkened to her, and opened her womb.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd God remembered Rachel. God listened to her and opened her womb.

And she conceived, and bare a son; and said, God hath taken away my reproach:

Plain English · paraphraseAnd she became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She said, "God has taken away my disgrace."

And she called his name Joseph; and said, The LORD shall add to me another son.

Plain English · paraphraseShe named him Joseph and said, "The Lord will give me another son."

And it came to pass, when Rachel had born Joseph, that Jacob said unto Laban, Send me away, that I may go unto mine own place, and to my country.

Plain English · paraphraseWhen Rachel had given birth to Joseph, Jacob said to Laban, "Let me go, so I can return to my own home and my country."

Give me my wives and my children, for whom I have served thee, and let me go: for thou knowest my service which I have done thee.

Plain English · paraphraseGive me my wives and my children, for whom I have served you. Let me go, because you know the service I have done for you.

And Laban said unto him, I pray thee, if I have found favour in thine eyes, tarry: for I have learned by experience that the LORD hath blessed me for thy sake.

Plain English · paraphraseLaban said to him, "Please, if I have found favor in your eyes, stay with me. I have learned through experience that the Lord has blessed me because of you."

And he said, Appoint me thy wages, and I will give it.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd he said, Set for me what you want for pay, and I will give it to you.

And he said unto him, Thou knowest how I have served thee, and how thy cattle was with me.

Plain English · paraphraseHe said to him, "You know how I have served you, and how your cattle were with me."

For it was little which thou hadst before I came, and it is now increased unto a multitude; and the LORD hath blessed thee since my coming: and now when shall I provide for mine own house also?

Plain English · paraphraseFor what you had before I came was little, but now it has grown into a great number. The Lord has blessed you since I came. Now, when will I also provide for my own household?

And he said, What shall I give thee? And Jacob said, Thou shalt not give me any thing: if thou wilt do this thing for me, I will again feed and keep thy flock.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd he said, "What shall I give you?" And Jacob said, "You shall not give me anything. If you will do this thing for me, I will again feed and keep your flock."

I will pass through all thy flock to day, removing from thence all the speckled and spotted cattle, and all the brown cattle among the sheep, and the spotted and speckled among the goats: and of such shall be my hire.

Plain English · paraphraseI will go through your entire flock today, separating all the speckled and spotted animals, and all the brown ones among the sheep, and the spotted and speckled among the goats. These will be my wages.

So shall my righteousness answer for me in time to come, when it shall come for my hire before thy face: every one that is not speckled and spotted among the goats, and brown among the sheep, that shall be counted stolen with me.

Plain English · paraphraseSo my righteousness will speak for me in the future, when it comes as my payment before you. Any goats that are not speckled or spotted, and any brown sheep, will be counted as stolen by me.

And Laban said, Behold, I would it might be according to thy word.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd Laban said, "I hope it happens as you said."

And he removed that day the he goats that were ringstraked and spotted, and all the she goats that were speckled and spotted, and every one that had some white in it, and all the brown among the sheep, and gave them into the hand of his sons.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd that day he separated the male goats that had stripes and spots, and all the female goats that had speckles and spots, and every one that had some white in it, and all the brown sheep. He gave them into the hands of his sons.

And he set three days’ journey betwixt himself and Jacob: and Jacob fed the rest of Laban’s flocks.

Plain English · paraphraseHe put three days’ travel between himself and Jacob, and Jacob took care of the rest of Laban’s sheep.

And Jacob took him rods of green poplar, and of the hazel and chestnut tree; and pilled white strakes in them, and made the white appear which was in the rods.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd Jacob took some rods from green poplar trees, and from hazel and chestnut trees. He peeled white stripes into them, making the white parts show on the rods.

And he set the rods which he had pilled before the flocks in the gutters in the watering troughs when the flocks came to drink, that they should conceive when they came to drink.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd he placed the rods he had peeled in front of the flocks in the gutters of the watering troughs, where the flocks came to drink, so that they would conceive when they came to drink.

And the flocks conceived before the rods, and brought forth cattle ringstraked, speckled, and spotted.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd the flocks conceived before the rods and gave birth to cattle that were ringed, speckled, and spotted.

And Jacob did separate the lambs, and set the faces of the flocks toward the ringstraked, and all the brown in the flock of Laban; and he put his own flocks by themselves, and put them not unto Laban’s cattle.

And it came to pass, whensoever the stronger cattle did conceive, that Jacob laid the rods before the eyes of the cattle in the gutters, that they might conceive among the rods.

But when the cattle were feeble, he put them not in: so the feebler were Laban’s, and the stronger Jacob’s.

Plain English · paraphraseBut when the cattle were weak, he did not put them in. So the weaker ones were Laban’s, and the stronger ones were Jacob’s.

And the man increased exceedingly, and had much cattle, and maidservants, and menservants, and camels, and asses.

And he heard the words of Laban’s sons, saying, Jacob hath taken away all that was our father’s; and of that which was our father’s hath he gotten all this glory.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd he heard the words of Laban’s sons, saying, Jacob has taken away all that was our father’s; and from what was our father’s, he has gained all this wealth.

And Jacob beheld the countenance of Laban, and, behold, it was not toward him as before.

Plain English · paraphraseJacob noticed Laban's expression, and indeed, it was no longer the same as before.

And the LORD said unto Jacob, Return unto the land of thy fathers, and to thy kindred; and I will be with thee.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd the Lord said to Jacob, Return to the land of your fathers, and to your family; and I will be with you.

And Jacob sent and called Rachel and Leah to the field unto his flock,

And said unto them, I see your father’s countenance, that it is not toward me as before; but the God of my father hath been with me.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd said to them, I see that your father’s expression is not toward me as before. But the God of my father has been with me.

And ye know that with all my power I have served your father.

And your father hath deceived me, and changed my wages ten times; but God suffered him not to hurt me.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd your father has tricked me and changed my wages ten times. But God would not let him harm me.

If he said thus, The speckled shall be thy wages; then all the cattle bare speckled: and if he said thus, The ringstraked shall be thy hire; then bare all the cattle ringstraked.

Plain English · paraphraseIf he said, "The speckled animals will be your wages," then all the cattle were born speckled. And if he said, "The ringstraked animals will be your hire," then all the cattle were born ringstraked.

Thus God hath taken away the cattle of your father, and given them to me.

Plain English · paraphraseSo God has taken your father's cattle and given them to me.

And it came to pass at the time that the cattle conceived, that I lifted up mine eyes, and saw in a dream, and, behold, the rams which leaped upon the cattle were ringstraked, speckled, and grisled.

Plain English · paraphraseAt the time the cattle were conceiving, I looked up and saw a dream. The rams jumping on the cattle were ringstraked, speckled, and gray.

And the angel of God spake unto me in a dream, saying, Jacob: And I said, Here am I.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd the angel of God spoke to me in a dream, saying, "Jacob." And I said, "Here I am."

And he said, Lift up now thine eyes, and see, all the rams which leap upon the cattle are ringstraked, speckled, and grisled: for I have seen all that Laban doeth unto thee.

I am the God of Bethel, where thou anointedst the pillar, and where thou vowedst a vow unto me: now arise, get thee out from this land, and return unto the land of thy kindred.

Plain English · paraphraseI am the God of Bethel, where you anointed the pillar and where you made a vow to me. Now get up, leave this land, and return to the land of your family.

And Rachel and Leah answered and said unto him, Is there yet any portion or inheritance for us in our father’s house?

Plain English · paraphraseRachel and Leah answered him, "Is there still any share or inheritance left for us in our father’s house?"

Are we not counted of him strangers? for he hath sold us, and hath quite devoured also our money.

Plain English · paraphraseAre we not strangers to him? For he sold us, and he has completely taken our money.

For all the riches which God hath taken from our father, that is ours, and our children’s: now then, whatsoever God hath said unto thee, do.

Plain English · paraphraseFor all the riches that God has taken from our father, they belong to us and our children. So now, do whatever God has told you to do.

Then Jacob rose up, and set his sons and his wives upon camels;

And he carried away all his cattle, and all his goods which he had gotten, the cattle of his getting, which he had gotten in Padanaram, for to go to Isaac his father in the land of Canaan.

And Laban went to shear his sheep: and Rachel had stolen the images that were her father’s.

And Jacob stole away unawares to Laban the Syrian, in that he told him not that he fled.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd Jacob ran away secretly from Laban the Syrian, without telling him that he was leaving.

So he fled with all that he had; and he rose up, and passed over the river, and set his face toward the mount Gilead.

Plain English · paraphraseSo he fled with everything he had. He got up, crossed the river, and headed toward Mount Gilead.

And it was told Laban on the third day that Jacob was fled.

And he took his brethren with him, and pursued after him seven days’ journey; and they overtook him in the mount Gilead.

Plain English · paraphraseHe took his brothers with him and chased after him for seven days. They caught up with him on Mount Gilead.

And God came to Laban the Syrian in a dream by night, and said unto him, Take heed that thou speak not to Jacob either good or bad.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd God came to Laban the Syrian in a dream at night, and said to him, Be careful not to speak to Jacob either good or bad.

Then Laban overtook Jacob. Now Jacob had pitched his tent in the mount: and Laban with his brethren pitched in the mount of Gilead.

Plain English · paraphraseThen Laban caught up with Jacob. Jacob had set up his tent in the mountains, and Laban and his brothers set up their tents in the mountain of Gilead.

And Laban said to Jacob, What hast thou done, that thou hast stolen away unawares to me, and carried away my daughters, as captives taken with the sword?

Plain English · paraphraseLaban said to Jacob, “What have you done that you ran away secretly from me and took my daughters like prisoners captured with a sword?”