Genesis 29:16-35 ▼

16 Laban had two daughters, the elder called Lea, and the younger Rachel.

17 Lea was tender eyed: but Rachel was beautifull and well fauoured.

18 And Iacob loued Rachel, and sayde: I wyll serue thee seuen yere for Rachel thy younger daughter.

19 Laban aunswered: It is better that I geue her vnto thee, then that I shoulde geue her to another man: abide with me.

20 And Iacob serued seuen yere for Rachel: and they seemed vnto hym but a fewe dayes, for the loue he hadde to her.

21 And Iacob said vnto Laban: geue me my wife that I may lye with her, for my dayes are fulfylled.

22 Then Laban gathered together all the men of that place, and made a feast.

23 And when euen was come, he toke Lea his daughter, and brought her to hym, and he went in to her.

24 And Laban gaue vnto his daughter Lea Zilpha his mayde to be her seruaunt.

25 And when the mornyng was come, beholde it was Lea. Then sayde he to Laban: Wherefore hast thou played thus with me? dyd not I serue thee for Rachel? wherfore then hast thou begyled me?

26 Laban aunswered: It is not the maner of this place, to marry ye younger before the first borne.

27 Passe out this weeke, & then we wyll geue thee this also for the seruice whiche thou shalt serue me yet seuen yeres more.

28 And Iacob dyd euen so, and passed out the weeke: and then he gaue hym Rachel his daughter to wyfe also.

29 And Laban gaue to Rachel his daughter Bilha his handmayde, to be her seruaunt.

30 So lay he by Rachel also, and loued Rachel more then Lea, and serued hym yet seuen yeres more.

31 When the Lorde sawe that Lea was despised, he made her fruitfull, and Rachel remayned baren.

32 And Lea conceaued and bare a sonne, and she called his name Ruben: for she sayde, the Lord hath loked vpon my tribulation: nowe therfore my husband wyll loue me.

33 And she conceaued agayne, and bare a sonne, & sayde: The Lorde hath hearde that I am despised, and hath therefore geuen me this sonne also: and she called his name Simeon.

34 And she conceaued yet, & bare a sonne, and sayde: Nowe this once wyll my husbande kepe me company, because I haue borne him three sonnes: and therfore was his name called Leui.

35 And she conceaued yet agayne, and bare hym a sonne, saying: Nowe wyll I prayse the Lorde. Therefore she called his name Iuda, & left bearyng.