³⁷ Jacob, however, took fresh-cut branches from poplar, almond^(A) and plane trees^(B) and made white stripes on them by peeling the bark and exposing the white inner wood of the branches.^{(C) 38} Then he placed the peeled branches^(D) in all the watering troughs,^(E) so that they would be directly in front of the flocks when they came to drink. When the flocks were in heat^(F) and came to drink, ³⁹ they mated in front of the branches.^(G) And they bore young that were streaked or speckled or spotted.^{(H) 40} Jacob set apart the young of the flock by themselves, but made the rest face the streaked and dark-colored animals^(I) that belonged to Laban. Thus he made separate flocks for himself and did not put them with Laban’s animals. ⁴¹ Whenever the stronger females were in heat,^(J) Jacob would place the branches in the troughs in front of the animals so they would mate near the branches,^{(K) 42} but if the animals were weak, he would not place them there. So the weak animals went to Laban and the strong ones to Jacob.^{(L) 43} In this way the man grew exceedingly prosperous and came to own large flocks, and female and male servants, and camels and donkeys.^(M)

The Armor of God

¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord^(A) and in his mighty power.^{(B) 11} Put on the full armor of God,^(C) so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. ¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood,^(D) but against the rulers, against the authorities,^(E) against the powers^(F) of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.^{(G) 13} Therefore put on the full armor of God,^(H) so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. ¹⁴ Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist,^(I) with the breastplate of righteousness in place,^{(J) 15} and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.^{(K) 16} In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith,^(L) with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.^{(M) 17} Take the helmet of salvation^(N) and the sword of the Spirit,^(O) which is the word of God.^(P)

¹⁸ And pray in the Spirit^(Q) on all occasions^(R) with all kinds of prayers and requests.^(S) With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying^(T) for all the Lord’s people.