20 So Jacob worked seven years for Rachel. But it only seemed like a few days, he loved her so much.

21-24 Then Jacob said to Laban, “Give me my wife; I’ve completed what we agreed I’d do. I’m ready to consummate my marriage.” Laban invited everyone around and threw a big feast. At evening, though, he got his daughter Leah and brought her to the marriage bed, and Jacob slept with her. (Laban gave his maid Zilpah to his daughter Leah as her maid.)

25 Morning came: There was Leah in the marriage bed!

Jacob confronted Laban, “What have you done to me? Didn’t I work all this time for the hand of Rachel? Why did you cheat me?”

26-27 “We don’t do it that way in our country,” said Laban. “We don’t marry off the younger daughter before the older. Enjoy your week of honeymoon, and then we’ll give you the other one also. But it will cost you another seven years of work.”

28-30 Jacob agreed. When he’d completed the honeymoon week, Laban gave him his daughter Rachel to be his wife. (Laban gave his maid Bilhah to his daughter Rachel as her maid.) Jacob then slept with her. And he loved Rachel more than Leah. He worked for Laban another seven years.

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20 So Jacob served seven years to get Rachel,(A) but they seemed like only a few days to him because of his love for her.(B)

21 Then Jacob said to Laban, “Give me my wife. My time is completed, and I want to make love to her.(C)

22 So Laban brought together all the people of the place and gave a feast.(D) 23 But when evening came, he took his daughter Leah(E) and brought her to Jacob, and Jacob made love to her. 24 And Laban gave his servant Zilpah(F) to his daughter as her attendant.(G)

25 When morning came, there was Leah! So Jacob said to Laban, “What is this you have done to me?(H) I served you for Rachel, didn’t I? Why have you deceived me?(I)

26 Laban replied, “It is not our custom here to give the younger daughter in marriage before the older one.(J) 27 Finish this daughter’s bridal week;(K) then we will give you the younger one also, in return for another seven years of work.(L)

28 And Jacob did so. He finished the week with Leah, and then Laban gave him his daughter Rachel to be his wife.(M) 29 Laban gave his servant Bilhah(N) to his daughter Rachel as her attendant.(O)

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