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Jacob decide volver a Canaán

31 Pero Jacob oyó las palabras de los hijos de Labán, que decían[a]: Jacob se ha apoderado de todo lo que era de nuestro padre, y de lo que era de nuestro padre ha hecho toda esta riqueza[b]. Y Jacob observó[c] la actitud[d] de Labán, y he aquí, ya no era amigable para con él como antes. Entonces el Señor dijo a Jacob: Vuelve a la tierra de tus padres y a tus familiares(A), y yo estaré contigo(B). Jacob, pues, envió a llamar a Raquel y a Lea al campo, donde estaba su rebaño[e], y les dijo: Veo que el semblante de vuestro padre, no es amigable para conmigo como antes(C); pero el Dios de mi padre ha estado conmigo(D). Y vosotras sabéis que he servido a vuestro padre con todas mis fuerzas(E). No obstante vuestro padre me ha engañado(F), y ha cambiado mi salario diez veces(G); Dios, sin embargo, no le ha permitido perjudicarme(H). Si él decía: «Las moteadas serán tu salario», entonces todo el rebaño paría moteadas; y si decía: «Las rayadas serán tu salario», entonces todo el rebaño paría rayadas(I). De esta manera Dios ha quitado el ganado a vuestro padre y me lo ha dado a mí(J). 10 Y sucedió que por el tiempo cuando el rebaño estaba en celo[f], alcé los ojos y vi en sueños; y he aquí, los machos cabríos que cubrían las hembras[g] eran rayados, moteados y abigarrados. 11 Entonces el ángel de Dios(K) me dijo en el sueño: «Jacob»; y yo respondí: «Heme aquí». 12 Y él dijo: «Levanta ahora los ojos y ve que todos los machos cabríos que están cubriendo las hembras[h] son rayados, moteados y abigarrados, pues yo he visto todo lo que Labán te ha hecho(L). 13 Yo soy el Dios de Betel(M), donde tú ungiste un pilar(N), donde me hiciste un voto. Levántate ahora, sal de esta tierra, y vuelve a la tierra donde naciste[i](O)». 14 Y Raquel y Lea respondieron, y le dijeron: ¿Tenemos todavía nosotras parte o herencia alguna en la casa de nuestro padre? 15 ¿No nos ha tratado como extranjeras? Pues nos ha vendido, y también ha consumido por completo el[j] precio de nuestra compra[k](P). 16 Ciertamente, toda la riqueza que Dios ha quitado de nuestro padre es nuestra y de nuestros hijos; ahora pues, todo lo que Dios te ha dicho, hazlo.

Jacob huye de Labán

17 Entonces Jacob se levantó, montó a sus hijos y a sus mujeres en los camellos, 18 y puso en camino todo su ganado y todas las posesiones que había acumulado, el ganado adquirido que había acumulado en Padán-aram, para ir a Isaac su padre(Q), a la tierra de Canaán. 19 Y mientras Labán había ido a trasquilar sus ovejas, Raquel robó los ídolos domésticos[l] que eran de su padre(R). 20 Y Jacob engañó a Labán[m] arameo al no informarle que huía. 21 Huyó, pues, con todo lo que tenía; y se levantó, cruzó el río Eufrates y se dirigió[n] hacia la región montañosa de Galaad(S).

Labán alcanza a Jacob

22 Y al tercer día, cuando informaron a Labán que Jacob había huido, 23 tomó a sus parientes[o] consigo y lo persiguió por siete días; y lo alcanzó en los montes de Galaad. 24 Pero Dios vino a Labán arameo(T) en sueños durante la noche(U), y le dijo: Guárdate que no hables a Jacob ni bien ni mal(V). 25 Alcanzó, pues, Labán a Jacob. Y Jacob había plantado su tienda en la región montañosa, y Labán y sus parientes acamparon en los montes de Galaad. 26 Entonces Labán dijo a Jacob: ¿Qué has hecho, engañándome y[p] llevándote a mis hijas como si fueran cautivas de guerra[q]? 27 ¿Por qué huiste en secreto y me engañaste[r], y no me avisaste para que yo pudiera despedirte con alegría y cantos, con panderos(W) y liras(X)? 28 ¿Por qué no me has permitido besar a mis hijos y a mis hijas(Y)? En esto[s] has obrado neciamente. 29 Tengo poder para[t] hacerte daño, pero anoche el Dios de tu[u] padre(Z) me habló, diciendo: «Guárdate de hablar nada con Jacob ni bueno ni malo(AA)». 30 Y ahora, ciertamente te has marchado porque añorabas mucho la casa de tu padre; pero ¿por qué robaste mis dioses(AB)? 31 Entonces Jacob respondió, y dijo a Labán: Porque tuve miedo, pues dije: «No sea que me quites a tus hijas a la fuerza». 32 Pero aquel con quien encuentres tus dioses, no vivirá(AC). En presencia de nuestros parientes indica[v] lo que es tuyo entre mis cosas[w] y llévatelo. Pues Jacob no sabía que Raquel los había robado.

33 Entró entonces Labán en la tienda de Jacob, en la tienda de Lea y en la tienda de las dos siervas, pero no los encontró. Después salió de la tienda de Lea y entró en la tienda de Raquel. 34 Y Raquel había tomado los ídolos domésticos[x], los había puesto en los aparejos del camello y se había sentado sobre ellos. Y Labán buscó[y] por toda la tienda, pero no los encontró. 35 Y ella dijo a su padre: No se enoje mi señor porque no pueda levantarme delante de ti(AD), pues estoy con lo que es común entre las mujeres[z]. Y él buscó, pero no encontró los ídolos domésticos[aa](AE).

Jacob responde a Labán

36 Entonces se enojó Jacob y riñó con Labán; y respondiendo Jacob, dijo a Labán: ¿Cuál es mi transgresión? ¿Cuál es mi pecado para que tan enardecidamente me hayas perseguido? 37 Aunque has buscado en[ab] todos mis enseres, ¿qué has hallado de todos los enseres de tu casa? Ponlo delante de mis parientes y de tus parientes para que ellos juzguen entre nosotros dos. 38 Estos veinte años yo he estado contigo; tus ovejas y tus cabras no han abortado, ni yo he comido los carneros de tus rebaños. 39 No te traía lo despedazado por las fieras; yo cargaba con la pérdida. Tú lo demandabas de mi mano, tanto lo robado de día como lo robado de noche. 40 Estaba yo que de día el calor[ac] me consumía y de noche la helada, y el[ad] sueño huía de mis ojos. 41 Estos veinte años he estado en tu casa; catorce años te serví por tus dos hijas(AF), y seis por tu rebaño, y diez veces cambiaste mi salario(AG). 42 Si el Dios de mi padre, Dios de Abraham(AH), y temor de Isaac, no hubiera estado conmigo, ciertamente me hubieras enviado ahora con las manos vacías. Pero Dios ha visto mi aflicción(AI) y la labor de mis manos[ae], y anoche hizo justicia[af](AJ).

Pacto entre Labán y Jacob

43 Respondió Labán y dijo a Jacob: Las hijas son mis hijas, y los hijos mis hijos, y los rebaños mis rebaños, y todo lo que ves es mío(AK). ¿Pero qué puedo yo hacer hoy a estas mis hijas, o a sus hijos que ellas dieron a luz? 44 Ahora bien, ven, hagamos un pacto tú y yo(AL) y que sirva de testimonio(AM) entre tú y yo. 45 Entonces Jacob tomó una piedra y la levantó como señal[ag](AN). 46 Y Jacob dijo a sus parientes: Recoged piedras. Y tomaron piedras e hicieron un montón, y comieron allí junto al montón. 47 Labán lo llamó Jegar Sahaduta[ah], pero Jacob lo llamó Galed[ai](AO). 48 Y Labán dijo: Este montón es hoy un testigo entre tú y yo(AP). Por eso lo llamó Galed; 49 y Mizpa[aj](AQ), porque dijo: Que el Señor nos vigile a los dos[ak] cuando nos hayamos apartado[al] el uno del otro. 50 Si maltratas a mis hijas, o si tomas otras mujeres además de mis hijas, aunque nadie lo sepa[am], mira, Dios es testigo entre tú y yo(AR). 51 Y Labán dijo a Jacob: Mira este montón, y mira el pilar que he puesto entre tú y yo. 52 Testigo sea este montón y testigo sea el pilar de que yo no pasaré de este montón hacia ti y tú no pasarás de este montón y de este pilar hacia mí, para hacer daño. 53 El Dios de Abraham(AS) y el Dios de Nacor, Dios de sus padres, juzgue entre nosotros(AT). Entonces Jacob juró por el que temía su padre Isaac(AU). 54 Luego ofreció Jacob un sacrificio en el monte, y llamó a sus parientes a comer[an]; y comieron[ao](AV), y pasaron la noche en el monte. 55 [ap]Y Labán se levantó muy de mañana, besó a sus hijos y a sus hijas(AW), y los bendijo. Entonces Labán partió y regresó a su lugar.

Footnotes

  1. Génesis 31:1 Lit., diciendo
  2. Génesis 31:1 Lit., gloria
  3. Génesis 31:2 O, vio
  4. Génesis 31:2 Lit., el rostro
  5. Génesis 31:4 Lit., a su rebaño
  6. Génesis 31:10 O, se apareaba
  7. Génesis 31:10 Lit., el rebaño
  8. Génesis 31:12 Lit., el rebaño
  9. Génesis 31:13 Lit., de tu nacimiento
  10. Génesis 31:15 I.e., disfrutado los beneficios del
  11. Génesis 31:15 Lit., dinero nuestro
  12. Génesis 31:19 Heb., terafim
  13. Génesis 31:20 Lit., robó el corazón de Labán
  14. Génesis 31:21 Lit., fijó su rostro
  15. Génesis 31:23 Lit., hermanos, y así en el resto del cap.
  16. Génesis 31:26 Lit., y has robado mi corazón
  17. Génesis 31:26 Lit., de la espada
  18. Génesis 31:27 Lit., me robaste
  19. Génesis 31:28 Lit., Ahora
  20. Génesis 31:29 Lit., Está en el poder de mi mano
  21. Génesis 31:29 Así en la versión gr. (sept.); en heb., haceros daño...de vuestro
  22. Génesis 31:32 Lit., reconoce
  23. Génesis 31:32 Lit., conmigo
  24. Génesis 31:34 Heb., terafim
  25. Génesis 31:34 Lit., palpó
  26. Génesis 31:35 Lit., la costumbre de las mujeres es sobre mí
  27. Génesis 31:35 Heb., terafim
  28. Génesis 31:37 Lit., palpado
  29. Génesis 31:40 O, la sequía
  30. Génesis 31:40 Lit., mi
  31. Génesis 31:42 Lit., palmas
  32. Génesis 31:42 O, te reprendió
  33. Génesis 31:45 Lit., pilar
  34. Génesis 31:47 I.e., el montón del testimonio, en arameo
  35. Génesis 31:47 I.e., el montón del testimonio, en heb.
  36. Génesis 31:49 Lit., el Mizpa; i.e., vigía, o, atalaya
  37. Génesis 31:49 Lit., vigile entre tú y yo
  38. Génesis 31:49 Lit., escondido
  39. Génesis 31:50 Lit., ningún hombre esté con nosotros
  40. Génesis 31:54 Lit., comer pan
  41. Génesis 31:54 Lit., comieron pan
  42. Génesis 31:55 En el texto heb., cap. 32:1

31 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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

10 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.

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

12 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.

13 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.

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

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

16 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.

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

18 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.

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

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

21 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.

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

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

24 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.

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

26 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?

27 Wherefore didst thou flee away secretly, and steal away from me; and didst not tell me, that I might have sent thee away with mirth, and with songs, with tabret, and with harp?

28 And hast not suffered me to kiss my sons and my daughters? thou hast now done foolishly in so doing.

29 It is in the power of my hand to do you hurt: but the God of your father spake unto me yesternight, saying, Take thou heed that thou speak not to Jacob either good or bad.

30 And now, though thou wouldest needs be gone, because thou sore longedst after thy father's house, yet wherefore hast thou stolen my gods?

31 And Jacob answered and said to Laban, Because I was afraid: for I said, Peradventure thou wouldest take by force thy daughters from me.

32 With whomsoever thou findest thy gods, let him not live: before our brethren discern thou what is thine with me, and take it to thee. For Jacob knew not that Rachel had stolen them.

33 And Laban went into Jacob's tent, and into Leah's tent, and into the two maidservants' tents; but he found them not. Then went he out of Leah's tent, and entered into Rachel's tent.

34 Now Rachel had taken the images, and put them in the camel's furniture, and sat upon them. And Laban searched all the tent, but found them not.

35 And she said to her father, Let it not displease my lord that I cannot rise up before thee; for the custom of women is upon me. And he searched but found not the images.

36 And Jacob was wroth, and chode with Laban: and Jacob answered and said to Laban, What is my trespass? what is my sin, that thou hast so hotly pursued after me?

37 Whereas thou hast searched all my stuff, what hast thou found of all thy household stuff? set it here before my brethren and thy brethren, that they may judge betwixt us both.

38 This twenty years have I been with thee; thy ewes and thy she goats have not cast their young, and the rams of thy flock have I not eaten.

39 That which was torn of beasts I brought not unto thee; I bare the loss of it; of my hand didst thou require it, whether stolen by day, or stolen by night.

40 Thus I was; in the day the drought consumed me, and the frost by night; and my sleep departed from mine eyes.

41 Thus have I been twenty years in thy house; I served thee fourteen years for thy two daughters, and six years for thy cattle: and thou hast changed my wages ten times.

42 Except the God of my father, the God of Abraham, and the fear of Isaac, had been with me, surely thou hadst sent me away now empty. God hath seen mine affliction and the labour of my hands, and rebuked thee yesternight.

43 And Laban answered and said unto Jacob, These daughters are my daughters, and these children are my children, and these cattle are my cattle, and all that thou seest is mine: and what can I do this day unto these my daughters, or unto their children which they have born?

44 Now therefore come thou, let us make a covenant, I and thou; and let it be for a witness between me and thee.

45 And Jacob took a stone, and set it up for a pillar.

46 And Jacob said unto his brethren, Gather stones; and they took stones, and made an heap: and they did eat there upon the heap.

47 And Laban called it Jegarsahadutha: but Jacob called it Galeed.

48 And Laban said, This heap is a witness between me and thee this day. Therefore was the name of it called Galeed;

49 And Mizpah; for he said, The Lord watch between me and thee, when we are absent one from another.

50 If thou shalt afflict my daughters, or if thou shalt take other wives beside my daughters, no man is with us; see, God is witness betwixt me and thee.

51 And Laban said to Jacob, Behold this heap, and behold this pillar, which I have cast betwixt me and thee:

52 This heap be witness, and this pillar be witness, that I will not pass over this heap to thee, and that thou shalt not pass over this heap and this pillar unto me, for harm.

53 The God of Abraham, and the God of Nahor, the God of their father, judge betwixt us. And Jacob sware by the fear of his father Isaac.

54 Then Jacob offered sacrifice upon the mount, and called his brethren to eat bread: and they did eat bread, and tarried all night in the mount.

55 And early in the morning Laban rose up, and kissed his sons and his daughters, and blessed them: and Laban departed, and returned unto his place.

Jacob Flees from Laban

31 Now Jacob heard that the sons of Laban were saying, “Jacob has taken all that was our father's, and from what was our father's he has gained all this wealth.” And Jacob saw (A)that Laban did not regard him with favor as before. Then the Lord said to Jacob, (B)“Return to the land of your fathers and to your kindred, and I will be with you.”

So Jacob sent and called Rachel and Leah into the field where his flock was and said to them, (C)“I see that your father does not regard me with favor as he did before. But the God of my father (D)has been with me. (E)You know that I have served your father with all my strength, yet your father has cheated me and changed my wages (F)ten times. But God did not permit him to harm me. If he said, (G)‘The spotted shall be your wages,’ then all the flock bore spotted; and if he said, ‘The striped shall be your wages,’ then all the flock bore striped. Thus God has (H)taken away the livestock of your father and given them to me. 10 In the breeding season of the flock I lifted up my eyes and saw in a dream that the goats that mated with the flock were striped, spotted, and mottled. 11 Then the angel of God said to me in the dream, ‘Jacob,’ and I said, ‘Here I am!’ 12 And he said, ‘Lift up your eyes and see, all the goats that mate with the flock are striped, spotted, and mottled, for (I)I have seen all that Laban is doing to you. 13 I am the God of Bethel, (J)where you anointed a pillar and made a vow to me. Now (K)arise, go out from this land and return to the land of your kindred.’” 14 Then Rachel and Leah answered and said to him, “Is there (L)any portion or inheritance left to us in our father's house? 15 Are we not regarded by him as foreigners? For (M)he has sold us, and he has indeed devoured our money. 16 All the wealth that God has taken away from our father belongs to us and to our children. Now then, whatever God has said to you, do.”

17 So Jacob arose and set his sons and his wives on camels. 18 He drove away all his livestock, all his property that he had gained, the livestock in his possession that he had acquired in (N)Paddan-aram, to go to the land of Canaan to his father Isaac. 19 Laban had gone to shear his sheep, and Rachel stole her father's (O)household gods. 20 And Jacob tricked[a] Laban the Aramean, by not telling him that he intended to flee. 21 He fled with all that he had and arose and crossed the (P)Euphrates,[b] and (Q)set his face toward the hill country of Gilead.

22 When it was told Laban on the third day that Jacob had fled, 23 he took his kinsmen with him and pursued him for seven days and followed close after him into the hill country of Gilead. 24 But God came to Laban the Aramean (R)in a dream by night and said to him, “Be careful not to say anything to Jacob, (S)either good or bad.”

25 And Laban overtook Jacob. Now Jacob had pitched his tent in the hill country, and Laban with his kinsmen pitched tents in the hill country of Gilead. 26 And Laban said to Jacob, “What have you done, that you have (T)tricked me and driven away my daughters like captives of the sword? 27 Why did you flee secretly (U)and trick me, and did not tell me, so that I might have sent you away with mirth and songs, with tambourine and lyre? 28 And why did you not permit me (V)to kiss my sons and my daughters farewell? Now you have done foolishly. 29 It is (W)in my power to do you harm. But the (X)God of your[c] father spoke to me last night, saying, ‘Be careful not to say anything to Jacob, (Y)either good or bad.’ 30 And now you have gone away because you longed greatly for your father's house, but why did you (Z)steal my gods?” 31 Jacob answered and said to Laban, “Because I was afraid, for I thought that you would take your daughters from me by force. 32 (AA)Anyone with whom you find your gods shall not live. In the presence of our kinsmen point out what I have that is yours, and take it.” Now Jacob did not know that Rachel had stolen them.

33 So Laban went into Jacob's tent and into Leah's tent and into the tent of the two female servants, but he did not find them. And he went out of Leah's tent and entered Rachel's. 34 Now Rachel had taken the household gods and put them in the camel's saddle and sat on them. Laban felt all about the tent, but did not find them. 35 And she said to her father, “Let not my lord be angry that I cannot (AB)rise before you, for the way of women is upon me.” So he searched but did not find the household gods.

36 Then Jacob became angry and berated Laban. Jacob said to Laban, “What is my offense? What is my sin, that you have hotly pursued me? 37 For you have felt through all my goods; what have you found of all your household goods? Set it here before my kinsmen and (AC)your kinsmen, that they may decide between us two. 38 These twenty years I have been with you. Your ewes and your female goats have not miscarried, and I have not eaten the rams of your flocks. 39 What was torn by wild beasts I did not bring to you. I bore the loss of it myself. (AD)From my hand you required it, whether stolen by day or stolen by night. 40 There I was: by day the heat consumed me, and the cold by night, and my sleep fled from my eyes. 41 These twenty years I have been in your house. (AE)I served you fourteen years for your two daughters, and six years for your flock, and (AF)you have changed my wages ten times. 42 (AG)If the God of my father, the God of Abraham and the (AH)Fear of Isaac, had not been on my side, surely now you would have sent me away empty-handed. (AI)God saw my affliction and the labor of my hands and (AJ)rebuked you last night.”

43 Then Laban answered and said to Jacob, “The daughters are my daughters, the children are my children, the flocks are my flocks, and all that you see is mine. But what can I do this day for these my daughters or for their children whom they have borne? 44 Come now, (AK)let us make a covenant, you and I. (AL)And let it be a witness between you and me.” 45 So Jacob (AM)took a stone and set it up as a pillar. 46 And Jacob said to his kinsmen, “Gather stones.” And they took stones and made a heap, and they ate there by the heap. 47 Laban called it Jegar-sahadutha,[d] but Jacob called it Galeed.[e] 48 Laban said, (AN)“This heap is a witness between you and me today.” Therefore he named it Galeed, 49 (AO)and Mizpah,[f] for he said, “The Lord watch between you and me, when we are out of one another's sight. 50 If you oppress my daughters, or if you take wives besides my daughters, although no one is with us, see, (AP)God is witness between you and me.”

51 Then Laban said to Jacob, “See this heap and the pillar, which I have set between you and me. 52 (AQ)This heap is a witness, and the pillar is a witness, that I will not pass over this heap to you, and you will not pass over this heap and this pillar to me, to do harm. 53 The God of Abraham and the God of Nahor, the God of their father, judge between us.” So Jacob swore by the (AR)Fear of his father Isaac, 54 and Jacob offered a sacrifice in the hill country and called (AS)his kinsmen to eat bread. They ate bread and spent the night in the hill country.

55 [g] Early in the morning Laban arose and kissed (AT)his grandchildren and his daughters and blessed them. Then Laban departed and returned home.

Footnotes

  1. Genesis 31:20 Hebrew stole the heart of; also verses 26, 27
  2. Genesis 31:21 Hebrew the River
  3. Genesis 31:29 The Hebrew for your is plural here
  4. Genesis 31:47 Aramaic the heap of witness
  5. Genesis 31:47 Hebrew the heap of witness
  6. Genesis 31:49 Mizpah means watchpost
  7. Genesis 31:55 Ch 32:1 in Hebrew

31 Pero Jacob se enteraba de las habladurías de los hijos de Labán, pues decían: «Jacob se ha quedado con todo lo que era de nuestro padre. Toda su riqueza la obtuvo de lo que era de nuestro padre.» Además, Jacob miraba el semblante de Labán, y podía ver que ya no lo trataba como antes. Entonces el Señor le dijo a Jacob: «Regresa a la tierra de tus padres, con tus parientes, que yo estaré contigo.»

Jacob mandó llamar a Raquel y a Lea al campo donde estaban sus ovejas, y les dijo:

«Me doy cuenta de que el padre de ustedes ya no me trata como antes. Pero el Dios de mi padre está conmigo. Ustedes saben que yo he servido a su padre con todas mis fuerzas, y que su padre me ha engañado, pues varias veces me ha cambiado la paga. Pero Dios no le ha permitido hacerme daño. Si él decía: “Te voy a pagar con los pintados”, entonces todas las ovejas parían corderos pintados; y si decía: “Te voy a pagar con los listados”, entonces todas las ovejas parían corderos listados. Así Dios le quitó al padre de ustedes el ganado, y me lo dio a mí. 10 Y resulta que, cuando las ovejas estaban en celo, yo levanté la vista, y en sueños vi que los machos que cubrían a las hembras eran listados, pintados y abigarrados. 11 Entonces el ángel de Dios me habló en sueños, y yo me dispuse a escucharlo. 12 Y me dijo: “Levanta ahora los ojos, y verás que todos los machos que cubren a las hembras son listados, pintados y abigarrados. Yo he visto todo lo que Labán te ha hecho. 13 Yo soy el Dios de Betel, donde tú ungiste la piedra, y donde me hiciste un voto.(A) Levántate ahora y sal de esta tierra, y regresa a tu tierra natal.”»

14 Raquel y Lea respondieron:

«¿Acaso tenemos todavía nosotras alguna porción o herencia en la casa de nuestro padre? 15 ¿Acaso no nos considera unas extrañas, y hasta nos vendió y se ha comido por completo nuestro precio? 16 La verdad es que todas las riquezas que Dios le ha quitado a nuestro padre, ¡son de nosotras y de nuestros hijos! Así que, haz todo lo que Dios te ha dicho.»

Jacob huye de Labán

17 Entonces Jacob se preparó y sentó a sus hijos y sus mujeres sobre los camellos, 18 luego puso en marcha todo su ganado, y todo el ganado que había adquirido, que era su ganancia de Padán Aram, y se dispuso a volver a Isaac, su padre, en la tierra de Canaán. 19 Como Labán había ido a trasquilar sus ovejas, Raquel hurtó los ídolos de su padre. 20 Jacob, por su parte, engañó a Labán el arameo al no hacerle saber que iba a fugarse. 21 Y se fugó, llevándose todo lo que tenía. Se dispuso a cruzar el Éufrates, y se enfiló hacia el monte de Galaad. 22 Al tercer día fueron a decirle a Labán que Jacob se había fugado. 23 Entonces Labán se hizo acompañar de sus parientes, y se fue tras Jacob. Después de siete días de camino, lo alcanzó en el monte de Galaad. 24 Pero esa noche Dios se le apareció en un sueño a Labán el arameo, y le dijo: «Mucho cuidado con comenzar a hablarle a Jacob bien, y acabar mal.»

25 Labán alcanzó a Jacob cuando éste había plantado su tienda en el monte, así que Labán y sus parientes acamparon en el monte de Galaad. 26 Y Labán le dijo a Jacob:

«¿Qué es lo que has hecho? ¿Por qué me engañaste y trajiste a mis hijas como prisioneras de guerra? 27 ¿Por qué te fugaste a escondidas? ¿Por qué me engañaste, y no me dijiste nada? ¡Yo te habría despedido con alegría y con cantos, con tamborines y arpas! 28 ¡Ni siquiera me dejaste besar a mis hijos y mis hijas! ¡Lo que has hecho es una locura! 29 Yo tengo poder para hacerles daño; pero el Dios de tu padre me habló anoche y me dijo: “Mucho cuidado con comenzar a hablarle a Jacob bien, y acabar mal.” 30 Pero ya que tantas ganas tenías de irte a la casa de tu padre, ¿por qué me robaste mis dioses?»

31 Jacob le respondió así a Labán:

«Es que tuve miedo. Yo pensé que tal vez me quitarías tus hijas por la fuerza. 32 Pero al que encuentres con tus dioses en su poder, no quedará con vida. En presencia de nuestros hermanos, reconoce lo que sea tuyo y esté en mi poder, y llévatelo.»

Pero Jacob no sabía que Raquel los había hurtado. 33 Labán entró en la tienda de Jacob, luego en la tienda de Lea y en la tienda de las dos siervas, y no halló nada; entonces salió de la tienda de Lea y entró en la tienda de Raquel. 34 Pero Raquel tomó los ídolos y los puso bajo la albarda de un camello, y se sentó sobre ellos; así que Labán buscó en toda la tienda, y no los halló. 35 Y ella le dijo a su padre:

«No se enoje mi señor. Es que no me puedo levantar delante de ti, porque estoy con la costumbre de las mujeres.»

Y Labán buscó los ídolos, pero no los halló. 36 Entonces Jacob se enojó, y riñó con Labán. Le reclamó:

«¿En qué te he faltado? ¿Cuál es mi pecado, para que me persigas con tanto ardor? 37 Ya que has rebuscado en todas mis cosas, ¿qué has hallado de todos los enseres de tu casa? Ponlo aquí, delante de mis hermanos y de los tuyos, ¡y que juzguen entre nosotros! 38 Veinte años han sido los que he estado contigo, y nunca abortaron tus ovejas ni tus cabras, ni me comí un solo carnero de tus ovejas. 39 Nunca te traje lo que las fieras arrebataron, y si algo se robaban de día o de noche, me hacías responsable y a mí me lo cobrabas. 40 De día me consumía el calor, y de noche la helada, y el sueño se me iba. 41 Esta clase de vida he tenido en tu casa durante veinte años. Catorce te serví por tus dos hijas, y seis por tu ganado, y varias veces me has cambiado la paga. 42 Si no estuviera conmigo el Dios de mi padre, el Dios de Abrahán, el Dios a quien Isaac temía, estoy seguro que me dejarías ir ahora con las manos vacías. Pero Dios ha visto mi aflicción y el trabajo de mis manos, y por eso te reprendió anoche.»

43 Labán le respondió a Jacob:

«Las hijas son mis hijas, y los hijos son mis hijos; las ovejas son mis ovejas. ¡Todo lo que aquí ves me pertenece! Pero ¿qué puedo hacerles hoy a estas hijas mías, o a los hijos que ellas han tenido? 44 Ven ahora, y hagamos un pacto tú y yo, y que éste sea un testimonio entre nosotros dos.»

45 Entonces Jacob tomó una piedra, y la levantó como señal. 46 Jacob les dijo a sus parientes: «Recojan piedras». Y ellos tomaron piedras e hicieron un montón, y allí sobre el montón de piedras comieron. 47 Labán lo llamó «Yegar Sadutá»,[a] y Jacob lo llamó «Galaad»[b] 48 porque Labán dijo: «Este montón de piedras es hoy testigo entre nosotros dos». Por eso se le conoce por el nombre de Galaad 49 y de Mispá,[c] pues dijo:

«Que el Señor nos vigile a ti y a mí, ahora que nos separemos el uno del otro. 50 Si acaso humillas a mis hijas, o si tomas otras mujeres además de mis hijas, nadie está con nosotros, pero Dios nos ve y es testigo entre nosotros dos.»

51 Además, Labán le dijo a Jacob:

«Mira este montón de piedras y esta señal, que he levantado entre nosotros dos. 52 Que este montón de piedras y esta señal nos sirvan de testigos, de que ni tú ni yo pasaremos más allá de este montón de piedras, ni de esta señal, para hacernos daño. 53 Que el Dios de Abrahán y el Dios de Najor, el Dios de sus padres, juzgue entre nosotros.»

Y Jacob juró por aquel que era el temor de Isaac, su padre. 54 Luego Jacob ofreció sacrificios en el monte, y llamó a sus hermanos a comer pan. Después de comer, pasaron la noche en el monte. 55 A la mañana siguiente Labán se levantó y besó a sus hijos y sus hijas, y los bendijo; después de eso se fue de regreso a su lugar.

Footnotes

  1. Génesis 31:47 Arameo, El montón del testimonio.
  2. Génesis 31:47 Heb. El montón del testimonio.
  3. Génesis 31:49 Es decir, Atalaya.

Jacob Flees From Laban

31 Jacob heard that Laban’s sons(A) were saying, “Jacob has taken everything our father owned and has gained all this wealth from what belonged to our father.”(B) And Jacob noticed that Laban’s attitude toward him was not what it had been.(C)

Then the Lord said to Jacob, “Go back(D) to the land of your fathers and to your relatives, and I will be with you.”(E)

So Jacob sent word to Rachel and Leah to come out to the fields where his flocks were. He said to them, “I see that your father’s(F) attitude toward me is not what it was before,(G) but the God of my father has been with me.(H) You know that I’ve worked for your father with all my strength,(I) yet your father has cheated(J) me by changing my wages(K) ten times.(L) However, God has not allowed him to harm me.(M) If he said, ‘The speckled ones will be your wages,’ then all the flocks gave birth to speckled young; and if he said, ‘The streaked ones will be your wages,’(N) then all the flocks bore streaked young. So God has taken away your father’s livestock(O) and has given them to me.(P)

10 “In breeding season I once had a dream(Q) in which I looked up and saw that the male goats mating with the flock were streaked, speckled or spotted. 11 The angel of God(R) said to me in the dream,(S) ‘Jacob.’ I answered, ‘Here I am.’(T) 12 And he said, ‘Look up and see that all the male goats mating with the flock are streaked, speckled or spotted,(U) for I have seen all that Laban has been doing to you.(V) 13 I am the God of Bethel,(W) where you anointed a pillar(X) and where you made a vow(Y) to me. Now leave this land at once and go back to your native land.(Z)’”

14 Then Rachel and Leah replied, “Do we still have any share(AA) in the inheritance of our father’s estate? 15 Does he not regard us as foreigners?(AB) Not only has he sold us, but he has used up what was paid for us.(AC) 16 Surely all the wealth that God took away from our father belongs to us and our children.(AD) So do whatever God has told you.”

17 Then Jacob put his children and his wives(AE) on camels,(AF) 18 and he drove all his livestock ahead of him, along with all the goods he had accumulated(AG) in Paddan Aram,[a](AH) to go to his father Isaac(AI) in the land of Canaan.(AJ)

19 When Laban had gone to shear his sheep,(AK) Rachel stole her father’s household gods.(AL) 20 Moreover, Jacob deceived(AM) Laban the Aramean(AN) by not telling him he was running away.(AO) 21 So he fled(AP) with all he had, crossed the Euphrates River,(AQ) and headed for the hill country of Gilead.(AR)

Laban Pursues Jacob

22 On the third day(AS) Laban was told that Jacob had fled.(AT) 23 Taking his relatives(AU) with him(AV), he pursued Jacob for seven days and caught up with him in the hill country of Gilead.(AW) 24 Then God came to Laban the Aramean(AX) in a dream at night and said to him,(AY) “Be careful not to say anything to Jacob, either good or bad.”(AZ)

25 Jacob had pitched his tent in the hill country of Gilead(BA) when Laban overtook him, and Laban and his relatives camped there too. 26 Then Laban said to Jacob, “What have you done?(BB) You’ve deceived me,(BC) and you’ve carried off my daughters like captives in war.(BD) 27 Why did you run off secretly and deceive me? Why didn’t you tell me,(BE) so I could send you away with joy and singing to the music of timbrels(BF) and harps?(BG) 28 You didn’t even let me kiss my grandchildren and my daughters goodbye.(BH) You have done a foolish thing. 29 I have the power to harm you;(BI) but last night the God of your father(BJ) said to me, ‘Be careful not to say anything to Jacob, either good or bad.’(BK) 30 Now you have gone off because you longed to return to your father’s household.(BL) But why did you steal(BM) my gods?(BN)

31 Jacob answered Laban, “I was afraid, because I thought you would take your daughters away from me by force.(BO) 32 But if you find anyone who has your gods, that person shall not live.(BP) In the presence of our relatives, see for yourself whether there is anything of yours here with me; and if so, take it.” Now Jacob did not know that Rachel had stolen the gods.(BQ)

33 So Laban went into Jacob’s tent and into Leah’s tent(BR) and into the tent of the two female servants,(BS) but he found nothing.(BT) After he came out of Leah’s tent, he entered Rachel’s tent. 34 Now Rachel had taken the household gods(BU) and put them inside her camel’s saddle(BV) and was sitting on them. Laban searched(BW) through everything in the tent but found nothing.

35 Rachel said to her father, “Don’t be angry, my lord, that I cannot stand up in your presence;(BX) I’m having my period.(BY)” So he searched but could not find the household gods.(BZ)

36 Jacob was angry and took Laban to task. “What is my crime?” he asked Laban. “How have I wronged(CA) you that you hunt me down?(CB) 37 Now that you have searched through all my goods, what have you found that belongs to your household?(CC) Put it here in front of your relatives(CD) and mine, and let them judge between the two of us.(CE)

38 “I have been with you for twenty years now.(CF) Your sheep and goats have not miscarried,(CG) nor have I eaten rams from your flocks. 39 I did not bring you animals torn by wild beasts; I bore the loss myself. And you demanded payment from me for whatever was stolen(CH) by day or night.(CI) 40 This was my situation: The heat consumed me in the daytime and the cold at night, and sleep fled from my eyes.(CJ) 41 It was like this for the twenty years(CK) I was in your household. I worked for you fourteen years for your two daughters(CL) and six years for your flocks,(CM) and you changed my wages(CN) ten times.(CO) 42 If the God of my father,(CP) the God of Abraham(CQ) and the Fear of Isaac,(CR) had not been with me,(CS) you would surely have sent me away empty-handed. But God has seen my hardship and the toil of my hands,(CT) and last night he rebuked you.(CU)

43 Laban answered Jacob, “The women are my daughters, the children are my children, and the flocks are my flocks.(CV) All you see is mine. Yet what can I do today about these daughters of mine, or about the children they have borne? 44 Come now, let’s make a covenant,(CW) you and I, and let it serve as a witness between us.”(CX)

45 So Jacob took a stone and set it up as a pillar.(CY) 46 He said to his relatives, “Gather some stones.” So they took stones and piled them in a heap,(CZ) and they ate there by the heap. 47 Laban called it Jegar Sahadutha, and Jacob called it Galeed.[b](DA)

48 Laban said, “This heap(DB) is a witness between you and me today.”(DC) That is why it was called Galeed. 49 It was also called Mizpah,[c](DD) because he said, “May the Lord keep watch between you and me when we are away from each other. 50 If you mistreat(DE) my daughters or if you take any wives besides my daughters, even though no one is with us, remember that God is a witness(DF) between you and me.”(DG)

51 Laban also said to Jacob, “Here is this heap,(DH) and here is this pillar(DI) I have set up between you and me. 52 This heap is a witness, and this pillar is a witness,(DJ) that I will not go past this heap to your side to harm you and that you will not go past this heap(DK) and pillar to my side to harm me.(DL) 53 May the God of Abraham(DM) and the God of Nahor,(DN) the God of their father, judge between us.”(DO)

So Jacob took an oath(DP) in the name of the Fear of his father Isaac.(DQ) 54 He offered a sacrifice(DR) there in the hill country and invited his relatives to a meal.(DS) After they had eaten, they spent the night there.

55 Early the next morning Laban kissed his grandchildren and his daughters(DT) and blessed(DU) them. Then he left and returned home.[d](DV)

Footnotes

  1. Genesis 31:18 That is, Northwest Mesopotamia
  2. Genesis 31:47 The Aramaic Jegar Sahadutha and the Hebrew Galeed both mean witness heap.
  3. Genesis 31:49 Mizpah means watchtower.
  4. Genesis 31:55 In Hebrew texts this verse (31:55) is numbered 32:1.