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.

⁷ The Lord said, “I have indeed seen^(A) the misery^(B) of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned^(C) about their suffering.^(D)