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Genesis 31:17-35
English Standard Version
Genesis 31:17-35
English Standard Version
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 (A)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 (B)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 (C)Euphrates,[b] and (D)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 (E)in a dream by night and said to him, “Be careful not to say anything to Jacob, (F)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 (G)tricked me and driven away my daughters like captives of the sword? 27 Why did you flee secretly (H)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 (I)to kiss my sons and my daughters farewell? Now you have done foolishly. 29 It is (J)in my power to do you harm. But the (K)God of your[c] father spoke to me last night, saying, ‘Be careful not to say anything to Jacob, (L)either good or bad.’ 30 And now you have gone away because you longed greatly for your father's house, but why did you (M)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 (N)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 (O)rise before you, for the way of women is upon me.” So he searched but did not find the household gods.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Genesis 31:20 Hebrew stole the heart of; also verses 26, 27
- Genesis 31:21 Hebrew the River
- Genesis 31:29 The Hebrew for your is plural here
Genesis 31:17-35
New International Version
Genesis 31:17-35
New International Version
17 Then Jacob put his children and his wives(A) on camels,(B) 18 and he drove all his livestock ahead of him, along with all the goods he had accumulated(C) in Paddan Aram,[a](D) to go to his father Isaac(E) in the land of Canaan.(F)
19 When Laban had gone to shear his sheep,(G) Rachel stole her father’s household gods.(H) 20 Moreover, Jacob deceived(I) Laban the Aramean(J) by not telling him he was running away.(K) 21 So he fled(L) with all he had, crossed the Euphrates River,(M) and headed for the hill country of Gilead.(N)
Laban Pursues Jacob
22 On the third day(O) Laban was told that Jacob had fled.(P) 23 Taking his relatives(Q) with him(R), he pursued Jacob for seven days and caught up with him in the hill country of Gilead.(S) 24 Then God came to Laban the Aramean(T) in a dream at night and said to him,(U) “Be careful not to say anything to Jacob, either good or bad.”(V)
25 Jacob had pitched his tent in the hill country of Gilead(W) when Laban overtook him, and Laban and his relatives camped there too. 26 Then Laban said to Jacob, “What have you done?(X) You’ve deceived me,(Y) and you’ve carried off my daughters like captives in war.(Z) 27 Why did you run off secretly and deceive me? Why didn’t you tell me,(AA) so I could send you away with joy and singing to the music of timbrels(AB) and harps?(AC) 28 You didn’t even let me kiss my grandchildren and my daughters goodbye.(AD) You have done a foolish thing. 29 I have the power to harm you;(AE) but last night the God of your father(AF) said to me, ‘Be careful not to say anything to Jacob, either good or bad.’(AG) 30 Now you have gone off because you longed to return to your father’s household.(AH) But why did you steal(AI) my gods?(AJ)”
31 Jacob answered Laban, “I was afraid, because I thought you would take your daughters away from me by force.(AK) 32 But if you find anyone who has your gods, that person shall not live.(AL) 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.(AM)
33 So Laban went into Jacob’s tent and into Leah’s tent(AN) and into the tent of the two female servants,(AO) but he found nothing.(AP) After he came out of Leah’s tent, he entered Rachel’s tent. 34 Now Rachel had taken the household gods(AQ) and put them inside her camel’s saddle(AR) and was sitting on them. Laban searched(AS) 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;(AT) I’m having my period.(AU)” So he searched but could not find the household gods.(AV)
Footnotes
- Genesis 31:18 That is, Northwest Mesopotamia
English Standard Version (ESV) 
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
New International Version (NIV) 
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NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.