¹⁵ Laban said to him, “Just because you are a relative^(A) of mine, should you work for me for nothing? Tell me what your wages^(B) should be.”

¹⁶ Now Laban had two daughters; the name of the older was Leah,^(C) and the name of the younger was Rachel.^{(D) 17} Leah had weak^[a] eyes, but Rachel^(E) had a lovely figure and was beautiful.^{(F) 18} Jacob was in love with Rachel^(G) and said, “I’ll work for you seven years in return for your younger daughter Rachel.”^(H)

¹⁹ Laban said, “It’s better that I give her to you than to some other man. Stay here with me.” ²⁰ So Jacob served seven years to get Rachel,^(I) but they seemed like only a few days to him because of his love for her.^(J)

²⁸ And we know that in all things God works for the good^(A) of those who love him, who^[a] have been called^(B) according to his purpose.^(C)

Trials and Temptations

² Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,^[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds,^{(A) 3} because you know that the testing of your faith^(B) produces perseverance.^{(C) 4} Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature^(D) and complete, not lacking anything.

⁶ In all this you greatly rejoice,^(A) though now for a little while^(B) you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.^{(C) 7} These have come so that the proven genuineness^(D) of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire^(E)—may result in praise, glory and honor^(F) when Jesus Christ is revealed.^{(G) 8} Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him^(H) and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy,