Jacob’s Flocks Increase

²⁵ After Rachel gave birth to Joseph, Jacob said to Laban, “Send me on my way^(A) so I can go back to my own homeland.^{(B) 26} Give me my wives and children, for whom I have served you,^(C) and I will be on my way. You know how much work I’ve done for you.”

²⁷ But Laban said to him, “If I have found favor in your eyes,^(D) please stay. I have learned by divination^(E) that the Lord has blessed me because of you.”^{(F) 28} He added, “Name your wages,^(G) and I will pay them.”

²⁹ Jacob said to him, “You know how I have worked for you^(H) and how your livestock has fared under my care.^{(I) 30} The little you had before I came has increased greatly, and the Lord has blessed you wherever I have been.^(J) But now, when may I do something for my own household?^(K)”

³¹ “What shall I give you?” he asked.

“Don’t give me anything,” Jacob replied. “But if you will do this one thing for me, I will go on tending your flocks and watching over them: ³² Let me go through all your flocks today and remove from them every speckled or spotted sheep, every dark-colored lamb and every spotted or speckled goat.^(L) They will be my wages.^{(M) 33} And my honesty will testify for me in the future, whenever you check on the wages you have paid me. Any goat in my possession that is not speckled or spotted, or any lamb that is not dark-colored,^(N) will be considered stolen.^(O)”

³⁴ “Agreed,” said Laban. “Let it be as you have said.” ³⁵ That same day he removed all the male goats that were streaked or spotted, and all the speckled or spotted female goats (all that had white on them) and all the dark-colored lambs,^(P) and he placed them in the care of his sons.^{(Q) 36} Then he put a three-day journey^(R) between himself and Jacob, while Jacob continued to tend the rest of Laban’s flocks.

³⁷ Jacob, however, took fresh-cut branches from poplar, almond^(S) and plane trees^(T) and made white stripes on them by peeling the bark and exposing the white inner wood of the branches.^{(U) 38} Then he placed the peeled branches^(V) in all the watering troughs,^(W) so that they would be directly in front of the flocks when they came to drink. When the flocks were in heat^(X) and came to drink, ³⁹ they mated in front of the branches.^(Y) And they bore young that were streaked or speckled or spotted.^{(Z) 40} Jacob set apart the young of the flock by themselves, but made the rest face the streaked and dark-colored animals^(AA) that belonged to Laban. Thus he made separate flocks for himself and did not put them with Laban’s animals. ⁴¹ Whenever the stronger females were in heat,^(AB) Jacob would place the branches in the troughs in front of the animals so they would mate near the branches,^{(AC) 42} but if the animals were weak, he would not place them there. So the weak animals went to Laban and the strong ones to Jacob.^{(AD) 43} In this way the man grew exceedingly prosperous and came to own large flocks, and female and male servants, and camels and donkeys.^(AE)

The Call of Abram

12 The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household^(A) to the land^(B) I will show you.^(C)

²² Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. ²³ Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, ²⁴ since you know that you will receive an inheritance^(A) from the Lord as a reward.^(B) It is the Lord Christ you are serving. ²⁵ Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for their wrongs, and there is no favoritism.^(C)

¹⁸ Slaves, in reverent fear of God submit yourselves to your masters,^(A) not only to those who are good and considerate,^(B) but also to those who are harsh. ¹⁹ For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God.^{(C) 20} But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.^(D)

⁹ Do not repay evil with evil^(A) or insult with insult.^(B) On the contrary, repay evil with blessing,^(C) because to this^(D) you were called^(E) so that you may inherit a blessing.^(F)

⁶ Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.^{(A) 7} Cast all your anxiety on him^(B) because he cares for you.^(C)