Israel

And when Jacob awaked out of sleep, he said: Indeed the Lord is in this place, and I knew it not.

And Jacob arising in the morning, took the stone which he had laid under his head, and set it up for a title, pouring oil upon the top of it.

And he made a vow, saying: If God shall be with me, and shall keep me in the way, by which I walk, and shall give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on,

Then Jacob went on in his journey, and came into the east country.

And he said to the shepherds: Brethren, whence are you? They answered: Of Haran.

And when Jacob saw her, and knew her to be his cousin german, and that they were the sheep of Laban, his uncle: he removed the stone wherewith the well was closed.

And having watered the flock, he kissed her: and lifting up his voice wept.

And he told her that he was her father's brother, and the son of Rebecca: but she went in haste and told her father.

Who, when he heard that Jacob his sister's son was come, ran forth to meet him: and embracing him, and heartily kissing him, brought him into his house. And when he had heard the causes of his journey,

He said to him: Because thou art my brother, shalt thou serve me without wages? Tell me what wages thou wilt have.

And Jacob being in love with her, said: I will serve thee seven years for Rachel, thy younger daughter.

So Jacob served seven years for Rachel: and they seemed but a few days, because of the greatness of his love.

And he said to Laban: Give me my wife; for now the time is fulfilled, that I may go in unto her.

He yielded to his pleasure: and after the week was past, he married Rachel:

And Rachel seeing herself without children, envied her sister, and said to her husband: Give me children, otherwise I shall die.

And Jacob being angry with her, answered: Am I as God, who hath deprived thee of the fruit of thy womb?

And she gave him Bala in marriage: who,

When her husband had gone in unto her, conceived and bore a son.

And again Bala conceived, and bore another,

Lia perceiving that she had left of bearing, gave Zelpha, her handmaid, to her husband.

And when she had conceived, and brought forth a son,

Zelpha also bore another.

And when Jacob returned at even from the field, Lia went out to meet him, and said: Thou shalt come in unto me, because I have hired thee for my son's mandrakes. And he slept with her that night.

And God heard her prayers; and she conceived: and bore a fifth son:

And Lia conceived again, and bore the sixth son,