A
Laban said to Jacob, "Because you are my kinsman, should
you therefore serve me for nothing? Tell me, what shall your wages be?"
Now Laban had two daughters; the name of the elder
was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel. Leah's eyes were lovely, and
Rachel was graceful and beautiful. Jacob loved Rachel; so he said, "I will
serve you seven years for your younger daughter Rachel." Laban said, "It is better that I give her to you than
that I should give her to any other man; stay with me." So Jacob served
seven years for Rachel, and they seemed to him but a few days because of the
love he had for her. Then Jacob said to Laban, "Give me my wife that I may go in to her, for
my time is completed." So Laban gathered
together all the people of the place, and made a feast. But in the evening he
took his daughter Leah and brought her to Jacob; and he went in to her. (Laban gave his maid Zilpah to his
daughter Leah to be her maid.) When morning came, it was Leah! And Jacob said
to Laban, "What is this you have done to me? Did
I not serve with you for Rachel? Why then have you deceived me?" Laban said, "This is not done in our country-- giving
the younger before the firstborn. Complete the week of this one, and we will
give you the other also in return for serving me another seven years."
Jacob did so, and completed her week; then Laban gave
him his daughter Rachel as a wife.