Genesis 31

Laban and his sons envy Jacob, Genesis 31:1 , Genesis 31:2 ; on which he is commanded by the Lord to return to his own country, Genesis 31:3 . Having called his wives together, he lays before them a detailed statement of his situation in reference to their father, Genesis 31:4-5 ; the services he had rendered him, Genesis 31:6 ; the various attempts made by Laban to defraud him of his hire, Genesis 31:7 ; how, by God's providence, his evil designs had been counteracted, Genesis 31:8-12 ; and then informs them that he is now called to return to his own country, Genesis 31:13 . To the proposal of an immediate departure, Leah and Rachel agree; and strengthen the propriety of the measure by additional reasons, Genesis 31:14-16 ; on which Jacob collects all his family, his flocks and his goods, and prepares for his departure, Genesis 31:17 , Genesis 31:18 . Laban having gone to shear his sheep, Rachel secretes his images, Genesis 31:19 . Jacob and his family, unknown to Laban, take their departure, Genesis 31:20 , Genesis 31:21 . On the third day Laban is informed of their flight, Genesis 31:22 ; and pursues them to Mount Gilead, Genesis 31:23 . God appears to Laban in a dream, and warns him not to molest Jacob, Genesis 31:24 . He comes up with Jacob at Mount Gilead, Genesis 31:25 ; reproaches him with his clandestine departure, Genesis 31:26-29 ; and charges him with having stolen his gods, Genesis 31:30 . Jacob vindicates himself, and protests his innocence in the matter of the theft, Genesis 31:31 , Genesis 31:32 . Laban makes a general search for his images in Jacob's, Leah's, Bilhah's, and Zilpah's tents; and not finding them, proceeds to examine Rachel's, Genesis 31:33 . Rachel, having hidden them among the camel's furniture, sat upon them, Genesis 31:34 ; and making a delicate excuse for not rising up, Laban desists from farther search, Genesis 31:35 . Jacob, ignorant of Rachel's theft, reproaches Laban for his suspicions, Genesis 31:36 , Genesis 31:37 ; enumerates his long and faithful services, his fatigues, and Laban's injustice, Genesis 31:38-41 ; and shows that it was owing to God's goodness alone that he had any property, Genesis 31:42 . Laban is moderated, and proposes a covenant, Genesis 31:43 , Genesis 31:44 . Jacob sets up a stone, and the rest bring stones and make a heap, which Laban calleth Jegar-Sahadutha, and Jacob Galeed, Genesis 31:45-47 . They make a covenant, and confirm it by an oath, Genesis 31:48-53 . Jacob offers a sacrifice; they eat together; and Laban and his companions, having lodged in the mount all night, take a friendly leave of Jacob and his family next morning, and depart, Genesis 31:54 , Genesis 31:55 .