Genesis 31:13-31
English Standard Version
Chapter 31
13I am the God of Bethel, where you anointed a pillar and made a vow to me. Now arise, go out from this land and return to the land of your kindred.’" 14Then Rachel and Leah answered and said to him, "Is there any portion or inheritance left to us in our father 's house? 15Are we not regarded by him as foreigners? For he has sold us, and he has indeed devoured our money. 16All the wealth that God has taken away from our father belongs to us and to our children. Now then, whatever God has said to you, do."
17So Jacob arose and set his sons and his wives on camels.
18He drove away all his livestock, all his property that he had gained, the livestock in his possession that he had acquired in Paddan-aram, to go to the land of Canaan to his father Isaac.
19Laban had gone to shear his sheep, and Rachel stole her father 's household gods.
20And Jacob tricked Laban the Aramean, by not telling him that he intended to flee.
21He fled with all that he had and arose and crossed the Euphrates, and set his face toward the hill country of Gilead.
22When it was told Laban on the third day that Jacob had fled,
23he took his kinsmen with him and pursued him for seven days and followed close after him into the hill country of Gilead.
24But God came to Laban the Aramean in a dream by night and said to him, "Be careful not to say anything to Jacob, either good or bad."
25And Laban overtook Jacob. Now Jacob had pitched his tent in the hill country, and Laban with his kinsmen pitched tents in the hill country of Gilead.
26And Laban said to Jacob, "What have you done, that you have tricked me and driven away my daughters like captives of the sword?
27Why did you flee secretly and trick me, and did not tell me, so that I might have sent you away with mirth and songs, with tambourine and lyre?
28And why did you not permit me to kiss my sons and my daughters farewell? Now you have done foolishly.
29It is in my power to do you harm. But the God of your father spoke to me last night, saying, ‘Be careful not to say anything to Jacob, either good or bad.’
30And now you have gone away because you longed greatly for your father 's house, but why did you steal my gods?"
31Jacob answered and said to Laban, "Because I was afraid, for I thought that you would take your daughters from me by force.
