Genesis 31:17-35

New International Version

¹⁷ Then Jacob put his children and his wives^(A) on camels,^{(B) 18} and he drove all his livestock ahead of him, along with all the goods he had accumulated^(C) in Paddan Aram,^[a](D) to go to his father Isaac^(E) in the land of Canaan.^(F)

¹⁹ When Laban had gone to shear his sheep,^(G) Rachel stole her father’s household gods.^{(H) 20} Moreover, Jacob deceived^(I) Laban the Aramean^(J) by not telling him he was running away.^{(K) 21} So he fled^(L) with all he had, crossed the Euphrates River,^(M) and headed for the hill country of Gilead.^(N)

Laban Pursues Jacob

²² On the third day^(O) Laban was told that Jacob had fled.^{(P) 23} Taking his relatives^(Q) with him^(R), he pursued Jacob for seven days and caught up with him in the hill country of Gilead.^{(S) 24} Then God came to Laban the Aramean^(T) in a dream at night and said to him,^(U) “Be careful not to say anything to Jacob, either good or bad.”^(V)

²⁵ Jacob had pitched his tent in the hill country of Gilead^(W) when Laban overtook him, and Laban and his relatives camped there too. ²⁶ Then Laban said to Jacob, “What have you done?^(X) You’ve deceived me,^(Y) and you’ve carried off my daughters like captives in war.^{(Z) 27} Why did you run off secretly and deceive me? Why didn’t you tell me,^(AA) so I could send you away with joy and singing to the music of timbrels^(AB) and harps?^{(AC) 28} You didn’t even let me kiss my grandchildren and my daughters goodbye.^(AD) You have done a foolish thing. ²⁹ I have the power to harm you;^(AE) but last night the God of your father^(AF) said to me, ‘Be careful not to say anything to Jacob, either good or bad.’^{(AG) 30} Now you have gone off because you longed to return to your father’s household.^(AH) But why did you steal^(AI) my gods?^(AJ)”

³¹ Jacob answered Laban, “I was afraid, because I thought you would take your daughters away from me by force.^{(AK) 32} But if you find anyone who has your gods, that person shall not live.^(AL) In the presence of our relatives, see for yourself whether there is anything of yours here with me; and if so, take it.” Now Jacob did not know that Rachel had stolen the gods.^(AM)

³³ So Laban went into Jacob’s tent and into Leah’s tent^(AN) and into the tent of the two female servants,^(AO) but he found nothing.^(AP) After he came out of Leah’s tent, he entered Rachel’s tent. ³⁴ Now Rachel had taken the household gods^(AQ) and put them inside her camel’s saddle^(AR) and was sitting on them. Laban searched^(AS) through everything in the tent but found nothing.

³⁵ Rachel said to her father, “Don’t be angry, my lord, that I cannot stand up in your presence;^(AT) I’m having my period.^(AU)” So he searched but could not find the household gods.^(AV)