Then the LORD said to Jacob, “Go back to the land of your fathers and to your relatives, and I will be with you.”
So Jacob sent word to Rachel and Leah. Then Rachel and Leah replied, “Do we still have any share in the inheritance of our father’s estate? Does he not regard us as foreigners? Not only has he sold us, but he has used up what was paid for us. So do whatever God has told you.”
Then Jacob put his children and his wives on camels, and he drove all his livestock ahead of him, to go to his father Isaac in the land of Canaan.
Rachel stole her father’s household gods.
Laban pursued Jacob for seven days and caught up with him. Then God came to Laban in a dream at night and said to him, “Be careful not to say anything to Jacob, either good or bad.”
Jacob had pitched his tent in the hill country of Gilead when Laban overtook him. Then Laban said to Jacob, “Why did you steal my gods?”
Jacob answered Laban, “If you find anyone who has your gods, he shall not live. 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.
Now Rachel had taken the household gods and put them inside her camel’s saddle and was sitting on them. Laban searched through everything in the tent but found nothing. Rachel said to her father, “Don’t be angry, my lord, that I cannot stand up in your presence; I’m having my period.” So he searched but could not find the household gods.
Laban answered Jacob, “Come now, let’s make a covenant, you and I, and let it serve as a witness between us.” So Jacob took a stone and set it up as a pillar.
Early the next morning Laban kissed his grandchildren and his daughters and blessed them. Then he left and returned home.
New International Version ©1984, Abrdgd, EMPHASES Added