Genesis 31:26-35
Genesis 31:26-35 TPT
Laban approached Jacob and said, “Nephew, what have you done? You’ve deceived me and carried away my daughters like captives on a battlefield. Why did you trick me and run away in secret without telling me? I would have sent you off joyously, celebrating with singing and dancing to the tambourine and stringed instruments. And why did you not even let me kiss my daughters and grandchildren goodbye? What you have done is foolish! I could harm you, but the God of your father spoke to me in a dream last night, saying, ‘Be careful that you neither harm nor threaten Jacob.’ Now I realize you ran away because you desperately long to return to your father’s house, but why did you steal my gods?” “I left in a hurry because I was afraid,” Jacob answered, “and I thought you would take your daughters from me by force. Whoever has taken your gods will be put to death! So here, in the presence of our relatives, if you can find among our possessions anything that is yours, take it.” Now Jacob had no clue that Rachel had stolen the gods. Laban went immediately into Jacob’s tent to search. Then he went into the tents of Zilpah and Bilhah but found nothing. After searching Leah’s tent, he went into Rachel’s. Now Rachel had taken the family gods and put them in her camel’s cushion and sat on them. She said to her father, “Please my father, don’t be angry if I don’t rise before you, for I’m having my period.” When he rummaged through her tent, he did not find them.