rought the most desirable and greatest pleasures to her
father, with all their family, who was always mentioning his mother,
and always thinking of her, and her alone; and that this will make thee
equal in his eyes to any advantageous circumstances whatsoever." Then
she bid him go to her father, and follow her while she conducted him to
him; and not to deprive him of such a pleasure, by staying any longer
away from him.

6. When she had said thus, she brought him to Laban; and being owned
by his uncle, he was secure himself, as being among his friends; and he
brought a great deal of pleasure to them by his unexpected coning. But
a little while afterward, Laban told him that he could not express in
words the joy he had at his coming; but still he inquired of him the
occasion of his coming, and why he left his aged mother and father, when
they wanted to be taken care of by him; and that he would afford him all
the assistance he wanted. Then Jacob gave him an account of the whole
occasion of his journey, and told him, "that Isaac had two sons that
were twins, himself and Esau; who, because he failed of his father's
prayers, which by his mother's wisdom were put up for him, sought to
kill him, as deprived of the kingdom [34] which was to be given him of
God, and of the blessings for which their father prayed; and that this
was the occasion of his coming hither, as his mother had commanded him
to do: for we are all [says he] brethren one to another; but our mother
esteems an alliance with your family more than she does one with the
families of the country; so I look upon yourself and God to be
the supporters of my travels, and think myself safe in my present
circumstances."

7. Now Laban promised to treat him with great humanity, both on account
of his ancestors, and particularly for the sake of his mother, towards
whom, he said, he would show his kindness, even though she were absent,
by taking care of him; for he assured him he would make him the head
shepherd of his flock, and give him authority sufficient for that
purpose; and when he should have a mind to return to his parents, he
would send him back with presents, and this in as honorable a manner as
the nearness of their relation should require. This Jacob heard gladly;
and said he would willingly, and with pleasure, undergo any sort of
pains while he tarried with him, but desired Rachel to wife, as the
reward of those pains, who was not only on other accounts esteem