Bible Society of South Africa

Season after Pentecost: Ninth Sunday after Pentecost

First reading and Psalm

Jacob Serves Laban for Rachel and Leah

15Laban said to Jacob, “You shouldn't work for me for nothing just because you are my relative. How much pay do you want?” 16Laban had two daughters; the elder was named Leah, and the younger Rachel. 17Leah had lovely eyes, but Rachel was shapely and beautiful.

18Jacob was in love with Rachel, so he said, “I will work seven years for you, if you will let me marry Rachel.”

19Laban answered, “I would rather give her to you than to anyone else; stay here with me.” 20Jacob worked seven years so that he could have Rachel, and the time seemed like only a few days to him, because he loved her.

21Then Jacob said to Laban, “The time is up; let me marry your daughter.” 22So Laban gave a wedding feast and invited everyone. 23But that night, instead of Rachel, he took Leah to Jacob, and Jacob had intercourse with her. 24(Laban gave his slave woman Zilpah to his daughter Leah as her maid.) 25Not until the next morning did Jacob discover that it was Leah. He went to Laban and said, “Why did you do this to me? I worked to get Rachel. Why have you tricked me?”

26Laban answered, “It is not the custom here to give the younger daughter in marriage before the elder. 27Wait until the week's marriage celebrations are over, and I will give you Rachel, if you will work for me another seven years.”

28Jacob agreed, and when the week of marriage celebrations was over, Laban gave him his daughter Rachel as his wife.

Genesis 29:15-28GNBOpen in Bible reader

God and his People

1Give thanks to the LORD, proclaim his greatness;

tell the nations what he has done.

2Sing praise to the LORD;

tell of the wonderful things he has done.

3Be glad that we belong to him;

let all who worship him rejoice.

4Go to the LORD for help;

and worship him continually.

5-6You descendants of Abraham, his servant;

you descendants of Jacob, the man he chose:

remember the miracles that God performed

and the judgements that he gave.

7The LORD is our God;

his commands are for all the world.

8He will keep his covenant for ever,

his promises for a thousand generations.

9He will keep the agreement he made with Abraham

and his promise to Isaac.

10The LORD made a covenant with Jacob,

one that will last for ever.

11“I will give you the land of Canaan,” he said.

“It will be your own possession.”

Psalms 105:1-11GNBOpen in Bible reader

45so that his people would obey his laws

and keep all his commands.

Praise the LORD!

Psalms 105:45GNBOpen in Bible reader

The Reward of Obedience to the LORD

1Happy are those who obey the LORD,

who live by his commands.

2Your work will provide for your needs;

you will be happy and prosperous.

3Your wife will be like a fruitful vine in your home,

and your children will be like young olive trees round your table.

4A man who obeys the LORD

will surely be blessed like this.

5May the LORD bless you from Zion!

May you see Jerusalem prosper

all the days of your life!

6May you live to see your grandchildren!

Peace be with Israel!

Psalms 128:1-6GNBOpen in Bible reader
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