Access to current version restricted. 1910 Characters =~1.9Min. Reading Time JACOB (to Laban) Send me on my way, so I can go to my own place, my country, [and recover my lost fortune].
LABAN (scoffs) Never!
JACOB Let me take my wives and my children, for whom I've [paid by] serving you—
LABAN About that...
JACOB Let me go. You know [what great] service I've given to you.
LABAN (answers Jacob) Please, if I've found favor in your eyes, stay.
JACOB Why?
LABAN I've learned by divination that Yahweh is blessing me because [I'm connected with] you.
JACOB 'Don't care.
LABAN (sneaky-eyed) Name your wage, and I'll pay it.
JACOB (sneaky-eyed) You know how I've served you, and how your cattle prospered under my care.
LABAN My workers helped.
JACOB When I came here [to parched Haran] your herd was tiny!
LABAN Medium.
JACOB But [to bless me, YAH] multiplied [your herd] into a swarm!
LABAN Time works its magic.
JACOB Yahweh blessed YOU wherever I went.
LABAN Coincidence.
JACOB But when do I get to provide for MY family?
LABAN What can I give you to keep you here?
JACOB Don't GIVE me anything.
LABAN Nothing?
JOSEPH Only if you do one thing for me, will I come back and feed and guard your flocks:
LABAN Okay.
JACOB I'll [ride a camel] through your whole flock today, culling out all the speckled or spotted cattle and goats, plus all the brown sheep. [You will continue to own these animals, but] their offspring will be my pay.
LABAN That's it?
JACOB And my honesty will testify for me in the future, whenever you check on the wages you've paid me. Any goat in my possession that is not speckled or spotted, or any lamb that is not dark-colored, [you] can say I stole [and collect damages].
LABAN [Let's] do what you just said.
Jacob slyly smiles, (knowing Laban doesn't see that Jacob has been playing a confidence game, and finally Jacob's about to cash in).
The Baby-Making War