Jacob went away from home, and when the sun was set he lighted upon a certain place and tarried there all night; and he took a stone, and put it under his head and slept. And he dreamed that a ladder was set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven, and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. And the Lord stood above it and said: I am the God of Abraham and of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it and to thy seed; and thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth; and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed. And I will be with thee and bring thee again into this land. When Jacob awoke he said: How dreadful is this place! This is the house of God, this is the gate of heaven! Jacob journeyed eastward and came to Laban, his mother’s brother, and he abode with him the space of a month. Then Laban said to him: What shall thy wages be? And Laban had two daughters, Leah and Rachel; and Rachel was beautiful. Therefore Jacob said: I will serve thee seven years for Rachel. And the seven years seemed unto him but a few days, for he loved her. When the seven years were finished Laban gave Leah to him: Jacob said: Did I not serve with thee for Rachel? Wherefore then hast thou beguiled me? Laban said: It is not customary with us to give away the younger before the firstborn. Fulfil the week of this one, and we will give thee the other also. Jacob did so, and then Laban gave him Rachel to wife. Then Jacob had to serve seven other years for Rachel. Afterward he served six years for wages, and God blessed him, so he became very rich. When he saw that Laban became envious of this he went away with his wives and children and all that he had. (Gen. 28-29.) 17. Jacob Meets Esau When Jacob drew near to Canaan, he sent messengers to Esau to find favor in his sight. The messengers returned and said: Thy brother is coming to meet thee, and 400 men with him. Then Jacob was greatly afraid, and he sent a present from his herds and flocks to Esau, and prayed earnestly to the Lord. And the Lord appeared unto him as a man that wrestled with him. But Jacob held out manfully and said: I will not let thee go, except thou bless me. God blessed him, and called him Israel, that is, one who strives with God. When Jacob saw Esau he bowed himself to the ground seven times; but Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him and kissed him, and they both wept.--Isaac died old (180 years) and full of days, and Esau and Jacob buried him. (Gen. 32; 33; 35:28-29.) 18. Joseph Sold by His Brothers