26. You know how hard I've worked for you, so let me take my wives and children and leave.”
27-28. But Laban told him, “If you really are my friend, stay on, and I'll pay whatever you ask. I'm sure the Lord has blessed me because of you.”
29. Jacob answered:You've seen how hard I've worked for you, and you know how your flocks and herds have grown under my care.
30. You didn't have much before I came, but the Lord has blessed everything I have ever done for you. Now it's time for me to start looking after my own family.
31. “How much do you want me to pay you?” Laban asked.Then Jacob told him:I don't want you to pay me anything. Just do one thing, and I'll take care of your sheep and goats.
32. Let me go through your flocks and herds and take the sheep and goats that are either spotted or speckled and the black lambs. That's all you need to give me.
33. In the future you can easily find out if I've been honest. Just look and see if my animals are either spotted or speckled, or if the lambs are black. If they aren't, they've been stolen from you.