20. Jacob tricked Laban the Aramean by not saying that he intended to leave.
21. When Jacob crossed the River Euphrates and headed for the hill country of Gilead, he took with him everything he owned.
22. Three days later Laban found out that Jacob had gone.
23. So he took some of his relatives along and chased after Jacob for seven days, before catching up with him in the hill country of Gilead.
24. But God appeared to Laban in a dream that night and warned, “Don't say a word to Jacob. Don't make a threat or a promise.”
25. Jacob had set up camp in the hill country of Gilead, when Laban and his relatives came and set up camp in another part of the hill country. Laban went to Jacob
26. and said:Look what you've done! You've tricked me and run off with my daughters like a kidnapper.
27. Why did you sneak away without telling me? I would have given you a going-away party with singing and with music on tambourines and harps.
28. You didn't even give me a chance to kiss my own grandchildren and daughters goodbye. That was really foolish.
29. I could easily hurt you, but the God your father worshipped has warned me not to make any threats or promises.
30. I can understand why you were eager to return to your father, but why did you have to steal my idols?
31. Jacob answered, “I left secretly because I was afraid you would take your daughters from me by force.
32. If you find that any one of us has taken your idols, I'll have that person killed. Let your relatives be witnesses. Show me what belongs to you, and you can take it back.” Jacob did not realize that Rachel had stolen the household idols.
33. Laban searched the tents of Jacob, Leah, and the two servant women, but did not find the idols. Then he started for Rachel's tent.