As we have gone through the book of Genesis one chapter at a time, this series has been a work in progress. I started Read the Bible as something of an experiment, not sure how well things would work out. There have been changes in an effort to get better; the goal is to settle down at some point once we have the bugs worked out. I know that some of you would like to read along as I read out loud. What I am reading begins with the KJV text and then I make adjustments to update some of the archaic language. It is not a published translation, I have no desire to create my own paraphrase; but I cannot read any modern translation in its entirety because of copyright laws nor do I want to read a public domain text such as the KJV or ASV. But what if, for the benefit of those who wish to see what I am saying, the text was included with each post?

We’re gonna try it. No one has voiced any objections yet but I can imagine what some might say. The KJV only people are not interested in any modern translation nor in hearing about why one is needed; so they are not here. Modern translation range from formal equivalence to dynamic; there are “word for word” translations and “thought for thought” translations. Maybe readers of modern translations that understand translation philosophy – and the balance I’m trying to strike between reading the Bible and not violating any laws – will show some grace. Like I said, we are going to try this. If you prefer ESV, NASB, CSB or NIV then you should read what you like and understand. I try to only change words and phrases that multiple translations agree on; and discuss when there is no agreement or the meaning varies.

Okay, that’s enough of that. What follows is the Genesis 28 text that you will hear me read on the audio recording. We can discuss in the comments anything you wish, from translation choices and Hebrew meanings to the events in the narrative. Now taking questions, comments and complaints in the comment section.

Genesis 28 

Isaac called Jacob, and blessed him, and charged him saying “You shall not take a wife of the daughters of Canaan.

2 Arise, go to Paddan-aram, to the house of Bethuel, your mother’s father; and take a wife for yourself from the daughters of Laban your mother’s brother.

3 May God Almighty bless you and make you fruitful and multiply you, that you may become a multitude of people;

4 And give you the blessing of Abraham, and to your offspring; that you may inherit the land in which you are a stranger, which God gave to Abraham.”

5 Isaac sent away Jacob: and he went to Paddan-aram to Laban, son of Bethuel the Syrian, the brother of Rebekah, Jacob and Esau’s mother.

6 When Esau saw that Isaac had blessed Jacob, and sent him away to Paddan-aram, to take a wife from there; and that as he blessed him he gave him a charge, saying, “You shall not take a wife of the daughters of Canaan;”

7 And that Jacob obeyed his father and his mother, and was gone to Paddan-aram;

8 And Esau seeing that the daughters of Canaan did not please his father Isaac;

9 Then Esau went to Ishmael and took, in addition to the wives he had, Mahalath the daughter of Ishmael Abraham’s son, the sister of Nebajoth, to be his wife.

10 Jacob went out from Beersheba, and went toward Haran.

11 And he came to a certain place, and stayed there all night, because the sun was set. And he took one of the stones of that place, and used it for his pillow, and lay down in that place to sleep.

12 As he dreamed, behold there was a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it.

13 And behold, the LORD above it, and said, I am the LORD God of Abraham your father, and the God of Isaac: the land on which you lie, I will give it to you and your offspring;

14 You offspring shall be as the dust of the earth, and you shall spread abroad to the west, to the east, to the north, and to the south. In you and your offspring shall all the families of the earth be blessed.

15 Behold, I am with you, and will keep you in all places wherever you go, and will bring you again into this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”

16 Jacob awoke from sleep, and said, “Surely the LORD is in this place; and I did not know it.”

17 And he was afraid, and said “How awesome is this place! This is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.”

18 Jacob rose up early in the morning, and took the stone that he had for his pillow, and set it up for a pillar, and poured oil on top of it.

19 And he called the name of that place Bethel: but the name of that city was called Luz at the first.

20 And Jacob made a vow, saying “If God will be with me, and keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat and clothing to wear,

21 So that I come again to my father’s house in peace; then the LORD will be my God:

22 And this stone, which I have set for a pillar, shall be God’s house: and of all that you will give me I will surely give a tenth to you.”