17-18 So Jacob got ready to go back to his father in the land of Canaan. He put his children and his wives on the camels, and drove all his flocks ahead of him, with everything that he had acquired in Mesopotamia.
19 Laban had gone to shear his sheep, and during his absence Rachel stole the household gods that belonged to her father.
20 Jacob deceived Laban by not letting him know that he was leaving.
21 He took everything he owned and left in a hurry. He crossed the River Euphrates and started for the hill country of Gilead.
22 Three days later Laban was told that Jacob had fled.
23 He took his men with him and pursued Jacob for seven days until he caught up with him in the hill country of Gilead.
24 In a dream that night God came to Laban and said to him, “Be careful not to threaten Jacob in any way.”