Jacob

Not yet affirming knees bent only
To the god who met him at Bethel,
His fleece not yet answered,
Jacob flees Laban.

What mortal soul is not haunted
By the Seven Sins?
What righteous man caught in a moment
Might not speak by Pride?

“Let the one found with the teraphim die!”
Speaks Jacob,
Run down by Laban,
Accused of having stolen the idol-gods.

What mortal wife has not suffered
From a husband’s mistake?
From an oath heard in heaven,
Rachel must die—

Ben-oni renamed
To Benjamin.


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