So shall my righteousness answer for me in time to come, when it shall come for my hire before thy face: every one that is not speckled and spotted among the goats, and brown among the sheep, that shall be counted stolen with me.
My honesty will speak for itself in the future when you come to check on my wages. Any goat that isn't speckled or spotted, or any sheep that isn't brown, found among my flocks will be considered stolen by me.
Jacob is saying his integrity will be proven by the clear agreement they're making - any animals that don't match the specified markings in his flock will be evidence of theft.
📚 Historical Context
This verse comes from Jacob's negotiation with his father-in-law Laban about wages for tending Laban's flocks. Jacob had worked for Laban for many years, often being cheated of fair compensation. Here Jacob proposes to take only the spotted, speckled goats and brown sheep as his wages, leaving the solid-colored animals with Laban.
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