亲爱的小文：

你注意到警察局里消防车上的云梯（ladder）了吗？那种梯子升起来很高，可高出一百英尺。美国underworldslang把ladder叫做jacob，你知道是谁吗？

jacobwasthesonofisaac,andthefatherofthe12sonswhofoundedthetwelvetribesofisrael,accordingtotheoldtestament.heboughthisolderbrotheresausbirthrightwithabowlofsavorystew（“messofpottage”）.later,jacobenforcedhisclaimbypretendingtohisblindandagedfatherthathehimselfwasesau.thus,heobtainedfromisaacthewordsofblessingisaachadmeantforesau.esauwassoangrythatjacobfledforhislife.

onthewaytohisunclelaban,jacobsleptataplacecalledbethel,wherehedreamedofawonderfulladderbetweenheavenandearth.inthedream,godpromisedtoprotectandblesshimwhilehewasawayfromhome.muchencouraged,jacobwentontolabanshome.therehefellonlovewithlabansdaughter,rachel.butlabanforcedjacobt