Genesis 24
1 And Abraham was old, well stricken in age. And Jehovah had blessed Abraham in all things.
Now Abraham was old, well advanced in days, and Jehovah had blessed Abraham in all things.
2 And Abraham said to his servant, the elder of his house, who ruled over all that he had, Put thy hand, I pray thee, under my thigh.
And Abraham said to his servant, the elder of his household, who was in charge over all that he had, "Please put your hand under my thigh,
3 And I will make thee swear by Jehovah, the God of heaven and the God of the earth, that thou will not take a wife for my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell.
and I will make you swear by the God of heaven and earth, that you must not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I am living,
4 But thou shall go to my country, and to my kindred, and take a wife for my son Isaac.
but you must go to my country and to my relatives, and get a wife for my son Isaac."
5 And the servant said to him, Perhaps the woman will not be willing to follow me to this land. Must I bring thy son again to the land from where thou came?
And the servant asked him, "What if the woman isn't willing to follow me to this land? Must I then bring your son back to the land from which you came?"
6 And Abraham said to him, Beware thou that thou not bring my son there again.
Then Abraham told him, "Be careful that you do not take my son back there.
7 Jehovah, the God of heaven, who took me from my father's house, and from the land of my nativity, and who spoke to me, and who swore to me, saying, To thy seed I will give this land, he will send his agent before thee, and thou shall take a wife for my son from there.
Now the God of heaven, who took me from my father's household and from the land of my birth, who spoke to me and promised me on oath, saying, 'I will give this land to your offspring' -- he will send his angel before you, and you will get a wife for my son from there.
8 And if the woman be not willing to follow thee, then thou shall be clear from this my oath. Only thou shall not bring my son there again.
But if the woman isn't willing to follow you, then you will be free from this oath to me. Only you must not bring my son back there."
9 And the servant put his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master, and swore to him concerning this matter.
So the servant put his hand under the thigh of his master Abraham and gave his oath to him concerning this matter.
10 And the servant took ten camels, of the camels of his master, and departed, having all goodly things of his master's in his hand. And he arose, and went to Mesopotamia, to the city of Nahor.
Then the servant took ten camels from his master's camels and departed, having a variety of good things from his master at his disposal, and he set out and went to Aram Naharaim, to the city of Nahor.
11 And he made the camels to kneel down outside the city by the well of water at the time of evening, the time that women go out to draw water.
And he made the camels kneel down outside the city by the well of water at the time of evening, the time when women go out to draw water.
12 And he said, O Jehovah, the God of my master Abraham, send me, I pray thee, good speed this day, and show kindness to my master Abraham.
Then he said, "God of my master Abraham, please grant me success today and show kindness to my master Abraham.
13 Behold, I am standing by the fountain of water. And the daughters of the men of the city are coming out to draw water.
Look, I am standing by the spring of water, and the daughters of the men of the city are coming out to draw water.
14 And let it come to pass, that the damsel to whom I shall say, Let down thy pitcher, I pray thee, that I may drink. And she shall say, Drink, and I will give thy camels drink also. Let the same be she that thou have appointed for thy servant Isaac. And thereby I shall know that thou have shown kindness to my master.
Now may it happen that the young woman to whom I will say, 'Please lower your jug that I may drink,' and she answers, 'Drink, and I will also give your camels a drink,'—her you have chosen for your servant Isaac. By this I will know that you have shown kindness to my master."
15 And it came to pass, before he was done speaking, that, behold, Rebekah came out, who was born to Bethuel the son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham's brother, with her pitcher upon her shoulder.
And it happened, before he had finished speaking, that look, Rebekah was coming out with her jug on her shoulder—who was born to Bethuel the son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham's brother.
16 And the damsel was very fair to look upon, a virgin, neither had any man known her. And she went down to the fountain, and filled her pitcher, and came up.
Now the young woman was very beautiful in appearance, a virgin; no man had ever slept with her. And she went down to the spring and filled her jug and came up.
17 And the servant ran to meet her, and said, Give me to drink, I pray thee, a little water from thy pitcher.
Then the servant ran to meet her, and said, "Please give me a little water to drink from your jug."
18 And she said, Drink, my lord. And she hurried, and let down her pitcher upon her hand, and gave him drink.
So she said, "Drink, my lord." And she hurried and let down her jug to her hands, and gave him a drink.
19 And when she had finished giving him drink, she said, I will draw for thy camels also, until they have done drinking.
Now when she had finished giving him a drink, she said, "I will also draw for your camels, until they have finished drinking."
20 And she hurried, and emptied her pitcher into the trough, and ran again to the well to draw, and drew for all his camels.
So she hurried and emptied her jug into the trough and ran again to the well to draw, and drew for all his camels.
21 And the man looked steadfastly on her, keeping silent, to know whether Jehovah had made his journey prosperous or not.
And the man watched her in silence so as to know whether God had made his journey successful or not.
22 And it came to pass, as the camels had finished drinking, that the man took a golden ring of half a shekel weight, and two bracelets for her hands of ten shekels weight of gold,
And it happened, as the camels had finished drinking, that the man took a gold ring weighing a beka, which he put on her nose, and two bracelets for her hands weighing ten pieces of gold,
23 and said, Whose daughter are thou? Tell me, I pray thee. Is there room in thy father's house for us to lodge in?
and said, "Whose daughter are you? Please tell me, is there room in your father's house for us to lodge?"
24 And she said to him, I am the daughter of Bethuel the son of Milcah, whom she bore to Nahor.
Then she said to him, "I am the daughter of Bethuel, the son of Milcah, whom she bore to Nahor."
25 She said moreover to him, We have both straw and provender enough, and room to lodge in.
And she also said to him, "We have plenty of straw and fodder, and room to lodge."
26 And the man bowed his head, and worshiped Jehovah.
Then the man bowed his head and worshiped God,
27 And he said, Blessed be Jehovah, the God of my master Abraham, who has not forsaken his loving kindness and his truth toward my master. As for me, Jehovah has led me in the way to the house of my master's brothers.
and said, "Blessed be the God of my master Abraham, who has not forsaken his loving kindness and his truth toward my master. As for me, he has led me on the journey to the house of my master's relatives."
28 And the damsel ran, and told her mother's house according to these words.
Then the young woman ran, and told her mother's household about these words.
29 And Rebekah had a brother, and his name was Laban. And Laban ran out to the man, to the fountain.
Now Rebekah had a brother, and his name was Laban, and he ran out to the man at the spring.
30 And it came to pass, when he saw the ring, and the bracelets upon his sister's hands, and when he heard the words of Rebekah his sister, saying, Thus spoke the man to me, that he came to the man. And, behold, he was standing by the camels at the fountain.
And it happened, when he saw the nose ring and the bracelets on his sister's wrists, and when he heard the words of Rebekah his sister, saying, "This is what the man said to me," that he went to the man. And look, he was standing by the camels at the spring.
31 And he said, Come in, thou blessed of Jehovah. Why do thou stand outside? For I have prepared the house, and room for the camels.
And he said, "Come in, you blessed of God. Why do you stand outside? For I have prepared the house and room for the camels."
32 And the man came into the house, and he ungirded the camels. And he gave straw and provender for the camels, and water to wash his feet and the feet of the men who were with him.
So the man went into the house and he unloaded the camels. And he gave straw and fodder for the camels, and water to wash his feet and the feet of the men who were with him.
33 And there was set before him food to eat. But he said, I will not eat until I have told my errand. And he said, Speak on.
And he set before him food to eat, but he said, "I will not eat until I have told my message." And he said, "Say it."
34 And he said, I am Abraham's servant.
So he said, "I am Abraham's servant.
35 And Jehovah has blessed my master greatly, and he has become great. And he has given him flocks and herds, and silver and gold, and men-servants and maid-servants, and camels and donkeys.
And the Lord has blessed my master greatly, so that he has become great, and he has given him sheep and cattle, and silver and gold, and male servants and female servants, camels and donkeys.
36 And Sarah my master's wife bore a son to my master when she was old. And has he given to him all that he has.
And Sarah my master's wife bore a son to my master when she was old, and to him he has given all that he has.
37 And my master made me swear, saying, Thou shall not take a wife for my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I dwell,
Now my master put me under oath, saying, 'You must not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I live,
38 but thou shall go to my father's house, and to my kindred, and take a wife for my son.
but you must go to my father's house, and to my relatives, and get a wife for my son.'
39 And I said to my master, Perhaps the woman will not follow me.
And I said to my master, 'What if the woman will not follow me?'
40 And he said to me, Jehovah, before whom I walk, will send his agent with thee, and prosper thy way. And thou shall take a wife for my son of my kindred, and of my father's house.
But he said to me, 'God, before whom I walk, will send his angel with you, and make your journey successful, and you will get a wife for my son from my relatives, and of my father's house.
41 Then thou shall be clear from my oath, when thou come to my kindred. And if they do not give her to thee, thou shall be clear from my oath.
Then will you be free from my oath, when you come to my relatives. And if they do not give her to you, then you will be free from my oath.'
42 And I came this day to the fountain, and said, O Jehovah, the God of my master Abraham, if thou do now prosper my way which I go,
So today I came to the spring, and said, 'God of my master Abraham, if now you will make my journey successful in which I go—
43 behold, I am standing by the fountain of water, and let it come to pass, that the maiden who comes forth to draw, to whom I shall say, Give me, I pray thee, a little water from thy pitcher to drink,
look, I am standing by this spring of water, and may it happen that the young woman who comes out to draw, to whom I will say, "Please give me a little water from your pitcher to drink,"
44 and she shall say to me, Both drink thou, and I will also draw for thy camels, let the same be the woman whom Jehovah has appointed for my master's son.
and she will say to me, "Drink, and I will also draw for your camels,"—may she be the woman who has been chosen for my master's son.'
45 And before I was done speaking in my heart, behold, Rebekah came forth with her pitcher on her shoulder. And she went down to the fountain, and drew. And I said to her, Let me drink, I pray thee.
Before I had finished praying in my heart, look, Rebekah came out with her jug on her shoulder, and she went down to the spring, and drew. And I said to her, 'Please give me a drink.'
46 And she made haste, and let down her pitcher from her shoulder, and said, Drink, and I will give thy camels drink also. So I drank, and she made the camels drink also.
And she quickly lowered her jug from her shoulder, and said, 'Drink, and I will also give your camels a drink.' So I drank, and she also gave the camels water.
47 And I asked her, and said, Whose daughter are thou? And she said, The daughter of Bethuel, Nahor's son, whom Milcah bore to him. And I put the ring upon her nose, and the bracelets upon her hands.
Then I asked her, and said, 'Whose daughter are you?' And she replied, 'The daughter of Bethuel, Nahor's son, whom Milcah bore to him.' So I put the ring on her nose, and the bracelets on her wrists.
48 And I bowed my head, and worshiped Jehovah, and blessed Jehovah, the God of my master Abraham, who had led me in the right way to take my master's brother's daughter for his son.
Then I bowed my head and worshiped God, and blessed the God of my master Abraham, who had guided me on the right road to find the granddaughter of my master's brother for his son.
49 And now if ye will deal kindly and truly with my master, tell me. And if not, tell me, that I may turn to the right hand, or to the left.
Now if you will show kindness and truth to my master, tell me. And if not, tell me, that I may turn to the right hand, or to the left."
50 Then Laban and Bethuel answered and said, The thing proceeds from Jehovah; we cannot speak to thee bad or good.
Then Laban and Bethuel answered, "The matter comes from God. We can't speak to you bad or good.
51 Behold, Rebekah is before thee, take her, and go, and let her be thy master's son's wife, as Jehovah has spoken.
Look, Rebekah is before you. Take, and go, and let her become the wife of your master's son, as God has spoken."
52 And it came to pass, that, when Abraham's servant heard their words, he bowed himself down to the earth to Jehovah.
And it happened when Abraham's servant heard their words, that he bowed himself down to the ground.
53 And the servant brought forth jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment, and gave them to Rebekah. He also gave precious things to her brother and to her mother.
Then the servant brought out articles of silver and articles of gold, and clothing, and gave them to Rebekah. And he also gave valuable gifts to her brother and to her mother.
54 And they ate and drank, he and the men who were with him, and tarried all night. And they rose up in the morning, and he said, Send me away to my master.
Then he and the men who were with him ate and drank, and spent the night. Then they got up in the morning, and he said, "Send me away to my master."
55 And her brother and her mother said, Let the damsel abide with us a few days, at the least ten. After that she shall go.
But her brother and her mother said, "Let the young woman stay with us ten days or so. After that she may go."
56 And he said to them, Do not hinder me, since Jehovah has prospered my way. Send me away that I may go to my master.
But he said to them, "Do not delay me, seeing that he has made my journey successful. Send me away that I may go to my master."
57 And they said, We will call the damsel, and inquire at her mouth.
Then they said, "We will call the young woman and ask her."
58 And they called Rebekah, and said to her, Will thou go with this man? And she said, I will go.
So they called Rebekah, and said to her, "Will you go with this man?" And she replied, "I will go."
59 And they sent Rebekah their sister away, and her nurse, and Abraham's servant, and his men.
So they sent away their sister Rebekah, and her nurse, and Abraham's servant, and his men.
60 And they blessed Rebekah, and said to her, Our sister, be thou the mother of thousands of ten thousands, and let thy seed possess the gate of those who hate them.
And they blessed Rebekah, and said to her, "Our sister, may you be the mother of thousands of ten thousands, and may your descendants possess the gate of those who hate them."
61 And Rebekah arose, and her damsels, and they rode upon the camels, and followed the man. And the servant took Rebekah, and went his way.
And Rebekah and her female servants got ready, and they rode on the camels and followed the man. So the servant took Rebekah and went on his way.
62 And Isaac came from the way of Beer-lahai-roi, for he dwelt in the land of the South.
Now Isaac had come from the way of Beer Lahai Roi, for he was living in the land of the Negev.
63 And Isaac went out to meditate in the field at the evening. And he lifted up his eyes, and saw, and, behold, there were camels coming.
And Isaac went out in the field to think in the early evening. And he lifted up his eyes and looked, and look, he saw camels approaching.
64 And Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac, she alighted from the camel.
And Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac, she dismounted from the camel.
65 And she said to the servant, What man is this who walks in the field to meet us? And the servant said, It is my master. And she took her veil, and covered herself.
And she asked the servant, "Who is the man who is walking in the field to meet us?" And the servant said, "It is my master." Then she took her veil and covered herself.
66 And the servant told Isaac all the things that he had done.
And the servant told Isaac all the things that he had done.
67 And Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah's tent, and took Rebekah, and she became his wife, and he loved her. And Isaac was comforted after his mother's death.
Then Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah's tent, and took Rebekah, and she became his wife. And he loved her. So Isaac was comforted after his mother's death.
