< Genesis 24 >

1 Abraham was old, and well advanced in age. Yahweh had blessed Abraham in all things.
Ibulayimu yawangaala n’akaddiwa nnyo; era Mukama yamuwa emikisa mingi mu byonna.
2 Abraham said to his servant, the elder of his house, who ruled over all that he had, “Please put your hand under my thigh.
Awo Ibulayimu n’agamba omuddu asinga obukulu mu nnyumba ye, eyali afuga byonna Ibulayimu bye yalina nti, “Teeka omukono gwo wansi w’ekisambi kyange
3 I will make you swear by Yahweh, the God of heaven and the God of the earth, that you shall not take a wife for my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I live.
ndyoke nkulayize mu maaso ga Mukama Katonda w’eggulu era Katonda w’ensi, nga toliwasiza mutabani wange mukazi kuva mu bawala ba nsi ya Bakanani, mwe mbeera,
4 But you shall go to my country, and to my relatives, and take a wife for my son Isaac.”
wabula ng’oligenda mu nsi yange mu bantu bange n’owasiza mutabani wange Isaaka omukazi.”
5 The servant said to him, “What if the woman isn’t willing to follow me to this land? Must I bring your son again to the land you came from?”
Omuddu kwe ku mubuuza nti, “Omukazi bw’ataliyagala kujja nange mu nsi eno, ndizzaayo mutabani wo mu nsi mwe wava?”
6 Abraham said to him, “Beware that you don’t bring my son there again.
Ibulayimu n’addamu nti, “Togezanga n’ozzaayo mutabani wange.
7 Yahweh, the God of heaven—who took me from my father’s house, and from the land of my birth, who spoke to me, and who swore to me, saying, ‘I will give this land to your offspring—he will send his angel before you, and you shall take a wife for my son from there.
Mukama, Katonda w’eggulu, eyanzigya mu nnyumba ya kitange, mu nsi mwe nazaalibwa eyayogera nange era n’andayirira nti, ‘Ezadde lyo ndiriwa ensi eno,’ alituma malayika we n’akukulembera owasirize mutabani wange omukazi era omuggyeyo.
8 If the woman isn’t willing to follow you, then you shall be clear from this oath to me. Only you shall not bring my son there again.”
Naye omukazi bw’aligaana okujja naawe, olwo ekirayiro kino kiriba tekikyakusiba. Kyokka togezanga n’ozzaayo omwana wange.”
9 The servant put his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master, and swore to him concerning this matter.
Awo omuddu kwe kuteeka omukono gwe wansi w’ekisambi kya mukama we Ibulayimu.
10 The servant took ten of his master’s camels, and departed, having a variety of good things of his master’s with him. He arose, and went to Mesopotamia, to the city of Nahor.
Awo omuddu n’atwala ku ŋŋamira za mukama we n’agenda ng’atutte buli ngeri ya kirabo okuva ku bya mukama we. N’ayimuka n’agenda e Mesopotamiya mu kibuga kya Nakoli.
11 He made the camels kneel down outside the city by the well of water at the time of evening, the time that women go out to draw water.
Obudde bwe bwawungeera n’atuuka ebweru w’ekibuga n’afukamiza awo eŋŋamira okumpi n’oluzzi obudde nga buwungedde abakazi we bagendera okukima amazzi.
12 He said, “Yahweh, the God of my master Abraham, please give me success today, and show kindness to my master Abraham.
N’asaba nti, “Ayi Mukama Katonda wa mukama wange Ibulayimu mpa obuwanguzi leero nkwegayiridde, olage mukama wange Ibulayimu okwagala kwo okutaggwaawo.
13 Behold, I am standing by the spring of water. The daughters of the men of the city are coming out to draw water.
Laba nnyimiridde okumpi n’oluzzi, ne bawala b’abantu ab’omu kibuga bajja okusena amazzi.
14 Let it happen, that the young lady to whom I will say, ‘Please let down your pitcher, that I may drink,’ then she says, ‘Drink, and I will also give your camels a drink,’—let her be the one you have appointed for your servant Isaac. By this I will know that you have shown kindness to my master.”
Kale omuwala gwe nnaagamba nti, ‘Nkwegayiridde mpa ku mazzi ag’omu nsuwa yo nnyweko,’ n’amala agamba nti, ‘Kale nnywa, era n’eŋŋamira zo nnaazinywesa,’ oyo y’aba abeera gw’olonze okuba mukazi w’omuddu wo Isaaka. Ku kino kwe nnaategeerera nti olaze mukama wange ekisa kyo ekitaggwaawo.”
15 Before he had finished speaking, behold, Rebekah came out, who was born to Bethuel the son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham’s brother, with her pitcher on her shoulder.
Laba, bwe yali nga tannamaliriza kusaba, Lebbeeka muwala wa Besweri mutabani wa Mirika muka Nakoli, muganda wa Ibulayimu, n’ajja ng’atadde ensuwa ye ey’amazzi ku kibegabega kye.
16 The young lady was very beautiful to look at, a virgin. No man had known her. She went down to the spring, filled her pitcher, and came up.
Omuwala oyo yali mulungi okulabako nga muwala mbeerera, n’akka mu luzzi n’ajjuza ensuwa ye n’avaayo.
17 The servant ran to meet her, and said, “Please give me a drink, a little water from your pitcher.”
Awo omuddu n’ayanguwa n’amusisinkana, n’amugamba nti, “Nkusaba ompe ku tuzzi ku nsuwa yo.”
18 She said, “Drink, my lord.” She hurried, and let down her pitcher on her hand, and gave him a drink.
N’amuddamu nti, “Nywako mukama wange.” Amangwago n’assa ensuwa mu mikono gye, n’agikwata mu mukono gwe n’amuwa amazzi.
19 When she had finished giving him a drink, she said, “I will also draw for your camels, until they have finished drinking.”
Bwe yamala okumuwa amazzi, n’amugamba nti, “N’eŋŋamira zo nazo nnaazisenera amazzi okutuusa lwe zinaamala okunywa.”
20 She hurried, and emptied her pitcher into the trough, and ran again to the well to draw, and drew for all his camels.
Bw’atyo n’ayanguwa n’ayiwa ensuwa ye ey’amazzi n’agimalira mu kyesero, n’adduka n’asena amalala agaali gamala eŋŋamira ze zonna,
21 The man looked steadfastly at her, remaining silent, to know whether Yahweh had made his journey prosperous or not.
omusajja ng’asirise ng’amwekaliriza amaaso okumanya obanga Mukama awadde olugendo lwe omukisa oba nedda.
22 As the camels had done drinking, the man took a golden ring of half a shekel weight, and two bracelets for her hands of ten shekels weight of gold,
Eŋŋamira bwe zaamala okunywa, omusajja n’addira empeta ya zaabu ey’oku matu erimu gulaamu ttaano n’obutundu musanvu n’ebikomo ebya zaabu bibiri eby’oku mikono bya gulamu kikumi mu kkumi na ttaano n’abiwa omuwala abyenaanike.
23 and said, “Whose daughter are you? Please tell me. Is there room in your father’s house for us to stay?”
N’amubuuza nti, “Oli muwala w’ani? Mu nnyumba ya kitaawo mulimu ekisenge mwe tuyinza okusuzibwa?”
24 She said to him, “I am the daughter of Bethuel the son of Milcah, whom she bore to Nahor.”
N’amuddamu nti, “Ndi muwala wa Besweri, mutabani wa Mirika gwe yazaalira Nakoli.”
25 She said moreover to him, “We have both straw and feed enough, and room to lodge in.”
N’ayongerako nti, “Tulina omuddo omukalu n’emmere endala ebimala, era n’ekisenge eky’okusulamu tukirina.”
26 The man bowed his head, and worshiped Yahweh.
Awo omusajja n’akutamya omutwe gwe n’asinza Mukama.
27 He said, “Blessed be Yahweh, the God of my master Abraham, who has not forsaken his loving kindness and his truth toward my master. As for me, Yahweh has led me on the way to the house of my master’s relatives.”
N’agamba nti, “Yeebazibwe Mukama Katonda wa mukama wange Ibulayimu atalese kisa kye ekitaggwaawo n’obwesigwa bwe eri mukama wange. Era nze ku lwange Mukama ankulembedde mu kkubo n’antuusa mu nnyumba ya booluganda lwa mukama wange.”
28 The young lady ran, and told her mother’s house about these words.
Awo omuwala n’adduka n’ategeeza ab’ennyumba ya nnyina ebintu ebyo byonna.
29 Rebekah had a brother, and his name was Laban. Laban ran out to the man, to the spring.
Lebbeeka yalina mwannyina, Labbaani, eyayanguwa okulaga ku luzzi eri omusajja,
30 When he saw the ring, and the bracelets on his sister’s hands, and when he heard the words of Rebekah his sister, saying, “This is what the man said to me,” he came to the man. Behold, he was standing by the camels at the spring.
Labbaani bwe yalaba empeta n’ebikomo ku mikono gya mwannyina, era bwe yawulira ebigambo bya mwannyina ng’omusajja bw’amugambye, n’agenda eri omusajja. Laba omusajja yali ng’ayimiridde awali eŋŋamira ku luzzi.
31 He said, “Come in, you blessed of Yahweh. Why do you stand outside? For I have prepared the house, and room for the camels.”
Labbaani n’amugamba nti, “Jjangu gwe aweereddwa Mukama omukisa. Lwaki obeera eno? Ntegesse ennyumba era n’ekifo ky’eŋŋamira.”
32 The man came into the house, and he unloaded the camels. He gave straw and feed for the camels, and water to wash his feet and the feet of the men who were with him.
Awo, omusajja n’alaga ku nnyumba, n’asumulula eŋŋamira, ne baziwa essubi n’ebyokulya ne bamuleetera n’amazzi ye n’abasajja be yali nabo banaabe ebigere.
33 Food was set before him to eat, but he said, “I will not eat until I have told my message.” Laban said, “Speak on.”
Oluvannyuma ne bamuleetera emmere alye. Kyokka ye n’agamba nti, “Sijja kulya nga sinnayogera kindeese.” Labbaani n’amugamba nti, “Yogera.”
34 He said, “I am Abraham’s servant.
Awo n’agamba nti, “Ndi muddu wa Ibulayimu.
35 Yahweh has blessed my master greatly. He has become great. Yahweh has given him flocks and herds, silver and gold, male servants and female servants, and camels and donkeys.
Mukama yawa mukama wange emikisa mingi, era afuuse mukulu, amuwadde ebisibo by’endiga n’amagana g’ente, ne ffeeza ne zaabu, abaweereza abasajja n’abaweereza abakazi era n’eŋŋamira awamu n’endogoyi.
36 Sarah, my master’s wife, bore a son to my master when she was old. He has given all that he has to him.
Era Saala muka mukama wange bwe yali ng’akaddiye yamuzaalira omwana owoobulenzi, era mukama wange awadde oyo byonna by’alina.
37 My master made me swear, saying, ‘You shall not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I live,
Mukama wange yandayiza n’aŋŋamba nti, ‘Towasizanga mutabani wange mukazi ava mu Bakanani ba nnyini nsi mwe mbeera.
38 but you shall go to my father’s house, and to my relatives, and take a wife for my son.’
Wabula oligenda mu nnyumba ya kitange, mu bantu bange, n’owasiza mutabani wange omukazi okuva omwo.’
39 I asked my master, ‘What if the woman will not follow me?’
“Ne mbuuza mukama wange nti, ‘Omukazi bw’atalikkiriza kujja nange?’
40 He said to me, ‘Yahweh, before whom I walk, will send his angel with you, and prosper your way. You shall take a wife for my son from my relatives, and of my father’s house.
“Ye n’anziramu nti, ‘Mukama oyo gwe ntambulira mu maaso ge alikutumira malayika we mu lugendo lwo era alikuwa omukisa, n’owasiza mutabani wange omukazi okuva mu bantu bange, era mu nnyumba ya kitange.
41 Then you will be clear from my oath, when you come to my relatives. If they don’t give her to you, you shall be clear from my oath.’
Naye ekirayiro kyange tekirikubaako bw’olituuka mu bantu bange ne batamukuwa, nga ggwe toliiko musango.’
42 I came today to the spring, and said, ‘Yahweh, the God of my master Abraham, if now you do prosper my way which I go—
“Leero bwe ntuuse ku luzzi, ne ŋŋamba nti, ‘Ayi Mukama, Katonda wa mukama wange Ibulayimu, obanga onoowa omukisa olugendo luno lwe ndiko,
43 behold, I am standing by this spring of water. Let it happen, that the maiden who comes out to draw, to whom I will say, “Please give me a little water from your pitcher to drink,”
laba, nnyimiridde awali oluzzi, kale omuwala anajja okusena amazzi, ne mugamba nti, “Nkusaba ku tuzzi mu nsuwa yo nyweko,”
44 then she tells me, “Drink, and I will also draw for your camels,”—let her be the woman whom Yahweh has appointed for my master’s son.’
n’anziramu nti, “Nnywa, era n’eŋŋamira zo nazo nzija kuzisenera,” oyo y’aba abeera omukazi Mukama gw’alondedde mutabani wa mukama wange.’
45 Before I had finished speaking in my heart, behold, Rebekah came out with her pitcher on her shoulder. She went down to the spring, and drew. I said to her, ‘Please let me drink.’
“Laba, bwe nabadde nga nkyayogera mu mutima gwange, Lebbeeka n’avaayo n’ensuwa ye ng’eri ku kibegabega kye, n’aserengeta ku luzzi n’asena amazzi. Ne mugamba nti, ‘Nkusaba ompe nyweko.’
46 She hurried and let down her pitcher from her shoulder, and said, ‘Drink, and I will also give your camels a drink.’ So I drank, and she also gave the camels a drink.
“Nassa mangu ensuwa ye okuva ku kibegabega kye, n’agamba nti, ‘Nnywa, era nnaanywesa n’eŋŋamira zo.’
47 I asked her, and said, ‘Whose daughter are you?’ She said, ‘The daughter of Bethuel, Nahor’s son, whom Milcah bore to him.’ I put the ring on her nose, and the bracelets on her hands.
“Kwe ku mubuuza nti, ‘Oli muwala w’ani?’ N’anziramu nti, ‘Ndi muwala wa Besweri, mutabani wa Nakoli, Mirika gwe yamuzaalira.’ Ne nteeka empeta ku nnyindo ye n’ebikomo ku mikono gye.
48 I bowed my head, and worshiped Yahweh, and blessed Yahweh, 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.
Awo ne nkutamya omutwe gwange ne nsinza Mukama ne muwa ekitiibwa, Katonda wa mukama wange Ibulayimu eyankulembera nannuŋŋamya mu lugendo lwange okuwasiriza mutabani wa mukama wange omukazi okuva mu bantu ba mukama wange.
49 Now if you will deal kindly and truly with my master, tell me. If not, tell me, that I may turn to the right hand, or to the left.”
Kale kaakano obanga mu mazima munaakolera mukama wange ebyekisa, mumbuulire, era obanga si bwe kityo mumbuulire; ndyoke mmanye eky’okukola.”
50 Then Laban and Bethuel answered, “The thing proceeds from Yahweh. We can’t speak to you bad or good.
Awo Labbaani ne Besweri ne baddamu nti, “Kino kivudde wa Mukama, tetuyinza kukuddamu kino oba kiri.
51 Behold, Rebekah is before you. Take her, and go, and let her be your master’s son’s wife, as Yahweh has spoken.”
Laba, Lebbeeka wuuyo, mutwale, agende abeere muka mutabani wa mukama wo, nga Mukama bw’alagidde.”
52 When Abraham’s servant heard their words, he bowed himself down to the earth to Yahweh.
Omuddu wa Ibulayimu bwe yawulira ebigambo byabwe n’avuunama wansi mu maaso ga Mukama.
53 The servant brought out jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and clothing, and gave them to Rebekah. He also gave precious things to her brother and her mother.
N’aggyayo eby’obugagga ebya ffeeza ne zaabu, n’ebyambalo n’abiwa Lebbeeka, era n’awa mwannyina ne nnyina ebirabo eby’omuwendo omungi.
54 They ate and drank, he and the men who were with him, and stayed all night. They rose up in the morning, and he said, “Send me away to my master.”
Awo ye n’abasajja be yali nabo ne balyoka balya era ne banywa; ne basulayo ekiro ekyo. Bwe baagolokoka enkya n’agamba nti, “Ka nzireyo eri mukama wange.”
55 Her brother and her mother said, “Let the young lady stay with us a few days, at least ten. After that she will go.”
Mwannyina ne nnyina ne bamuddamu nti, “Leka omuwala abeereko naffe akaseera, wakiri ennaku kkumi, olwo mulyoke mugende.”
56 He said to them, “Don’t hinder me, since Yahweh has prospered my way. Send me away that I may go to my master.”
Ye n’abaddamu nti, “Temundwisa, kubanga Mukama awadde olugendo lwange omukisa.”
57 They said, “We will call the young lady, and ask her.”
Ne bagamba nti, “Ka tuyite omuwala tumubuuze.”
58 They called Rebekah, and said to her, “Will you go with this man?” She said, “I will go.”
Ne bayita Lebbeeka, ne bamubuuza nti, “Onoogenda n’omusajja ono?” N’addamu nti, “Nnaagenda.”
59 They sent away Rebekah, their sister, with her nurse, Abraham’s servant, and his men.
Awo ne basiibula Lebbeeka mwannyinaabwe, n’omuweereza we omuwala, n’omuweereza wa Ibulayimu omusajja awamu n’abasajja be.
60 They blessed Rebekah, and said to her, “Our sister, may you be the mother of thousands of ten thousands, and let your offspring possess the gate of those who hate them.”
Ne basabira Lebbeeka omukisa ne bamugamba nti, “Mwannyinaffe beera nnyina w’enkumi n’enkumi, abaana n’abazzukulu bo balyenga ebibuga by’abalabe baabwe.”
61 Rebekah arose with her ladies. They rode on the camels, and followed the man. The servant took Rebekah, and went his way.
Awo Lebbeeka n’abaweereza be ne basituka ne beebagala eŋŋamira ne bagenda n’omuweereza wa Ibulayimu omusajja, bw’atyo omuddu n’atwala Lebbeeka ne bagenda.
62 Isaac came from the way of Beer Lahai Roi, for he lived in the land of the South.
Olwo Isaaka yali ng’avudde e Beerirakayiroyi ng’ali mu Negevu.
63 Isaac went out to meditate in the field at the evening. He lifted up his eyes and looked. Behold, there were camels coming.
Awo bwe yali ng’atambula nga bw’afumiitiriza mu nnimiro akawungeezi, n’ayimusa amaaso ge n’alengera eŋŋamira nga zijja.
64 Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac, she got off the camel.
Ne Lebbeeka n’ayimusa amaaso ge. Bwe yalengera Isaaka n’ava ku ŋŋamira,
65 She said to the servant, “Who is the man who is walking in the field to meet us?” The servant said, “It is my master.” She took her veil, and covered herself.
n’abuuza omuddu nti, “Ani oyo gwe nnengera mu nnimiro ajja okutusisinkana?” Omuddu n’addamu nti, “Ye mukama wange.” Lebbeeka kwe kutoola omunagiro gwe ne yeebikkirira.
66 The servant told Isaac all the things that he had done.
Awo omuddu n’ategeeza Isaaka byonna nga bwe byagenda.
67 Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah’s tent, and took Rebekah, and she became his wife. He loved her. So Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death.
Awo Isaaka n’atwala Lebbeeka n’amuyingiza mu weema eyali eya Saala nnyina, n’afuuka mukazi we n’amwagala. Isaaka n’alyoka afuna essanyu kasookedde afiirwa nnyina.

< Genesis 24 >