Genesis 24
1 Erat autem Abraham senex, dierumque multorum: et Dominus in cunctis benedixerat ei.
By now Abraham was old and well along in years, and the LORD had blessed him in every way.
2 Dixitque ad servum seniorem domus suae, qui praeerat omnibus quae habebat: Pone manum tuam subter femur meum,
So Abraham instructed the chief servant of his household, who managed all he owned, “Place your hand under my thigh,
3 ut adiurem te per Dominum, Deum caeli et terrae, ut non accipias uxorem filio meo de filiabus Chananaeorum, inter quos habito:
and I will have you swear by the LORD, the God of heaven and the God of earth, that you will not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites among whom I am dwelling,
4 sed ad terram et cognationem meam proficiscaris, et inde accipias uxorem filio meo Isaac.
but will go to my country and my kindred to take a wife for my son Isaac.”
5 Respondit servus: Si noluerit mulier venire mecum in terram hanc, numquid reducere debeo filium tuum ad locum, de quo egressus es?
The servant asked him, “What if the woman is unwilling to follow me to this land? Shall I then take your son back to the land from which you came?”
6 Dixitque Abraham: Cave nequando reducas filium meum illuc.
Abraham replied, “Make sure that you do not take my son back there.
7 Dominus Deus caeli, qui tulit me de domo patris mei, et de terra nativitatis meae, qui locutus est mihi, et iuravit mihi, dicens: Semini tuo dabo terram hanc: ipse mittet Angelum suum coram te, et accipies inde uxorem filio meo:
The LORD, the God of heaven, who brought me from my father’s house and my native land, who spoke to me and promised me on oath, saying, ‘To your offspring I will give this land’—He will send His angel before you so that you can take a wife for my son from there.
8 sin autem mulier noluerit sequi te, non teneberis iuramento: filium meum tantum ne reducas illuc.
And if the woman is unwilling to follow you, then you are released from this oath of mine. Only do not take my son back there.”
9 Posuit ergo servus manum sub femore Abraham domini sui, et iuravit illi super sermone hoc.
So the servant placed his hand under the thigh of his master Abraham and swore an oath to him concerning this matter.
10 Tulitque decem camelos de grege domini sui, et abiit, ex omnibus bonis eius portans secum, profectusque perrexit in Mesopotamiam ad urbem Nachor.
Then the servant took ten of his master’s camels and departed with all manner of good things from his master in hand. And he set out for Nahor’s hometown in Aram-naharaim.
11 Cumque camelos fecisset accumbere extra oppidum iuxta puteum aquae vespere, tempore quo solent mulieres egredi ad hauriendam aquam, dixit:
As evening approached, he made the camels kneel down near the well outside the town at the time when the women went out to draw water.
12 Domine Deus domini mei Abraham, occurre, obsecro, mihi hodie, et fac misericordiam cum domino meo Abraham.
“O LORD, God of my master Abraham,” he prayed, “please grant me success today, and show kindness to my master Abraham.
13 Ecce ego sto prope fontem aquae, et filiae habitatorum huius civitatis egredientur ad hauriendam aquam.
Here I am, standing beside the spring, and the daughters of the townspeople are coming out to draw water.
14 Igitur puella, cui ego dixero: Inclina hydriam tuam ut bibam: et illa responderit, Bibe, quin et camelis tuis dabo potum: ipsa est, quam praeparasti servo tuo Isaac: et per hoc intelligam quod feceris misericordiam cum domino meo.
Now may it happen that the girl to whom I say, ‘Please let down your jar that I may drink,’ and who responds, ‘Drink, and I will water your camels as well’—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.”
15 Necdum intra se verba compleverat, et ecce Rebecca egrediebatur, filia Bathuel, filii Melchae uxoris Nachor fratris Abraham, habens hydriam in scapula sua:
Before the servant had finished praying, Rebekah came out with her jar on her shoulder. She was the daughter of Bethuel son of Milcah, the wife of Abraham’s brother Nahor.
16 puella decora nimis, virgoque pulcherrima, et incognita viro: descenderat autem ad fontem, et impleverat hydriam, ac revertebatur.
Now the girl was very beautiful, a virgin who had not had relations with any man. She went down to the spring, filled her jar, and came up again.
17 Occurritque ei servus, et ait: Pauxillum aquae mihi ad bibendum praebe de hydria tua.
So the servant ran to meet her and said, “Please let me have a little water from your jar.”
18 Quae respondit: Bibe domine mi. celeriterque deposuit hydriam super ulnam suam, et dedit ei potum.
“Drink, my lord,” she replied, and she quickly lowered her jar to her hands and gave him a drink.
19 Cumque ille bibisset, adiecit: Quin et camelis tuis hauriam aquam, donec cuncti bibant.
After she had given him a drink, she said, “I will also draw water for your camels, until they have had enough to drink.”
20 Effundensque hydriam in canalibus, recurrit ad puteum ut hauriret aquam: et haustam omnibus camelis dedit.
And she quickly emptied her jar into the trough and ran back to the well to draw water, until she had drawn water for all his camels.
21 Ipse autem contemplabatur eam tacitus, scire volens utrum prosperum iter suum fecisset Deus, an non.
Meanwhile, the man watched her silently to see whether or not the LORD had made his journey a success.
22 Postquam autem biberunt cameli, protulit vir inaures aureas, appendentes siclos duos, et armillas totidem pondo siclorum decem.
And after the camels had finished drinking, he took out a gold ring weighing a beka, and two gold bracelets for her wrists weighing ten shekels.
23 Dixitque ad eam: Cuius es filia? indica mihi: est in domo patris tui locus ad manendum?
“Whose daughter are you?” he asked. “Please tell me, is there room in your father’s house for us to spend the night?”
24 Quae respondit: Filia sum Bathuelis, filii Nachor, quem peperit ei Melcha.
She replied, “I am the daughter of Bethuel, the son that Milcah bore to Nahor.”
25 Et addidit, dicens: Palearum quoque et foeni plurimum est apud nos, et locus spatiosus ad manendum.
Then she added, “We have plenty of straw and feed, as well as a place for you to spend the night.”
26 Inclinavit se homo, et adoravit Dominum,
Then the man bowed down and worshiped the LORD,
27 dicens: Benedictus Dominus Deus domini mei Abraham, qui non abstulit misericordiam et veritatem suam a domino meo, et recto itinere me perduxit in domum fratris domini mei.
saying, “Blessed be the LORD, the God of my master Abraham, who has not withheld His kindness and faithfulness from my master. As for me, the LORD has led me on the journey to the house of my master’s relatives.”
28 Cucurrit itaque puella, et nunciavit in domum matris suae omnia quae audierat.
The girl ran and told her mother’s household about these things.
29 Habebat autem Rebecca fratrem nomine Laban, qui festinus egressus est ad hominem, ubi erat fons.
Now Rebekah had a brother named Laban, and he rushed out to the man at the spring.
30 Cumque vidisset inaures et armillas in manibus sororis suae, et audisset cuncta verba referentis: Haec locutus est mihi homo: venit ad virum, qui stabat iuxta camelos, et prope fontem aquae:
As soon as he saw the ring, and the bracelets on his sister’s wrists, and heard Rebekah’s words, “The man said this to me,” he went and found the man standing by the camels near the spring.
31 dixitque ad eum: Ingredere, benedicte Domini: cur foris stas? praeparavi domum, et locum camelis.
“Come, you who are blessed by the LORD,” said Laban. “Why are you standing out here? I have prepared the house and a place for the camels.”
32 Et introduxit eum in hospitium: ac destravit camelos, deditque paleas et foenum, et aquam ad lavandos pedes eius, et virorum qui venerant cum eo.
So the man came to the house, and the camels were unloaded. Straw and feed were brought to the camels, and water to wash his feet and the feet of his companions.
33 Et appositus est in conspectu eius panis. Qui ait: Non comedam, donec loquar sermones meos. Respondit ei: Loquere.
Then a meal was set before the man, but he said, “I will not eat until I have told you what I came to say.” So Laban said, “Please speak.”
34 At ille: Servus, inquit, Abraham sum:
“I am Abraham’s servant,” he replied.
35 et Dominus benedixit domino meo valde, magnificatusque est: et dedit ei oves et boves, argentum et aurum, servos et ancillas, camelos et asinos.
“The LORD has greatly blessed my master, and he has become rich. He has given him sheep and cattle, silver and gold, menservants and maidservants, camels and donkeys.
36 Et peperit Sara uxor domini mei filium domino meo in senectute sua, deditque illi omnia quae habuerat.
My master’s wife Sarah has borne him a son in her old age, and my master has given him everything he owns.
37 Et adiuravit me dominus meus, dicens: Non accipies uxorem filio meo de filiabus Chananaeorum, in quorum terra habito:
My master made me swear an oath and said, ‘You shall not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites in whose land I dwell,
38 sed ad domum patris mei perges, et de cognatione mea accipies uxorem filio meo:
but you shall go to my father’s house and to my kindred to take a wife for my son.’
39 ego vero respondi domino meo: Quid si noluerit venire mecum mulier?
Then I asked my master, ‘What if the woman will not come back with me?’
40 Dominus, ait, in cuius conspectu ambulo, mittet angelum suum tecum, et diriget viam tuam: accipiesque uxorem filio meo de cognatione mea, et de domo patris mei.
And he told me, ‘The LORD, before whom I have walked, will send His angel with you and make your journey a success, so that you may take a wife for my son from my kindred and from my father’s house.
41 Innocens eris a maledictione mea, cum veneris ad propinquos meos, et non dederit tibi.
And when you go to my kindred, if they refuse to give her to you, then you will be released from my oath.’
42 Veni ergo hodie ad fontem aquae, et dixi: Domine Deus domini mei Abraham, si direxisti viam meam, in qua nunc ambulo,
So when I came to the spring today, I prayed: O LORD, God of my master Abraham, if only You would make my journey a success!
43 ecce sto iuxta fontem aquae, et virgo, quae egredietur ad hauriendam aquam, audierit a me: Da mihi pauxillum aquae ad bibendum de hydria tua:
Here I am, standing beside this spring. Now if a maiden comes out to draw water and I say to her, ‘Please let me drink a little water from your jar,’
44 et dixerit mihi: Et tu bibe, et camelis tuis hauriam: ipsa est mulier quam praeparavit Dominus filio domini mei.
and she replies, ‘Drink, and I will draw water for your camels as well,’ may she be the woman the LORD has appointed for my master’s son.
45 Dumque haec tacitus mecum volverem, apparuit Rebecca veniens cum hydria, quam portabat in scapula: descenditque ad fontem, et hausit aquam. Et aio ad eam: Da mihi paululum bibere.
And before I had finished praying in my heart, there was Rebekah coming out with her jar on her shoulder, and she went down to the spring and drew water. So I said to her, ‘Please give me a drink.’
46 Quae festinans deposuit hydriam de humero, et dixit mihi: Et tu bibe, et camelis tuis tribuam potum. Bibi, et adaquavit camelos.
She quickly lowered her jar from her shoulder and said, ‘Drink, and I will water your camels as well.’ So I drank, and she also watered the camels.
47 Interrogavique eam, et dixi: Cuius es filia? Quae respondit: Filia Bathuelis sum, filii Nachor, quem peperit ei Melcha. Suspendi itaque inaures ad ornandam faciem eius, et armillas posui in manibus eius.
Then I asked her, ‘Whose daughter are you?’ She replied, ‘The daughter of Bethuel son of Nahor, whom Milcah bore to him.’ So I put the ring on her nose and the bracelets on her wrists.
48 Pronusque adoravi Dominum, benedicens Domino Deo domini mei Abraham, qui perduxit me recto itinere, ut sumerem filiam fratris domini mei filio eius.
Then I bowed down and worshiped the LORD; and I blessed the LORD, the God of my master Abraham, who led me on the right road to take the granddaughter of my master’s brother for his son.
49 Quamobrem si facitis misericordiam et veritatem cum domino meo, indicate mihi: sin autem aliud placet, et hoc dicite mihi, ut vadam ad dextram, sive ad sinistram.
Now if you will show kindness and faithfulness to my master, tell me; but if not, let me know, so that I may go elsewhere.”
50 Responderuntque Laban et Bathuel: A Domino egressus est sermo: non possumus extra placitum eius quidquam aliud loqui tecum.
Laban and Bethuel answered, “This is from the LORD; we have no choice in the matter.
51 En Rebecca coram te est, tolle eam, et proficiscere, et sit uxor filii domini tui, sicut locutus est Dominus.
Rebekah is here before you. Take her and go, and let her become the wife of your master’s son, just as the LORD has decreed.”
52 Quod cum audisset puer Abraham, procidens adoravit in terra Dominum.
When Abraham’s servant heard their words, he bowed down to the ground before the LORD.
53 Prolatisque vasis argenteis, et aureis, ac vestibus, dedit ea Rebeccae pro munere: fratribus quoque eius, et matri dona obtulit.
Then he brought out jewels of silver and gold, and articles of clothing, and he gave them to Rebekah. He also gave precious gifts to her brother and her mother.
54 Inito convivio, vescentes pariter et bibentes manserunt ibi. Surgens autem mane, locutus est puer: Dimitte me, ut vadam ad dominum meum.
Then he and the men with him ate and drank and spent the night there. When they got up the next morning, he said, “Send me on my way to my master.”
55 Responderuntque fratres eius, et mater: Maneat puella saltem decem dies apud nos, et postea proficiscetur.
But her brother and mother said, “Let the girl remain with us ten days or so. After that, she may go.”
56 Nolite, ait, me retinere, quia Dominus direxit viam meam: dimittite me ut pergam ad dominum meum.
But he replied, “Do not delay me, since the LORD has made my journey a success. Send me on my way so that I may go to my master.”
57 Et dixerunt: Vocemus puellam, et quaeramus ipsius voluntatem.
So they said, “We will call the girl and ask her opinion.”
58 Cumque vocata venisset, sciscitati sunt: Vis ire cum homine isto? Quae ait: Vadam.
They called Rebekah and asked her, “Will you go with this man?” “I will go,” she replied.
59 Dimiserunt ergo eam, et nutricem illius, servumque Abraham, et comites eius,
So they sent their sister Rebekah on her way, along with her nurse and Abraham’s servant and his men.
60 imprecantes prospera sorori suae, atque dicentes: Soror nostra es, crescas in mille millia, et possideat semen tuum portas inimicorum suorum.
And they blessed Rebekah and said to her, “Our sister, may you become the mother of thousands upon thousands. May your offspring possess the gates of their enemies.”
61 Igitur Rebecca, et puellae illius, ascensis camelis, secutae sunt virum: qui festinus revertebatur ad dominum suum:
Then Rebekah and her servant girls got ready, mounted the camels, and followed the man. So the servant took Rebekah and left.
62 eo autem tempore deambulabat Isaac per viam quae ducit ad Puteum, cuius nomen est Viventis, et videntis: habitabat enim in terra australi:
Now Isaac had just returned from Beer-lahai-roi, for he was living in the Negev.
63 et egressus fuerat ad meditandum in agro, inclinata iam die: cumque elevasset oculos, vidit camelos venientes procul.
Early in the evening, Isaac went out to the field to meditate, and looking up, he saw the camels approaching.
64 Rebecca quoque, conspecto Isaac, descendit de camelo,
And when Rebekah looked up and saw Isaac, she got down from her camel
65 et ait ad puerum: Quis est ille homo qui venit per agrum in occursum nobis? Dixitque ei: Ipse est dominus meus. At illa tollens cito pallium suum, operuit se.
and asked the servant, “Who is that man in the field coming to meet us?” “It is my master,” the servant answered. So she took her veil and covered herself.
66 Servus autem cuncta, quae gesserat, narravit domino suo Isaac.
Then the servant told Isaac all that he had done.
67 Qui introduxit eam in tabernaculum Sarae matris suae, et accepit eam uxorem: et in tantum dilexit eam, ut dolorem, qui ex morte matris eius acciderat, temperaret.
And Isaac brought her into the tent of his mother Sarah and took Rebekah as his wife. And Isaac loved her and was comforted after his mother’s death.
