Olubereberye 24
1 Ibulayimu yawangaala n’akaddiwa nnyo; era Mukama yamuwa emikisa mingi mu byonna.
Now Abraham was old; and advanced in age: and the Lord had blessed him in all things.
2 Awo Ibulayimu n’agamba omuddu asinga obukulu mu nnyumba ye, eyali afuga byonna Ibulayimu bye yalina nti, “Teeka omukono gwo wansi w’ekisambi kyange
And he said to the elder servant of his house, who was ruler over all he had: Put thy hand under my thigh,
3 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,
That I may make thee swear by the Lord the God of heaven and earth, that thou take not a wife for my son, of the daughters of the Chanaanites, among whom I dwell:
4 wabula ng’oligenda mu nsi yange mu bantu bange n’owasiza mutabani wange Isaaka omukazi.”
But that thou go to my own country and kindred, and take a wife from thence for my son Isaac.
5 Omuddu kwe ku mubuuza nti, “Omukazi bw’ataliyagala kujja nange mu nsi eno, ndizzaayo mutabani wo mu nsi mwe wava?”
The servant answered: If the woman will not come with me into this land, must I bring thy son back again to the place, from whence thou camest out?
6 Ibulayimu n’addamu nti, “Togezanga n’ozzaayo mutabani wange.
And Abraham said: Beware thou never bring my son back again thither.
7 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.
The Lord God of heaven, who took me out of my father’s house, and out of my native country, who spoke to me, and swore to me, saying: To thy seed will I give this land: he will send his angel before thee, and thou shalt take from thence a wife for my son.
8 Naye omukazi bw’aligaana okujja naawe, olwo ekirayiro kino kiriba tekikyakusiba. Kyokka togezanga n’ozzaayo omwana wange.”
But if the woman will not follow thee, thou shalt not be bound by the oath; only bring not my son back thither again.
9 Awo omuddu kwe kuteeka omukono gwe wansi w’ekisambi kya mukama we Ibulayimu.
The servant therefore put his hand under the thigh of Abraham his lord, and swore to him upon this word.
10 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.
And he took ten camels of his master’s herd, and departed, carrying something of all his goods with him, and he set forward and went on to Mesopotamia to the city of Nachor.
11 Obudde bwe bwawungeera n’atuuka ebweru w’ekibuga n’afukamiza awo eŋŋamira okumpi n’oluzzi obudde nga buwungedde abakazi we bagendera okukima amazzi.
And when he had made the camels lie down without the town near a well of water in the evening, at the time when women are wont to come out to draw water, he said:
12 N’asaba nti, “Ayi Mukama Katonda wa mukama wange Ibulayimu mpa obuwanguzi leero nkwegayiridde, olage mukama wange Ibulayimu okwagala kwo okutaggwaawo.
O Lord the God of my master Abraham, meet me today, I beseech thee, and show kindness to my master Abraham.
13 Laba nnyimiridde okumpi n’oluzzi, ne bawala b’abantu ab’omu kibuga bajja okusena amazzi.
Behold I stand nigh the spring of water, and the daughters of the inhabitants of this city will come out to draw water.
14 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.”
Now, therefore, the maid to whom I shall say: Let down thy pitcher that I may drink: and she shall answer, Drink, and I will give thy camels drink also: let it be the same whom thou hast provided for thy servant Isaac: and by this I shall understand, that thou hast shown kindness to my master.
15 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.
He had not yet ended these words within himself, and behold Rebecca came out, the daughter of Bathuel, son of Melcha, wife to Nachor the brother of Abraham, having a pitcher on her shoulder:
16 Omuwala oyo yali mulungi okulabako nga muwala mbeerera, n’akka mu luzzi n’ajjuza ensuwa ye n’avaayo.
An exceeding comely maid, and a most beautiful virgin, and not known to man: and she went down to the spring, and filled her pitcher and was coming back.
17 Awo omuddu n’ayanguwa n’amusisinkana, n’amugamba nti, “Nkusaba ompe ku tuzzi ku nsuwa yo.”
And the servant ran to meet her, and said: Give me a little water to drink of thy pitcher.
18 N’amuddamu nti, “Nywako mukama wange.” Amangwago n’assa ensuwa mu mikono gye, n’agikwata mu mukono gwe n’amuwa amazzi.
And she answered: Drink, my lord. And quickly she let down the pitcher upon her arm, and gave him drink.
19 Bwe yamala okumuwa amazzi, n’amugamba nti, “N’eŋŋamira zo nazo nnaazisenera amazzi okutuusa lwe zinaamala okunywa.”
And when he had drunk, she said: I will draw water for thy camels also, till they all drink.
20 Bw’atyo n’ayanguwa n’ayiwa ensuwa ye ey’amazzi n’agimalira mu kyesero, n’adduka n’asena amalala agaali gamala eŋŋamira ze zonna,
And pouring out the pitcher into the troughs, she ran back to the well to draw water: and having drawn she gave to all the camels.
21 omusajja ng’asirise ng’amwekaliriza amaaso okumanya obanga Mukama awadde olugendo lwe omukisa oba nedda.
But he musing beheld her with silence, desirous to know whether the Lord had made his journey prosperous or not.
22 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.
And after that the camels had drunk, the man took out golden earrings, weighing two sicles: and as many bracelets of ten sicles weight.
23 N’amubuuza nti, “Oli muwala w’ani? Mu nnyumba ya kitaawo mulimu ekisenge mwe tuyinza okusuzibwa?”
And he said to her: Whose daughter art thou? tell me: is there any place in thy father’s house to lodge?
24 N’amuddamu nti, “Ndi muwala wa Besweri, mutabani wa Mirika gwe yazaalira Nakoli.”
And she answered: I am the daughter of Bathuel, the son of Melcha, whom she bore to Nachor.
25 N’ayongerako nti, “Tulina omuddo omukalu n’emmere endala ebimala, era n’ekisenge eky’okusulamu tukirina.”
And she said moreover to him: We have good store of both straw and hay, and a large place to lodge in.
26 Awo omusajja n’akutamya omutwe gwe n’asinza Mukama.
The man bowed himself down, and adored the Lord,
27 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.”
Saying: Blessed be the Lord God of my master Abraham, who hath not taken away his mercy and truth from my master, and hath brought me the straight way into the house of my master’s brother.
28 Awo omuwala n’adduka n’ategeeza ab’ennyumba ya nnyina ebintu ebyo byonna.
Then the maid ran, and told in her mother’s house, all that she had heard.
29 Lebbeeka yalina mwannyina, Labbaani, eyayanguwa okulaga ku luzzi eri omusajja,
And Rebecca had a brother named Laban, who went out in haste to the man, to the well.
30 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.
And when he had seen the earrings and bracelets in his sister’s hands, and had heard all that she related, saying: Thus and thus the man spoke to me: he came to the man who stood by the camels, and near to the spring of water,
31 Labbaani n’amugamba nti, “Jjangu gwe aweereddwa Mukama omukisa. Lwaki obeera eno? Ntegesse ennyumba era n’ekifo ky’eŋŋamira.”
And said to him: Come in, thou blessed of the Lord: why standest thou without? I have prepared the house, and a place for the camels.
32 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.
And he brought him in into his lodging: and he unharnessed the camels and gave straw and hay, and water to wash his feet, and the feet of the men that were come with him.
33 Oluvannyuma ne bamuleetera emmere alye. Kyokka ye n’agamba nti, “Sijja kulya nga sinnayogera kindeese.” Labbaani n’amugamba nti, “Yogera.”
And bread was set before him. But he said: I will not eat, till I tell my message. He answered him: Speak.
34 Awo n’agamba nti, “Ndi muddu wa Ibulayimu.
And he said: I am the servant of Abraham:
35 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.
And the Lord hath blessed my master wonderfully, and he is become great: and he hath given him sheep and oxen, silver and gold, men servants and women servants, camels and asses.
36 Era Saala muka mukama wange bwe yali ng’akaddiye yamuzaalira omwana owoobulenzi, era mukama wange awadde oyo byonna by’alina.
And Sara my master’s wife hath borne my master a son in her old age, and he hath given him all that he had.
37 Mukama wange yandayiza n’aŋŋamba nti, ‘Towasizanga mutabani wange mukazi ava mu Bakanani ba nnyini nsi mwe mbeera.
And my master made me swear, saying: Thou shalt not take a wife for my son of the Chanaanites, in whose land I dwell:
38 Wabula oligenda mu nnyumba ya kitange, mu bantu bange, n’owasiza mutabani wange omukazi okuva omwo.’
But thou shalt go to my father’s house, and shalt take a wife of my own kindred for my son:
39 “Ne mbuuza mukama wange nti, ‘Omukazi bw’atalikkiriza kujja nange?’
But I answered my master: What if the woman will not come with me?
40 “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.
The Lord, said he, in whose sight I walk, will send his angel with thee, and will direct thy way: and thou shalt take a wife for my son of my own kindred, and of my father’s house.
41 Naye ekirayiro kyange tekirikubaako bw’olituuka mu bantu bange ne batamukuwa, nga ggwe toliiko musango.’
But thou shalt be clear from my curse, when thou shalt come to my kindred, if they will not give thee one.
42 “Leero bwe ntuuse ku luzzi, ne ŋŋamba nti, ‘Ayi Mukama, Katonda wa mukama wange Ibulayimu, obanga onoowa omukisa olugendo luno lwe ndiko,
And I came today to the well of water, and said: O Lord God of my master Abraham, if thou hast prospered my way, wherein I now walk,
43 laba, nnyimiridde awali oluzzi, kale omuwala anajja okusena amazzi, ne mugamba nti, “Nkusaba ku tuzzi mu nsuwa yo nyweko,”
Behold I stand by the well of water, and the virgin, that shall come out to draw water, who shall hear me say: Give me a little water to drink of thy pitcher:
44 n’anziramu nti, “Nnywa, era n’eŋŋamira zo nazo nzija kuzisenera,” oyo y’aba abeera omukazi Mukama gw’alondedde mutabani wa mukama wange.’
And shall say to me: Both drink thou, and I will also draw for thy camels: let the same be the woman, whom the Lord hath prepared for my master’s son.
45 “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.’
And whilst I pondered these things secretly with myself, Rebecca appeared coming with a pitcher, which she carried on her shoulder: and she went down to the well and drew water. And I said to her: Give me a little to drink.
46 “Nassa mangu ensuwa ye okuva ku kibegabega kye, n’agamba nti, ‘Nnywa, era nnaanywesa n’eŋŋamira zo.’
And she speedily let down the pitcher from her shoulder, and said to me: Both drink thou, and to thy camels I will give drink. I drank, and she watered the camels.
47 “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.
And I asked her, and said: Whose daughter art thou? And she answered: I am the daughter of Bathuel, the son of Nachor, whom Melcha bore to him. So I put earrings on her to adorn her face, and I put bracelets on her hands.
48 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.
And falling down I adored the Lord, blessing the Lord God of my master Abraham, who hath brought me the straight way to take the daughter of my master’s brother for his son.
49 Kale kaakano obanga mu mazima munaakolera mukama wange ebyekisa, mumbuulire, era obanga si bwe kityo mumbuulire; ndyoke mmanye eky’okukola.”
Wherefore if you do according to mercy and truth with my master, tell me: but if it please you otherwise, tell me that also, that I may go to the right hand, or to the left.
50 Awo Labbaani ne Besweri ne baddamu nti, “Kino kivudde wa Mukama, tetuyinza kukuddamu kino oba kiri.
And Laban and Bathuel answered: The word hath proceeded from the Lord, we cannot speak any other thing to thee but his pleasure.
51 Laba, Lebbeeka wuuyo, mutwale, agende abeere muka mutabani wa mukama wo, nga Mukama bw’alagidde.”
Behold Rebecca is before thee, take her and go thy way, and let her be the wife of thy master’s son, as the Lord hath spoken.
52 Omuddu wa Ibulayimu bwe yawulira ebigambo byabwe n’avuunama wansi mu maaso ga Mukama.
Which when Abraham’s servant heard, falling down to the ground he adored the Lord.
53 N’aggyayo eby’obugagga ebya ffeeza ne zaabu, n’ebyambalo n’abiwa Lebbeeka, era n’awa mwannyina ne nnyina ebirabo eby’omuwendo omungi.
And bringing forth vessels of silver and gold, and garments, he gave them to Rebecca for a present. He offered gifts also to her brothers, and to her mother.
54 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.”
And a banquet was made, and they ate and drank together, and lodged there. And in the morning, the servant arose, and said: Let me depart, that I may go to my master.
55 Mwannyina ne nnyina ne bamuddamu nti, “Leka omuwala abeereko naffe akaseera, wakiri ennaku kkumi, olwo mulyoke mugende.”
And her brother and mother answered: Let the maid stay at least ten days with us, and afterwards she shall depart.
56 Ye n’abaddamu nti, “Temundwisa, kubanga Mukama awadde olugendo lwange omukisa.”
Stay me not, said he, because the Lord hath prospered my way: send me away, that I may go to my master.
57 Ne bagamba nti, “Ka tuyite omuwala tumubuuze.”
And they said: Let us call the maid, and ask her will.
58 Ne bayita Lebbeeka, ne bamubuuza nti, “Onoogenda n’omusajja ono?” N’addamu nti, “Nnaagenda.”
And they called her, and when she was come, they asked: Wilt thou go with this man? She said: I will go.
59 Awo ne basiibula Lebbeeka mwannyinaabwe, n’omuweereza we omuwala, n’omuweereza wa Ibulayimu omusajja awamu n’abasajja be.
So they sent her away, and her nurse, and Abraham’s servant, and his company,
60 Ne basabira Lebbeeka omukisa ne bamugamba nti, “Mwannyinaffe beera nnyina w’enkumi n’enkumi, abaana n’abazzukulu bo balyenga ebibuga by’abalabe baabwe.”
Wishing prosperity to their sister, and saying: Thou art our sister, mayst thou increase to thousands of thousands, and may thy seed possess the gates of their enemies.
61 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.
So Rebecca and her maids, being set upon camels, followed the man: who with speed returned to his master.
62 Olwo Isaaka yali ng’avudde e Beerirakayiroyi ng’ali mu Negevu.
At the same time Isaac was walking along the way to the well which is called Of the living and the seeing: for he dwelt in the south country.
63 Awo bwe yali ng’atambula nga bw’afumiitiriza mu nnimiro akawungeezi, n’ayimusa amaaso ge n’alengera eŋŋamira nga zijja.
And he was gone forth to meditate in the field, the day being now well spent: and when he had lifted up his eyes, he saw camels coming afar off.
64 Ne Lebbeeka n’ayimusa amaaso ge. Bwe yalengera Isaaka n’ava ku ŋŋamira,
Rebecca also, when she saw Isaac, lighted off the camel,
65 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.
And said to the servant: Who is that man who cometh towards us along the field? And he said to her: That man is my master. But she quickly took her cloak, and covered herself.
66 Awo omuddu n’ategeeza Isaaka byonna nga bwe byagenda.
And the servant told Isaac all that he had done.
67 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.
Who brought her into the tent of Sara his mother, and took her to wife: and he loved her so much, that it moderated the sorrow which was occasioned by his mother’s death.
