UGenesisi 24
1 U-Abhrahama wayeseluphele kakhulu, njalo uThixo wayembusisile kukho konke.
Now Abraham was old; and advanced in age: and the Lord had blessed him in all things.
2 Wasesithi encekwini yakhe enkulu, leyo eyayilawula konke ayelakho, “Beka isandla sakho ngaphansi kwethangazi lami.
And he said to the elder servant of his house, who was ruler over all he had: Put thy hand under my thigh,
3 Ngifuna ukuthi ufunge ngoThixo, uNkulunkulu wasezulwini loNkulunkulu wasemhlabeni, ukuthi kawuyikuzuzela indodana yami umfazi emadodakazini amaKhenani engihlala phakathi kwawo,
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 kodwa uzakuya elizweni lakithi lasezihlotsheni zami uzuzele indodana yami u-Isaka umfazi.”
But that thou go to my own country and kindred, and take a wife from thence for my son Isaac.
5 Inceku yambuza yathi, “Pho nxa lowo wesifazane engavumi ukuza lami kulelilizwe-ke? Ngizathatha indodana yakho ngiyise kulelolizwe lapho owavela khona na?”
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 U-Abhrahama wathi, “Ungaqali ukuhambisa indodana yami khonale.
And Abraham said: Beware thou never bring my son back again thither.
7 UThixo, uNkulunkulu wasezulwini, owangikhupha emzini kababa laselizweni lakithi njalo owakhuluma kimi, wangithembisa ngesifungo wathi, ‘Ilizwe leli ngizalinika inzalo yakho,’ uzathuma ingilosi yakhe ihambe phambi kwakho ukuze ukwazi ukutholela indodana yami umfazi khonale.
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 Nxa owesifazane lowo esala ukuza lapha lawe, uzabe usukhululwe kulesi isifungo sami. Kodwa ungaqali ukusa indodana yami khonale.”
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 Ngakho inceku yasifaka isandla sayo ngaphansi kwethangazi lenkosi yayo u-Abhrahama yafunga isifungo kuye ngodaba lolu.
The servant therefore put his hand under the thigh of Abraham his lord, and swore to him upon this word.
10 Inceku yasithatha amakamela enkosi yayo alitshumi yasuka, yathatha yonke imihlobo yezinto ezinhle zenkosi yayo. Yaqonda e-Aramu Naharayimu, yahamba yaze yayafika emzini waseNahori.
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 Amakamela yawaguqisa phansi eduzane lomthombo ngaphandle komuzi; kwasekuntambama, sekuyisikhathi sabesifazane ukuyakukha amanzi.
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 Yasikhuleka yathi, “Oh Thixo, Nkulunkulu wenkosi yami u-Abhrahama, yenza ngiphumelele lamuhla, utshengise umusa enkosini yami u-Abhrahama.
O Lord the God of my master Abraham, meet me today, I beseech thee, and show kindness to my master Abraham.
13 Khangela-ke, nanku ngimi lapha eceleni komthombo lo, njalo amadodakazi abantu balelidolobho asesiza ukuzakukha amanzi.
Behold I stand nigh the spring of water, and the daughters of the inhabitants of this city will come out to draw water.
14 Kungasake kuthi ngingathi entombini, ‘Ake ungikhele amanzi ngenkezo yakho nginathe,’ yona ithi, ‘Natha, njalo ngizanathisa lamakamela akho,’ kube yiyo kanye oyikhethele inceku yakho u-Isaka. Ngalokho ngizakwazi ukuthi usutshengise umusa enkosini yami.”
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 Ingakaqedi ukukhuleka, uRabheka waphuma ethwele imbiza yakhe yamanzi ehlombe lakhe. Wayeyindodakazi kaBhethuweli indodana kaMilikha, owayengumfazi womfowabo ka-Abhrahama uNahori.
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 Intombi le yayinhle kakhulu, igcwele; ingakaze ilale lendoda. Yehlela emthonjeni, yagcwalisa imbiza yayo yasiqansa.
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 Inceku yaphanga yamhlangabeza yathi, “Ngicela amanzi embizeni yakho.”
And the servant ran to meet her, and said: Give me a little water to drink of thy pitcher.
18 Wathi, “Natha nkosi yami,” watsho esehlisa imbiza eyibamba ngezandla emnathisa.
And she answered: Drink, my lord. And quickly she let down the pitcher upon her arm, and gave him drink.
19 Esemnathisile wathi, “Ngizakhelela lamakamela akho lawo ngiwanathise.”
And when he had drunk, she said: I will draw water for thy camels also, till they all drink.
20 Wasethululela imbiza yakhe emkolweni, wagijimela emthonjeni njalo ukukha amanye, wawakhelela wonke amakamela akhe.
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 Indoda yabukela ithule ilokhu inanzelela idinga ukubona ukuthi ngeqiniso uThixo wayeluphumelelisile yini uhambo lwayo.
But he musing beheld her with silence, desirous to know whether the Lord had made his journey prosperous or not.
22 Amakamela eseqedile ukunatha, indoda leyo yakhupha isongo lamakhala elenziwe ngegolide elilobunzima obungaba yingxenye yeshekeli, lezigqizo zegolide ezimbili ezilobunzima bamashekeli alitshumi.
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 Yasibuza yathi, “Uyindodakazi kabani na? Ake ungitshele, kambe singazuza indawo yini emzini kayihlo kesicatshise amakhanda ubusuku balamuhla nje?”
And he said to her: Whose daughter art thou? tell me: is there any place in thy father’s house to lodge?
24 URabheka wamphendula wathi, “Ngiyindodakazi kaBhethuweli, indodana kaMilikha ayizalela uNahori.”
And she answered: I am the daughter of Bathuel, the son of Melcha, whom she bore to Nachor.
25 Waphinda wengeza wathi, “Silotshani obunengi lamahlanga, kanye lendawo yokulala ikhona okwalamuhla ebusuku.”
And she said moreover to him: We have good store of both straw and hay, and a large place to lodge in.
26 Indoda yakhothamela phansi yakhonza uThixo,
The man bowed himself down, and adored the Lord,
27 isithi, “Udumo kalube kuThixo, uNkulunkulu wenkosi yami u-Abhrahama, ongadelanga umusa wakhe lokuthembeka kwakhe enkosini yami. Mina ngokwami uThixo ungikhokhele ohanjweni lwami ngazafika endlini yezinini zenkosi yami.”
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 Intombi yagijima yayabikela abendlu kanina ngalezizinto.
Then the maid ran, and told in her mother’s house, all that she had heard.
29 URabheka wayelomnewabo owayethiwa nguLabhani, yena waphanga waya kuleyondoda eyayisemthonjeni.
And Rebecca had a brother named Laban, who went out in haste to the man, to the well.
30 Wonela ukubona isongo lamakhala kanye lezigqizo engalweni kadadewabo, njalo esezwile uRabheka elandisa ngokwakhulunywa yindoda leyo kuye, wasuka waya kuyo wayifica imi eceleni kwamakamela eduze komthombo.
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 Wathi, “Woza, wena obusisiweyo nguThixo. Umeleni phandle lapha? Sengilungisile indlu lendawo yamakamela.”
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 Ngakho indoda yaya ngekhaya, lamakamela ethulwa imithwalo. Utshani lamahlanga kwalethwa emakameleni, yena lamadoda ayelawo balethelwa amanzi okugeza inyawo zabo.
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 Kwasekulethwa ukudla kwabekwa phambi kwakhe, kodwa wathi, “Kangizukudla ngize ngiqale ngilitshele lokho okumele ngikutsho.” ULabhani wathi, “Sitshele phela.”
And bread was set before him. But he said: I will not eat, till I tell my message. He answered him: Speak.
34 Ngakho wasesithi, “Ngiyinceku ka-Abhrahama.
And he said: I am the servant of Abraham:
35 UThixo uyibusisile inkosi yami kakhulu, isinothile kakhulu. Uyiphile izimvu lenkomo, isiliva legolide, lezinceku zesilisa lezesifazane kanye lamakamela labobabhemi.
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 Inkosikazi yenkosi yami, uSara, imzalele indodana ebudaleni bayo, inkosi yami yasiyinika leyondodana konke elakho.
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 Njalo inkosi yami yangifungisa isifungo yathi, ‘Ungazuzeli indodana yami umfazi emadodakazini amaKhenani, engihlala elizweni lawo,
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 kodwa yana ezininini zikababa, kwabosendo lwakithi, uzuzele indodana yami umfazi.’
But thou shalt go to my father’s house, and shalt take a wife of my own kindred for my son:
39 Ngasengiyibuza inkosi yami ngathi, ‘Pho nxa owesifazane lowo esala ukuza lapha-ke?’
But I answered my master: What if the woman will not come with me?
40 Yaphendula yathi, ‘UThixo, engihamba phambi kwakhe, uzathumela ingilosi yakhe ihambe lawe, iphumelelise uhambo lwakho ukuze uzuzele indodana yami umfazi kwabosendo lwakithi, lasezininini zikababa.
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 Ngakho uzakuthi ungaya kwabosendo lwakithi, uzakhululwa esifungweni sami loba bangaze bale laye.’
But thou shalt be clear from my curse, when thou shalt come to my kindred, if they will not give thee one.
42 Ngithe ukufika kwami emthonjeni lamuhla ngathi, ‘Oh Thixo, Nkulunkulu wenkosi yami u-Abhrahama, nxa uthanda, ngicela uphumelelise uhambo lolu engingalo lapha.
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 Akubone, ngimi eceleni kwalo umthombo; nxa kufika intombi izokukha amanzi, ngithi kuyo, “Akunginathise amanzi amalutshwana enkonxeni yakho,”
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 ingaze ithi kimi, “Natha, njalo ngizanathisa lamakamela akho lawo,” kabe nguye uThixo asemkhethele indodana yenkosi yami.’
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 Ngingakaqedi ukukhuleka enhliziyweni yami, uRabheka waphuma, ethwele imbiza yakhe ehlombe. Wehlela emthonjeni wakha amanzi, ngathi kuye, ‘Akunginathise.’
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 Waphanga wethula imbiza yakhe ehlombe lakhe wathi, ‘Natha, ngizanathisa lamakamela akho njalo.’ Ngakho nganatha, waphinda wanathisa lamakamela njalo.
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 Ngambuza ngathi, ‘Uyindodakazi kabani wena?’ Wathi, ‘Indodakazi kaBhethuweli indodana kaNahori, amzala kuMilikha.’ Ngasengimgqizisa isongo emakhaleni lezigqizo ezingalweni zakhe,
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 ngasengikhothamela phansi, ngamkhonza uThixo. Ngadumisa uThixo, uNkulunkulu wenkosi yami u-Abhrahama, ongikhokhele endleleni eqondileyo ngazathola intombi engumzukulu womfowabo wenkosi yami ngayizuzela indodana yayo inkosi yami.
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 Manje-ke nxa lizatshengisa umusa lokwethembeka enkosini yami, ngitshelani; loba kungenjalo, ngitshelani ukuze ngazi ukuthi ngithini.”
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 ULabhani loBhethuweli baphendula bathi, “Lokhu kuvela kuThixo; kakukho esingakutsho kuwe, loba yini.
And Laban and Bathuel answered: The word hath proceeded from the Lord, we cannot speak any other thing to thee but his pleasure.
51 Nangu uRabheka; mthathe uhambe laye ayekuba ngumfazi wendodana yenkosi yakho, njengalokhu okuqondiswe nguThixo.”
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 Kwathi inceku ka-Abhrahama ikuzwa lokhu abakutshoyo yakhothama phansi emhlabathini phambi kukaThixo.
Which when Abraham’s servant heard, falling down to the ground he adored the Lord.
53 Ngakho inceku yasikhupha igolide lesiliva kanye lempahla zokugqoka yakupha uRabheka; yapha njalo umnewabo lonina izipho ezidulayo.
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 Yena lamadoda ayehamba lawo basebesidla njalo banatha, balala khona. Bathi bevuka ekuseni wathi, “Sivumeleni sibuyele enkosini yami.”
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 Kodwa umnewabo lonina baphendula bathi, “Ake ume kesihlale lentombazana okwensukwana ezingaba litshumi; lapho selingahamba-ke.”
And her brother and mother answered: Let the maid stay at least ten days with us, and afterwards she shall depart.
56 Kodwa wathi kubo, “Lingangibambeleli, njengoba uThixo eseluphumelelisile uhambo lwami. Wothini ngihambe ukuze ngiyefika enkosini yami.”
Stay me not, said he, because the Lord hath prospered my way: send me away, that I may go to my master.
57 Basebesithi, “Wothi sibize intombazana kesiyibuze ngakho.”
And they said: Let us call the maid, and ask her will.
58 Ngakho bambiza uRabheka bambuza bathi, “Uyafuna ukuhamba layo indoda le na?” Wathi, “Ngizahamba layo.”
And they called her, and when she was come, they asked: Wilt thou go with this man? She said: I will go.
59 Ngakho basebemkhulula udadewabo uRabheka ukuba ahambe kanye lomlizane wakhe, bahamba lenceku ka-Abhrahama lamadoda ayelayo.
So they sent her away, and her nurse, and Abraham’s servant, and his company,
60 Njalo bambusisa uRabheka bathi kuye, “Dadewethu, sengathi ungandisa izinkulungwane zezinkulungwane; sengathi inzalo yakho ingathumba amadolobho ezitha zayo.”
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 URabheka lamantombazana akhe bazilungiselela, basebekhwela amakamela abo bahamba lendoda leyo. Ngakho inceku yamthatha uRabheka yahamba.
So Rebecca and her maids, being set upon camels, followed the man: who with speed returned to his master.
62 Ngalesosikhathi u-Isaka wayesefikile evela eBheri-Lahayi-Royi, ngoba wayehlala eNegebi.
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 Ngenye intambama waya ensimini ehambahamba ukuthi ake ahluze ingqondo, wasesithi uyakhangela wabona amakamela esiza.
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 URabheka laye wakhangela wambona u-Isaka. Wehla ekameleni lakhe
Rebecca also, when she saw Isaac, lighted off the camel,
65 wabuza inceku wathi, “Indoda leyana esensimini ngubani, leyana esihlangabezayo?” Inceku yaphendula yathi, “Uyinkosi yami.” Yikho uRabheka wasethatha ilembu elilula wazemboza ngalo.
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 Inceku yasimtshela u-Isaka konke lokho eyayikwenzile.
And the servant told Isaac all that he had done.
67 U-Isaka wamngenisa ethenteni likanina uSara, wahle wamthatha uRabheka. Ngakho wasesiba ngumkakhe, wamthanda; u-Isaka waduduzeka ngemva kokufa kukanina.
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.
