Mwanzo 24
1 Wakati huu Abrahamu alikuwa mzee mwenye miaka mingi, naye Bwana alikuwa amembariki katika kila njia.
Now, Abraham, was old, far gone in days, —and, Yahweh, had blessed Abraham, in all things.
2 Akamwambia mtumishi wake mkuu wa vitu vyote katika nyumba yake, yule aliyekuwa msimamizi wa vitu vyote alivyokuwa navyo, “Weka mkono wako chini ya paja langu,
So Abraham said unto his servant, elder of his house, ruler of all that he had, —Place, I pray thee thy hand under my thigh;
3 Ninataka uape kwa Bwana, Mungu wa mbingu na Mungu wa nchi, kwamba hutamtwalia mwanangu mke kutoka binti za Wakanaani, ambao ninaishi miongoni mwao,
that I may put thee on oath, by Yahweh God of the heavens and God of the earth—That thou wilt not take a wife for my son, from among the daughters of the Canaanites in the midst of whom, I, am dwelling:
4 bali utakwenda katika nchi yangu na jamaa zangu umpatie Isaki mwanangu mke.”
but unto my own land and unto my own kindred, wilt go, —So shalt thou take a wife for my son—for Isaac.
5 Yule mtumishi akamuuliza, “Je, kama huyo mwanamke atakataa kuja nami katika nchi hii? Je, nimpeleke mwanao katika hiyo nchi uliyotoka?”
And the servant said unto him, Peradventure the woman may not be willing to follow me into this land, —May I take back thy son, into the land from whence thou camest?
6 Abrahamu akasema, “Hakikisha kwamba hutamrudisha mwanangu huko.
And Abraham said unto him, —Beware that thou do not take back my son thither!
7 Bwana, Mungu wa mbingu, aliyenitoa nyumbani kwa baba yangu na nchi yangu niliyozaliwa na aliyesema nami na akaniahidi kwa kiapo, akisema, ‘Nitawapa watoto wako nchi hii,’ atatuma malaika wake akutangulie ili umpatie mwanangu mke kutoka huko.
Yahweh, God of the heavens, and God of the earth, who took me out of the house of my father, and out of the land of my kindred, and, who spake to me, and who sware to me, saying, To thy seed, will I give this land, he, will send his messenger before thee, so shalt thou take a wife for my son from thence.
8 Kama huyo mwanamke asipokubali kufuatana nawe, basi utafunguliwa kutoka kiapo nilichokuapisha. Ila usimrudishe mwanangu huko.”
But if unwilling be the woman to follow thee, then shalt thou be clear from this mine oath, —Only my son, shalt thou not take back thither
9 Basi yule mtumishi akaweka mkono wake chini ya paja la bwana wake Abrahamu akamwapia kuhusu shauri hili.
So the servant placed his hand, under the thigh of Abraham, his lord, —and sware to him, over this thing.
10 Ndipo huyo mtumishi akachukua ngamia kumi miongoni mwa ngamia za bwana wake, akaondoka, akiwa amechukua aina zote za vitu vizuri kutoka kwa bwana wake. Akaelekea Aramu-Naharaimu na kushika njia kwenda mji wa Nahori.
Then took the servant ten camels, from among the camels of his lord, and went his way, —all the goods of his master being in his hand, —so be mounted, and went his way unto Mesopotamia, unto the city of Nahor.
11 Akawapigisha ngamia magoti karibu na kisima cha maji nje ya mji, ilikuwa inaelekea jioni, wakati ambapo wanawake wanakuja kuteka maji.
And he made the camels kneel down outside the city, against the well of water, —at the time of evening, at the time of the coming forth of the women that drew water,
12 Kisha akaomba, “Ee Bwana, Mungu wa bwana wangu Abrahamu, nipatie ushindi leo, uonyeshe huruma kwa bwana wangu Abrahamu.
Then he said, O Yahweh, God of my lord Abraham! I pray thee cause it to fall out before me today, that thou deal in lovingkindness with my lord Abraham.
13 Tazama, nimesimama karibu na kisima hiki cha maji, nao binti za watu wa mji huu wanakuja kuteka maji.
Here am, I, stationed by the fountain of water, —and, the daughters of the men of the city, are coming forth to draw water:
14 Basi na iwe hivi, nitakapomwambia binti mmojawapo, ‘Tafadhali tua mtungi wako nipate kunywa maji,’ naye akisema, ‘Kunywa, nitawanywesha na ngamia wako pia.’ Basi na awe ndiye uliyemchagua kwa ajili ya mtumishi wako Isaki. Kwa hili nitajua umemhurumia bwana wangu.”
so it shall come to pass that the young woman unto whom I shall say. Let down pray. thy pitcher that I may drink, and she shall say, Drink, and to thy camels also, will I give to drink, that, her! hast thou appointed for thy servant for Isaac, And, hereby, shall I get to know, that thou hast dealt in lovingkindness with my lord!
15 Ikawa kabla hajamaliza kuomba, Rebeka akatokea akiwa na mtungi begani mwake. Alikuwa binti wa Bethueli. Bethueli alikuwa mwana wa Milka aliyekuwa mke wa Nahori ndugu wa Abrahamu.
And it came to pass, ere yet, he, had done speaking, that lo! Rebekah, was coming forth who had been born to Bethuel son of Milcah, wife of Nahor, brother of Abraham, —with her pitcher upon her shoulder,
16 Huyu msichana alikuwa mzuri sana wa sura, bikira, ambaye hakuna mtu aliyekuwa amekutana naye kimwili. Aliteremka kisimani, akajaza mtungi wake akapanda juu.
Now the young woman! was of very pleasing appearance, a virgin whom, no man, had known, —and she went down unto the fountain, and filled her pitcher and came up.
17 Ndipo yule mtumishi akaharakisha kukutana naye akamwambia, “Tafadhali nipe maji kidogo katika mtungi wako.”
And the servant ran to meet her, —and said, I pray thee let me drink a little water out of thy pitcher.
18 Yule msichana akasema, “Kunywa, bwana wangu.” Akashusha kwa haraka mtungi mkononi mwake na akampa, akanywa.
And she said, Drink my lord, —And she hastened and lowered her pitcher on her hand and let him drink.
19 Baada ya kumpa yule mtumishi yale maji, akamwambia, “Nitateka maji kwa ajili ya ngamia zako pia mpaka wote watosheke.”
And when she had done giving him drink, —she said For thy camels also, will I draw, until they have done drinking.
20 Akafanya haraka kumimina maji kwenye birika ya kunyweshea wanyama, akakimbia kisimani kuteka maji mengine na akateka ya kuwatosha ngamia wake wote.
So she hastened and emptied her pitcher into the drinking-trough, and ran again unto the well, to draw, —and she drew for all his camels.
21 Pasipo kusema neno, yule mtumishi akamtazama kwa makini aone kama Bwana ameifanikisha safari yake, au la.
Now the man, was eagerly watching her, —keeping silence to see—whether Yahweh had prospered his way., or not.
22 Ikawa ngamia walipokwisha kunywa wote, yule mtumishi akampa huyo msichana pete ya puani ya dhahabu yenye uzito wa beka moja na bangili mbili za dhahabu zenye uzito wa shekeli kumi.
And it came to pass when the camels had done drinking, that the man took a ring of gold, half a shekel its weight, —and two bracelets for her hands, ten of gold their weight;
23 Kisha akamuuliza, “Wewe ni binti wa nani? Tafadhali uniambie, je, kuna nafasi katika nyumba ya baba yako tutakapoweza kulala?”
and said Whose daughter art, thou? I pray thee, tell me. Is there in the house of thy father a place for us to tarry the night?
24 Yule msichana akamjibu, “Mimi ni binti wa Bethueli, mwana wa Milka aliyemzalia Nahori.”
And she said unto him, Daughter of Bethuel, am, I,—[Bethuel] son of Milcah whom she bare to Nahor.
25 Akaendelea kusema, “Kwetu kuna majani mengi na malisho, tena kuna nafasi kwa ajili yenu kulala.”
And she said unto him, Both straw and fodder in plenty, have we, —also a place to tarry the night.
26 Yule mtumishi akasujudu na kumwabudu Bwana,
Then the man bowed his head, and bent himself down unto Yahweh;
27 akisema, “Atukuzwe Bwana, Mungu wa bwana wangu Abrahamu, ambaye hakuondoa wema na uaminifu wake kwa bwana wangu. Mimi nami, Bwana ameniongoza safarini akanifikisha nyumbani kwa jamaa za bwana wangu.”
and said, Blessed be Yahweh. God of my lord Abraham, who hath not withdrawn his lovingkindness and his faithfulness, from my lord, —I—being in the way, Yahweh led me unto the house of the brethren of my lord!
28 Yule msichana akakimbia akawaeleza watu wa nyumbani mwa mama yake kuhusu mambo haya.
And the young woman ran, and told the household of her mother, —according to these words.
29 Rebeka alikuwa na kaka aliyeitwa Labani, huyo akaharakisha kukutana na yule mtumishi kule kisimani.
Now, Rebekah, had a brother, whose name, was Laban, —so Laban ran unto the man outside, unto the fountain.
30 Mara alipoiona ile pete puani, na bangili mikononi mwa dada yake na kusikia yale maneno Rebeka aliyoambiwa na huyo mtumishi, alimwendea huyo mtumishi, akamkuta amesimama karibu na ngamia wake pale karibu na kisima.
And it came to pass, when he saw the ring, and the bracelets on the hands of his sister, and when he heard the words of Rebekah his sister saying, Thus, did the man speak unto me, that he came unto the man, and lo! he was standing by the camels near the fountain;
31 Akamwambia, “Karibu nyumbani wewe uliyebarikiwa na Bwana, kwa nini unasimama huko nje? Mimi nimekuandalia nyumba na mahali kwa ajili ya ngamia.”
and he said, Come in. thou blessed of Yahweh, —Wherefore shouldst thou stand outside, when I have made ready the house and a place for the camels?
32 Hivyo yule mtumishi akaenda nyumbani, mizigo ikaondolewa juu ya ngamia. Majani na malisho yakaletwa kwa ajili ya ngamia na maji kwa ajili yake na watu wake ili kunawa miguu.
So the man came in towards the house, and ungirded the camels, —and there was given him straw and fodder for the camels, and water for bathing his own feet and the feet of the men who were with him;
33 Ndipo chakula kikaandaliwa kwa ajili yake, lakini akasema, “Sitakula mpaka niwe nimewaambia yale niliyo nayo ya kusema.” Labani akasema, “Basi tuambie.”
and [food] was set before him to eat, But he said, I cannot eat, until I have spoken my words. And he said—Speak!
34 Hivyo akasema, “Mimi ni mtumishi wa Abrahamu.
Then said he, —Servant of Abraham, am I.
35 Bwana amembariki sana bwana wangu, amekuwa tajiri. Amempa kondoo na ngʼombe, fedha na dhahabu, watumishi wa kiume na wa kike, ngamia na punda.
Now, Yahweh, having blessed my lord exceedingly, and made him great, —and given him flocks and herds and silver and gold, and men-servants and maid-servants, and camels, and asses,
36 Sara mkewe bwana wangu amemzalia mwana katika uzee wake, naye amempa kila kitu alichokuwa nacho.
then did Sarah wife of my lord, bear a son to my lord, after she had become old, —so he gave to him all that he had;
37 Naye bwana wangu ameniapisha na akasema, ‘Kamwe usimtwalie mwanangu mke katika binti za Wakanaani, ambao ninaishi katika nchi yao,
And my lord put me on oath saying, —Thou shalt not take a wife for my son, of the daughters of the Canaanites in whose land, I, am dwelling;
38 ila uende mpaka kwa jamaa ya baba yangu na ukoo wangu mwenyewe, ukamtwalie mwanangu mke huko.’
but, unto the house of my father, shalt thou go, and unto my family, —and take a wife for my son.
39 “Kisha nikamuuliza bwana wangu, ‘Je, kama huyo mwanamke hatakubali kurudi nami?’
So I said unto my lord, —Peradventure the woman will not follow me.
40 “Akanijibu, ‘Bwana ambaye nimetembea mbele zake, atatuma malaika wake pamoja nawe, na kuifanikisha safari yako, ili uweze kupata mke kwa ajili ya mwanangu katika ukoo wangu na kutoka jamaa ya baba yangu.
And he said unto me, —Yahweh, before whom I have walked to and fro, will send his messenger with thee, so shall he prosper thy way, and thou shalt take a wife for my son out of my kindred and out of the house of my father.
41 Kisha, utakapokwenda kwenye ukoo wangu, utakuwa umefunguliwa kutoka kiapo changu hata kama wakikataa kukupa huyo binti, utakuwa umefunguliwa kutoka kiapo changu.’
Then, shalt thou clear thyself from mine oath, for thou shalt go in unto my kindred, —and, if they will not grant her unto thee, then shalt thou be clear from mine oath.
42 “Nilipokuja kisimani leo nilisema, ‘Ee Bwana, Mungu wa bwana wangu Abrahamu, ikikupendeza, naomba uifanikishe safari niliyoijia.
So I came in to-day, unto the fountain, —and I said O Yahweh God of my lord Abraham! if, I pray thee thou art prospering my way whereon I am going,
43 Tazama, ninasimama kando ya kisima hiki, kama mwanamwali akija kuteka maji nami nikimwambia, tafadhali niruhusu ninywe maji kidogo kutoka kwenye mtungi wako,
here, am I stationed by the fountain of water, —so then it shall come to pass that, the maiden that is coming forth to draw, and I shall say unto her Let me drink. I pray thee a little water out of thy pitcher;
44 naye kama akiniambia, “Kunywa, nami nitateka maji kwa ajili ya ngamia wako pia,” basi huyo awe ndiye mke ambaye Bwana amemchagulia mwana wa bwana wangu.’
and she shall say unto me Both, thou, drink, and for thy camels also, will I draw, the same, shall be the woman whom Yahweh hath appointed for the son of my lord.
45 “Kabla sijamaliza kuomba moyoni mwangu, Rebeka akatokea, amebeba mtungi begani mwake. Akashuka kisimani akateka maji, nami nikamwambia, ‘Tafadhali nipe maji ninywe.’
Ere yet, I, could make an end of speaking unto mine own heart, lo! then Rebekah, coming forth, with her pitcher on her shoulder, and she went down to the fountain, and drew, —and I said unto her Let me drink I pray thee!
46 “Akafanya haraka kushusha mtungi wake begani na kusema, ‘Kunywa na nitawanywesha ngamia wako pia,’ basi nikanywa, akawanywesha na ngamia pia.
So she hastened and lowered her pitcher from off her, and said. Drink! and to thy camels also, will I give to drink, —So I drank and the camels also, she let drink.
47 “Nikamuuliza, ‘Wewe ni binti wa nani?’ “Akasema, ‘Mimi ni binti wa Bethueli, mwana wa Nahori, Milka aliyemzalia.’ “Ndipo nilipotia pete puani mwake na bangili mikononi mwake,
Then I asked her, and said, Whose daughter art thou? And she said Daughter of Bethuel son of Nahor, whom, Milcah, bare to him, —Then put I the ring upon her nose, and the bracelets upon her hands;
48 nikasujudu na nikamwabudu Bwana. Nikamtukuza Bwana, Mungu wa bwana wangu Abrahamu, aliyeniongoza katika njia sahihi ili nimtwalie mwana na bwana wangu mke katika jamaa zake.
and bowed my head and bent myself down unto Yahweh, —and I blessed Yahweh God of my lord Abraham, who had led me in a way of faithfulness, to take the daughter of the brother of my lord for his son.
49 Ikiwa mtaonyesha wema na uaminifu kwa bwana wangu, mniambie, la sivyo, mniambie, ili niweze kujua njia ya kugeukia.”
Now, therefore, if ye are dealing in lovingkindness and faithfulness with my lord, tell me, —and, if not, tell me, that I may turn unto the right hand or unto the left.
50 Labani na Bethueli wakajibu, “Jambo hili limetoka kwa Bwana, hatuwezi kukuambia jambo lolote baya au jema.
Then answered Laban and Bethuel and said, from Yahweh, hath come forth the word, —we cannot speak unto thee ill or well.
51 Rebeka yuko hapa, mchukue na uende, awe mke wa mwana wa bwana wako, sawasawa na Bwana alivyoongoza.”
Lo! Rebekah, is before thee, Take her and go thy way, —And let her become wife unto the son of thy lord, as Yahweh hath spoken.
52 Ikawa huyo mtumishi wa Abrahamu aliposikia waliyosema, alisujudu mpaka nchi mbele za Bwana.
And it came to pass when Abraham’s servant heard their words, that he bowed himself down towards the earth unto Yahweh.
53 Ndipo huyo mtumishi akatoa vitu vilivyotengenezwa kwa dhahabu na kwa fedha pamoja na mavazi, akampa Rebeka, pia akawapa zawadi za thamani kubwa nduguye na mamaye.
Then the servant brought forth jewels of silver and jewels of gold and raiment, and gave unto Rebekah, —and precious things, gave he to her brother and to her mother.
54 Kisha yeye na wale watu waliokuwa pamoja naye wakala, wakanywa na kulala palepale. Walipoamka asubuhi, yule mtumishi, akasema, “Nipeni ruhusa nirudi kwa bwana wangu.”
And they did eat and drink he, and the men who were with him, and they tarried the night, —and when they arose in the morning, he said Let me go unto my lord!
55 Lakini ndugu yake Rebeka pamoja na mama yake wakajibu, “Acha binti akae kwetu siku kumi au zaidi, ndipo mwondoke.”
Then said her brother and her mother, Let the young woman remain with us some days or rather ten, —After that, she shall go.
56 Lakini yule mtumishi akawaambia, “Msinicheleweshe, kwa kuwa Bwana amefanikisha safari yangu, nipeni ruhusa nirudi kwa bwana wangu.”
And he said unto them, Do not hinder me, when, Yahweh, hath prospered my journey, —Let me go, that I may take my journey unto my lord!
57 Ndipo wakasema, “Acha tumwite huyo binti tumuulize, tusikie atakavyosema.”
Then said they, We must call the young woman and ask at her mouth.
58 Kwa hiyo wakamwita Rebeka na kumuuliza, “Je, utakwenda na mtu huyu?” Akasema, “Nitakwenda.”
So they called Rebekah and said unto her, Wilt thou go with this man? And she said, I will go.
59 Hivyo wakamwaga ndugu yao Rebeka aondoke, pamoja na mjakazi wake, mtumishi wa Abrahamu na watu wake.
So they let go Rebekah their sister, and her nurse, and Abraham’s servant and his men.
60 Wakambariki Rebeka, wakamwambia, “Ndugu yetu, uwe wewe kumi elfu, mara elfu nyingi, nao wazao wako wamiliki malango ya adui zao.”
And they blessed Rebekah and said to her, Our sister! become thou, thousands of ten thousands, —And let thy seed take possession of the gate of them that hate them!
61 Rebeka na vijakazi wake wakajiandaa, wakapanda ngamia zao wakafuatana na yule mtu. Hivyo yule mtumishi akamchukua Rebeka akaondoka.
Then mounted Rebekah and her young woman and they rode upon the camels, and followed the man, —so the servant took Rebekah. and went his way.
62 Basi Isaki alikuwa ametoka Beer-Lahai-Roi, kwa kuwa alikuwa anaishi nchi ya Negebu.
Now, Isaac, had come in at the entrance, of Beer-lahai-roi, —for, he, was dwelling in the land of the South:
63 Isaki akatoka kwenda shambani kutafakari wakati wa jioni, alipoinua macho yake, akaona ngamia wanakuja.
and Isaac came forth to meditate in the field at the approach of evening, —so he lifted up his eyes and looked, and lo! camels, coming in.
64 Rebeka pia akainua macho akamwona Isaki. Akashuka kutoka kwenye ngamia wake
And Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and saw Isaac, —so she alighted with haste from off the camel;
65 na akamuuliza yule mtumishi, “Ni nani mtu yule aliye kule shambani anayekuja kutulaki?” Yule mtumishi akajibu, “Huyu ndiye bwana wangu.” Hivyo Rebeka akachukua shela yake akajifunika.
and said unto the servant, Who is this man that is walking in the field to meet us? And the servant said, That, is my lord. So she took the veil and covered herself.
66 Kisha yule mtumishi akamweleza Isaki mambo yote aliyoyatenda.
And the servant recounted to Isaac, —all the things which he had done.
67 Ndipo Isaki akamwingiza Rebeka katika hema la Sara mama yake, Isaki akamchukua Rebeka, hivyo akawa mke wake. Isaki akampenda, akafarijika baada ya kifo cha mama yake.
And Isaac brought her into the tent of Sarah his mother; thus he took Rebekah and she became his wife and he loved her, —and Isaac consoled himself, for the loss of his mother.
