Mwanzo 24
1 Basi Abraham alikuwa mzee sana na Yahwe akawa amembariki katika mambo yote.
Now Abraham was old, well advanced in days, and the LORD had blessed Abraham in all things.
2 Abraham akamwambia mtumwa wake, ambaye alikuwa mkubwa kuliko wote wa nyumbani mwake na mkuu wa vyote alivyo kuwa navyo.”Weka mkono wako chini ya paja langu
And Abraham said to his servant, the elder of his household, who was in charge over all that he had, "Please put your hand under my thigh,
3 na nitakufanya uape kwa Yahwe, Mungu wa Mbingu na nchi, kwamba hutampatia mwanangu mke kutoka kwa mabinti wa Wakanaani, miongoni mwao wale nikaao kati yao.
and I will make you swear by the God of heaven and earth, that you must not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I am living,
4 Lakini utakwenda kwenye nchi yangu, na kwa ndugu zangu, na kumtafutia mwanangu Isaka mke.”
but you must go to my country and to my relatives, and get a wife for my son Isaac."
5 Yule mtumwa wake akamwambia, “Itakuwaje ikiwa mwanamke hatakuwa tayari kufuatana nami hadi katika nchi hii? Je nitamrudisha mwanao katika nchi ambayo ulitoka?”
And the servant asked him, "What if the woman isn't willing to follow me to this land? Must I then bring your son back to the land from which you came?"
6 Abraham akamwambia, “Hakikisha kwamba hutamrudisha mwanangu kule!
Then Abraham told him, "Be careful that you do not take my son back there.
7 Yahwe, Mungu wa mbingu, ambaye alinitoa mimi kutoka katika nyumba ya baba yangu na kutoka katika nchi ya ndugu zangu, na ambaye aliniahidia kwa kiapo maalumu akisema, 'Nitawapa uzao wako nchi hii,' atatuma malaika wake mbele yako, na utapata mke kwa ajili ya mwanangu kutoka huko.
Now the God of heaven, who took me from my father's household and from the land of my birth, who spoke to me and promised me on oath, saying, 'I will give this land to your offspring' -- he will send his angel before you, and you will get a wife for my son from there.
8 Lakini ikiwa mwanamke hatakuwa tayari, ndipo utakuwa huru katika hiki kiapo changu. Cha muhimu tu ni kwamba usije ukamrudisha mwanangu huko.”
But if the woman isn't willing to follow you, then you will be free from this oath to me. Only you must not bring my son back there."
9 Kwa hiyo mtumwa akaweka mkono wake jini ya paja la Abraham bwana wake, na akaapa kuhusiana na jambo hili.
So the servant put his hand under the thigh of his master Abraham and gave his oath to him concerning this matter.
10 Mtumwa akachukua ngamia kumi wa bwana wake na akaondoka. Akachukua pia aina zote za zawadi kutoka kwa bwana wake. Akaondoka na kwenda katika mkoa wa Aramu Naharaimu, mji wa Nahori.
Then the servant took ten camels from his master's camels and departed, having a variety of good things from his master at his disposal, and he set out and went to Aram Naharaim, to the city of Nahor.
11 Akawapigisha magoti ngamia nje ya mji karibu na kisima cha maji. Ilikuwa jioni wakati ambao wanawake huenda kuchota maji.
And he made the camels kneel down outside the city by the well of water at the time of evening, the time when women go out to draw water.
12 Kisha akasema, “Yahwe, Mungu wa bwana wangu Abraham, anijalie kufanikiwa leo na aoneshe agano la uaminifu kwa bwana wangu Abraham.
Then he said, "God of my master Abraham, please grant me success today and show kindness to my master Abraham.
13 Tazama, nimesimama hapa karibu na chemchemi ya maji na binti za watu wa mji wanakuja kuteka maji.
Look, I am standing by the spring of water, and the daughters of the men of the city are coming out to draw water.
14 Na itokee hivi kwamba. Nikimwambia msichana, tafadhari tua mtungi wako ili niweze kunywa maji,' na akiniambia, 'Kunywa, na kwamba nitawanywesha ngamia wako pia,' huyo ndiye awe ambaye umemchagulia mtumwa wako Isaka. Kwa njia hii nitajua kuwa umeonesha agano la uaminifu kwa bwana wangu.”
Now may it happen that the young woman to whom I will say, 'Please lower your jug that I may drink,' and she answers, 'Drink, and I will also give your camels a drink,'—her you have chosen for your servant Isaac. By this I will know that you have shown kindness to my master."
15 Ikawa kwamba hata kabla hajamaliza kuzungumza, tazama, Rebeka akaja akiwa na mtungi wake wa maji begani mwake. Rebeka alizaliwa na Bethueli mwana wa Milka, mke wa Nahori, ndugu yake na Abraham.
And it happened, before he had finished speaking, that look, Rebekah was coming out with her jug on her shoulder—who was born to Bethuel the son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham's brother.
16 Msichana huyu alikuwa mzuri na alikuwa bikira. Hapana mwanaume aliye kuwa amekwisha lala naye. Akashuka kisimani na kuujaza mtungi wake, na kupanda juu.
Now the young woman was very beautiful in appearance, a virgin; no man had ever slept with her. And she went down to the spring and filled her jug and came up.
17 Kisha mtumwa yule akakimbia kumlaki yule msichana, na kusema, “Tafadhari nipatie maji kidogo ya kunywa kutoka katika mtungi wako.”
Then the servant ran to meet her, and said, "Please give me a little water to drink from your jug."
18 Akasema, “kunywa tafadhari bwana wangu,” na kwa haraka akatua mtungi wake juu ya mkono wake, na akampatia maji ya kunywa.
So she said, "Drink, my lord." And she hurried and let down her jug to her hands, and gave him a drink.
19 Alipokuwa amemaliza kumpatia maji, akasema, “Nitachota maji kwa ajili ya ngamia wako pia, mpaka watakapomaliza kunywa.”
Now when she had finished giving him a drink, she said, "I will also draw for your camels, until they have finished drinking."
20 Hivyo akaharakisha akamwaga maji yaliyokuwa mtungini kwenye chombo cha kunywshea mifugo, kisha akakimbia tena kisimani kuchota maji, na kuwanywesha ngamia wake wote.
So she hurried and emptied her jug into the trough and ran again to the well to draw, and drew for all his camels.
21 Yule mtu akamtazama msichana akiwa kimya kuona kama Yahwe amefanikisha njia yake au la.
And the man watched her in silence so as to know whether God had made his journey successful or not.
22 Ngamia walipomaliza kunywa maji, yule mtu akaleta pete ya pua ya dhahabu yenye uzito wa nusu shekeli, na bangili mbili za dhahabu kwa ajili ya mikono yake zenye uzito wa shekeli kumi,
And it happened, as the camels had finished drinking, that the man took a gold ring weighing a beka, which he put on her nose, and two bracelets for her hands weighing ten pieces of gold,
23 akamuuliza, “wewe ni binti wa nani? Niambie tafadhali, Je kuna nafasi nyumbani mwa baba yako kwa ajili yetu kupumzika usiku?”
and said, "Whose daughter are you? Please tell me, is there room in your father's house for us to lodge?"
24 Akamwambia, “Mimi ni binti wa Bethueli mwana wa Milka, ambaye alimzaa kwa Nahori.”
Then she said to him, "I am the daughter of Bethuel, the son of Milcah, whom she bore to Nahor."
25 Akasema pia, “Tunayo malisho tele na chakula, na iko nafasi kwa ajili yako kulala usiku.”
And she also said to him, "We have plenty of straw and fodder, and room to lodge."
26 Kisha yume mtu akainama chini na kumwabudu Yahwe.
Then the man bowed his head and worshiped God,
27 Akasema, “Abarikiwe Yahwe, Mungu wa bwana wangu Abraham, ambaye hakuacha agano lake la uaminifu na kweli yake mbele ya bwana wangu. Kwa vile Yahwe ameniongoza moja kwa moja kwenye nyumba ya ndugu zake bwana wangu.”
and said, "Blessed be the God of my master Abraham, who has not forsaken his loving kindness and his truth toward my master. As for me, he has led me on the journey to the house of my master's relatives."
28 Kisha yule msichana akakimbia na kwenda kuwaeleza watu wa nyumba ya mama yake juu ya mambo yote haya.
Then the young woman ran, and told her mother's household about these words.
29 Na sasa Rebeka alikuwa na kaka yake, jina lake aliitwa Labani. Labani akakimbia kwa yule mtu aliye kuwa nje barabarani karibu na kisima.
Now Rebekah had a brother, and his name was Laban, and he ran out to the man at the spring.
30 Akisha kuona hereni ya puani pamoja na zile bangili kwenye mikono ya dada yake, na kusikia maneno ya Rebeka dada yake, “Hivi ndivyo yule mtu alicho niambia,” alikwenda kwa yule mtu, na, Tazama, alikuwa amesimama karibu na ngamia pale kisimani.
And it happened, when he saw the nose ring and the bracelets on his sister's wrists, and when he heard the words of Rebekah his sister, saying, "This is what the man said to me," that he went to the man. And look, he was standing by the camels at the spring.
31 Labani akasema, “Njoo, wewe uliye barikiwa na Yahwe. Kwa nini umesimama nje? nimekwisha andaa nyumba, pamoja na mahali kwa ajili ya ngamia.”
And he said, "Come in, you blessed of God. Why do you stand outside? For I have prepared the house and room for the camels."
32 Kwa hiyo yule mtu akaingia ndani ya nyumba na akashusha mizigo kutoka kwa wale ngamia. Ngamia wakapatiwa malisho na chakula, na maji yakatolewa kuosha miguu yake pamoja na miguu ya wale watu aliokuwa pamoja nao.
So the man went into the house and he unloaded the camels. And he gave straw and fodder for the camels, and water to wash his feet and the feet of the men who were with him.
33 Wakaandaa chakula mbele yake ale, lakini akasema, “Sitakula mpaka niseme kile ninacho paswa kusema.” Kwa hiyo Labani akmwambia, “Sema.”
And he set before him food to eat, but he said, "I will not eat until I have told my message." And he said, "Say it."
34 Akasema, “Mimi ni mtumwa wa Abraham.
So he said, "I am Abraham's servant.
35 Yahwe amembariki sana bwana wangu na amekuwa mtu mkuu. Amempatia mifugo na makundi ya wanyama, fedha, dhahabu, watumwa wa kiume na watumwa wa kike, pamoja na ngamia na punda.
And the Lord has blessed my master greatly, so that he has become great, and he has given him sheep and cattle, and silver and gold, and male servants and female servants, camels and donkeys.
36 Sara, mke wa bwana wangu, alimzalia mwana bwana wangu alipokuwa mzee, na amempatia mwanawe kila kitu anachomiliki.
And Sarah my master's wife bore a son to my master when she was old, and to him he has given all that he has.
37 Bwana wangu aliniapisha, akisema, “Usije ukampatia mwanangu mke kutoka kwa mabinti wa Wakanaani, ambao kwao nimefanya makazi.
Now my master put me under oath, saying, 'You must not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I live,
38 Badala yake, lazima uende kwa familia ya baba yangu, na kwa ndugu zangu, na kupata mke kwa ajili ya mwanangu.'
but you must go to my father's house, and to my relatives, and get a wife for my son.'
39 Nikamwambia bwana wangu, pengine mwanamke huyo asikubali kufuatana nami.'
And I said to my master, 'What if the woman will not follow me?'
40 Lakini akaniambia, Yahwe, ambaye ninakwenda mbele yake, atatuma malaika wake pamoja nawe na atakufanikisha njia yako, kwamba utapata mke kwa ajili ya mwangu kutoka miongoni mwa ndugu zangu na kutoka katika ukoo wa baba yangu.
But he said to me, 'God, before whom I walk, will send his angel with you, and make your journey successful, and you will get a wife for my son from my relatives, and of my father's house.
41 Lakini utakuwa huru katika kiapo changu ikiwa utafika kwa ndugu zangu na wasikuruhusu kuja naye. Ndipo utakuwa huru katika kiapo changu.
Then will you be free from my oath, when you come to my relatives. And if they do not give her to you, then you will be free from my oath.'
42 Hivyo nimefika leo kisimani, na nikasema, 'O Yahwe, Mungu wa bwana wangu Abraham, tafadhari, ikiwa kweli umekusudia kuifanya safari yangu kuwa yenye kufanikiwa -
So today I came to the spring, and said, 'God of my master Abraham, if now you will make my journey successful in which I go—
43 tazama niko hapa nimesimama karibu na kisima cha maji - na iwe kwamba binti ajaye kuchota maji, nitakaye mwambia, “Tafadhari unipatie maji kidoka kutoka kwenye mtungi wako ninywe,” mwanamke atakaye niabia,
look, I am standing by this spring of water, and may it happen that the young woman who comes out to draw, to whom I will say, "Please give me a little water from your pitcher to drink,"
44 “Kunywa, na nitakuchotea pia maji kwa ajili ya ngamia wako” - na awe ndiye ambaye wewe Yahwe, umemchagulia mtoto wa bwana wangu.”
and she will say to me, "Drink, and I will also draw for your camels,"—may she be the woman who has been chosen for my master's son.'
45 Ikawa hata kabla sijamaliza kuzungumza moyoni mwangu, Tazama, Rebeka akaja na mtungi wake juu ya bega lake akashuka chini kisimani akachota maji. Hivyo nikamwambia, 'Tafadhari nipatie maji ninywe.'
Before I had finished praying in my heart, look, Rebekah came out with her jug on her shoulder, and she went down to the spring, and drew. And I said to her, 'Please give me a drink.'
46 Ndipo kwa haraka alipoushusha mtungi wake begani mwake na akasema, 'Kunywa, na pia nitawapatia maji ngamia wak.' Kwa hiyo nikanywa, na akawanywesha ngamia pia.
And she quickly lowered her jug from her shoulder, and said, 'Drink, and I will also give your camels a drink.' So I drank, and she also gave the camels water.
47 Nikamuuliza na kusema, 'Wewe ni binti wa nani?' Akasema, 'Binti wa Bethueli, Mwana wa Nahori, ambaye Milka alizaa kwake.' Kisha nikamwekea pete puani mwake pamoja na bangili mikononi mwake.
Then I asked her, and said, 'Whose daughter are you?' And she replied, 'The daughter of Bethuel, Nahor's son, whom Milcah bore to him.' So I put the ring on her nose, and the bracelets on her wrists.
48 Kisha nikainama chini nikamwabudu Yahwe, na kumbariki Yahwe, Mungu wa bwana wangu Abraham, ambaye ameniongoza katika njia sahihi kumpata binti wa ndugu za bwana wangu kwa ajili ya mwanawe.
Then I bowed my head and worshiped God, and blessed the God of my master Abraham, who had guided me on the right road to find the granddaughter of my master's brother for his son.
49 Kwa hiyo, ikiwa mko tayari kumfanyia rehema na kweli, niambieni. Lakini kama sivyo, niambieni, ili kwamba niweze kwenda upande wa kulia, au kushoto.”
Now if you will show kindness and truth to my master, tell me. And if not, tell me, that I may turn to the right hand, or to the left."
50 Ndipo Labani na Bethueli wakajibu na kusema, “Jambo hili limetoka kwa Yahwe; hatuwezi kusema kwako aidha neno baya au zuri.
Then Laban and Bethuel answered, "The matter comes from God. We can't speak to you bad or good.
51 Tazama, Rebeka yu mbele yako. Mchukue na uende, ili awe mke wa mtoto wa bwana wako, kama Yahwe alivyosema.”
Look, Rebekah is before you. Take, and go, and let her become the wife of your master's son, as God has spoken."
52 Mtumwa wa Abraham aliposikia maneno yao, akainama mwenyewe chini ardhini kwa Yahwe.
And it happened when Abraham's servant heard their words, that he bowed himself down to the ground.
53 Mtumwa akaleta vipande vya fedha na vipande vya dhahabu, na nguo, akampatia Rebeka. Akampatia pia kaka yake na mama yake zawadi zenye thamani.
Then the servant brought out articles of silver and articles of gold, and clothing, and gave them to Rebekah. And he also gave valuable gifts to her brother and to her mother.
54 Kisha yeye na watu aliokuwa nao wakala na kunywa. wakakaa pale mpaka usiku, na walipoamka asubuhi, akasema, Niruhusuni niende kwa bwana wangu.”
Then he and the men who were with him ate and drank, and spent the night. Then they got up in the morning, and he said, "Send me away to my master."
55 Kaka yake na mama yake wakasema, mwache binti abaki nasi kwa siku chache zingine, angalau siku kumi. baada ya hapo anaweza kwenda.”
But her brother and her mother said, "Let the young woman stay with us ten days or so. After that she may go."
56 Lakini akawambia, msinizuie, kwa kuwa Yahwe amefanikisha njia yangu. Niruhusuni niende kwa bwana wangu.”
But he said to them, "Do not delay me, seeing that he has made my journey successful. Send me away that I may go to my master."
57 Wakasema, “Tutamwita binti na kumuuliza.”
Then they said, "We will call the young woman and ask her."
58 Kwa hiyo wakamwita Rebeka na kumuuliza, “Je utakwenda na mtu huyu?” Akajibu, “Nitakwenda.”
So they called Rebekah, and said to her, "Will you go with this man?" And she replied, "I will go."
59 Kwa hiyo wakampeleka dada yao Rebeka, pamoja na watumishi wake wa kike, kwenda njiani pamoja na mtumishi wa Abraham na watu wake.
So they sent away their sister Rebekah, and her nurse, and Abraham's servant, and his men.
60 Wakambarikia Rebeka, na wakamwambia, “Ndugu yetu, na uwe mama wa maelfu na wa makumi elfu, uzao wako upate kumiliki lango la wale wanao wachukia.”
And they blessed Rebekah, and said to her, "Our sister, may you be the mother of thousands of ten thousands, and may your descendants possess the gate of those who hate them."
61 Kisha Rebeka akasimama, yeye na watumishi wake kwa hesabu ya ngamia, na wakamfuata yule mtu. Hivyo watumishi wakamchukua Rebeka, na wakaenda zao.
And Rebekah and her female servants got ready, and they rode on the camels and followed the man. So the servant took Rebekah and went on his way.
62 Nyakati hizo Isaka alikuwa anakaa katika Negebu, na alikuwa tu amerejea kutoka Beerlahairoi.
Now Isaac had come from the way of Beer Lahai Roi, for he was living in the land of the Negev.
63 Isaka akaenda kutafakari shambani jioni. Alipotazama akaona, natazama, kulikuwa na ngamia wakija!
And Isaac went out in the field to think in the early evening. And he lifted up his eyes and looked, and look, he saw camels approaching.
64 Rebeka akatazama na alipomwona Isaka, akaruka kutoka kwenye ngamia.
And Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac, she dismounted from the camel.
65 Akamwambia mtumwa, “mtu huyo ni nani anaye tembea shambani akija kutupokea?” Mtumwa akasema, “Ni bwana wangu.” Hivyo Rebeka akachukua shela yake akajifunika.
And she asked the servant, "Who is the man who is walking in the field to meet us?" And the servant said, "It is my master." Then she took her veil and covered herself.
66 Mtumwa akamwambia Isaka mambo yote ambayo amefanya.
And the servant told Isaac all the things that he had done.
67 Kisha Isaka akamleta katika hema ya Sara mama yake na akamchukua Rebeka, na akawa mke wake, na akampenda. Kwa hiyo Isaka akafarijika baada ya kifo cha mama yake.
Then Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah's tent, and took Rebekah, and she became his wife. And he loved her. So Isaac was comforted after his mother's death.
