A Wife for Isaac
1 Abraham was now a very old man. The Lord had made him rich, and he was successful in everything he did. 2 One day, Abraham called in his most trusted servant and said to him, “Solemnly promise me 3 in the name of the Lord, who rules heaven and earth, that you won't choose a wife for my son Isaac from the people here in the land of Canaan. 4 Instead, go back to the land where I was born and find a wife for him from among my relatives.”
5 But the servant asked, “What if the young woman I choose refuses to leave home and come here with me? Should I send Isaac there to look for a wife?”
6 “No!” Abraham answered. “Don't ever do that, no matter what. 7 The Lord who rules heaven brought me here from the land where I was born and promised that he would give this land to my descendants forever. When you go back there, the Lord will send his angel ahead of you to help you find a wife for my son. 8 If the woman refuses to come along, you don't have to keep this promise. But don't ever take my son back there.” 9 So the servant gave Abraham his word that he would do everything he had been told to do.
10 Soon after that, the servant loaded ten of Abraham's camels with valuable gifts. Then he set out for the city in northern Syria, where Abraham's brother Nahor lived.
11 When he got there, he let the camels rest near the well outside the city. It was late afternoon, the time when the women came out for water. 12 The servant prayed:
You, Lord, are the God my master Abraham worships. Please keep your promise to him and let me find a wife for Isaac today. 13 The young women of the city will soon come to this well for water, 14 and I'll ask one of them for a drink. If she gives me a drink and then offers to get some water for my camels, I'll know she is the one you have chosen and that you have kept your promise to my master.
15-16 While he was still praying, a beautiful unmarried young woman came by with a water jar on her shoulder. She was Rebekah, the daughter of Bethuel, the son of Abraham's brother Nahor and his wife Milcah. Rebekah walked past Abraham's servant, then went over to the well, and filled her water jar. When she started back, 17 Abraham's servant ran to her and said, “Please let me have a drink of water.”
18 “I'll be glad to,” she answered. Then she quickly took the jar from her shoulder and held it while he drank. 19-20 After he had finished, she said, “Now I'll give your camels all the water they want.” She quickly poured out water for them, and she kept going back for more, until his camels had drunk all they wanted. 21 Abraham's servant did not say a word, but he watched everything Rebekah did, because he wanted to know for certain if this was the woman the Lord had chosen.
22 The servant had brought along an expensive gold ring and two large gold bracelets. When Rebekah had finished bringing the water, he gave her the ring for her nose and the bracelets for her arms. 23 Then he said, “Please tell me who your father is. Does he have room in his house for me and my men to spend the night?”
24 She answered, “My father is Bethuel, the son of Nahor and Milcah. 25 We have a place where you and your men can stay, and we also have enough straw and feed for your camels.”
26 Then the servant bowed his head and prayed, 27 “I thank you, Lord God of my master Abraham! You have led me to his relatives and kept your promise to him.”
28 Rebekah ran straight home and told her family everything. 29-30 Her brother Laban heard her tell what the servant had said, and he saw the ring and the bracelets she was wearing. So Laban ran out to Abraham's servant, who was standing by his camels at the well. 31 Then Laban said, “The Lord has brought you safely here. Come home with me. There's no need for you to keep on standing outside. I have a room ready for you in our house, and there's also a place for your camels.”
32 Abraham's servant went home with Laban, where Laban's servants unloaded his camels and gave them straw and feed. Then they brought water into the house, so Abraham's servant and his men could wash their feet. 33 After that, they brought in food. But the servant said, “Before I eat, I must tell you why I have come.”
“Go ahead and tell us,” Laban answered.
34 The servant explained:
I am Abraham's servant. 35 The Lord has been good to my master and has made him very rich. He has given him many sheep, goats, cattle, camels, and donkeys, as well as a lot of silver and gold, and many slaves. 36 Sarah, my master's wife, didn't have any children until she was very old. Then she had a son, and my master has given him everything. 37 I solemnly promised my master that I would do what he said. And he told me, “Don't choose a wife for my son from the women in this land of Canaan. 38 Instead, go back to the land where I was born and find a wife for my son from among my relatives.”
39 I asked my master, “What if the young woman refuses to come with me?”
40 My master answered, “I have always obeyed the Lord, and he will send his angel to help you find my son a wife from among my own relatives. 41 But if they refuse to let her come back with you, then you are freed from your promise.”
42 When I came to the well today, I silently prayed, “You, Lord, are the God my master Abraham worships, so please lead me to a wife for his son 43 while I am here at the well. When a young woman comes out to get water, I'll ask her to give me a drink. 44 If she gives me a drink and offers to get some water for my camels, I'll know she is the one you have chosen.”
45 Even before I had finished praying, Rebekah came by with a water jar on her shoulder. When she had filled the jar, I asked her for a drink. 46 She quickly lowered the jar from her shoulder and said, “Have a drink. Then I'll get water for your camels.” So I drank, and after that she got some water for my camels. 47 I asked her who her father was, and she answered, “My father is Bethuel the son of Nahor and Milcah.” At once I put the ring in her nose and the bracelets on her arms. 48 Then I bowed my head and gave thanks to the God my master Abraham worships. The Lord had led me straight to my master's relatives, and I had found a wife for his son.
49 Now please tell me if you are willing to do the right thing for my master. Will you treat him fairly, or do I have to look for another young woman?
50 Laban and Bethuel answered, “The Lord has done this. We have no choice in the matter. 51 Take Rebekah with you; she can marry your master's son, just as the Lord has said.” 52 Abraham's servant bowed down and thanked the Lord. 53 Then he gave clothing, as well as silver and gold jewelry, to Rebekah. He also gave expensive gifts to her brother and her mother.
54 Abraham's servant and the men with him ate and drank, then spent the night there. The next morning they got up, and the servant told Rebekah's mother and brother, “I would like to go back to my master now.”
55 “Let Rebekah stay with us for a week or ten days,” they answered. “Then she may go.”
56 But he said, “Don't make me stay any longer. The Lord has already helped me find a wife for my master's son. Now let us return.”
57 They answered, “Let's ask Rebekah what she wants to do.” 58 They called her and asked, “Are you willing to leave with this man at once?”
“Yes,” she answered.
59 So they agreed to let Rebekah and an old family servant woman leave immediately with Abraham's servant and his men. 60 They gave Rebekah their blessing and said, “We pray that God will give you many children and grandchildren and that he will help them defeat their enemies.” 61 Afterwards, Rebekah and the young women who were to travel with her prepared to leave. Then they got on camels and left with Abraham's servant and his men.
62 At that time Isaac was living in the southern part of Canaan near a place called “The Well of the Living One Who Sees Me.” 63-65 One evening he was walking out in the fields, when suddenly he saw a group of people approaching on camels. So he started toward them. Rebekah saw him coming; she got down from her camel, and asked, “Who is that man?”
“He is my master Isaac,” the servant answered. Then Rebekah covered her face with her veil.
66 The servant told Isaac everything that had happened.
67 Isaac took Rebekah into the tent where his mother had lived before she died, and Rebekah became his wife. He loved her and was comforted over the loss of his mother.
Ndobolo ya Isaki na Ribeka
1 Abhurahama wakabe atjikwegula kwazo abe ne makole manjinji, Yahwe bakabe bankombolela mu zwithu zose. 2 Abhurahama kadwa nlanda uwe nkulu pa bamwe bose mu nsha uwe, iye wakabe ali ntjengeti we thundu iye yose kati, “Milidza luboko gugo, 3 ndoshaka kuti utune na Yahwe, Ndzimu we kudzimu ne shango, kuti autowoshakila mwanangu nkadzi mu bakololokadzi be Bakanana bandigele pakati kwabo. 4 Koga unowoyenda ku shango ya kanyi kwedu ku ludzi gwangu unoshakila nkololo wangu Isaki nkadzi ko.”
5 Nlanda kabhuzwa eti, “Pamwe nkadzi iwoyo ungasada kuzha nami ku shango ino. Ha kwakajalo ndibgwilize nkololo wenyu ku shango yamakadwa kene?”
6 Abhurahama kadabila kati, “Aa, ubone kuti autowobgwiliza nkololo wangu ikweno. 7 Yahwe Ndzimu we kudzimu, ibo bakandidusa mu nsha wa tate ne mu shango yandakazwaligwa muili, bakalebeleka nami, bakandigadzabgwe ngotuna beti, ‘Ludzi gugo ndowogupa shango iyeyi,’ banowotuma ntumwa wabo kukutungamila, ndizo wali unotolela nkololo wangu nkadzi ikweno. 8 Koga ha nkadzi iwoyo asingade kubuya nawe unowosununguka mu kutuna kwangu ikoku, ngono tjikulu usitongobgwiliza nkololo wangu ikweno.” 9 Ndizo nlanda kamilidza luboko gugwe katuna edumana na tetshi uwe Abhurahama muna ikoku.
10 Ipapo nlanda katola kamela dza tetshi uwe dzili gumi ne zwipo zwakasiyasiyana zwibuya ngono kamilika kayenda ku nzi wakabe udang'wa Nahori ku bunandzwa gwe Misopotamiya. 11 Kwakati mu matewuko kathama kuti kamela dzilale pasi pa tshime lakabe lili kuzhe kwe nzi nge tjibaka tjinobhuda bakadzi benotjela vula. 12 Ngono katembezela kati, “Yahwe Ndzimu wa tetshi wangu Abhurahama, mundiwatshe ndiwane tjandazhila nasi, mulakidze lubu kuna tetshi wangu Abhurahama. 13 Bonani, ndimile pa nsenya we vula, baanadi be nzi banobhuda kuwotjela vula. 14 Itani kuti mwanadi wandinowoti kunli, ‘Undipebo vula nding'we,’ iye ebe eti, ‘Ing'wani, kakale ne kamela dzenyu ndowodzing'wisa.’ Ngaabe iye wamashalulila nlanda wenyu Isaki. Ikoku kowondilakidza kuti malakidza tetshi wangu lubu.”
15 Kati asathu kapedza kutembezela Ribeka kazha akabiga hali iye pa thudzi. Wakabe ali nkololokadzi wa Bhethuwele, Bhethuwele ali nkololo wa Milikha nkadzi wa Nahori nnung'una wa Abhurahama. 16 Mwanadi iwoyo wakabe ali mmbuya kwazo, ali mwanadi usathu kaziba nlume. Kayenda ku tshime ngono kazhadza hali iye nge vula kabhuda. 17 Nlanda kalabuka kunonshanganidza kankumbila kati, “Ndokumbila, undipebo vula shomanana mu hali iyo nding'we.”Ribeka ali pa tshime
18 Mwanadi kabe eti, “Ing'wani zwenyu tetshi wangu.” Ndizo katula hali iye kayibhata nge maboko kampa vula kang'wa. 19 Kati asinompa vula kandwa kati, “Ndowotjelelabo kamela dzenyu kuti dzing'we dzigukhwe.” 20 Ndizo kadila vula yose imu hali iye mu n'goro kalabukila ku tshime kunotjela imwe vula. Katjelela kamela dzidze dzose vula kuswikila dzagukhwa. 21 Nlume iwoyo kalingilila mwanadi nge tjitu koga kubona kuti kene Yahwe bawatsha gwendo gugwe kene aa.
22 Kukati kamela dzang'wa dzagukhwa nlume iwoyo katola ng'ina le golide linoambagwa mu tjimilo le themba ipezhugwi ne maseka e golide mabili mapabi e themba ipezhugwi kwazo. 23 Ngono kabhuzwa kati, “Undibudze kuti u nkololokadzi waani? Kuna bulalo kene ku nzi wa tate babo patingalonga nsholo?”
24 Iye kan'dabila eti, “Ndi nkololokadzi wa Bhethuwele nkololo wa Nahori na Milikha.” 25 Ngono kapapha eti, “Tina bushwa gwakatjekegwa zwithuwo ne zojiwa zwakalizana ne bulalo guyapobo.”
26 Ipapo nlume iwoyo kathigama enamata Yahwe, 27 ngono kabe eti, “Ngakukudziwe Yahwe, Ndzimu wa tetshi wangu Abhurahama, ibo basaletja kulakidza lubu gwabo ne kugagwabgwe kwabo kuna tetshi wangu. Kundili nge kwangu, Yahwe banditungamila mu gwendo kunoswika ku nzi we bazwagwa ba tetshi wangu.”
28 Mwanadi kalabuka kanobudza nsha wa mmeyabe ngekwe zwithu izwezwi. 29 Ribeka wakabe ana hazwadzi iye yakabe idang'wa Labani wakati kalabukila ku nlume iwoyo ku tshime. 30 Wakati ebona ng'ina ne maseka mu maboko e hazwadzi iye kakale ehwa matama a Ribeka hazwadzi iye eleba tjaabudziwa nge nlume iwoyo, kabhuda kayenda ku nlume iwoyo kawana alimile pa kamela pa tshime. 31 Labani kandwa kati, “Nginani mu nzi, imwi makombolegwa ndi Yahwe, mutjimilileni kuzhe kene? Ndamululwamisila ng'umba ne pamungatethela kamela dzenyu.”
32 Ndizo nlume iwoyo kayenda ku nzi. Labani kabelesenula kamela kadzipa bushwa ne zojiwa. Kapa nlume iwoyo ne baanabo vula ye kungula makumbo abo. 33 Ipapo bakapiwa zojiwa, koga nlume iwoyo kati, “Imi andingaje kuswikila ndaleba tjandazhila.”
Labani kati kunli, “Dwililani mulebeleke.”
34 Ndizo kati, “Ndi nlanda wa Abhurahama.” 35 “Yahwe bakakombolela tetshi wangu kwazo kafuma. Bakampa pkhwizi ne ng'ombe ne kamela ne madonki, bakampa siliva ne golide ne balandalume ne balandakadzi. 36 Sara, nfumakadzi wa tetshi wangu nenguba akabe atjikwegula, wakawanila tetshi wangu mwana we tjilisana, ngono tetshi wangu wakampa tjimwe ne tjimwe tjaanatjo. 37 Tetshi wangu wakathama kuti ndin'gadzebgwe nge kutuna, eti, ‘Usitongoshakila mwana wangu nkadzi mu bakololokadzi be Bakanana be shango yandigele muili, 38 koga yenda ku ludzi gwa tate bangu, ku makamu angu ushakile nkololo wangu nkadzi ko.’ 39 Ngono ati kuna tetshi wangu, ‘Pamwe nkadzi iwoyo unowolamba kubuya nami.’ 40 Tetshi wangu kashandula eti, ‘Yahwe bandinohwa mu bupenyu, banowotuma ntumwa wabo we kudzimu kuyenda nawe kuti tjaunoyendila tjibhudilile uwanile nkololo wangu nkadzi mu makamu angu mu ludzi gwa tate. 41 Koga ha ungati uswika ku makamu angu bakalamba kukupa nkadzi, unowobe wasununguka mu tjidumano tjangu.’ ”
42 “Ndati nasi ndiswika pa tshime, abe nditi, Yahwe, Ndzimu wa tetshi wangu Abhurahama, mundiwatshe mu zila yandinoyenda. 43 Ndimile pano pa tshime ileli, itani kuti mwanadi unowotjela vula, iye wandinowoti kunli, ‘Ndokukumbila, undipebo vula nding'we,’ 44 ngono iye ebe eti, ‘Ing'wani ne kamela dzenyu ndowodzitjelelabo vula,’ ngaabe iye washalugwa ndi Yahwe kube nkadzi we nkololo wa tetshi wangu. 45 Ndati ndisathu apedza kutembezela mu moyo wangu Ribeka kazha akabiga hali iye ye vula pa thudzi. Kayenda pa tshime katjela vula, ngono andwa ati, ‘Undipebo vula nding'we.’ 46 Katjimbidza kadelusa hali iye pa thudzi lile kati, ‘Ing'wani ne kamela dzenyu ndowodzitjelelabo vula.’ Ngono ang'wa, kabuya kang'wisa kamela dzangubo. 47 Ambhuzwa ati, ‘U nkololokadzi waani?’ Ngono kadabila eti, ‘Ndi nkololokadzi wa Bhethuwele nkololo wa Nahori na Milikha.’ Abe ndimbadza ng'ina mu tjimilo ne maseka mu maboko. 48 Ndakati athigama anamata Yahwe. Akudza Yahwe, Ndzimu wa tetshi wangu Abhurahama ibo bakanditungamila mu zila yakalulwama kuti ndinotolela nkololo uwe nkololokadzi we gamu lile. 49 Ndizo ngwenu mundilakidze ha muna lubu ne kugalikabgwe muna tetshi wangu, ha musina ndibone tjandingashinga.”
50 Ipapo Labani na Bhethuwele bakashandula beti, “Kuthu ikoku kwadwa kuna Yahwe, iswi akuna tjatingaleba. 51 Ribeka hwoyoyu, untole uyende naye, anobe nkadzi we nkololo wa tetshi uwo, Yahwe sekwa balakidza.” 52 Nlanda wa Abhurahama kati ehwa matama abo, kanamata Yahwe. 53 Nlanda iwoyo kadusa golide ne siliva ne ndalama ne zwiambalo kapa Ribeka. Kadusa zwipo zwinodika kapabo Labani hazwadzi iye na mmeyabe.
54 Ngono ipapo nlanda iwoyo ne balume baakabe anabo bakaja bakang'wa bakabuya bakalala ikoko. Bakati bemuka tjimuka nlanda kati, “Imani ndibgwilile kuna tetshi wangu.”
55 Koga hazwadzi ya Ribeka na mmeyabe bakati, “Imani abe naswi tjibakana kene mazhuba ali gumi, ndizo ekoyendazwe.”
56 Koga kabadwa kati, “Musindibhatilile. Se Yahwe bakathama kuti ndibhudilile mu zila yangu, imani ndibgwilile kuna tetshi wangu.”
57 Ipapo bakati, “Letjani tidane mwanadi timbhuzwe nge kwako.” 58 Ndizo bakadana Ribeka bakambhuzwa beti, “Unoda kuyenda ne nlume iwoyu kene?” Iye kadabila eti, “Ee ndoda.”
59 Ngono bakaletja Ribeka ne nleli uwe kayenda ne nlanda wa Abhurahama ne balume baakabe anabo. 60 Ngono bakayemulila Ribeka zwakanaka beti,
“Hazwadzi yedu, ube mme be bunjinji.
Ludzi gugo gutape zwita zwago.”
61 Ipapo Ribeka ne babhatshi babe bakalulwamisa bakatatha kamela kuyenda ne nlume iwoyo. Ndizo nlanda iwoyo na Ribeka kayenda.
62 Isaki wakabe azha kudwa ku Bheerilahairoyi egala mu Negebu. 63 Ngono Isaki kabhuda kuli madekwana kuzwilobesa phepo, ngono kati emilidza mesho kabona kamela dzibuya. 64 Ribeka kati emilidza mesho kabona Isaki ngono kadeluka kamela 65 kabhuzwa nlanda kati, “Iwouje nlume unothubulidza nge shango kutishangamidza ndiani?”
Nlanda kashandula eti, “Ndi tetshi wangu.” Ndizo Ribeka katola tyali kazwikwididza ndiyo.
66 Ipapo nlanda kabudza Isaki zose zwaakashinga. 67 Ndizo Isaki katola Ribeka kan'yisa mu nshasha wakabe uli wa Sara, mmeyabe, ngono kanlobola. Kabe nkadzi uwe ngono Isaki kan'da ndizo kanyaladzika shule kwe lufu gwa mmeyabe.