New American Standard Bible 1995

English Standard Version

1Now Abraham was old, advanced in age; and the LORD had blessed Abraham in every way.

1Now Abraham was old, well advanced in years. And the LORD had blessed Abraham in all things.

2Abraham said to his servant, the oldest of his household, who had charge of all that he owned, "Please place your hand under my thigh,

2And Abraham said to his servant, the oldest of his household, who had charge of all that he had, “Put your hand under my thigh,

3and I will make you swear by the LORD, the God of heaven and the God of earth, that you shall not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I live,

3that I may make you swear by the LORD, the God of heaven and God of the earth, that you will not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell,

4but you will go to my country and to my relatives, and take a wife for my son Isaac."

4but will go to my country and to my kindred, and take a wife for my son Isaac.”

5The servant said to him, "Suppose the woman is not willing to follow me to this land; should I take your son back to the land from where you came?"

5The servant said to him, “Perhaps the woman may not be willing to follow me to this land. Must I then take your son back to the land from which you came?”

6Then Abraham said to him, "Beware that you do not take my son back there!

6Abraham said to him, “See to it that you do not take my son back there.

7"The LORD, the God of heaven, who took me from my father's house and from the land of my birth, and who spoke to me and who swore to me, saying, 'To your descendants I will give this land,' He will send His angel before you, and you will take a wife for my son from there.

7The LORD, the God of heaven, who took me from my father’s house and from the land of my kindred, and who spoke to me and swore to me, ‘To your offspring I will give this land,’ he will send his angel before you, and you shall take a wife for my son from there.

8"But if the woman is not willing to follow you, then you will be free from this my oath; only do not take my son back there."

8But if the woman is not willing to follow you, then you will be free from this oath of mine; only you must not take my son back there.”

9So the servant placed his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master, and swore to him concerning this matter.

9So the servant put his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master and swore to him concerning this matter.

10Then the servant took ten camels from the camels of his master, and set out with a variety of good things of his master's in his hand; and he arose and went to Mesopotamia, to the city of Nahor.

10Then the servant took ten of his master’s camels and departed, taking all sorts of choice gifts from his master; and he arose and went to Mesopotamia to the city of Nahor.

11He made the camels kneel down outside the city by the well of water at evening time, the time when women go out to draw water.

11And 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.

12He said, "O LORD, the God of my master Abraham, please grant me success today, and show lovingkindness to my master Abraham.

12And he said, “O LORD, God of my master Abraham, please grant me success today and show steadfast love to my master Abraham.

13"Behold, I am standing by the spring, and the daughters of the men of the city are coming out to draw water;

13Behold, I am standing by the spring of water, and the daughters of the men of the city are coming out to draw water.

14now may it be that the girl to whom I say, 'Please let down your jar so that I may drink,' and who answers, 'Drink, and I will water your camels also '-- may she be the one whom You have appointed for Your servant Isaac; and by this I will know that You have shown lovingkindness to my master."

14Let the young woman to whom I shall say, ‘Please let down your jar that I may drink,’ and who shall say, ‘Drink, and I will water your camels’—let her be the one whom you have appointed for your servant Isaac. By this I shall know that you have shown steadfast love to my master.”

15Before he had finished speaking, behold, Rebekah who was born to Bethuel the son of Milcah, the wife of Abraham's brother Nahor, came out with her jar on her shoulder.

15Before he had finished speaking, behold, Rebekah, who was born to Bethuel the son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham’s brother, came out with her water jar on her shoulder.

16The girl was very beautiful, a virgin, and no man had had relations with her; and she went down to the spring and filled her jar and came up.

16The young woman was very attractive in appearance, a maiden whom no man had known. She went down to the spring and filled her jar and came up.

17Then the servant ran to meet her, and said, "Please let me drink a little water from your jar."

17Then the servant ran to meet her and said, “Please give me a little water to drink from your jar.”

18She said, "Drink, my lord"; and she quickly lowered her jar to her hand, and gave him a drink.

18She said, “Drink, my lord.” And she quickly let down her jar upon her hand and gave him a drink.

19Now when she had finished giving him a drink, she said, "I will draw also for your camels until they have finished drinking."

19When she had finished giving him a drink, she said, “I will draw water for your camels also, until they have finished drinking.”

20So she quickly emptied her jar into the trough, and ran back to the well to draw, and she drew for all his camels.

20So she quickly emptied her jar into the trough and ran again to the well to draw water, and she drew for all his camels.

21Meanwhile, the man was gazing at her in silence, to know whether the LORD had made his journey successful or not.

21The man gazed at her in silence to learn whether the LORD had prospered his journey or not.

22When the camels had finished drinking, the man took a gold ring weighing a half-shekel and two bracelets for her wrists weighing ten shekels in gold,

22When the camels had finished drinking, the man took a gold ring weighing a half shekel, and two bracelets for her arms weighing ten gold shekels,

23and said, "Whose daughter are you? Please tell me, is there room for us to lodge in your father's house?"

23and said, “Please tell me whose daughter you are. Is there room in your father’s house for us to spend the night?”

24She said to him, "I am the daughter of Bethuel, the son of Milcah, whom she bore to Nahor."

24She said to him, “I am the daughter of Bethuel the son of Milcah, whom she bore to Nahor.”

25Again she said to him, "We have plenty of both straw and feed, and room to lodge in."

25She added, “We have plenty of both straw and fodder, and room to spend the night.”

26Then the man bowed low and worshiped the LORD.

26The man bowed his head and worshiped the LORD

27He said, "Blessed be the LORD, the God of my master Abraham, who has not forsaken His lovingkindness and His truth toward my master; as for me, the LORD has guided me in the way to the house of my master's brothers."

27and said, “Blessed be the LORD, the God of my master Abraham, who has not forsaken his steadfast love and his faithfulness toward my master. As for me, the LORD has led me in the way to the house of my master’s kinsmen.”

28Then the girl ran and told her mother's household about these things.

28Then the young woman ran and told her mother’s household about these things.

29Now Rebekah had a brother whose name was Laban; and Laban ran outside to the man at the spring.

29Rebekah had a brother whose name was Laban. Laban ran out toward the man, to the spring.

30When he saw the 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," he went to the man; and behold, he was standing by the camels at the spring.

30As soon as he saw the ring and the bracelets on his sister’s arms, and heard the words of Rebekah his sister, “Thus the man spoke to me,” he went to the man. And behold, he was standing by the camels at the spring.

31And he said, "Come in, blessed of the LORD! Why do you stand outside since I have prepared the house, and a place for the camels?"

31He said, “Come in, O blessed of the LORD. Why do you stand outside? For I have prepared the house and a place for the camels.”

32So the man entered the house. Then Laban unloaded the camels, and he gave straw and feed to the camels, and water to wash his feet and the feet of the men who were with him.

32So the man came to the house and unharnessed the camels, and gave straw and fodder to the camels, and there was water to wash his feet and the feet of the men who were with him.

33But when food was set before him to eat, he said, "I will not eat until I have told my business." And he said, "Speak on."

33Then food was set before him to eat. But he said, “I will not eat until I have said what I have to say.” He said, “Speak on.”

34So he said, "I am Abraham's servant.

34So he said, “I am Abraham’s servant.

35"The LORD has greatly blessed my master, so that he has become rich; and He has given him flocks and herds, and silver and gold, and servants and maids, and camels and donkeys.

35The LORD has greatly blessed my master, and he has become great. He has given him flocks and herds, silver and gold, male servants and female servants, camels and donkeys.

36"Now Sarah my master's wife bore a son to my master in her old age, and he has given him all that he has.

36And 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"My master made me swear, saying, 'You shall not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I live;

37My master made me swear, saying, ‘You shall not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I dwell,

38but you shall go to my father's house and to my relatives, and take a wife for my son.'

38but you shall go to my father’s house and to my clan and take a wife for my son.’

39"I said to my master, 'Suppose the woman does not follow me.'

39I said to my master, ‘Perhaps the woman will not follow me.’

40"He said to me, 'The LORD, before whom I have walked, will send His angel with you to make your journey successful, and you will take a wife for my son from my relatives and from my father's house;

40But he said to me, ‘The LORD, before whom I have walked, will send his angel with you and prosper your way. You shall take a wife for my son from my clan and from my father’s house.

41then you will be free from my oath, when you come to my relatives; and if they do not give her to you, you will be free from my oath.'

41Then you will be free from my oath, when you come to my clan. And if they will not give her to you, you will be free from my oath.’

42"So I came today to the spring, and said, 'O LORD, the God of my master Abraham, if now You will make my journey on which I go successful;

42“I came today to the spring and said, ‘O LORD, the God of my master Abraham, if now you are prospering the way that I go,

43behold, I am standing by the spring, and may it be that the maiden who comes out to draw, and to whom I say, "Please let me drink a little water from your jar";

43behold, I am standing by the spring of water. Let the virgin who comes out to draw water, to whom I shall say, “Please give me a little water from your jar to drink,”

44and she will say to me, "You drink, and I will draw for your camels also"; let her be the woman whom the LORD has appointed for my master's son.'

44and who will say to me, “Drink, and I will draw for your camels also,” let her be the woman whom the LORD has appointed for my master’s son.’

45"Before I had finished speaking in my heart, behold, Rebekah came out with her jar on her shoulder, and went down to the spring and drew, and I said to her, 'Please let me drink.'

45“Before I had finished speaking in my heart, behold, Rebekah came out with her water jar on her shoulder, and she went down to the spring and drew water. I said to her, ‘Please let me drink.’

46"She quickly lowered her jar from her shoulder, and said, 'Drink, and I will water your camels also'; so I drank, and she watered the camels also.

46She quickly let down her jar from her shoulder and said, ‘Drink, and I will give your camels drink also.’ So I drank, and she gave the camels drink also.

47"Then I asked her, and said, 'Whose daughter are you?' And she said, 'The daughter of Bethuel, Nahor's son, whom Milcah bore to him'; and I put the ring on her nose, and the bracelets on her wrists.

47Then I asked her, ‘Whose daughter are you?’ She said, ‘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 arms.

48"And I bowed low and worshiped the LORD, and blessed the LORD, the God of my master Abraham, who had guided me in the right way to take the daughter of my master's kinsman for his son.

48Then I bowed my head and worshiped the LORD and blessed the LORD, the God of my master Abraham, who had led me by the right way to take the daughter of my master’s kinsman for his son.

49"So now if you are going to deal kindly and truly with my master, tell me; and if not, let me know, that I may turn to the right hand or the left."

49Now then, if you are going to show steadfast love and faithfulness to my master, tell me; and if not, tell me, that I may turn to the right hand or to the left.”

50Then Laban and Bethuel replied, "The matter comes from the LORD; so we cannot speak to you bad or good.

50Then Laban and Bethuel answered and said, “The thing has come from the LORD; we cannot speak to you bad or good.

51"Here is Rebekah before you, take her and go, and let her be the wife of your master's son, as the LORD has spoken."

51Behold, Rebekah is before you; take her and go, and let her be the wife of your master’s son, as the LORD has spoken.”

52When Abraham's servant heard their words, he bowed himself to the ground before the LORD.

52When Abraham’s servant heard their words, he bowed himself to the earth before the LORD.

53The servant brought out articles of silver and articles of gold, and garments, and gave them to Rebekah; he also gave precious things to her brother and to her mother.

53And the servant brought out jewelry of silver and of gold, and garments, and gave them to Rebekah. He also gave to her brother and to her mother costly ornaments.

54Then he and the men who were with him ate and drank and spent the night. When they arose in the morning, he said, "Send me away to my master."

54And he and the men who were with him ate and drank, and they spent the night there. When they arose in the morning, he said, “Send me away to my master.”

55But her brother and her mother said, "Let the girl stay with us a few days, say ten; afterward she may go."

55Her brother and her mother said, “Let the young woman remain with us a while, at least ten days; after that she may go.”

56He said to them, "Do not delay me, since the LORD has prospered my way. Send me away that I may go to my master."

56But he said to them, “Do not delay me, since the LORD has prospered my way. Send me away that I may go to my master.”

57And they said, "We will call the girl and consult her wishes."

57They said, “Let us call the young woman and ask her.”

58Then they called Rebekah and said to her, "Will you go with this man?" And she said, "I will go."

58And they called Rebekah and said to her, “Will you go with this man?” She said, “I will go.”

59Thus they sent away their sister Rebekah and her nurse with Abraham's servant and his men.

59So they sent away Rebekah their sister and her nurse, and Abraham’s servant and his men.

60They blessed Rebekah and said to her, "May you, our sister, Become thousands of ten thousands, And may your descendants possess The gate of those who hate them."

60And they blessed Rebekah and said to her, “Our sister, may you become thousands of ten thousands, and may your offspring possess the gate of those who hate him!”

61Then Rebekah arose with her maids, and they mounted the camels and followed the man. So the servant took Rebekah and departed.

61Then Rebekah and her young women arose and rode on the camels and followed the man. Thus the servant took Rebekah and went his way.

62Now Isaac had come from going to Beer-lahai-roi; for he was living in the Negev.

62Now Isaac had returned from Beer-lahai-roi and was dwelling in the Negeb.

63Isaac went out to meditate in the field toward evening; and he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, camels were coming.

63And Isaac went out to meditate in the field toward evening. And he lifted up his eyes and saw, and behold, there were camels coming.

64Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac she dismounted from the camel.

64And Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac, she dismounted from the camel

65She said to the servant, "Who is that man walking in the field to meet us?" And the servant said, "He is my master." Then she took her veil and covered herself.

65and said to the servant, “Who is that man, walking in the field to meet us?” The servant said, “It is my master.” So she took her veil and covered herself.

66The servant told Isaac all the things that he had done.

66And the servant told Isaac all the things that he had done.

67Then Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah's tent, and he took Rebekah, and she became his wife, and he loved her; thus Isaac was comforted after his mother's death.

67Then Isaac brought her into the tent of Sarah his mother and took Rebekah, and she became his wife, and he loved her. So Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death.

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