Old Testament

New Testament

Genesis 24:33-51 New English Translation (NET)

33. When food was served, he said, “I will not eat until I have said what I want to say.” “Tell us,” Laban said.

34. “I am the servant of Abraham,” he began.

35. “The Lord has richly blessed my master and he has become very wealthy. The Lord has given him sheep and cattle, silver and gold, male and female servants, and camels and donkeys.

36. My master’s wife Sarah bore a son to him when she was old, and my master has given him everything he owns.

37. My master made me swear an oath. He said, ‘You must not acquire a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I am living,

38. but you must go to the family of my father and to my relatives to find a wife for my son.’

39. But I said to my master, ‘What if the woman does not want to go with me?’

40. He answered, ‘The Lord, before whom I have walked, will send his angel with you. He will make your journey a success and you will find a wife for my son from among my relatives, from my father’s family.

41. You will be free from your oath if you go to my relatives and they will not give her to you. Then you will be free from your oath.’

42. When I came to the spring today, I prayed, ‘O Lord, God of my master Abraham, if you have decided to make my journey successful, may events unfold as follows:

43. Here I am, standing by the spring. When the young woman goes out to draw water, I’ll say, “Give me a little water to drink from your jug.”

44. Then she will reply to me, “Drink, and I’ll draw water for your camels too.” May that woman be the one whom the Lord has chosen for my master’s son.’

45. “Before I finished praying in my heart, along came Rebekah with her water jug on her shoulder! She went down to the spring and drew water. So I said to her, ‘Please give me a drink.’

46. She quickly lowered her jug from her shoulder and said, ‘Drink, and I’ll give your camels water too.’ So I drank, and she also gave the camels water.

47. Then I asked her, ‘Whose daughter are you?’ She replied, ‘The daughter of Bethuel the son of Nahor, whom Milcah bore to Nahor.’ I put the ring in her nose and the bracelets on her wrists.

48. Then I bowed down and worshiped the Lord. I praised the Lord, the God of my master Abraham, who had led me on the right path to find the granddaughter of my master’s brother for his son.

49. Now, if you will show faithful love to my master, tell me. But if not, tell me as well, so that I may go on my way.”

50. Then Laban and Bethuel replied, “This is the Lord’s doing. Our wishes are of no concern.

51. Rebekah stands here before you. Take her and go so that she may become the wife of your master’s son, just as the Lord has decided.”

Read complete chapter Genesis 24