Genesis 24

VULGATA	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 Erat autem Abraham senex, dierumque multorum : et Dominus in cunctis benedixerat ei.	1 Abraham had now reached a ripe old age, and the LORD had blessed him in every way.
2 Dixitque ad servum seniorem domus suæ, qui præerat omnibus quæ habebat : Pone manum tuam subter femur meum,	2 Abraham said to the senior servant of his household, who had charge of all his possessions: "Put your hand under my thigh,
3 ut adjurem te per Dominum Deum cæli et terræ, ut non accipias uxorem filio meo de filiabus Chananæorum, inter quos habito :	3 and I will make you swear by the LORD, the God of heaven and the God of earth, that you will not procure a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites among whom I live,
4 sed ad terram et cognationem meam proficiscaris et inde accipias uxorem filio meo Isaac.	4 but that you will go to my own land and to my kindred to get a wife for my son Isaac."
5 Respondit servus : Si noluerit mulier venire mecum in terram hanc, numquid reducere debeo filium tuum ad locum, de quo egressus es ?	5 The servant asked him: "What if the woman is unwilling to follow me to this land? Should I then take your son back to the land from which you migrated?"
6 Dixitque Abraham : Cave nequando reducas filium meum illuc.	6 "Never take my son back there for any reason," Abraham told him.
7 Dominus Deus cæli, qui tulit me de domo patris mei, et de terra nativitatis meæ, qui locutus est mihi, et juravit mihi, dicens : Semini tuo dabo terram hanc : ipse mittet angelum suum coram te, et accipies inde uxorem filio meo :	7 "The LORD, the God of heaven, who took me from my father's house and the land of my kin, and who confirmed by oath the promise he then made to me, 'I will give this land to your descendants'--he will send his messenger before you, and you will obtain a wife for my son there.
8 sin autem mulier noluerit sequi te, non teneberis juramento : filium meum tantum ne reducas illuc.	8 If the woman is unwilling to follow you, you will be released from this oath. But never take my son back there!"
9 Posuit ergo servus manum sub femore Abraham domini sui, et juravit illi super sermone hoc.	9 So the servant put his hand under the thigh of his master Abraham and swore to him in this undertaking.
10 Tulitque decem camelos de grege domini sui, et abiit, ex omnibus bonis ejus portans secum, profectusque perrexit in Mesopotamiam ad urbem Nachor.	10 The servant then took ten of his master's camels, and bearing all kinds of gifts from his master, he made his way to the city of Nahor in Aram Naharaim.
11 Cumque camelos fecisset accumbere extra oppidum juxta puteum aquæ vespere, tempore quo solent mulieres egredi ad hauriendam aquam, dixit :	11 Near evening, at the time when women go out to draw water, he made the camels kneel by the well outside the city.
12 Domine Deus domini mei Abraham, occurre, obsecro, mihi hodie, et fac misericordiam cum domino meo Abraham.	12 Then he prayed: "LORD, God of my master Abraham, let it turn out favorably for me today and thus deal graciously with my master Abraham.
13 Ecce ego sto prope fontem aquæ, et filiæ habitatorum hujus civitatis egredientur ad hauriendam aquam.	13 While I stand here at the spring and the daughters of the townsmen are coming out to draw water,
14 Igitur puella, cui ego dixero : Inclina hydriam tuam ut bibam : et illa responderit : Bibe, quin et camelis tuis dabo potum : ipsa est quam præparasti servo tuo Isaac : et per hoc intelligam quod feceris misericordiam cum domino meo.	14 if I say to a girl, 'Please lower your jug, that I may drink,' and she answers, 'Take a drink, and let me give water to your camels, too,' let her be the one whom you have decided upon for your servant Isaac. In this way I shall know that you have dealt graciously with my master."
15 Necdum intra se verba compleverat, et ecce Rebecca egrediebatur, filia Bathuel, filii Melchæ uxoris Nachor fratris Abraham, habens hydriam in scapula sua :	15 He had scarcely finished these words when Rebekah (who was born to Bethuel, son of Milcah, the wife of Abraham's brother Nahor) came out with a jug on her shoulder.
16 puella decora nimis, virgoque pulcherrima, et incognita viro : descenderat autem ad fontem, et impleverat hydriam, ac revertebatur.	16 The girl was very beautiful, a virgin, untouched by man. She went down to the spring and filled her jug. As she came up,
17 Occurritque ei servus, et ait : Pauxillum aquæ mihi ad bibendum præbe de hydria tua.	17 the servant ran toward her and said, "Please give me a sip of water from your jug."
18 Quæ respondit : Bibe, domine mi : celeriterque deposuit hydriam super ulnam suam, et dedit ei potum.	18 "Take a drink, sir," she replied, and quickly lowering the jug onto her hand, she gave him a drink.
19 Cumque ille bibisset, adjecit : Quin et camelis tuis hauriam aquam, donec cuncti bibant.	19 When she had let him drink his fill, she said, "I will draw water for your camels, too, until they have drunk their fill."
20 Effundensque hydriam in canalibus, recurrit ad puteum ut hauriret aquam : et haustam omnibus camelis dedit.	20 With that, she quickly emptied her jug into the drinking trough and ran back to the well to draw more water, until she had drawn enough for all the camels.
21 Ipse autem contemplabatur eam tacitus, scire volens utrum prosperum iter suum fecisset Dominus, an non.	21 The man watched her the whole time, silently waiting to learn whether or not the LORD had made his errand successful.
22 Postquam autem biberunt cameli, protulit vir inaures aureas, appendentes siclos duos, et armillas totidem pondo siclorum decem.	22 When the camels had finished drinking, the man took out a gold ring weighing half a shekel, which he fastened on her nose, and two gold bracelets weighing ten shekels, which he put on her wrists.
23 Dixitque ad eam : Cujus es filia ? indica mihi, est in domo patris tui locus ad manendum ?	23 Then he asked her: "Whose daughter are you? Tell me, please. And is there room in your father's house for us to spend the night?"
24 Quæ respondit : Filia sum Bathuelis, filii Melchæ, quem peperit ipsi Nachor.	24 She answered: "I am the daughter of Bethuel the son of Milcah, whom she bore to Nahor.
25 Et addidit, dicens : Palearum quoque et f?ni plurimum est apud nos, et locus spatiosus ad manendum.	25 There is plenty of straw and fodder at our place," she added, "and room to spend the night."
26 Inclinavit se homo, et adoravit Dominum,	26 The man then bowed down in worship to the LORD,
27 dicens : Benedictus Dominus Deus domini mei Abraham, qui non abstulit misericordiam et veritatem suam a domino meo, et recto itinere me perduxit in domum fratris domini mei.	27 saying: "Blessed be the LORD, the God of my master Abraham, who has not let his constant kindness toward my master fail. As for myself also, the LORD has led me straight to the house of my master's brother."
28 Cucurrit itaque puella, et nuntiavit in domum matris suæ omnia quæ audierat.	28 Then the girl ran off and told her mother's household about it.
29 Habebat autem Rebecca fratrem nomine Laban, qui festinus egressus est ad hominem, ubi erat fons.	29 Now Rebekah had a brother named Laban.
30 Cumque vidisset inaures et armillas in manibus sororis suæ, et audisset cuncta verba referentis : Hæc locutus est mihi homo : venit ad virum qui stabat juxta camelos, et prope fontem aquæ :	30 As soon as he saw the ring and the bracelets on his sister Rebekah and heard her words about what the man had said to her, Laban rushed outside to the man at the spring. When he reached him, he was still standing by the camels at the spring.
31 dixitque ad eum : Ingredere, benedicte Domini : cur foris stas ? præparavi domum, et locum camelis.	31 So he said to him: "Come, blessed of the LORD! Why are you staying outside when I have made the house ready for you, as well as a place for the camels?"
32 Et introduxit eum in hospitium : ac destravit camelos, deditque paleas et f?num, et aquam ad lavandos pedes ejus, et virorum qui venerant cum eo.	32 The man then went inside; and while the camels were being unloaded and provided with straw and fodder, water was brought to bathe his feet and the feet of the men who were with him.
33 Et appositus est in conspectu ejus panis. Qui ait : Non comedam, donec loquar sermones meos. Respondit ei : Loquere.	33 But when the table was set for him, he said, "I will not eat until I have told my tale." "Do so," they replied.
34 At ille : Servus, inquit, Abraham sum :	34 "I am Abraham's servant," he began.
35 et Dominus benedixit domino meo valde, magnificatusque est : et dedit ei oves et boves, argentum et aurum, servos et ancillas, camelos et asinos.	35 "The LORD has blessed my master so abundantly that he has become a wealthy man; he has given him flocks and herds, silver and gold, male and female slaves, and camels and asses.
36 Et peperit Sara uxor domini mei filium domino meo in senectute sua, deditque illi omnia quæ habuerat.	36 My master's wife Sarah bore a son to my master in her old age, and he has given him everything he owns.
37 Et adjuravit me dominus meus, dicens : Non accipies uxorem filio meo de filiabus Chananæorum, in quorum terra habito :	37 My master put me under oath, saying: 'You shall not procure a wife for my son among the daughters of the Canaanites in whose land I live;
38 sed ad domum patris mei perges, et de cognatione mea accipies uxorem filio meo.	38 instead, you shall go to my father's house, to my own relatives, to get a wife for my son.'
39 Ego vero respondi domino meo : Quid si noluerit venire mecum mulier ?	39 When I asked my master, 'What if the woman will not follow me?,'
40 Dominus, ait, in cujus conspectu ambulo, mittet angelum suum tecum, et diriget viam tuam : accipiesque uxorem filio meo de cognatione mea, et de domo patris mei.	40 he replied: 'The LORD, in whose presence I have always walked, will send his messenger with you and make your errand successful, and so you will get a wife for my son from my own kindred of my father's house.
41 Innocens eris a maledictione mea, cum veneris ad propinquos meos, et non dederint tibi.	41 Then you shall be released from my ban. If you visit my kindred and they refuse you, then, too, you shall be released from my ban.'
42 Veni ergo hodie ad fontem aquæ, et dixi : Domine Deus domini mei Abraham, si direxisti viam meam, in qua nunc ambulo,	42 "When I came to the spring today, I prayed: 'LORD, God of my master Abraham, may it be your will to make successful the errand I am engaged on!
43 ecce sto juxta fontem aquæ, et virgo, quæ egredietur ad hauriendam aquam, audierit a me : Da mihi pauxillum aquæ ad bibendum ex hydria tua :	43 While I stand here at the spring, if I say to a young woman who comes out to draw water, Please give me a little water from your jug,
44 et dixerit mihi : Et tu bibe, et camelis tuis hauriam : ipsa est mulier, quam præparavit Dominus filio domini mei.	44 and she answers, Not only may you have a drink, but I will give water to your camels, too--let her be the woman whom the LORD has decided upon for my master's son.'
45 Dumque hæc tacitus mecum volverem, apparuit Rebecca veniens cum hydria, quam portabat in scapula : descenditque ad fontem, et hausit aquam. Et aio ad eam : Da mihi paululum bibere.	45 "I had scarcely finished saying this prayer to myself when Rebekah came out with a jug on her shoulder. After she went down to the spring and drew water, I said to her, 'Please let me have a drink.'
46 Quæ festinans deposuit hydriam de humero, et dixit mihi : Et tu bibe, et camelis tuis tribuam potum. Bibi, et adaquavit camelos.	46 She quickly lowered the jug she was carrying and said, 'Take a drink, and let me bring water for your camels, too.' So I drank, and she watered the camels also.
47 Interrogavique eam, et dixi : Cujus es filia ? Quæ respondit : Filia Bathuelis sum, filii Nachor, quem peperit ei Melcha. Suspendi itaque inaures ad ornandam faciem ejus, et armillas posui in manibus ejus.	47 When I asked her, 'Whose daughter are you?' she answered, 'The daughter of Bethuel, son of Nahor, borne to Nahor by Milcah.' So I put the ring on her nose and the bracelets on her wrists.
48 Pronusque adoravi Dominum, benedicens Domino Deo domini mei Abraham, qui perduxit me recto itinere, ut sumerem filiam fratris domini mei filio ejus.	48 Then I bowed down in worship to the LORD, blessing the LORD, the God of my master Abraham, who had led me on the right road to obtain the daughter of my master's kinsman for his son.
49 Quam ob rem si facitis misericordiam et veritatem cum domino meo, indicate mihi : sin autem aliud placet, et hoc dicite mihi, ut vadam ad dextram, sive ad sinistram.	49 If, therefore, you have in mind to show true loyalty to my master, let me know; but if not, let me know that, too. I can then proceed accordingly."
50 Responderuntque Laban et Bathuel : A Domino egressus est sermo : non possumus extra placitum ejus quidquam aliud loqui tecum.	50 Laban and his household said in reply: "This thing comes from the LORD; we can say nothing to you either for or against it.
51 En Rebecca coram te est, tolle eam, et proficiscere, et sit uxor filii domini tui, sicut locutus est Dominus.	51 Here is Rebekah, ready for you; take her with you, that she may become the wife of your master's son, as the LORD has said."
52 Quod cum audisset puer Abraham, procidens adoravit in terram Dominum.	52 When Abraham's servant heard their answer, he bowed to the ground before the LORD.
53 Prolatisque vasis argenteis, et aureis, ac vestibus, dedit ea Rebeccæ pro munere : fratribus quoque ejus et matri dona obtulit.	53 Then he brought out objects of silver and gold and articles of clothing and presented them to Rebekah; he also gave costly presents to her brother and mother.
54 Inito convivio, vescentes pariter et bibentes manserunt ibi. Surgens autem mane, locutus est puer : Dimitte me, ut vadam ad dominum meum.	54 After he and the men with him had eaten and drunk, they spent the night there. When they were up the next morning, he said, "Give me leave to return to my master."
55 Responderuntque fratres ejus et mater : Maneat puella saltem decem dies apud nos, et postea proficiscetur.	55 Her brother and mother replied, "Let the girl stay with us a short while, say ten days; after that she may go."
56 Nolite, ait, me retinere, quia Dominus direxit viam meam : dimittite me ut pergam ad dominum meum.	56 But he said to them, "Do not detain me, now that the LORD has made my errand successful; let me go back to my master."
57 Et dixerunt : Vocemus puellam, et quæramus ipsius voluntatem.	57 They answered, "Let us call the girl and see what she herself has to say about it."
58 Cumque vocata venisset, sciscitati sunt : Vis ire cum homine isto ? Quæ ait : Vadam.	58 So they called Rebekah and asked her, "Do you wish to go with this man?" She answered, "I do."
59 Dimiserunt ergo eam, et nutricem illius, servumque Abraham, et comites ejus,	59 At this they allowed their sister Rebekah and her nurse to take leave, along with Abraham's servant and his men.
60 imprecantes prospera sorori suæ, atque dicentes : Soror nostra es, crescas in mille millia, et possideat semen tuum portas inimicorum suorum.	60 Invoking a blessing on Rebekah, they said: "Sister, may you grow into thousands of myriads; And may your descendants gain possession of the gates of their enemies!"
61 Igitur Rebecca et puellæ illius, ascensis camelis, secutæ sunt virum : qui festinus revertebatur ad dominum suum.	61 Then Rebekah and her maids started out; they mounted their camels and followed the man. So the servant took Rebekah and went on his way.
62 Eo autem tempore deambulabat Isaac per viam quæ ducit ad puteum, cujus nomen est Viventis et videntis : habitabat enim in terra australi :	62 Meanwhile Isaac had gone from Beer-lahai-roi and was living in the region of the Negeb.
63 et egressus fuerat ad meditandum in agro, inclinata jam die : cumque elevasset oculos, vidit camelos venientes procul.	63 One day toward evening he went out. . . in the field, and as he looked around, he noticed that camels were approaching.
64 Rebecca quoque, conspecto Isaac, descendit de camelo,	64 Rebekah, too, was looking about, and when she saw him, she alighted from her camel
65 et ait ad puerum : Quis est ille homo qui venit per agrum in occursum nobis ? Dixitque ei : Ipse est dominus meus. At illa tollens cito pallium, operuit se.	65 and asked the servant, "Who is the man out there, walking through the fields toward us?" "That is my master," replied the servant. Then she covered herself with her veil.
66 Servus autem cuncta, quæ gesserat, narravit Isaac.	66 The servant recounted to Isaac all the things he had done.
67 Qui introduxit eam in tabernaculum Saræ matris suæ, et accepit eam uxorem : et in tantum dilexit eam, ut dolorem, qui ex morte matris ejus acciderat, temperaret.	67 Then Isaac took Rebekah into his tent; he married her, and thus she became his wife. In his love for her Isaac found solace after the death of his mother Sarah.