Genesis 24
1 And Abraham was old, and well stricken in age: and the LORD had blessed Abraham in all things.
Wakati huu Abrahamu alikuwa mzee mwenye miaka mingi, naye Bwana alikuwa amembariki katika kila njia.
2 And Abraham said unto his eldest servant of his house, that ruled over all that he had, Put, I pray you, your hand under my thigh:
Akamwambia mtumishi wake mkuu wa vitu vyote katika nyumba yake, yule aliyekuwa msimamizi wa vitu vyote alivyokuwa navyo, “Weka mkono wako chini ya paja langu,
3 And I will make you swear by the LORD, the God of heaven, and the God of the earth, that you shall not take a wife unto my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell:
Ninataka uape kwa Bwana, Mungu wa mbingu na Mungu wa nchi, kwamba hutamtwalia mwanangu mke kutoka binti za Wakanaani, ambao ninaishi miongoni mwao,
4 But you shall go unto my country, and to my kindred, and take a wife unto my son Isaac.
bali utakwenda katika nchi yangu na jamaa zangu umpatie Isaki mwanangu mke.”
5 And the servant said unto him, Possibly the woman will not be willing to follow me unto this land: must I essentially bring your son again unto the land from whence you came?
Yule mtumishi akamuuliza, “Je, kama huyo mwanamke atakataa kuja nami katika nchi hii? Je, nimpeleke mwanao katika hiyo nchi uliyotoka?”
6 And Abraham said unto him, Beware you that you bring not my son thither again.
Abrahamu akasema, “Hakikisha kwamba hutamrudisha mwanangu huko.
7 The LORD God of heaven, which took me from my father's house, and from the land of my kindred, and which spoke unto me, and that swore unto me, saying, Unto your seed will I give this land; he shall send his angel before you, and you shall take a wife unto my son from thence.
Bwana, Mungu wa mbingu, aliyenitoa nyumbani kwa baba yangu na nchi yangu niliyozaliwa na aliyesema nami na akaniahidi kwa kiapo, akisema, ‘Nitawapa watoto wako nchi hii,’ atatuma malaika wake akutangulie ili umpatie mwanangu mke kutoka huko.
8 And if the woman will not be willing to follow you, then you shall be clear from this my oath: only bring not my son thither again.
Kama huyo mwanamke asipokubali kufuatana nawe, basi utafunguliwa kutoka kiapo nilichokuapisha. Ila usimrudishe mwanangu huko.”
9 And the servant put his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master, and swore to him concerning that matter.
Basi yule mtumishi akaweka mkono wake chini ya paja la bwana wake Abrahamu akamwapia kuhusu shauri hili.
10 And the servant took ten camels of the camels of his master, and departed; for all the goods of his master were in his hand: and he arose, and went to Mesopotamia, unto the city of Nahor.
Ndipo huyo mtumishi akachukua ngamia kumi miongoni mwa ngamia za bwana wake, akaondoka, akiwa amechukua aina zote za vitu vizuri kutoka kwa bwana wake. Akaelekea Aramu-Naharaimu na kushika njia kwenda mji wa Nahori.
11 And he made his camels to kneel down without the city by a well of water at the time of the evening, even the time that women go out to draw water.
Akawapigisha ngamia magoti karibu na kisima cha maji nje ya mji, ilikuwa inaelekea jioni, wakati ambapo wanawake wanakuja kuteka maji.
12 And he said O LORD God of my master Abraham, I pray you, send me good speed this day, and show kindness unto my master Abraham.
Kisha akaomba, “Ee Bwana, Mungu wa bwana wangu Abrahamu, nipatie ushindi leo, uonyeshe huruma kwa bwana wangu Abrahamu.
13 Behold, I stand here by the well of water; and the daughters of the men of the city come out to draw water:
Tazama, nimesimama karibu na kisima hiki cha maji, nao binti za watu wa mji huu wanakuja kuteka maji.
14 And let it come to pass, that the damsel to whom I shall say, Let down your pitcher, I pray you, that I may drink; and she shall say, Drink, and I will give your camels drink also: let the same be she that you have appointed for your servant Isaac; and thereby shall I know that you have showed kindness unto my master.
Basi na iwe hivi, nitakapomwambia binti mmojawapo, ‘Tafadhali tua mtungi wako nipate kunywa maji,’ naye akisema, ‘Kunywa, nitawanywesha na ngamia wako pia.’ Basi na awe ndiye uliyemchagua kwa ajili ya mtumishi wako Isaki. Kwa hili nitajua umemhurumia bwana wangu.”
15 And it came to pass, before he had done speaking, that, behold, Rebekah came out, who was born to Bethuel, son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham's brother, with her pitcher upon her shoulder.
Ikawa kabla hajamaliza kuomba, Rebeka akatokea akiwa na mtungi begani mwake. Alikuwa binti wa Bethueli. Bethueli alikuwa mwana wa Milka aliyekuwa mke wa Nahori ndugu wa Abrahamu.
16 And the damsel was very fair to look upon, a virgin, neither had any man known her: and she went down to the well, and filled her pitcher, and came up.
Huyu msichana alikuwa mzuri sana wa sura, bikira, ambaye hakuna mtu aliyekuwa amekutana naye kimwili. Aliteremka kisimani, akajaza mtungi wake akapanda juu.
17 And the servant ran to meet her, and said, Let me, I pray you, drink a little water of your pitcher.
Ndipo yule mtumishi akaharakisha kukutana naye akamwambia, “Tafadhali nipe maji kidogo katika mtungi wako.”
18 And she said, Drink, my lord: and she hasted, and let down her pitcher upon her hand, and gave him drink.
Yule msichana akasema, “Kunywa, bwana wangu.” Akashusha kwa haraka mtungi mkononi mwake na akampa, akanywa.
19 And when she had done giving him drink, she said, I will draw water for your camels also, until they have done drinking.
Baada ya kumpa yule mtumishi yale maji, akamwambia, “Nitateka maji kwa ajili ya ngamia zako pia mpaka wote watosheke.”
20 And she hasted, and emptied her pitcher into the gutter, and ran again unto the well to draw water, and drew for all his camels.
Akafanya haraka kumimina maji kwenye birika ya kunyweshea wanyama, akakimbia kisimani kuteka maji mengine na akateka ya kuwatosha ngamia wake wote.
21 And the man wondering at her held his peace, to know whether the LORD had made his journey prosperous or not.
Pasipo kusema neno, yule mtumishi akamtazama kwa makini aone kama Bwana ameifanikisha safari yake, au la.
22 And it came to pass, as the camels had done drinking, that the man took a golden earring of half a shekel weight, and two bracelets for her hands of ten shekels weight of gold;
Ikawa ngamia walipokwisha kunywa wote, yule mtumishi akampa huyo msichana pete ya puani ya dhahabu yenye uzito wa beka moja na bangili mbili za dhahabu zenye uzito wa shekeli kumi.
23 And said, Whose daughter are you? tell me, I pray you: is there room in your father's house for us to lodge in?
Kisha akamuuliza, “Wewe ni binti wa nani? Tafadhali uniambie, je, kuna nafasi katika nyumba ya baba yako tutakapoweza kulala?”
24 And she said unto him, I am the daughter of Bethuel the son of Milcah, which she bare unto Nahor.
Yule msichana akamjibu, “Mimi ni binti wa Bethueli, mwana wa Milka aliyemzalia Nahori.”
25 She said moreover unto him, We have both straw and animal food enough, and room to lodge in.
Akaendelea kusema, “Kwetu kuna majani mengi na malisho, tena kuna nafasi kwa ajili yenu kulala.”
26 And the man bowed down his head, and worshipped the LORD.
Yule mtumishi akasujudu na kumwabudu Bwana,
27 And he said, Blessed be the LORD God of my master Abraham, who has not left destitute my master of his mercy and his truth: I being in the way, the LORD led me to the house of my master's brethren.
akisema, “Atukuzwe Bwana, Mungu wa bwana wangu Abrahamu, ambaye hakuondoa wema na uaminifu wake kwa bwana wangu. Mimi nami, Bwana ameniongoza safarini akanifikisha nyumbani kwa jamaa za bwana wangu.”
28 And the damsel ran, and told them of her mother's house these things.
Yule msichana akakimbia akawaeleza watu wa nyumbani mwa mama yake kuhusu mambo haya.
29 And Rebekah had a brother, and his name was Laban: and Laban ran out unto the man, unto the well.
Rebeka alikuwa na kaka aliyeitwa Labani, huyo akaharakisha kukutana na yule mtumishi kule kisimani.
30 And it came to pass, when he saw the earring and bracelets upon his sister's hands, and when he heard the words of Rebekah his sister, saying, Thus spoke the man unto me; that he came unto the man; and, behold, he stood by the camels at the well.
Mara alipoiona ile pete puani, na bangili mikononi mwa dada yake na kusikia yale maneno Rebeka aliyoambiwa na huyo mtumishi, alimwendea huyo mtumishi, akamkuta amesimama karibu na ngamia wake pale karibu na kisima.
31 And he said, Come in, you blessed of the LORD; wherefore stand you without? for I have prepared the house, and room for the camels.
Akamwambia, “Karibu nyumbani wewe uliyebarikiwa na Bwana, kwa nini unasimama huko nje? Mimi nimekuandalia nyumba na mahali kwa ajili ya ngamia.”
32 And the man came into the house: and he unbounded his camels, and gave straw and animal food for the camels, and water to wash his feet, and the men's feet that were with him.
Hivyo yule mtumishi akaenda nyumbani, mizigo ikaondolewa juu ya ngamia. Majani na malisho yakaletwa kwa ajili ya ngamia na maji kwa ajili yake na watu wake ili kunawa miguu.
33 And there was set food before him to eat: but he said, I will not eat, until I have told mine errand. And he said, Speak on.
Ndipo chakula kikaandaliwa kwa ajili yake, lakini akasema, “Sitakula mpaka niwe nimewaambia yale niliyo nayo ya kusema.” Labani akasema, “Basi tuambie.”
34 And he said, I am Abraham's servant.
Hivyo akasema, “Mimi ni mtumishi wa Abrahamu.
35 And the LORD has blessed my master greatly; and he is become great: and he has given him flocks, and herds, and silver, and gold, and male servants, and maidservants, and camels, and asses.
Bwana amembariki sana bwana wangu, amekuwa tajiri. Amempa kondoo na ngʼombe, fedha na dhahabu, watumishi wa kiume na wa kike, ngamia na punda.
36 And Sarah my master's wife bare a son to my master when she was old: and unto him has he given all that he has.
Sara mkewe bwana wangu amemzalia mwana katika uzee wake, naye amempa kila kitu alichokuwa nacho.
37 And my master made me swear, saying, You shall not take a wife to my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I dwell:
Naye bwana wangu ameniapisha na akasema, ‘Kamwe usimtwalie mwanangu mke katika binti za Wakanaani, ambao ninaishi katika nchi yao,
38 But you shall go unto my father's house, and to my kindred, and take a wife unto my son.
ila uende mpaka kwa jamaa ya baba yangu na ukoo wangu mwenyewe, ukamtwalie mwanangu mke huko.’
39 And I said unto my master, Possibly the woman will not follow me.
“Kisha nikamuuliza bwana wangu, ‘Je, kama huyo mwanamke hatakubali kurudi nami?’
40 And he said unto me, The LORD, before whom I walk, will send his angel with you, and prosper your way; and you shall take a wife for my son of my kindred, and of my father's house:
“Akanijibu, ‘Bwana ambaye nimetembea mbele zake, atatuma malaika wake pamoja nawe, na kuifanikisha safari yako, ili uweze kupata mke kwa ajili ya mwanangu katika ukoo wangu na kutoka jamaa ya baba yangu.
41 Then shall you be clear from this my oath, when you come to my kindred; and if they give not you one, you shall be clear from my oath.
Kisha, utakapokwenda kwenye ukoo wangu, utakuwa umefunguliwa kutoka kiapo changu hata kama wakikataa kukupa huyo binti, utakuwa umefunguliwa kutoka kiapo changu.’
42 And I came this day unto the well, and said, O LORD God of my master Abraham, if now you do prosper my way which I go:
“Nilipokuja kisimani leo nilisema, ‘Ee Bwana, Mungu wa bwana wangu Abrahamu, ikikupendeza, naomba uifanikishe safari niliyoijia.
43 Behold, I stand by the well of water; and it shall come to pass, that when the virgin comes forth to draw water, and I say to her, Give me, I pray you, a little water of your pitcher to drink;
Tazama, ninasimama kando ya kisima hiki, kama mwanamwali akija kuteka maji nami nikimwambia, tafadhali niruhusu ninywe maji kidogo kutoka kwenye mtungi wako,
44 And she say to me, Both drink you, and I will also draw for your camels: let the same be the woman whom the LORD has appointed out for my master's son.
naye kama akiniambia, “Kunywa, nami nitateka maji kwa ajili ya ngamia wako pia,” basi huyo awe ndiye mke ambaye Bwana amemchagulia mwana wa bwana wangu.’
45 And before I had done speaking in mine heart, behold, Rebekah came forth with her pitcher on her shoulder; and she went down unto the well, and drew water: and I said unto her, Let me drink, I pray you.
“Kabla sijamaliza kuomba moyoni mwangu, Rebeka akatokea, amebeba mtungi begani mwake. Akashuka kisimani akateka maji, nami nikamwambia, ‘Tafadhali nipe maji ninywe.’
46 And she made haste, and let down her pitcher from her shoulder, and said, Drink, and I will give your camels drink also: so I drank, and she made the camels drink also.
“Akafanya haraka kushusha mtungi wake begani na kusema, ‘Kunywa na nitawanywesha ngamia wako pia,’ basi nikanywa, akawanywesha na ngamia pia.
47 And I asked her, and said, Whose daughter are you? And she said, the daughter of Bethuel, Nahor's son, whom Milcah bare unto him: and I put the earring upon her face, and the bracelets upon her hands.
“Nikamuuliza, ‘Wewe ni binti wa nani?’ “Akasema, ‘Mimi ni binti wa Bethueli, mwana wa Nahori, Milka aliyemzalia.’ “Ndipo nilipotia pete puani mwake na bangili mikononi mwake,
48 And I bowed down my head, and worshipped the LORD, and blessed the LORD God of my master Abraham, which had led me in the right way to take my master's brother's daughter unto his son.
nikasujudu na nikamwabudu Bwana. Nikamtukuza Bwana, Mungu wa bwana wangu Abrahamu, aliyeniongoza katika njia sahihi ili nimtwalie mwana na bwana wangu mke katika jamaa zake.
49 And now if all of you will deal kindly and truly with my master, tell me: and if not, tell me; that I may turn to the right hand, or to the left.
Ikiwa mtaonyesha wema na uaminifu kwa bwana wangu, mniambie, la sivyo, mniambie, ili niweze kujua njia ya kugeukia.”
50 Then Laban and Bethuel answered and said, The thing proceeds from the LORD: we cannot speak unto you bad or good.
Labani na Bethueli wakajibu, “Jambo hili limetoka kwa Bwana, hatuwezi kukuambia jambo lolote baya au jema.
51 Behold, Rebekah is before you, take her, and go, and let her be your master's son's wife, as the LORD has spoken.
Rebeka yuko hapa, mchukue na uende, awe mke wa mwana wa bwana wako, sawasawa na Bwana alivyoongoza.”
52 And it came to pass, that, when Abraham's servant heard their words, he worshipped the LORD, bowing himself to the earth.
Ikawa huyo mtumishi wa Abrahamu aliposikia waliyosema, alisujudu mpaka nchi mbele za Bwana.
53 And the servant brought forth jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment, and gave them to Rebekah: he gave also to her brother and to her mother precious things.
Ndipo huyo mtumishi akatoa vitu vilivyotengenezwa kwa dhahabu na kwa fedha pamoja na mavazi, akampa Rebeka, pia akawapa zawadi za thamani kubwa nduguye na mamaye.
54 And they did eat and drink, he and the men that were with him, and tarried all night; and they rose up in the morning, and he said, Send me away unto my master.
Kisha yeye na wale watu waliokuwa pamoja naye wakala, wakanywa na kulala palepale. Walipoamka asubuhi, yule mtumishi, akasema, “Nipeni ruhusa nirudi kwa bwana wangu.”
55 And her brother and her mother said, Let the damsel abide with us a few days, at the least ten; after that she shall go.
Lakini ndugu yake Rebeka pamoja na mama yake wakajibu, “Acha binti akae kwetu siku kumi au zaidi, ndipo mwondoke.”
56 And he said unto them, Hinder me not, seeing the LORD has prospered my way; send me away that I may go to my master.
Lakini yule mtumishi akawaambia, “Msinicheleweshe, kwa kuwa Bwana amefanikisha safari yangu, nipeni ruhusa nirudi kwa bwana wangu.”
57 And they said, We will call the damsel, and enquire at her mouth.
Ndipo wakasema, “Acha tumwite huyo binti tumuulize, tusikie atakavyosema.”
58 And they called Rebekah, and said unto her, Will you go with this man? And she said, I will go.
Kwa hiyo wakamwita Rebeka na kumuuliza, “Je, utakwenda na mtu huyu?” Akasema, “Nitakwenda.”
59 And they sent away Rebekah their sister, and her nurse, and Abraham's servant, and his men.
Hivyo wakamwaga ndugu yao Rebeka aondoke, pamoja na mjakazi wake, mtumishi wa Abrahamu na watu wake.
60 And they blessed Rebekah, and said unto her, You are our sister, be you the mother of thousands of millions, and let your seed possess the gate of those which hate them.
Wakambariki Rebeka, wakamwambia, “Ndugu yetu, uwe wewe kumi elfu, mara elfu nyingi, nao wazao wako wamiliki malango ya adui zao.”
61 And Rebekah arose, and her damsels, and they rode upon the camels, and followed the man: and the servant took Rebekah, and went his way.
Rebeka na vijakazi wake wakajiandaa, wakapanda ngamia zao wakafuatana na yule mtu. Hivyo yule mtumishi akamchukua Rebeka akaondoka.
62 And Isaac came from the way of the well Lahairoi; for he dwelt in the south country.
Basi Isaki alikuwa ametoka Beer-Lahai-Roi, kwa kuwa alikuwa anaishi nchi ya Negebu.
63 And Isaac went out to meditate in the field at the evening: and he lifted up his eyes, and saw, and, behold, the camels were coming.
Isaki akatoka kwenda shambani kutafakari wakati wa jioni, alipoinua macho yake, akaona ngamia wanakuja.
64 And Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac, she lighted off the camel.
Rebeka pia akainua macho akamwona Isaki. Akashuka kutoka kwenye ngamia wake
65 For she had said unto the servant, What man is this that walks in the field to meet us? And the servant had said, It is my master: therefore she took a vail, and covered herself.
na akamuuliza yule mtumishi, “Ni nani mtu yule aliye kule shambani anayekuja kutulaki?” Yule mtumishi akajibu, “Huyu ndiye bwana wangu.” Hivyo Rebeka akachukua shela yake akajifunika.
66 And the servant told Isaac all things that he had done.
Kisha yule mtumishi akamweleza Isaki mambo yote aliyoyatenda.
67 And Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah's tent, and took Rebekah, and she became his wife; and he loved her: and Isaac was comforted after his mother's death.
Ndipo Isaki akamwingiza Rebeka katika hema la Sara mama yake, Isaki akamchukua Rebeka, hivyo akawa mke wake. Isaki akampenda, akafarijika baada ya kifo cha mama yake.
