Mwanzo 24
1 Wakati huu Abrahamu alikuwa mzee mwenye miaka mingi, naye Bwana alikuwa amembariki katika kila njia.
Now Abraham was old, and well advanced in years. Jehovah had blessed Abraham in all things.
2 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,
Abraham said to his servant, the elder of his house, who ruled over all that he had, "Please put your hand under my thigh.
3 Ninataka uape kwa Bwana, Mungu wa mbingu na Mungu wa nchi, kwamba hutamtwalia mwanangu mke kutoka binti za Wakanaani, ambao ninaishi miongoni mwao,
I will make you swear by the God of heaven and earth, that you shall not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I live.
4 bali utakwenda katika nchi yangu na jamaa zangu umpatie Isaki mwanangu mke.”
But you shall go to my country, and to my relatives, and take a wife for my son Isaac."
5 Yule mtumishi akamuuliza, “Je, kama huyo mwanamke atakataa kuja nami katika nchi hii? Je, nimpeleke mwanao katika hiyo nchi uliyotoka?”
The servant said to him, "What if the woman isn't willing to follow me to this land? Must I then bring your son back to the land from which you came?"
6 Abrahamu akasema, “Hakikisha kwamba hutamrudisha mwanangu huko.
Abraham said to him, "Be careful that you do not take my son back there.
7 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.
Now the God of heaven, who took me from my father's house, and from the land of my birth, who spoke to me, and who swore to me, saying, 'I will give this land to your offspring'-- he will send his angel before you, and you shall take a wife for my son from there.
8 Kama huyo mwanamke asipokubali kufuatana nawe, basi utafunguliwa kutoka kiapo nilichokuapisha. Ila usimrudishe mwanangu huko.”
If the woman isn't willing to follow you, then you shall be free from this oath to me. Only you shall not bring my son there again."
9 Basi yule mtumishi akaweka mkono wake chini ya paja la bwana wake Abrahamu akamwapia kuhusu shauri hili.
The servant put his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master, and swore to him concerning this matter.
10 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.
The servant took ten camels, of his master's camels, and departed, having a variety of good things of his master's with him. He arose, and went to Aram Naharaim, to the city of Nahor.
11 Akawapigisha ngamia magoti karibu na kisima cha maji nje ya mji, ilikuwa inaelekea jioni, wakati ambapo wanawake wanakuja kuteka maji.
He made the camels kneel down outside the city by the well of water at the time of evening, the time that women go out to draw water.
12 Kisha akaomba, “Ee Bwana, Mungu wa bwana wangu Abrahamu, nipatie ushindi leo, uonyeshe huruma kwa bwana wangu Abrahamu.
He said, "God of my master Abraham, please give me success this day, and show kindness to my master Abraham.
13 Tazama, nimesimama karibu na kisima hiki cha maji, nao binti za watu wa mji huu wanakuja kuteka maji.
Look, I am standing by the spring of water. The daughters of the men of the city are coming out to draw water.
14 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.”
Let it happen, that the young woman to whom I will say, 'Please let down your pitcher, that I may drink,' and she will say, 'Drink, and I will also give your camels a drink,'—let her be the one you have appointed for your servant Isaac. By this I will know that you have shown kindness to my master."
15 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.
It happened, before he had finished speaking, that look, Rebekah came out, who was born to Bethuel the son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham's brother, with her pitcher on her shoulder.
16 Huyu msichana alikuwa mzuri sana wa sura, bikira, ambaye hakuna mtu aliyekuwa amekutana naye kimwili. Aliteremka kisimani, akajaza mtungi wake akapanda juu.
The young woman was very beautiful to look at, a virgin; no man had ever slept with her. She went down to the spring, filled her pitcher, and came up.
17 Ndipo yule mtumishi akaharakisha kukutana naye akamwambia, “Tafadhali nipe maji kidogo katika mtungi wako.”
The servant ran to meet her, and said, "Please give me a drink, a little water from your pitcher."
18 Yule msichana akasema, “Kunywa, bwana wangu.” Akashusha kwa haraka mtungi mkononi mwake na akampa, akanywa.
She said, "Drink, my lord." She hurried, and let down her pitcher to her hands, and gave him a drink.
19 Baada ya kumpa yule mtumishi yale maji, akamwambia, “Nitateka maji kwa ajili ya ngamia zako pia mpaka wote watosheke.”
When she had finished giving him drink, she said, "I will also draw for your camels, until they have finished drinking."
20 Akafanya haraka kumimina maji kwenye birika ya kunyweshea wanyama, akakimbia kisimani kuteka maji mengine na akateka ya kuwatosha ngamia wake wote.
She hurried, and emptied her pitcher into the trough, and ran again to the well to draw, and drew for all his camels.
21 Pasipo kusema neno, yule mtumishi akamtazama kwa makini aone kama Bwana ameifanikisha safari yake, au la.
The man looked steadfastly at her, remaining silent, to know whether God had made his journey prosperous or not.
22 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.
It happened, as the camels had finished drinking, that the man took a gold ring weighing a beka, which he put on her nose, and two bracelets for her hands weighing ten [shekels] of gold,
23 Kisha akamuuliza, “Wewe ni binti wa nani? Tafadhali uniambie, je, kuna nafasi katika nyumba ya baba yako tutakapoweza kulala?”
and said, "Whose daughter are you? Please tell me. Is there room in your father's house for us to lodge in?"
24 Yule msichana akamjibu, “Mimi ni binti wa Bethueli, mwana wa Milka aliyemzalia Nahori.”
She said to him, "I am the daughter of Bethuel the son of Milcah, whom she bore to Nahor."
25 Akaendelea kusema, “Kwetu kuna majani mengi na malisho, tena kuna nafasi kwa ajili yenu kulala.”
She said moreover to him, "We have plenty of straw and feed, and room to lodge in."
26 Yule mtumishi akasujudu na kumwabudu Bwana,
The man bowed his head, and worshiped God.
27 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.”
He said, "Blessed be the God of my master Abraham, who has not forsaken his loving kindness and his truth toward my master. As for me, he has led me on the journey to the house of my master's relatives."
28 Yule msichana akakimbia akawaeleza watu wa nyumbani mwa mama yake kuhusu mambo haya.
The young woman ran, and told her mother's house about these words.
29 Rebeka alikuwa na kaka aliyeitwa Labani, huyo akaharakisha kukutana na yule mtumishi kule kisimani.
Rebekah had a brother, and his name was Laban. Laban ran out to the man, to the spring.
30 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.
It happened, when he saw the nose ring, and the bracelets on his sister's hands, and when he heard the words of Rebekah his sister, saying, "This is what the man said to me," that he came to the man. Look, he was standing by the camels at the spring.
31 Akamwambia, “Karibu nyumbani wewe uliyebarikiwa na Bwana, kwa nini unasimama huko nje? Mimi nimekuandalia nyumba na mahali kwa ajili ya ngamia.”
He said, "Come in, you blessed of God. Why do you stand outside? For I have prepared the house, and room for the camels."
32 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.
The man came into the house, and he unloaded the camels. He gave straw and feed for the camels, and water to wash his feet and the feet of the men who were with him.
33 Ndipo chakula kikaandaliwa kwa ajili yake, lakini akasema, “Sitakula mpaka niwe nimewaambia yale niliyo nayo ya kusema.” Labani akasema, “Basi tuambie.”
Food was set before him to eat, but he said, "I will not eat until I have told my message." He said, "Speak on."
34 Hivyo akasema, “Mimi ni mtumishi wa Abrahamu.
He said, "I am Abraham's servant.
35 Bwana amembariki sana bwana wangu, amekuwa tajiri. Amempa kondoo na ngʼombe, fedha na dhahabu, watumishi wa kiume na wa kike, ngamia na punda.
The Lord has blessed my master greatly. He has become great. He has given him flocks and herds, silver and gold, male servants and female servants, and camels and donkeys.
36 Sara mkewe bwana wangu amemzalia mwana katika uzee wake, naye amempa kila kitu alichokuwa nacho.
Sarah, my master's wife, bore a son to my master when she was old. He has given all that he has to him.
37 Naye bwana wangu ameniapisha na akasema, ‘Kamwe usimtwalie mwanangu mke katika binti za Wakanaani, ambao ninaishi katika nchi yao,
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,
38 ila uende mpaka kwa jamaa ya baba yangu na ukoo wangu mwenyewe, ukamtwalie mwanangu mke huko.’
but you shall go to my father's house, and to my relatives, and take a wife for my son.'
39 “Kisha nikamuuliza bwana wangu, ‘Je, kama huyo mwanamke hatakubali kurudi nami?’
I said to my master, 'What if the woman will not follow me?'
40 “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.
He said to me, 'God, before whom I walk, will send his angel with you, and prosper your journey. You shall take a wife for my son of my relatives, and of my father's house.
41 Kisha, utakapokwenda kwenye ukoo wangu, utakuwa umefunguliwa kutoka kiapo changu hata kama wakikataa kukupa huyo binti, utakuwa umefunguliwa kutoka kiapo changu.’
Then will you be free from my oath, when you come to my relatives. If they do not give her to you, you shall be free from my oath.'
42 “Nilipokuja kisimani leo nilisema, ‘Ee Bwana, Mungu wa bwana wangu Abrahamu, ikikupendeza, naomba uifanikishe safari niliyoijia.
I came this day to the spring, and said, 'God of my master Abraham, if now you will prosper my journey in which I go?
43 Tazama, ninasimama kando ya kisima hiki, kama mwanamwali akija kuteka maji nami nikimwambia, tafadhali niruhusu ninywe maji kidogo kutoka kwenye mtungi wako,
look, I am standing by this spring of water. Let it happen, that the virgin who comes out to draw, to whom I will say, "Please give me a little water from your pitcher to drink,"
44 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.’
and she will tell me, "Drink, and I will also draw for your camels,"—let her be the woman who has been appointed for my master's son.'
45 “Kabla sijamaliza kuomba moyoni mwangu, Rebeka akatokea, amebeba mtungi begani mwake. Akashuka kisimani akateka maji, nami nikamwambia, ‘Tafadhali nipe maji ninywe.’
Before I had done speaking in my heart, look, Rebekah came out with her pitcher on her shoulder. She went down to the spring, and drew. I said to her, 'Please give me a drink.'
46 “Akafanya haraka kushusha mtungi wake begani na kusema, ‘Kunywa na nitawanywesha ngamia wako pia,’ basi nikanywa, akawanywesha na ngamia pia.
She hurried and let down her pitcher from her shoulder, and said, 'Drink, and I will also give your camels a drink.' So I drank, and she made the camels drink also.
47 “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,
I asked her, and said, 'Whose daughter are you?' She said, 'The daughter of Bethuel, Nahor's son, whom Milcah bore to him.' I put the ring on her nose, and the bracelets on her hands.
48 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.
I bowed my head, and worshiped Jehovah, and blessed the God of my master Abraham, who had led me in the right way to take my master's brother's daughter for his son.
49 Ikiwa mtaonyesha wema na uaminifu kwa bwana wangu, mniambie, la sivyo, mniambie, ili niweze kujua njia ya kugeukia.”
Now if you will deal kindly and truly with my master, tell me. If not, tell me, that I may turn to the right hand, or to the left."
50 Labani na Bethueli wakajibu, “Jambo hili limetoka kwa Bwana, hatuwezi kukuambia jambo lolote baya au jema.
Then Laban and Bethuel answered, "The thing proceeds from Jehovah. We can't speak to you bad or good.
51 Rebeka yuko hapa, mchukue na uende, awe mke wa mwana wa bwana wako, sawasawa na Bwana alivyoongoza.”
Look, Rebekah is before you. Take, and go, and let her be your master's son's wife, as Jehovah has spoken."
52 Ikawa huyo mtumishi wa Abrahamu aliposikia waliyosema, alisujudu mpaka nchi mbele za Bwana.
It happened that when Abraham's servant heard their words, he bowed himself down to the ground.
53 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.
The servant brought out articles of silver and articles of gold, and clothing, and gave them to Rebekah. He also gave valuable gifts to her brother and her mother.
54 Kisha yeye na wale watu waliokuwa pamoja naye wakala, wakanywa na kulala palepale. Walipoamka asubuhi, yule mtumishi, akasema, “Nipeni ruhusa nirudi kwa bwana wangu.”
They ate and drank, he and the men who were with him, and stayed all night. They rose up in the morning, and he said, "Send me away to my master."
55 Lakini ndugu yake Rebeka pamoja na mama yake wakajibu, “Acha binti akae kwetu siku kumi au zaidi, ndipo mwondoke.”
Her brother and her mother said, "Let the young woman stay with us a few days, at least ten. After that she will go."
56 Lakini yule mtumishi akawaambia, “Msinicheleweshe, kwa kuwa Bwana amefanikisha safari yangu, nipeni ruhusa nirudi kwa bwana wangu.”
He said to them, "Do not hinder me, seeing that he has prospered my journey. Send me away that I may go to my master."
57 Ndipo wakasema, “Acha tumwite huyo binti tumuulize, tusikie atakavyosema.”
They said, "We will call the young woman, and ask her."
58 Kwa hiyo wakamwita Rebeka na kumuuliza, “Je, utakwenda na mtu huyu?” Akasema, “Nitakwenda.”
They called Rebekah, and said to her, "Will you go with this man?" She said, "I will go."
59 Hivyo wakamwaga ndugu yao Rebeka aondoke, pamoja na mjakazi wake, mtumishi wa Abrahamu na watu wake.
They sent away Rebekah, their sister, with her nurse, Abraham's servant, and his men.
60 Wakambariki Rebeka, wakamwambia, “Ndugu yetu, uwe wewe kumi elfu, mara elfu nyingi, nao wazao wako wamiliki malango ya adui zao.”
They blessed Rebekah, and said to her, "Our sister, may you be the mother of thousands of ten thousands, and let your descendants possess the gate of those who hate them."
61 Rebeka na vijakazi wake wakajiandaa, wakapanda ngamia zao wakafuatana na yule mtu. Hivyo yule mtumishi akamchukua Rebeka akaondoka.
Rebekah arose with her female servants. They rode on the camels, and followed the man. The servant took Rebekah, and went his way.
62 Basi Isaki alikuwa ametoka Beer-Lahai-Roi, kwa kuwa alikuwa anaishi nchi ya Negebu.
Isaac came from the way of Beer Lahai Roi, for he lived in the land of the Negev.
63 Isaki akatoka kwenda shambani kutafakari wakati wa jioni, alipoinua macho yake, akaona ngamia wanakuja.
Isaac went out to walk in the field at the evening. He lifted up his eyes, and saw, and, look, there were camels coming.
64 Rebeka pia akainua macho akamwona Isaki. Akashuka kutoka kwenye ngamia wake
Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac, she dismounted from the camel.
65 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.
She said to the servant, "Who is the man who is walking in the field to meet us?" The servant said, "It is my master." She took her veil, and covered herself.
66 Kisha yule mtumishi akamweleza Isaki mambo yote aliyoyatenda.
The servant told Isaac all the things that he had done.
67 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.
Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah's tent, and took Rebekah, and she became his wife. He loved her. Isaac was comforted after his mother's death.
