Genesis 24
1 Abraham was old, and well advanced in age. The LORD had blessed Abraham in all things.
Basi Abraham alikuwa mzee sana na Yahwe akawa amembariki katika mambo yote.
2 Abraham said to his servant, the elder of his house, who ruled over all that he had, “Please put your hand under my thigh.
Abraham akamwambia mtumwa wake, ambaye alikuwa mkubwa kuliko wote wa nyumbani mwake na mkuu wa vyote alivyo kuwa navyo.”Weka mkono wako chini ya paja langu
3 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 for my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I live.
na nitakufanya uape kwa Yahwe, Mungu wa Mbingu na nchi, kwamba hutampatia mwanangu mke kutoka kwa mabinti wa Wakanaani, miongoni mwao wale nikaao kati yao.
4 But you shall go to my country, and to my relatives, and take a wife for my son Isaac.”
Lakini utakwenda kwenye nchi yangu, na kwa ndugu zangu, na kumtafutia mwanangu Isaka mke.”
5 The servant said to him, “What if the woman isn’t willing to follow me to this land? Must I bring your son again to the land you came from?”
Yule mtumwa wake akamwambia, “Itakuwaje ikiwa mwanamke hatakuwa tayari kufuatana nami hadi katika nchi hii? Je nitamrudisha mwanao katika nchi ambayo ulitoka?”
6 Abraham said to him, “Beware that you don’t bring my son there again.
Abraham akamwambia, “Hakikisha kwamba hutamrudisha mwanangu kule!
7 The LORD, 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.
Yahwe, Mungu wa mbingu, ambaye alinitoa mimi kutoka katika nyumba ya baba yangu na kutoka katika nchi ya ndugu zangu, na ambaye aliniahidia kwa kiapo maalumu akisema, 'Nitawapa uzao wako nchi hii,' atatuma malaika wake mbele yako, na utapata mke kwa ajili ya mwanangu kutoka huko.
8 If the woman isn’t willing to follow you, then you shall be clear from this oath to me. Only you shall not bring my son there again.”
Lakini ikiwa mwanamke hatakuwa tayari, ndipo utakuwa huru katika hiki kiapo changu. Cha muhimu tu ni kwamba usije ukamrudisha mwanangu huko.”
9 The servant put his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master, and swore to him concerning this matter.
Kwa hiyo mtumwa akaweka mkono wake jini ya paja la Abraham bwana wake, na akaapa kuhusiana na jambo hili.
10 The servant took ten of his master’s camels, and departed, having a variety of good things of his master’s with him. He arose, and went to Mesopotamia, to the city of Nahor.
Mtumwa akachukua ngamia kumi wa bwana wake na akaondoka. Akachukua pia aina zote za zawadi kutoka kwa bwana wake. Akaondoka na kwenda katika mkoa wa Aramu Naharaimu, mji wa Nahori.
11 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.
Akawapigisha magoti ngamia nje ya mji karibu na kisima cha maji. Ilikuwa jioni wakati ambao wanawake huenda kuchota maji.
12 He said, “LORD, the God of my master Abraham, please give me success today, and show kindness to my master Abraham.
Kisha akasema, “Yahwe, Mungu wa bwana wangu Abraham, anijalie kufanikiwa leo na aoneshe agano la uaminifu kwa bwana wangu Abraham.
13 Behold, I am standing by the spring of water. The daughters of the men of the city are coming out to draw water.
Tazama, nimesimama hapa karibu na chemchemi ya maji na binti za watu wa mji wanakuja kuteka maji.
14 Let it happen, that the young lady to whom I will say, ‘Please let down your pitcher, that I may drink,’ then she says, ‘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.”
Na itokee hivi kwamba. Nikimwambia msichana, tafadhari tua mtungi wako ili niweze kunywa maji,' na akiniambia, 'Kunywa, na kwamba nitawanywesha ngamia wako pia,' huyo ndiye awe ambaye umemchagulia mtumwa wako Isaka. Kwa njia hii nitajua kuwa umeonesha agano la uaminifu kwa bwana wangu.”
15 Before he had finished speaking, behold, 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.
Ikawa kwamba hata kabla hajamaliza kuzungumza, tazama, Rebeka akaja akiwa na mtungi wake wa maji begani mwake. Rebeka alizaliwa na Bethueli mwana wa Milka, mke wa Nahori, ndugu yake na Abraham.
16 The young lady was very beautiful to look at, a virgin. No man had known her. She went down to the spring, filled her pitcher, and came up.
Msichana huyu alikuwa mzuri na alikuwa bikira. Hapana mwanaume aliye kuwa amekwisha lala naye. Akashuka kisimani na kuujaza mtungi wake, na kupanda juu.
17 The servant ran to meet her, and said, “Please give me a drink, a little water from your pitcher.”
Kisha mtumwa yule akakimbia kumlaki yule msichana, na kusema, “Tafadhari nipatie maji kidogo ya kunywa kutoka katika mtungi wako.”
18 She said, “Drink, my lord.” She hurried, and let down her pitcher on her hand, and gave him a drink.
Akasema, “kunywa tafadhari bwana wangu,” na kwa haraka akatua mtungi wake juu ya mkono wake, na akampatia maji ya kunywa.
19 When she had finished giving him a drink, she said, “I will also draw for your camels, until they have finished drinking.”
Alipokuwa amemaliza kumpatia maji, akasema, “Nitachota maji kwa ajili ya ngamia wako pia, mpaka watakapomaliza kunywa.”
20 She hurried, and emptied her pitcher into the trough, and ran again to the well to draw, and drew for all his camels.
Hivyo akaharakisha akamwaga maji yaliyokuwa mtungini kwenye chombo cha kunywshea mifugo, kisha akakimbia tena kisimani kuchota maji, na kuwanywesha ngamia wake wote.
21 The man looked steadfastly at her, remaining silent, to know whether the LORD had made his journey prosperous or not.
Yule mtu akamtazama msichana akiwa kimya kuona kama Yahwe amefanikisha njia yake au la.
22 As the camels had done drinking, the man took a golden ring of half a shekel weight, and two bracelets for her hands of ten shekels weight of gold,
Ngamia walipomaliza kunywa maji, yule mtu akaleta pete ya pua ya dhahabu yenye uzito wa nusu shekeli, na bangili mbili za dhahabu kwa ajili ya mikono yake zenye uzito wa shekeli kumi,
23 and said, “Whose daughter are you? Please tell me. Is there room in your father’s house for us to stay?”
akamuuliza, “wewe ni binti wa nani? Niambie tafadhali, Je kuna nafasi nyumbani mwa baba yako kwa ajili yetu kupumzika usiku?”
24 She said to him, “I am the daughter of Bethuel the son of Milcah, whom she bore to Nahor.”
Akamwambia, “Mimi ni binti wa Bethueli mwana wa Milka, ambaye alimzaa kwa Nahori.”
25 She said moreover to him, “We have both straw and feed enough, and room to lodge in.”
Akasema pia, “Tunayo malisho tele na chakula, na iko nafasi kwa ajili yako kulala usiku.”
26 The man bowed his head, and worshiped the LORD.
Kisha yume mtu akainama chini na kumwabudu Yahwe.
27 He said, “Blessed be the LORD, the God of my master Abraham, who has not forsaken his loving kindness and his truth toward my master. As for me, the LORD has led me on the way to the house of my master’s relatives.”
Akasema, “Abarikiwe Yahwe, Mungu wa bwana wangu Abraham, ambaye hakuacha agano lake la uaminifu na kweli yake mbele ya bwana wangu. Kwa vile Yahwe ameniongoza moja kwa moja kwenye nyumba ya ndugu zake bwana wangu.”
28 The young lady ran, and told her mother’s house about these words.
Kisha yule msichana akakimbia na kwenda kuwaeleza watu wa nyumba ya mama yake juu ya mambo yote haya.
29 Rebekah had a brother, and his name was Laban. Laban ran out to the man, to the spring.
Na sasa Rebeka alikuwa na kaka yake, jina lake aliitwa Labani. Labani akakimbia kwa yule mtu aliye kuwa nje barabarani karibu na kisima.
30 When he saw the 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,” he came to the man. Behold, he was standing by the camels at the spring.
Akisha kuona hereni ya puani pamoja na zile bangili kwenye mikono ya dada yake, na kusikia maneno ya Rebeka dada yake, “Hivi ndivyo yule mtu alicho niambia,” alikwenda kwa yule mtu, na, Tazama, alikuwa amesimama karibu na ngamia pale kisimani.
31 He said, “Come in, you blessed of the LORD. Why do you stand outside? For I have prepared the house, and room for the camels.”
Labani akasema, “Njoo, wewe uliye barikiwa na Yahwe. Kwa nini umesimama nje? nimekwisha andaa nyumba, pamoja na mahali kwa ajili ya ngamia.”
32 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.
Kwa hiyo yule mtu akaingia ndani ya nyumba na akashusha mizigo kutoka kwa wale ngamia. Ngamia wakapatiwa malisho na chakula, na maji yakatolewa kuosha miguu yake pamoja na miguu ya wale watu aliokuwa pamoja nao.
33 Food was set before him to eat, but he said, “I will not eat until I have told my message.” Laban said, “Speak on.”
Wakaandaa chakula mbele yake ale, lakini akasema, “Sitakula mpaka niseme kile ninacho paswa kusema.” Kwa hiyo Labani akmwambia, “Sema.”
34 He said, “I am Abraham’s servant.
Akasema, “Mimi ni mtumwa wa Abraham.
35 The LORD has blessed my master greatly. He has become great. The LORD has given him flocks and herds, silver and gold, male servants and female servants, and camels and donkeys.
Yahwe amembariki sana bwana wangu na amekuwa mtu mkuu. Amempatia mifugo na makundi ya wanyama, fedha, dhahabu, watumwa wa kiume na watumwa wa kike, pamoja na ngamia na punda.
36 Sarah, my master’s wife, bore a son to my master when she was old. He has given all that he has to him.
Sara, mke wa bwana wangu, alimzalia mwana bwana wangu alipokuwa mzee, na amempatia mwanawe kila kitu anachomiliki.
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,
Bwana wangu aliniapisha, akisema, “Usije ukampatia mwanangu mke kutoka kwa mabinti wa Wakanaani, ambao kwao nimefanya makazi.
38 but you shall go to my father’s house, and to my relatives, and take a wife for my son.’
Badala yake, lazima uende kwa familia ya baba yangu, na kwa ndugu zangu, na kupata mke kwa ajili ya mwanangu.'
39 I asked my master, ‘What if the woman will not follow me?’
Nikamwambia bwana wangu, pengine mwanamke huyo asikubali kufuatana nami.'
40 He said to me, ‘The LORD, before whom I walk, will send his angel with you, and prosper your way. You shall take a wife for my son from my relatives, and of my father’s house.
Lakini akaniambia, Yahwe, ambaye ninakwenda mbele yake, atatuma malaika wake pamoja nawe na atakufanikisha njia yako, kwamba utapata mke kwa ajili ya mwangu kutoka miongoni mwa ndugu zangu na kutoka katika ukoo wa baba yangu.
41 Then you will be clear from my oath, when you come to my relatives. If they don’t give her to you, you shall be clear from my oath.’
Lakini utakuwa huru katika kiapo changu ikiwa utafika kwa ndugu zangu na wasikuruhusu kuja naye. Ndipo utakuwa huru katika kiapo changu.
42 I came today to the spring, and said, ‘The LORD, the God of my master Abraham, if now you do prosper my way which I go—
Hivyo nimefika leo kisimani, na nikasema, 'O Yahwe, Mungu wa bwana wangu Abraham, tafadhari, ikiwa kweli umekusudia kuifanya safari yangu kuwa yenye kufanikiwa -
43 behold, I am standing by this spring of water. Let it happen, that the maiden who comes out to draw, to whom I will say, “Please give me a little water from your pitcher to drink,”
tazama niko hapa nimesimama karibu na kisima cha maji - na iwe kwamba binti ajaye kuchota maji, nitakaye mwambia, “Tafadhari unipatie maji kidoka kutoka kwenye mtungi wako ninywe,” mwanamke atakaye niabia,
44 then she tells me, “Drink, and I will also draw for your camels,”—let her be the woman whom the LORD has appointed for my master’s son.’
“Kunywa, na nitakuchotea pia maji kwa ajili ya ngamia wako” - na awe ndiye ambaye wewe Yahwe, umemchagulia mtoto wa bwana wangu.”
45 Before I had finished speaking in my heart, behold, Rebekah came out with her pitcher on her shoulder. She went down to the spring, and drew. I said to her, ‘Please let me drink.’
Ikawa hata kabla sijamaliza kuzungumza moyoni mwangu, Tazama, Rebeka akaja na mtungi wake juu ya bega lake akashuka chini kisimani akachota maji. Hivyo nikamwambia, 'Tafadhari nipatie maji ninywe.'
46 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 also gave the camels a drink.
Ndipo kwa haraka alipoushusha mtungi wake begani mwake na akasema, 'Kunywa, na pia nitawapatia maji ngamia wak.' Kwa hiyo nikanywa, na akawanywesha ngamia pia.
47 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.
Nikamuuliza na kusema, 'Wewe ni binti wa nani?' Akasema, 'Binti wa Bethueli, Mwana wa Nahori, ambaye Milka alizaa kwake.' Kisha nikamwekea pete puani mwake pamoja na bangili mikononi mwake.
48 I bowed my head, and worshiped the LORD, and blessed the LORD, 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.
Kisha nikainama chini nikamwabudu Yahwe, na kumbariki Yahwe, Mungu wa bwana wangu Abraham, ambaye ameniongoza katika njia sahihi kumpata binti wa ndugu za bwana wangu kwa ajili ya mwanawe.
49 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.”
Kwa hiyo, ikiwa mko tayari kumfanyia rehema na kweli, niambieni. Lakini kama sivyo, niambieni, ili kwamba niweze kwenda upande wa kulia, au kushoto.”
50 Then Laban and Bethuel answered, “The thing proceeds from the LORD. We can’t speak to you bad or good.
Ndipo Labani na Bethueli wakajibu na kusema, “Jambo hili limetoka kwa Yahwe; hatuwezi kusema kwako aidha neno baya au zuri.
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.”
Tazama, Rebeka yu mbele yako. Mchukue na uende, ili awe mke wa mtoto wa bwana wako, kama Yahwe alivyosema.”
52 When Abraham’s servant heard their words, he bowed himself down to the earth to the LORD.
Mtumwa wa Abraham aliposikia maneno yao, akainama mwenyewe chini ardhini kwa Yahwe.
53 The servant brought out jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and clothing, and gave them to Rebekah. He also gave precious things to her brother and her mother.
Mtumwa akaleta vipande vya fedha na vipande vya dhahabu, na nguo, akampatia Rebeka. Akampatia pia kaka yake na mama yake zawadi zenye thamani.
54 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.”
Kisha yeye na watu aliokuwa nao wakala na kunywa. wakakaa pale mpaka usiku, na walipoamka asubuhi, akasema, Niruhusuni niende kwa bwana wangu.”
55 Her brother and her mother said, “Let the young lady stay with us a few days, at least ten. After that she will go.”
Kaka yake na mama yake wakasema, mwache binti abaki nasi kwa siku chache zingine, angalau siku kumi. baada ya hapo anaweza kwenda.”
56 He said to them, “Don’t hinder me, since the LORD has prospered my way. Send me away that I may go to my master.”
Lakini akawambia, msinizuie, kwa kuwa Yahwe amefanikisha njia yangu. Niruhusuni niende kwa bwana wangu.”
57 They said, “We will call the young lady, and ask her.”
Wakasema, “Tutamwita binti na kumuuliza.”
58 They called Rebekah, and said to her, “Will you go with this man?” She said, “I will go.”
Kwa hiyo wakamwita Rebeka na kumuuliza, “Je utakwenda na mtu huyu?” Akajibu, “Nitakwenda.”
59 They sent away Rebekah, their sister, with her nurse, Abraham’s servant, and his men.
Kwa hiyo wakampeleka dada yao Rebeka, pamoja na watumishi wake wa kike, kwenda njiani pamoja na mtumishi wa Abraham na watu wake.
60 They blessed Rebekah, and said to her, “Our sister, may you be the mother of thousands of ten thousands, and let your offspring possess the gate of those who hate them.”
Wakambarikia Rebeka, na wakamwambia, “Ndugu yetu, na uwe mama wa maelfu na wa makumi elfu, uzao wako upate kumiliki lango la wale wanao wachukia.”
61 Rebekah arose with her ladies. They rode on the camels, and followed the man. The servant took Rebekah, and went his way.
Kisha Rebeka akasimama, yeye na watumishi wake kwa hesabu ya ngamia, na wakamfuata yule mtu. Hivyo watumishi wakamchukua Rebeka, na wakaenda zao.
62 Isaac came from the way of Beer Lahai Roi, for he lived in the land of the South.
Nyakati hizo Isaka alikuwa anakaa katika Negebu, na alikuwa tu amerejea kutoka Beerlahairoi.
63 Isaac went out to meditate in the field at the evening. He lifted up his eyes and looked. Behold, there were camels coming.
Isaka akaenda kutafakari shambani jioni. Alipotazama akaona, natazama, kulikuwa na ngamia wakija!
64 Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac, she got off the camel.
Rebeka akatazama na alipomwona Isaka, akaruka kutoka kwenye ngamia.
65 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.
Akamwambia mtumwa, “mtu huyo ni nani anaye tembea shambani akija kutupokea?” Mtumwa akasema, “Ni bwana wangu.” Hivyo Rebeka akachukua shela yake akajifunika.
66 The servant told Isaac all the things that he had done.
Mtumwa akamwambia Isaka mambo yote ambayo amefanya.
67 Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah’s tent, and took Rebekah, and she became his wife. He loved her. So Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death.
Kisha Isaka akamleta katika hema ya Sara mama yake na akamchukua Rebeka, na akawa mke wake, na akampenda. Kwa hiyo Isaka akafarijika baada ya kifo cha mama yake.
