Mwanzo 24
1 Basi Abraham alikuwa mzee sana na Yahwe akawa amembariki katika mambo yote.
Abraham [Father of a multitude] was old, and well stricken in age. Adonai had blessed Abraham [Father of a multitude] in all things.
2 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
Abraham [Father of a multitude] said to his servant, the elder of his house, who ruled over all that he had, “Please put your hand under my thigh.
3 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.
I will make you swear by Adonai, 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 [Descendants of Humbled], among whom I live.
4 Lakini utakwenda kwenye nchi yangu, na kwa ndugu zangu, na kumtafutia mwanangu Isaka mke.”
But you shall go to my country, and to my relatives, and take a wife for my son Isaac [Laughter].”
5 Yule mtumwa wake akamwambia, “Itakuwaje ikiwa mwanamke hatakuwa tayari kufuatana nami hadi katika nchi hii? Je nitamrudisha mwanao katika nchi ambayo ulitoka?”
The servant said to him, “What if the woman is not willing to follow me to this land? Must I bring your son again to the land you came from?”
6 Abraham akamwambia, “Hakikisha kwamba hutamrudisha mwanangu kule!
Abraham [Father of a multitude] said to him, “Beware that you don’t bring my son there again.
7 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.
Adonai, 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 Lakini ikiwa mwanamke hatakuwa tayari, ndipo utakuwa huru katika hiki kiapo changu. Cha muhimu tu ni kwamba usije ukamrudisha mwanangu huko.”
If the woman is not willing to follow you, then you shall be clear from this oath to me. Only you shall not bring my son there again.”
9 Kwa hiyo mtumwa akaweka mkono wake jini ya paja la Abraham bwana wake, na akaapa kuhusiana na jambo hili.
The servant put his hand under the thigh of Abraham [Father of a multitude] his master, and swore to him concerning this matter.
10 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.
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 Mesopotamia, to the city of Nahor.
11 Akawapigisha magoti ngamia nje ya mji karibu na kisima cha maji. Ilikuwa jioni wakati ambao wanawake huenda kuchota 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 akasema, “Yahwe, Mungu wa bwana wangu Abraham, anijalie kufanikiwa leo na aoneshe agano la uaminifu kwa bwana wangu Abraham.
He said, “Adonai, the God of my master Abraham [Father of a multitude], please give me success today, and show cheshed ·loving-kindness· to my master Abraham [Father of a multitude].
13 Tazama, nimesimama hapa karibu na chemchemi ya maji na binti za watu wa mji wanakuja kuteka maji.
Behold, I am standing by the spring of water. The daughters of the men of the city are coming out to draw water.
14 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.”
Let it happen, that the young lady 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 [Laughter]. By this I will know that you have shown cheshed ·loving-kindness· to my master.”
15 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.
Before he had finished speaking, behold, Rebekah [Securely bound] came out, who was born to Bethuel the son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham [Father of a multitude]’s brother, with her pitcher on her shoulder.
16 Msichana huyu alikuwa mzuri na alikuwa bikira. Hapana mwanaume aliye kuwa amekwisha lala naye. Akashuka kisimani na kuujaza mtungi wake, na kupanda juu.
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.
17 Kisha mtumwa yule akakimbia kumlaki yule msichana, na kusema, “Tafadhari nipatie maji kidogo ya kunywa kutoka katika mtungi wako.”
The servant ran to meet her, and said, “Please give me a drink, a little water from your pitcher.”
18 Akasema, “kunywa tafadhari bwana wangu,” na kwa haraka akatua mtungi wake juu ya mkono wake, na akampatia maji ya kunywa.
She said, “Drink, my lord.” She hurried, and let down her pitcher on her hand, and gave him drink.
19 Alipokuwa amemaliza kumpatia maji, akasema, “Nitachota maji kwa ajili ya ngamia wako pia, mpaka watakapomaliza kunywa.”
When she had done giving him drink, she said, “I will also draw for your camels, until they have done drinking.”
20 Hivyo akaharakisha akamwaga maji yaliyokuwa mtungini kwenye chombo cha kunywshea mifugo, kisha akakimbia tena kisimani kuchota maji, na kuwanywesha 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 Yule mtu akamtazama msichana akiwa kimya kuona kama Yahwe amefanikisha njia yake au la.
The man looked steadfastly at her, remaining silent, to know whether Adonai had made his journey prosperous or not.
22 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,
As the camels had done drinking, the man took a golden ring of half a shekel [0.2 oz; 5.67 g], and two bracelets for her hands of ten shekels [4 oz; 113.4 g] of gold,
23 akamuuliza, “wewe ni binti wa nani? Niambie tafadhali, Je kuna nafasi nyumbani mwa baba yako kwa ajili yetu kupumzika usiku?”
and said, “Whose daughter are you? Please tell me. Is there room in your father’s house for us to lodge in?”
24 Akamwambia, “Mimi ni binti wa Bethueli mwana wa Milka, ambaye alimzaa kwa Nahori.”
She said to him, “I am the daughter of Bethuel the son of Milcah, whom she bore to Nahor.”
25 Akasema pia, “Tunayo malisho tele na chakula, na iko nafasi kwa ajili yako kulala usiku.”
She said moreover to him, “We have both straw and feed enough, and room to lodge in.”
26 Kisha yume mtu akainama chini na kumwabudu Yahwe.
The man bowed his head, and worshiped Adonai.
27 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.”
He said, “Blessed be Adonai, the God of my master Abraham [Father of a multitude], who has not forsaken his cheshed ·loving-kindness· and his truth toward my master. As for me, Adonai has led me on the way to the house of my master’s relatives.”
28 Kisha yule msichana akakimbia na kwenda kuwaeleza watu wa nyumba ya mama yake juu ya mambo yote haya.
The young lady ran, and told her mother’s house about these words.
29 Na sasa Rebeka alikuwa na kaka yake, jina lake aliitwa Labani. Labani akakimbia kwa yule mtu aliye kuwa nje barabarani karibu na kisima.
Rebekah [Securely bound] had a brother, and his name was Laban [White]. Laban [White] ran out to the man, to the spring.
30 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.
When he saw the ring, and the bracelets on his sister’s hands, and when he sh'ma ·heard obeyed· the words of Rebekah [Securely bound] 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.
31 Labani akasema, “Njoo, wewe uliye barikiwa na Yahwe. Kwa nini umesimama nje? nimekwisha andaa nyumba, pamoja na mahali kwa ajili ya ngamia.”
He said, “Come in, you blessed of Adonai. Why do you stand outside? For I have prepared the house, and room for the camels.”
32 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.
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 Wakaandaa chakula mbele yake ale, lakini akasema, “Sitakula mpaka niseme kile ninacho paswa kusema.” Kwa hiyo Labani akmwambia, “Sema.”
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 Akasema, “Mimi ni mtumwa wa Abraham.
He said, “I am Abraham [Father of a multitude]’s servant.
35 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.
Adonai 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, mke wa bwana wangu, alimzalia mwana bwana wangu alipokuwa mzee, na amempatia mwanawe kila kitu anachomiliki.
Sarah [Princess], my master’s wife, bore a son to my master when she was old. He has given all that he has to him.
37 Bwana wangu aliniapisha, akisema, “Usije ukampatia mwanangu mke kutoka kwa mabinti wa Wakanaani, ambao kwao nimefanya makazi.
My master made me swear, saying, ‘You shall not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites [Descendants of Humbled], in whose land I live,
38 Badala yake, lazima uende kwa familia ya baba yangu, na kwa ndugu zangu, na kupata mke kwa ajili ya mwanangu.'
but you shall go to my father’s house, and to my relatives, and take a wife for my son.’
39 Nikamwambia bwana wangu, pengine mwanamke huyo asikubali kufuatana nami.'
I asked my master, ‘What if the woman will not follow me?’
40 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.
He said to me, ‘Adonai, 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.
41 Lakini utakuwa huru katika kiapo changu ikiwa utafika kwa ndugu zangu na wasikuruhusu kuja naye. Ndipo utakuwa huru katika kiapo changu.
Then will you 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.’
42 Hivyo nimefika leo kisimani, na nikasema, 'O Yahwe, Mungu wa bwana wangu Abraham, tafadhari, ikiwa kweli umekusudia kuifanya safari yangu kuwa yenye kufanikiwa -
I came today to the spring, and said, ‘Adonai, the God of my master Abraham [Father of a multitude], if now you do prosper my way which I go—
43 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,
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,”
44 “Kunywa, na nitakuchotea pia maji kwa ajili ya ngamia wako” - na awe ndiye ambaye wewe Yahwe, umemchagulia mtoto wa bwana wangu.”
and she will tell me, “Drink, and I will also draw for your camels,”— let her be the woman whom Adonai has appointed for my master’s son.’
45 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.'
Before I had finished speaking in my heart, behold, Rebekah [Securely bound] came out with her pitcher on her shoulder. She went down to the spring, and drew. I said to her, ‘Please let me drink.’
46 Ndipo kwa haraka alipoushusha mtungi wake begani mwake na akasema, 'Kunywa, na pia nitawapatia maji ngamia wak.' Kwa hiyo nikanywa, na akawanywesha 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 also gave the camels a drink.
47 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.
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 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.
I bowed my head, and worshiped Adonai, and blessed Adonai, the God of my master Abraham [Father of a multitude], who had led me in the right way to take my master’s brother’s daughter for his son.
49 Kwa hiyo, ikiwa mko tayari kumfanyia rehema na kweli, niambieni. Lakini kama sivyo, niambieni, ili kwamba niweze kwenda upande wa kulia, au kushoto.”
Now if you will deal with cheshed ·loving-kindness· and truly with my master, tell me. If not, tell me, that I may turn to the right hand, or to the left.”
50 Ndipo Labani na Bethueli wakajibu na kusema, “Jambo hili limetoka kwa Yahwe; hatuwezi kusema kwako aidha neno baya au zuri.
Then Laban [White] and Bethuel answered, “The thing proceeds from Adonai. We can’t speak to you bad or good.
51 Tazama, Rebeka yu mbele yako. Mchukue na uende, ili awe mke wa mtoto wa bwana wako, kama Yahwe alivyosema.”
Behold, Rebekah [Securely bound] is before you. Take her, and go, and let her be your master’s son’s wife, as Adonai has spoken.”
52 Mtumwa wa Abraham aliposikia maneno yao, akainama mwenyewe chini ardhini kwa Yahwe.
When Abraham [Father of a multitude]’s servant sh'ma ·heard obeyed· their words, he bowed himself down to the earth to Adonai.
53 Mtumwa akaleta vipande vya fedha na vipande vya dhahabu, na nguo, akampatia Rebeka. Akampatia pia kaka yake na mama yake zawadi zenye thamani.
The servant brought out jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and clothing, and gave them to Rebekah [Securely bound]. He also gave precious things to her brother and her mother.
54 Kisha yeye na watu aliokuwa nao wakala na kunywa. wakakaa pale mpaka usiku, na walipoamka asubuhi, akasema, Niruhusuni niende 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 Kaka yake na mama yake wakasema, mwache binti abaki nasi kwa siku chache zingine, angalau siku kumi. baada ya hapo anaweza kwenda.”
Her brother and her mother said, “Let the young lady stay with us a few days, at least ten. After that she will go.”
56 Lakini akawambia, msinizuie, kwa kuwa Yahwe amefanikisha njia yangu. Niruhusuni niende kwa bwana wangu.”
He said to them, “Don’t hinder me, since Adonai has prospered my way. Send me away that I may go to my master.”
57 Wakasema, “Tutamwita binti na kumuuliza.”
They said, “We will call the young lady, and ask her.”
58 Kwa hiyo wakamwita Rebeka na kumuuliza, “Je utakwenda na mtu huyu?” Akajibu, “Nitakwenda.”
They called Rebekah [Securely bound], and said to her, “Will you go with this man?” She said, “I will go.”
59 Kwa hiyo wakampeleka dada yao Rebeka, pamoja na watumishi wake wa kike, kwenda njiani pamoja na mtumishi wa Abraham na watu wake.
They sent away Rebekah [Securely bound], their sister, with her nurse, Abraham [Father of a multitude]’s servant, and his men.
60 Wakambarikia Rebeka, na wakamwambia, “Ndugu yetu, na uwe mama wa maelfu na wa makumi elfu, uzao wako upate kumiliki lango la wale wanao wachukia.”
They blessed Rebekah [Securely bound], 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.”
61 Kisha Rebeka akasimama, yeye na watumishi wake kwa hesabu ya ngamia, na wakamfuata yule mtu. Hivyo watumishi wakamchukua Rebeka, na wakaenda zao.
Rebekah [Securely bound] arose with her ladies. They rode on the camels, and followed the man. The servant took Rebekah [Securely bound], and went his way.
62 Nyakati hizo Isaka alikuwa anakaa katika Negebu, na alikuwa tu amerejea kutoka Beerlahairoi.
Isaac [Laughter] came from the way of Beer Lahai Roi [Well of the one who lives and sees], for he lived in the land of the South.
63 Isaka akaenda kutafakari shambani jioni. Alipotazama akaona, natazama, kulikuwa na ngamia wakija!
Isaac [Laughter] went out to meditate in the field at the evening. He lifted up his eyes, and saw, and, behold, there were camels coming.
64 Rebeka akatazama na alipomwona Isaka, akaruka kutoka kwenye ngamia.
Rebekah [Securely bound] lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac [Laughter], she dismounted from the camel.
65 Akamwambia mtumwa, “mtu huyo ni nani anaye tembea shambani akija kutupokea?” Mtumwa akasema, “Ni 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 Mtumwa akamwambia Isaka mambo yote ambayo amefanya.
The servant told Isaac [Laughter] all the things that he had done.
67 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.
Isaac [Laughter] brought her into his mother Sarah [Princess]’s tent, and took Rebekah [Securely bound], and she became his wife. He 'ahav ·affectionately loved· her. Isaac [Laughter] was comforted after his mother’s death.
