Mwanzo 24
1 Basi Abraham alikuwa mzee sana na Yahwe akawa amembariki katika mambo yote.
And Abraham was old, [and] well stricken in age: and the LORD had blessed Abraham 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
And Abraham said unto his servant, the elder of his house, that ruled over all that he had, Put, I pray thee, thy 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.
and I will make thee swear by the LORD, the God of heaven and the God of the earth, that thou shalt not take a wife for my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell:
4 Lakini utakwenda kwenye nchi yangu, na kwa ndugu zangu, na kumtafutia mwanangu Isaka mke.”
but thou shalt go unto my country, and to my kindred, and take a wife for my son Isaac.
5 Yule mtumwa wake akamwambia, “Itakuwaje ikiwa mwanamke hatakuwa tayari kufuatana nami hadi katika nchi hii? Je nitamrudisha mwanao katika nchi ambayo ulitoka?”
And the servant said unto him, Peradventure the woman will not be willing to follow me unto this land: must I needs bring thy son again unto the land from whence thou camest?
6 Abraham akamwambia, “Hakikisha kwamba hutamrudisha mwanangu kule!
And Abraham said unto him, Beware thou that thou bring not my son thither 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.
The LORD, the God of heaven, that took me from my father’s house, and from the land of my nativity, and that spake unto me, and that sware unto me, saying, Unto thy seed will I give this land; he shall send his angel before thee, and thou shalt take a wife for my son from thence.
8 Lakini ikiwa mwanamke hatakuwa tayari, ndipo utakuwa huru katika hiki kiapo changu. Cha muhimu tu ni kwamba usije ukamrudisha mwanangu huko.”
And if the woman be not willing to follow thee, then thou shalt be clear from this my oath; only thou shalt not bring my son thither again.
9 Kwa hiyo mtumwa akaweka mkono wake jini ya paja la Abraham bwana wake, na akaapa kuhusiana na jambo hili.
And the servant put his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master, and sware 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.
And the servant took ten camels, of the camels of his master, and departed; having all goodly things of his master’s in his hand: and he arose, and went to Mesopotamia, unto the city of Nahor.
11 Akawapigisha magoti ngamia nje ya mji karibu na kisima cha maji. Ilikuwa jioni wakati ambao wanawake huenda kuchota maji.
And he made the camels to kneel down without 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.
And he said, O LORD, the God of my master Abraham, send me, I pray thee, good speed this day, and shew kindness unto my master Abraham.
13 Tazama, nimesimama hapa karibu na chemchemi ya maji na binti za watu wa mji wanakuja kuteka maji.
Behold, I stand by the fountain of water; and the daughters of the men of the city come 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.”
and let it come to pass, that the damsel to whom I shall say, Let down thy pitcher, I pray thee, that I may drink; and she shall say, Drink, and I will give thy camels drink also: let the same be she that thou hast appointed for thy servant Isaac; and thereby shall I know that thou hast shewed kindness unto 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.
And it came to pass, before he had done speaking, that, behold, Rebekah came out, who was born to Bethuel the son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham’s brother, with her pitcher upon 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.
And the damsel was very fair to look upon, a virgin, neither had any man known her: and she went down to the fountain, and 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.”
And the servant ran to meet her, and said, Give me to drink, I pray thee, a little water of thy pitcher.
18 Akasema, “kunywa tafadhari bwana wangu,” na kwa haraka akatua mtungi wake juu ya mkono wake, na akampatia maji ya kunywa.
And she said, Drink, my lord: and she hasted, and let down her pitcher upon her hand, and gave him drink.
19 Alipokuwa amemaliza kumpatia maji, akasema, “Nitachota maji kwa ajili ya ngamia wako pia, mpaka watakapomaliza kunywa.”
And when she had done giving him drink, she said, I will draw for thy camels also, 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.
And she hasted, and emptied her pitcher into the trough, and ran again unto 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.
And the man looked stedfastly on her; holding his peace, to know whether the LORD 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,
And it came to pass, as the camels had done drinking, that the man took a golden ring of half a shekel weight, and two bracelets for her hands of ten shekels weight 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 art thou? tell me, I pray thee. Is there room in thy father’s house for us to lodge in?
24 Akamwambia, “Mimi ni binti wa Bethueli mwana wa Milka, ambaye alimzaa kwa Nahori.”
And she said unto him, I am the daughter of Bethuel the son of Milcah, which she bare unto Nahor.
25 Akasema pia, “Tunayo malisho tele na chakula, na iko nafasi kwa ajili yako kulala usiku.”
She said moreover unto him, We have both straw and provender enough, and room to lodge in.
26 Kisha yume mtu akainama chini na kumwabudu Yahwe.
And the man bowed his head, and worshipped the LORD.
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.”
And he said, Blessed be the LORD, the God of my master Abraham, who hath not forsaken his mercy and his truth toward my master: as for me, the LORD hath led me in the way to the house of my master’s brethren.
28 Kisha yule msichana akakimbia na kwenda kuwaeleza watu wa nyumba ya mama yake juu ya mambo yote haya.
And the damsel ran, and told her mother’s house according to 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.
And Rebekah had a brother, and his name was Laban: and Laban ran out unto the man, unto the fountain.
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.
And it came to pass, when he saw the ring, and the bracelets upon his sister’s hands, and when he heard the words of Rebekah his sister, saying, Thus spake the man unto me; that he came unto the man; and, behold, he stood by the camels at the fountain.
31 Labani akasema, “Njoo, wewe uliye barikiwa na Yahwe. Kwa nini umesimama nje? nimekwisha andaa nyumba, pamoja na mahali kwa ajili ya ngamia.”
And he said, Come in, thou blessed of the LORD; wherefore standest thou without? 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.
And the man came into the house, and he ungirded the camels; and he gave straw and provender for the camels, and water to wash his feet and the men’s feet that were with him.
33 Wakaandaa chakula mbele yake ale, lakini akasema, “Sitakula mpaka niseme kile ninacho paswa kusema.” Kwa hiyo Labani akmwambia, “Sema.”
And there was set meat before him to eat: but he said, I will not eat, until I have told mine errand. And he said, Speak on.
34 Akasema, “Mimi ni mtumwa wa Abraham.
And he said, I am Abraham’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.
And the LORD hath blessed my master greatly; and he is become great: and he hath given him flocks and herds, and silver and gold, and menservants and maidservants, and camels and asses.
36 Sara, mke wa bwana wangu, alimzalia mwana bwana wangu alipokuwa mzee, na amempatia mwanawe kila kitu anachomiliki.
And Sarah my master’s wife bare a son to my master when she was old: and unto him hath he given all that he hath.
37 Bwana wangu aliniapisha, akisema, “Usije ukampatia mwanangu mke kutoka kwa mabinti wa Wakanaani, ambao kwao nimefanya makazi.
And my master made me swear, saying, Thou shalt not take a wife for my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I dwell:
38 Badala yake, lazima uende kwa familia ya baba yangu, na kwa ndugu zangu, na kupata mke kwa ajili ya mwanangu.'
but thou shalt go unto my father’s house, and to my kindred, and take a wife for my son.
39 Nikamwambia bwana wangu, pengine mwanamke huyo asikubali kufuatana nami.'
And I said unto my master, Peradventure 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.
And he said unto me, The LORD, before whom I walk, will send his angel with thee, and prosper thy way; and thou shalt take a wife for my son of my kindred, 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 shalt thou be clear from my oath, when thou comest to my kindred; and if they give her not to thee, thou shalt 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 -
And I came this day unto the fountain, and said, O LORD, the God of my master Abraham, if now thou 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 stand by the fountain of water; and let it come to pass, that the maiden which cometh forth to draw, to whom I shall say, Give me, I pray thee, a little water of thy 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 shall say to me, Both drink thou, and I will also draw for thy camels: let the same be the woman whom the LORD hath 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.'
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 fountain, and drew: and I said unto her, Let me drink, I pray thee.
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.
And she made haste, and let down her pitcher from her shoulder, and said, Drink, and I will give thy camels drink also: so I drank, and she made the camels drink also.
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.
And I asked her, and said, Whose daughter art thou? And she said, The daughter of Bethuel, Nahor’s son, whom Milcah bare unto him: and I put the ring upon her nose, and the bracelets upon 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.
And I bowed my head, and worshipped the LORD, and blessed the LORD, the God of my master Abraham, which 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.”
And now if ye 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.
50 Ndipo Labani na Bethueli wakajibu na kusema, “Jambo hili limetoka kwa Yahwe; hatuwezi kusema kwako aidha neno baya au zuri.
Then Laban and Bethuel answered and said, The thing proceedeth from the LORD: we cannot speak unto thee 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 is before thee, take her, and go, and let her be thy master’s son’s wife, as the LORD hath spoken.
52 Mtumwa wa Abraham aliposikia maneno yao, akainama mwenyewe chini ardhini kwa Yahwe.
And it came to pass, that, when Abraham’s servant heard their words, he bowed himself down to the earth unto the LORD.
53 Mtumwa akaleta vipande vya fedha na vipande vya dhahabu, na nguo, akampatia Rebeka. Akampatia pia kaka yake na mama yake zawadi zenye thamani.
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.
54 Kisha yeye na watu aliokuwa nao wakala na kunywa. wakakaa pale mpaka usiku, na walipoamka asubuhi, akasema, Niruhusuni niende kwa bwana wangu.”
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.
55 Kaka yake na mama yake wakasema, mwache binti abaki nasi kwa siku chache zingine, angalau siku kumi. baada ya hapo anaweza kwenda.”
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.
56 Lakini akawambia, msinizuie, kwa kuwa Yahwe amefanikisha njia yangu. Niruhusuni niende kwa bwana wangu.”
And he said unto them, Hinder me not, seeing the LORD hath prospered my way; send me away that I may go to my master.
57 Wakasema, “Tutamwita binti na kumuuliza.”
And they said, We will call the damsel, and inquire at her mouth.
58 Kwa hiyo wakamwita Rebeka na kumuuliza, “Je utakwenda na mtu huyu?” Akajibu, “Nitakwenda.”
And they called Rebekah, and said unto her, Wilt thou go with this man? And 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.
And they sent away Rebekah their sister, and her nurse, and Abraham’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.”
And they blessed Rebekah, and said unto her, Our sister, be thou [the mother] of thousands of ten thousands, and let thy seed possess the gate of those which 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.
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.
62 Nyakati hizo Isaka alikuwa anakaa katika Negebu, na alikuwa tu amerejea kutoka Beerlahairoi.
And Isaac came from the way of Beer-lahai-roi; for he dwelt in the land of the South.
63 Isaka akaenda kutafakari shambani jioni. Alipotazama akaona, natazama, kulikuwa na ngamia wakija!
And Isaac went out to meditate in the field at the eventide: and he lifted up his eyes, and saw, and, behold, there were camels coming.
64 Rebeka akatazama na alipomwona Isaka, akaruka kutoka kwenye ngamia.
And Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac, she lighted off 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.
And she said unto the servant, What man is this that walketh in the field to meet us? And the servant said, It is my master: and she took her veil, and covered herself.
66 Mtumwa akamwambia Isaka mambo yote ambayo amefanya.
And the servant told Isaac 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.
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.
