1
Basi Ibrahimu alikuwa mzee mwenye miaka mingi, na Bwana alikuwa amembariki Ibrahimu katika vitu vyote.
By now Abraham was old and well along in years, and the LORD had blessed him in every way.
2
Ibrahimu akamwambia mtumishi wake, mzee wa nyumba yake, aliyetawala vitu vyake vyote, Tafadhali uutie mkono wako chini ya paja langu,
So Abraham instructed the chief servant of his household, who managed all he owned, “Place your hand under my thigh,
3
nami nitakuapisha kwa Bwana, Mungu wa mbingu, na Mungu wa nchi, kwamba hutamtwalia mwanangu mke katika binti za Wakanaani ambao nakaa kati yao;
and I will have you swear by the LORD, the God of heaven and the God of earth, that you will not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites among whom I am dwelling,
4
bali enenda hata nchi yangu, na kwa jamaa zangu, ukamtwalie mwanangu Isaka mke.
but will go to my country and my kindred to take a wife for my son Isaac.”
5
Yule mtumishi akamwambia, Labda yule mwanamke hatakubali kufuatana nami mpaka nchi hii, je! Nimrudishe mwanao mpaka nchi ulikotoka?
The servant asked him, “What if the woman is unwilling to follow me to this land? Shall I then take your son back to the land from which you came?”
6
Ibrahimu akamwambia, Ujihadhari, usimrudishe mwanangu huko.
Abraham replied, “Make sure that you do not take my son back there.
7
Bwana, Mungu wa mbingu, aliyenitoa katika nyumba ya babangu, na kusema nami katika nchi niliyozaliwa, aliniapia akisema, Nitawapa uzao wako nchi hii; yeye atampeleka malaika wake mbele yako, nawe utamtwalia mwanangu mke tokea huko;
The LORD, the God of heaven, who brought me from my father’s house and my native land, who spoke to me and promised me on oath, saying, ‘To your offspring I will give this land’—He will send His angel before you so that you can take a wife for my son from there.
8
na yule mwanamke asipokubali kufuatana nawe, basi, utafunguliwa kiapo changu hiki; lakini usimrudishe mwanangu huko.
And if the woman is unwilling to follow you, then you are released from this oath of mine. Only do not take my son back there.”
9
Yule mtumishi akaweka mkono wake chini ya paja la Ibrahimu bwana wake, akamwapia katika neno hilo.
So the servant placed his hand under the thigh of his master Abraham and swore an oath to him concerning this matter.
10
Kisha huyo mtumishi akatwaa ngamia kumi katika ngamia za bwana wake akaenda zake, maana mali zote za bwana wake zilikuwa mkononi mwake, akaondoka, akaja mpaka Mesopotamia, mpaka mji wa Nahori.
Then the servant took ten of his master’s camels and departed with all manner of good things from his master in hand. And he set out for Nahor’s hometown in Aram-naharaim.
11
Akawapigisha magoti ngamia nje ya mji karibu na kisima cha maji wakati wa jioni, wakati ambapo wanawake wanakwenda kuteka maji.
As evening approached, he made the camels kneel down near the well outside the town at the time when the women went out to draw water.
12
Naye akasema, Ee Bwana, Mungu wa bwana wangu Ibrahimu, nakuomba mambo yangu uyajalie yawe heri leo, ukamfadhili bwana wangu Ibrahimu.
“O LORD, God of my master Abraham,” he prayed, “please grant me success today, and show kindness to my master Abraham.
13
Tazama! Nimesimama karibu na kisima cha maji, na binti za watu wa mjini wanatoka kuteka maji,
Here I am, standing beside the spring, and the daughters of the townspeople are coming out to draw water.
14
basi na iwe hivi; yule msichana nitakayemwambia, Tua mtungi wako, nakuomba, ninywe; naye akasema, Unywe, nami nitawanywesha na ngamia zako pia; basi huyu na awe ndiye uliyemchagulia mtumishi wako Isaka; na kwa hayo nitajua ya kuwa umemfadhili bwana wangu.
Now may it happen that the girl to whom I say, ‘Please let down your jar that I may drink,’ and who responds, ‘Drink, and I will water your camels as well’—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 hajaisha kunena, tazama, Rebeka anatokea, binti wa Bethueli mwana wa Milka, mkewe Nahori, ndugu wa Ibrahimu, naye ana mtungi begani pake.
Before the servant had finished praying, Rebekah came out with her jar on her shoulder. She was the daughter of Bethuel son of Milcah, the wife of Abraham’s brother Nahor.
16
Naye yule msichana alikuwa mzuri sana uso wake, bikira, wala mwanamume hajamjua bado; akashuka kisimani, akajaza mtungi wake, akapanda.
Now the girl was very beautiful, a virgin who had not had relations with any man. She went down to the spring, filled her jar, and came up again.
17
Ndipo yule mtumishi akapiga mbio kwenda kumlaki, akasema, Tafadhali unipe maji kidogo katika mtungi wako ninywe.
So the servant ran to meet her and said, “Please let me have a little water from your jar.”
18
Naye akasema, Unywe, bwana wangu, akafanya haraka, akatua mtungi wake mkononi mwake, akamnywesha.
“Drink, my lord,” she replied, and she quickly lowered her jar to her hands and gave him a drink.
19
Hata alipokwisha kumnywesha akasema, Na ngamia zako nitawatekea, hata watakapokwisha kunywa.
After she had given him a drink, she said, “I will also draw water for your camels, until they have had enough to drink.”
20
Akafanya haraka, akamwaga maji ya mtungi wake katika birika, akapiga mbio kisimani ateke, akawatekea ngamia zake wote.
And she quickly emptied her jar into the trough and ran back to the well to draw water, until she had drawn water for all his camels.
21
Basi yule mtu akamkazia macho, akanyamaza, ili ajue kwamba Bwana ameifanikisha safari yake ama sivyo.
Meanwhile, the man watched her silently to see whether or not the LORD had made his journey a success.
22
Ikawa, ngamia walipokwisha kunywa, yule mtu akatwaa pete ya dhahabu, uzani wake ulikuwa nusu shekeli, na vikuku viwili kwa mikono yake, uzani wake ulikuwa shekeli kumi za dhahabu,
And after the camels had finished drinking, he took out a gold ring weighing a beka, and two gold bracelets for her wrists weighing ten shekels.
23
akasema, U binti wa nani wewe? Tafadhali uniambie. Je! Iko nafasi katika nyumba ya baba yako tupate mahali pa kukaa kwa muda?
“Whose daughter are you?” he asked. “Please tell me, is there room in your father’s house for us to spend the night?”
24
Akasema, Mimi ni binti wa Bethueli mwana wa Milka, aliyemzalia Nahori.
She replied, “I am the daughter of Bethuel, the son that Milcah bore to Nahor.”
25
Tena akamwambia, Kwetu kuna majani na malisho ya kutosha, na mahali pa kukaa wageni.
Then she added, “We have plenty of straw and feed, as well as a place for you to spend the night.”
26
Yule mtu akainama akamsujudu Bwana.
Then the man bowed down and worshiped the LORD,
27
Akasema, Na atukuzwe Bwana, Mungu wa bwana wangu Ibrahimu, ambaye hakuacha rehema zake na kweli yake kwa bwana wangu. Bwana akaniongoza mimi nami njiani hata nyumba ya nduguze bwana wangu.
saying, “Blessed be the LORD, the God of my master Abraham, who has not withheld His kindness and faithfulness from my master. As for me, the LORD has led me on the journey to the house of my master’s relatives.”
28
Basi yule msichana akapiga mbio, akawaambia watu wa nyumba ya mama yake mambo hayo.
The girl ran and told her mother’s household about these things.
29
Na Rebeka alikuwa na kaka, jina lake Labani. Labani akatoka mbio kumwendea yule mtu kisimani.
Now Rebekah had a brother named Laban, and he rushed out to the man at the spring.
30
Ikawa, alipoiona ile pete, na vikuku mikononi mwa nduguye, akasikia maneno ya Rebeka nduguye, akisema, Hivyo ndivyo alivyoniambia mtu huyo, basi akamjia mtu yule, na tazama, amesimama karibu na ngamia kisimani.
As soon as he saw the ring, and the bracelets on his sister’s wrists, and heard Rebekah’s words, “The man said this to me,” he went and found the man standing by the camels near the spring.
31
Akasema, Karibu, wewe uliyebarikiwa na Bwana, mbona unasimama nje? Kwa maana nimeiweka nyumba tayari, na nafasi kwa ngamia.
“Come, you who are blessed by the LORD,” said Laban. “Why are you standing out here? I have prepared the house and a place for the camels.”
32
Na mtu yule akaingia katika nyumba, akawafungua ngamia; naye akatoa majani na malisho kwa ngamia, na maji ya kuoshea miguu yake, na miguu ya watu waliokuwa pamoja naye.
So the man came to the house, and the camels were unloaded. Straw and feed were brought to the camels, and water to wash his feet and the feet of his companions.
33
Akaandaliwa chakula, lakini akasema, Sili mpaka niseme kwanza maneno yangu. Akamwambia, Haya, sema.
Then a meal was set before the man, but he said, “I will not eat until I have told you what I came to say.” So Laban said, “Please speak.”
34
Akasema, Mimi ni mtumwa wa Ibrahimu,
“I am Abraham’s servant,” he replied.
35
na Bwana amembarikia sana bwana wangu, amekuwa mtu mkuu; amempa kondoo, na ng'ombe, na fedha, na dhahabu, na watumwa, na wajakazi, na ngamia, na punda.
“The LORD has greatly blessed my master, and he has become rich. He has given him sheep and cattle, silver and gold, menservants and maidservants, camels and donkeys.
36
Naye Sara, mkewe bwana wangu, akamzalia bwana wangu mwana wa kiume, katika uzee wake; naye amempa yote aliyo nayo.
My master’s wife Sarah has borne him a son in her old age, and my master has given him everything he owns.
37
Kisha bwana wangu akaniapisha akisema, Usimtwalie mwanangu mke wa binti za Wakanaani, ambao nakaa katika nchi yao.
My master made me swear an oath and said, ‘You shall not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites in whose land I dwell,
38
Ila uende mpaka nyumbani kwa babangu, na kwa jamaa zangu, ukamtwalie mwanangu mke.
but you shall go to my father’s house and to my kindred to take a wife for my son.’
39
Nikamwambia bwana wangu, Labda huyo mwanamke hatafuatana nami.
Then I asked my master, ‘What if the woman will not come back with me?’
40
Akaniambia, Bwana, ambaye naenenda machoni pake, atapeleka malaika wake pamoja nawe, atafanikisha njia yako; nawe umtwalie mwanangu mke katika jamaa zangu, na wa nyumba ya babangu.
And he told me, ‘The LORD, before whom I have walked, will send His angel with you and make your journey a success, so that you may take a wife for my son from my kindred and from my father’s house.
41
Ndipo utafunguliwa kiapo changu hapo utakapowafikilia jamaa zangu; nao wasipokupa msichana huyo, utafunguliwa kiapo changu.
And when you go to my kindred, if they refuse to give her to you, then you will be released from my oath.’
42
Nami nikaja leo kisimani, nikasema, Ee Bwana, Mungu wa bwana wangu Ibrahimu, ukinifanikishia sasa njia yangu niendayo mimi,
So when I came to the spring today, I prayed: O LORD, God of my master Abraham, if only You would make my journey a success!
43
tazama! Nimesimama karibu na kisima cha maji; basi na iwe hivi, msichana ajaye kuteka maji, nikamwambia, Nipe, nakuomba, maji kidogo katika mtungi wako ninywe,
Here I am, standing beside this spring. Now if a maiden comes out to draw water and I say to her, ‘Please let me drink a little water from your jar,’
44
naye akaniambia, Unywe wewe, na ngamia zako pia nitawatekea, huyo na awe ndiye mke Bwana aliyemwekea mwana wa bwana wangu.
and she replies, ‘Drink, and I will draw water for your camels as well,’ may she be the woman the LORD has appointed for my master’s son.
45
Hata kabla sijaisha kusema moyoni mwangu, tazama! Rebeka akatokea, na mtungi begani mwake. Akashuka kisimani akateka. Nami nikamwambia, Tafadhali nipe maji ninywe.
And before I had finished praying in my heart, there was Rebekah coming out with her jar on her shoulder, and she went down to the spring and drew water. So I said to her, ‘Please give me a drink.’
46
Akafanya haraka akatua mtungi wake chini, akanena, Unywe, na ngamia zako nitawanywesha pia; basi nikanywa, akawanywesha na ngamia nao.
She quickly lowered her jar from her shoulder and said, ‘Drink, and I will water your camels as well.’ So I drank, and she also watered the camels.
47
Kisha nikamwuliza nikasema, U binti wa nani wewe? Naye akasema, Mimi ni binti Bethueli, mwana wa Nahori, Milka aliyemzalia. Nami nikamtia hazama puani mwake na vikuku mikononi mwake.
Then I asked her, ‘Whose daughter are you?’ She replied, ‘The daughter of Bethuel son of Nahor, whom Milcah bore to him.’ So I put the ring on her nose and the bracelets on her wrists.
48
Nikainama, nikamsujudia Bwana, nikamtukuza Bwana, Mungu wa bwana wangu Ibrahimu, aliyeniongoza njiani, nimtwalie mwana wa bwana wangu binti wa ndugu yake.
Then I bowed down and worshiped the LORD; and I blessed the LORD, the God of my master Abraham, who led me on the right road to take the granddaughter of my master’s brother for his son.
49
Basi, kama mnataka kumfanyia rehema na kweli bwana wangu, niambieni kama sivyo, niambieni; ili nigeuke upande wa kuume au wa kushoto.
Now if you will show kindness and faithfulness to my master, tell me; but if not, let me know, so that I may go elsewhere.”
50
Ndipo Labani na Bethueli wakajibu wakasema, Neno hili limetoka kwa Bwana, wala sisi hatuwezi kukuambia neno jema wala baya.
Laban and Bethuel answered, “This is from the LORD; we have no choice in the matter.
51
Tazama, huyo Rebeka yuko mbele yako, umchukue, ukaende zako awe mke wa mwana wa bwana wako, kama alivyosema Bwana.
Rebekah is here before you. Take her and go, and let her become the wife of your master’s son, just as the LORD has decreed.”
52
Ikawa mtumishi wa Ibrahimu aliposikia maneno yao, akainama hata nchi mbele za Bwana.
When Abraham’s servant heard their words, he bowed down to the ground before the LORD.
53
Kisha huyo mtumishi akatoa vyombo vya fedha, na vyombo vya dhahabu, na mavazi, akampa Rebeka; na vitu vya thamani akampa nduguye na mamaye pia.
Then he brought out jewels of silver and gold, and articles of clothing, and he gave them to Rebekah. He also gave precious gifts to her brother and her mother.
54
Wakala wakanywa, yeye na watu waliokuwa pamoja naye, nao wakakaa usiku. Wakaondoka asubuhi, naye akasema, Nipeni ruhusa niende kwa bwana wangu.
Then he and the men with him ate and drank and spent the night there. When they got up the next morning, he said, “Send me on my way to my master.”
55
Ndugu yake na mama yake wakasema, Msichana na akae kwetu kama siku kumi, zisipungue, baadaye aende.
But her brother and mother said, “Let the girl remain with us ten days or so. After that, she may go.”
56
Naye akawaambia, Msinikawilishe, mradi Bwana amefanikisha njia yangu; nipeni ruhusa niende kwa bwana wangu.
But he replied, “Do not delay me, since the LORD has made my journey a success. Send me on my way so that I may go to my master.”
57
Wakasema, Na tumwite huyo msichana, tumwulize mwenyewe.
So they said, “We will call the girl and ask her opinion.”
58
Wakamwita Rebeka wakamwuliza, Je! Utakwenda na mtu huyu? Akasema, Nitakwenda.
They called Rebekah and asked her, “Will you go with this man?” “I will go,” she replied.
59
Ndipo wakampeleka Rebeka ndugu yao, na yaya wake, na mtumishi wa Ibrahimu, na watu wake.
So they sent their sister Rebekah on her way, along with her nurse and Abraham’s servant and his men.
60
Wakambarikia Rebeka, wakamwambia, Ndugu yetu, uwe wewe mama wa kumi elfu, mara elfu nyingi, na wazao wako waurithi mlango wa hao wawachukiao.
And they blessed Rebekah and said to her, “Our sister, may you become the mother of thousands upon thousands. May your offspring possess the gates of their enemies.”
61
Rebeka akaondoka na vijakazi wake, nao wakapanda juu ya ngamia, wakamfuata yule mtu. Naye huyo mtumishi akamchukua Rebeka akaenda zake.
Then Rebekah and her servant girls got ready, mounted the camels, and followed the man. So the servant took Rebekah and left.
62
Basi Isaka alikuwa amekuja kwa njia ya Beer-lahai-roi, maana alikaa katika nchi ya kusini.
Now Isaac had just returned from Beer-lahai-roi, for he was living in the Negev.
63
Isaka akatoka ili kutafakari kondeni wakati wa jioni; akainua macho yake, akaona, kuna ngamia wanakuja.
Early in the evening, Isaac went out to the field to meditate, and looking up, he saw the camels approaching.
64
Rebeka akainua macho, naye alipomwona Isaka, alishuka juu ya ngamia.
And when Rebekah looked up and saw Isaac, she got down from her camel
65
Akamwambia mtumishi, Ni nani mtu huyu ajaye kondeni kutulaki? Mtumishi akasema, Huyu ndiye bwana wangu. Basi akatwaa shela yake akajifunika.
and asked the servant, “Who is that man in the field coming to meet us?” “It is my master,” the servant answered. So she took her veil and covered herself.
66
Yule mtumishi akamwambia Isaka mambo yote aliyoyatenda.
Then the servant told Isaac all that he had done.
67
Isaka akamwingiza Rebeka katika hema ya mama yake, Sara, akamtwaa Rebeka, akawa mkewe, akampenda; Isaka akafarijika kwa ajili ya kufa kwa mamake.
And Isaac brought her into the tent of his mother Sarah and took Rebekah as his wife. And Isaac loved her and was comforted after his mother’s death.