Genesis 24:29-60
New American Standard Bible
Chapter 24
29Now Rebekah had a brother whose name was Laban; and Laban ran outside to the man at the spring. 30When he saw the ring and the bracelets on his sister’s wrists, and when he heard the words of his sister Rebekah, saying, 'This is what the man said to me,' he went to the man; and behold, he was standing by the camels at the spring. 31And he said, 'Come in, blessed of the Lord! Why do you stand outside, since I have prepared the house, and a place for the camels?' 32So the man entered the house. Then Laban unloaded the camels, and he gave straw and feed to the camels, and water to wash his feet and the feet of the men who were with him. 33But when food was set before him to eat, he said, 'I will not eat until I have stated my business.' And he said, 'Speak on.' 34So he said, 'I am Abraham’s servant. 35The Lord has greatly blessed my master, so that he has become rich; and He has given him flocks and herds, and silver and gold, and servants and slave women, and camels and donkeys. 36Now my master’s wife Sarah bore a son to my master in her old age, and he has given him all that he has. 37My 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; 38but you shall go to my father’s house and to my relatives, and take a wife for my son.’ 39Then I said to my master, ‘Suppose the woman does not follow me.’ 40And he said to me, ‘The Lord, before whom I have walked, will send His angel with you to make your journey successful, and you will take a wife for my son from my relatives and from my father’s house; 41then you will be free from my oath, when you come to my relatives; and if they do not give her to you, you will be free from my oath.’
42So I came today to the spring, and said, ‘Lord, God of my master Abraham, if now You will make my journey on which I have been going successful;
43behold, I am standing by the spring, and may it be that the young unmarried woman who comes out to draw water, and to whom I say, 'Please let me drink a little water from your jar';
44and she says to me, 'You drink, and I will draw for your camels also'—let her be the woman whom the Lord has appointed for my master’s son.’
45Before I had finished speaking in my heart, behold, Rebekah came out with her jar on her shoulder, and went down to the spring and drew water, and I said to her, ‘Please let me drink.’
46She quickly lowered her jar from her shoulder, and said, ‘Drink, and I will water your camels also’; so I drank, and she watered the camels also.
47Then I asked her, and said, ‘Whose daughter are you?’ And she said, ‘The daughter of Bethuel, Nahor’s son, whom Milcah bore to him’; and I put the ring on her nose, and the bracelets on her wrists.
48And I bowed low and worshiped the Lord, and blessed the Lord, the God of my master Abraham, who had guided me in the right way to take the daughter of my master’s brother for his son.
49So now if you are going to deal kindly and truthfully with my master, tell me; and if not, tell me now, so that I may turn to the right or the left.'
50Then Laban and Bethuel replied, 'The matter has come from the Lord; so we cannot speak to you bad or good.
51Here is Rebekah before you, take her and go, and let her be the wife of your master’s son, as the Lord has spoken.'
52When Abraham’s servant heard their words, he bowed himself to the ground before the Lord.
53And the servant brought out articles of silver and articles of gold, and garments, and gave them to Rebekah; he also gave precious things to her brother and to her mother.
54Then he and the men who were with him ate and drank and spent the night. When they got up in the morning, he said, 'Send me away to my master.'
55But her brother and her mother said, 'Let the young woman stay with us a few days, say ten; afterward she may go.'
56However, he said to them, 'Do not delay me, since the Lord has prospered my way. Send me away so that I may go to my master.'
57And they said, 'We will call the young woman and ask her.'
58Then they called Rebekah and said to her, 'Will you go with this man?' And she said, 'I will go.'
59So they sent away their sister Rebekah and her nurse with Abraham’s servant and his men.
King James Version
Chapter 24
29And Rebekah had a brother, and his name was Laban: and Laban ran out unto the man, unto the well. 30And it came to pass, when he saw the earring and 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 well. 31And he said, Come in, thou blessed of the Lord; wherefore standest thou without? for I have prepared the house, and room for the camels.
32And the man came into the house: and he ungirded his camels, and gave straw and provender for the camels, and water to wash his feet, and the men's feet that were with him.
33And 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.
34And he said, I am Abraham's servant.
35And 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.
36And 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.
37And my master made me swear, saying, Thou shalt not take a wife to my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I dwell:
38But thou shalt go unto my father's house, and to my kindred, and take a wife unto my son.
39And I said unto my master, Peradventure the woman will not follow me.
40And 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:
41Then shalt thou be clear from this my oath, when thou comest to my kindred; and if they give not thee one, thou shalt be clear from my oath.
42And I came this day unto the well, and said, O Lord God of my master Abraham, if now thou do prosper my way which I go:
43Behold, I stand by the well of water; and it shall come to pass, that when the virgin cometh forth to draw water, and I say to her, Give me, I pray thee, a little water of thy pitcher to drink;
44And she 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 out for my master's son.
45And before I had done speaking in mine heart, behold, Rebekah came forth with her pitcher on her shoulder; and she went down unto the well, and drew water: and I said unto her, Let me drink, I pray thee.
46And 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.
47And 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 earring upon her face, and the bracelets upon her hands.
48And I bowed down my head, and worshipped the Lord, and blessed the Lord God of my master Abraham, which had led me in the right way to take my master's brother's daughter unto his son.
49And 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.
50Then Laban and Bethuel answered and said, The thing proceedeth from the Lord: we cannot speak unto thee bad or good.
51Behold, Rebekah is before thee, take her, and go, and let her be thy master's son's wife, as the Lord hath spoken.
52And it came to pass, that, when Abraham's servant heard their words, he worshipped the Lord, bowing himself to the earth.
53And 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.
54And 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.
55And her brother and her mother said, Let the damsel abide with us a few days, at the least ten; after that she shall go.
56And he said unto them, Hinder me not, seeing the Lord hath prospered my way; send me away that I may go to my master.
57And they said, We will call the damsel, and enquire at her mouth.
58And they called Rebekah, and said unto her, Wilt thou go with this man? And she said, I will go.
Christian Standard Bible
Chapter 24
29Now Rebekah had a brother named Laban, and Laban ran out to the man at the spring. 30As soon as he had seen the ring and the bracelets on his sister’s wrists, and when he had heard his sister Rebekah’s words—"The man said this to me!"—he went to the man. He was standing there by the camels at the spring.
31Laban said, "Come, you who are blessed by the Lord. Why are you standing out here? I have prepared the house and a place for the camels."
32So the man came to the house, and the camels were unloaded. Straw and feed were given to the camels, and water was brought to wash his feet and the feet of the men with him.
34"I am Abraham’s servant," he said.
35"The Lord has greatly blessed my master, and he has become rich. He has given him flocks and herds, silver and gold, male and female slaves, and camels and donkeys.
36Sarah, my master’s wife, bore a son to my master in her old age, and he has given him everything he owns.
37My master put me under this oath: ‘You will not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites in whose land I live
38but will go to my father’s family and to my clan to take a wife for my son.’
39But I said to my master, ‘Suppose the woman will not come back with me?’
40He said to me, ‘The Lord before whom I have walked will send his angel with you and make your journey a success, and you will take a wife for my son from my clan and from my father’s family.
41Then you will be free from my oath if you go to my family and they do not give her to you—you will be free from my oath.’
42"Today when I came to the spring, I prayed: Lord, God of my master Abraham, if only you will make my journey successful!
43I am standing here at a spring. Let the young woman who comes out to draw water, and I say to her, ‘Please let me drink a little water from your jug,’
44and who responds to me, ‘Drink, and I’ll draw water for your camels also’—let her be the woman the Lord has appointed for my master’s son.
45"Before I had finished praying silently, there was Rebekah coming with her jug on her shoulder, and she went down to the spring and drew water. So I said to her, ‘Please let me have a drink.’
46She quickly lowered her jug from her shoulder and said, ‘Drink, and I’ll water your camels also.’ So I drank, and she also watered the camels.
47Then I asked her, ‘Whose daughter are you?’ She responded, ‘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.
48Then I knelt low, worshiped the Lord, and blessed the Lord, the God of my master Abraham, who guided me on the right way to take the granddaughter of my master’s brother for his son.
49Now, if you are going to show kindness and faithfulness to my master, tell me; if not, tell me, and I will go elsewhere."
50Laban and Bethuel answered, "This is from the Lord; we have no choice in the matter.
51Rebekah is here in front of you. Take her and go, and let her be a wife for your master’s son, just as the Lord has spoken."
52When Abraham’s servant heard their words, he bowed to the ground before the Lord.
53Then he brought out objects of silver and gold, and garments, and gave them to Rebekah. He also gave precious gifts to her brother and her mother.
New Living Translation
Chapter 24
29Now Rebekah had a brother named Laban, who ran out to meet the man at the spring. 30He had seen the nose-ring and the bracelets on his sister’s wrists, and had heard Rebekah tell what the man had said. So he rushed out to the spring, where the man was still standing beside his camels. 31Laban said to him, 'Come and stay with us, you who are blessed by the Lord! Why are you standing here outside the town when I have a room all ready for you and a place prepared for the camels?'
34I am Abraham’s servant,' he explained.
35And the Lord has greatly blessed my master; he has become a wealthy man. The Lord has given him flocks of sheep and goats, herds of cattle, a fortune in silver and gold, and many male and female servants and camels and donkeys.
36When Sarah, my master’s wife, was very old, she gave birth to my master’s son, and my master has given him everything he owns.
37And my master made me take an oath. He said, ‘Do not allow my son to marry one of these local Canaanite women.
38Go instead to my father’s house, to my relatives, and find a wife there for my son.’
39But I said to my master, ‘What if I can’t find a young woman who is willing to go back with me?’
40He responded, ‘The Lord, in whose presence I have lived, will send his angel with you and will make your mission successful. Yes, you must find a wife for my son from among my relatives, from my father’s family.
41Then you will have fulfilled your obligation. But if you go to my relatives and they refuse to let her go with you, you will be free from my oath.’
42So today when I came to the spring, I prayed this prayer: ‘O Lord, God of my master, Abraham, please give me success on this mission.
43See, I am standing here beside this spring. This is my request. When a young woman comes to draw water, I will say to her, 'Please give me a little drink of water from your jug.'
44If she says, 'Yes, have a drink, and I will draw water for your camels, too,' let her be the one you have selected to be the wife of my master’s son.’
45Before I had finished praying in my heart, I saw Rebekah coming out with her water jug on her shoulder. She went down to the spring and drew water. So I said to her, ‘Please give me a drink.’
46She quickly lowered her jug from her shoulder and said, ‘Yes, have a drink, and I will water your camels, too!’ So I drank, and then she watered the camels.
48Then I bowed low and worshiped the Lord. I praised the Lord, the God of my master, Abraham, because he had led me straight to my master’s niece to be his son’s wife.
49So tell me — will you or won’t you show unfailing love and faithfulness to my master? Please tell me yes or no, and then I’ll know what to do next.'
50Then Laban and Bethuel replied, 'The Lord has obviously brought you here, so there is nothing we can say.
51Here is Rebekah; take her and go. Yes, let her be the wife of your master’s son, as the Lord has directed.'
English Standard Version
Chapter 24
29Rebekah had a brother whose name was Laban. Laban ran out toward the man, to the spring. 30As soon as he saw the ring and the bracelets on his sister 's arms, and heard the words of Rebekah his sister, "Thus the man spoke to me," he went to the man. And behold, he was standing by the camels at the spring. 31He said, "Come in, O blessed of the Lord. Why do you stand outside? For I have prepared the house and a place for the camels." 32So the man came to the house and unharnessed the camels, and gave straw and fodder to the camels, and there was water to wash his feet and the feet of the men who were with him. 33Then food was set before him to eat. But he said, "I will not eat until I have said what I have to say." He said, "Speak on."
34So he said, "I am Abraham 's servant.
35The Lord has greatly blessed my master, and he has become great. He has given him flocks and herds, silver and gold, male servants and female servants, camels and donkeys.
36And Sarah my master 's wife bore a son to my master when she was old, and to him he has given all that he has.
37My master made me swear, saying, ‘You shall not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I dwell,
38but you shall go to my father 's house and to my clan and take a wife for my son.’
39I said to my master, ‘Perhaps the woman will not follow me.’
40But he said to me, ‘The Lord, before whom I have walked, will send his angel with you and prosper your way. You shall take a wife for my son from my clan and from my father 's house.
41Then you will be free from my oath, when you come to my clan. And if they will not give her to you, you will be free from my oath.’
42"I came today to the spring and said, ‘O Lord, the God of my master Abraham, if now you are prospering the way that I go,
43behold, I am standing by the spring of water. Let the virgin who comes out to draw water, to whom I shall say, "Please give me a little water from your jar to drink,"
44and who will say to me, "Drink, and I will draw for your camels also," let her be the woman whom the Lord has appointed for my master 's son.’
45"Before I had finished speaking in my heart, behold, Rebekah came out with her water jar on her shoulder, and she went down to the spring and drew water. I said to her, ‘Please let me drink.’
46She quickly let down her jar from her shoulder and said, ‘Drink, and I will give your camels drink also.’ So I drank, and she gave the camels drink also.
47Then I asked her, ‘Whose daughter are you?’ She said, ‘The daughter of Bethuel, Nahor 's son, whom Milcah bore to him.’ So I put the ring on her nose and the bracelets on her arms.
48Then I bowed my head and worshiped the Lord and blessed the Lord, the God of my master Abraham, who had led me by the right way to take the daughter of my master 's kinsman for his son.
49Now then, if you are going to show steadfast love and faithfulness to my master, tell me; and if not, tell me, that I may turn to the right hand or to the left."
50Then Laban and Bethuel answered and said, "The thing has come from the Lord; we cannot speak to you bad or good.
51Behold, Rebekah is before you; take her and go, and let her be the wife of your master 's son, as the Lord has spoken."
52When Abraham 's servant heard their words, he bowed himself to the earth before the Lord.
53And the servant brought out jewelry of silver and of gold, and garments, and gave them to Rebekah. He also gave to her brother and to her mother costly ornaments.
54And he and the men who were with him ate and drank, and they spent the night there. When they arose in the morning, he said, "Send me away to my master."
55Her brother and her mother said, "Let the young woman remain with us a while, at least ten days; after that she may go."
56But he said to them, "Do not delay me, since the Lord has prospered my way. Send me away that I may go to my master."
57They said, "Let us call the young woman and ask her."
58And they called Rebekah and said to her, "Will you go with this man?" She said, "I will go."
59So they sent away Rebekah their sister and her nurse, and Abraham 's servant and his men.
60And they blessed Rebekah and said to her, "Our sister, may you become thousands of ten thousands, and may your offspring possess the gate of those who hate him!"
New International Version
Chapter 24
29Now Rebekah had a brother named Laban, and he hurried out to the man at the spring. 30As soon as he had seen the nose ring, and the bracelets on his sister’s arms, and had heard Rebekah tell what the man said to her, he went out to the man and found him standing by the camels near the spring. 31"Come, you who are blessed by the Lord," he said. "Why are you standing out here? I have prepared the house and a place for the camels."
34So he said, "I am Abraham’s servant.
35The Lord has blessed my master abundantly, and he has become wealthy. He has given him sheep and cattle, silver and gold, male and female servants, and camels and donkeys.
36My master’s wife Sarah has borne him a son in her old age, and he has given him everything he owns.
37And my master made me swear an oath, and said, ‘You must not get a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I live,
38but go to my father’s family and to my own clan, and get a wife for my son.’
40"He replied, ‘The Lord, before whom I have walked faithfully, will send his angel with you and make your journey a success, so that you can get a wife for my son from my own clan and from my father’s family.
41You will be released from my oath if, when you go to my clan, they refuse to give her to you—then you will be released from my oath.’
42"When I came to the spring today, I said, ‘Lord, God of my master Abraham, if you will, please grant success to the journey on which I have come.
43See, I am standing beside this spring. If a young woman comes out to draw water and I say to her, "Please let me drink a little water from your jar,"
44and if she says to me, "Drink, and I’ll draw water for your camels too," let her be the one the Lord has chosen for my master’s son.’
47"I asked her, ‘Whose daughter are you?’ "She said, ‘The daughter of Bethuel son of Nahor, whom Milkah bore to him.’ "Then I put the ring in her nose and the bracelets on her arms,
48and I bowed down and worshiped the Lord. I praised the Lord, the God of my master Abraham, who had led me on the right road to get the granddaughter of my master’s brother for his son.
49Now if you will show kindness and faithfulness to my master, tell me; and if not, tell me, so I may know which way to turn."
50Laban and Bethuel answered, "This is from the Lord; we can say nothing to you one way or the other.
51Here is Rebekah; take her and go, and let her become the wife of your master’s son, as the Lord has directed."
New King James Version
Chapter 24
29Now Rebekah had a brother whose name was Laban, and Laban ran out to the man by the well. 30So it came to pass, when he saw the nose ring, and the bracelets on his sister’s wrists, and when he heard the words of his sister Rebekah, saying, “Thus the man spoke to me,” that he went to the man. And there he stood by the camels at the well. 31And he said, “Come in, O blessed of the Lord! Why do you stand outside? For I have prepared the house, and a place for the camels.”
34So he said, “I am Abraham’s servant.
35The Lord has blessed my master greatly, and he has become great; and He has given him flocks and herds, silver and gold, male and female servants, and camels and donkeys.
36And Sarah my master’s wife bore a son to my master when she was old; and to him he has given all that he has.
37Now 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 dwell;
38but you shall go to my father’s house and to my family, and take a wife for my son.’
39And I said to my master, ‘Perhaps the woman will not follow me.’
40But he said to me, ‘The Lord, before whom I walk, will send His angel with you and prosper your way; and you shall take a wife for my son from my family and from my father’s house.
41You will be clear from this oath when you arrive among my family; for if they will not give her to you, then you will be released from my oath.’
42“And this day I came to the well and said, ‘O Lord God of my master Abraham, if You will now prosper the way in which I go,
43behold, I stand by the well of water; and it shall come to pass that when the virgin comes out to draw water, and I say to her, “Please give me a little water from your pitcher to drink,”
44and she says to me, “Drink, and I will draw for your camels also,”— let her be the woman whom the Lord has appointed for my master’s son.’
45“But before I had finished speaking in my heart, there was Rebekah, coming out with her pitcher on her shoulder; and she went down to the well and drew water. And I said to her, ‘Please let me drink.’
46And she made haste and let her pitcher down from her shoulder, and said, ‘Drink, and I will give your camels a drink also.’ So I drank, and she gave the camels a drink also.
47Then I asked her, and said, ‘Whose daughter are you?’ And she said, ‘The daughter of Bethuel, Nahor’s son, whom Milcah bore to him.’ So I put the nose ring on her nose and the bracelets on her wrists.
48And I bowed my head and worshiped the Lord, and blessed the Lord God of my master Abraham, who had led me in the way of truth to take the daughter of my master’s brother for his son.
49Now if you 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.”
50Then Laban and Bethuel answered and said, “The thing comes from the Lord; we cannot speak to you either bad or good.
51Here is Rebekah before you; take her and go, and let her be your master’s son’s wife, as the Lord has spoken.”
