Abraham: The Covenant

But when a meal was set before him, he said, "I won't eat until I say what I have to say." Lavan said, "Speak."

He said, "I am Avraham's servant.

ADONAI has greatly blessed my master, so that he has grown wealthy. He has given him flocks and herds, silver and gold, male and female slaves, camels and donkeys.

Sarah my master's wife bore my master a son when she was old, and he has given him everything he has.

My master made me swear, saying, 'You are not to choose a wife for my son from among the women of the Kena'ani, among whom I am living;

rather, you are to go to my father's house, to my kinsmen, to choose a wife for my son.'

I said to my master, 'Suppose the woman isn't willing to follow me.'

Avraham answered me, 'ADONAI, in whose presence I live, will send his angel with you to make your trip successful; and you are to pick a wife for my son from my kinsmen in my father's house;

this will release you from your obligation under my oath. But if, when you come to my kinsmen, they refuse to give her to you, this too will release you from my oath.'

"So today, I came to the spring and said, 'ADONAI, God of my master Avraham, if you are causing my trip to succeed in its purpose,

then, here I am, standing by the spring. I will say to one of the girls coming out to draw water, "Let me have a sip of water from your jug."

If she answers, "Yes, drink; and I will water your camels as well," then let her be the woman you intend for my master's son.'

And even before I had finished speaking to my heart, there came Rivkah, going out with her jug on her shoulder; she went down to the spring and drew water. When I said to her, 'Please let me have a drink,'

she immediately lowered the jug from her shoulder and said, 'Drink, and I will water your camels as well.'So I drank, and she had the camels drink too.

"I asked her, 'Whose daughter are you?' and she answered, 'The daughter of B'tu'el son of Nachor, whom Milkah bore to him.'Then I put the ring on her nose and the bracelets on her wrists,

bowed my head, prostrated myself before ADONAI and blessed ADONAI, God of my master Avraham, for having led me in the right way to obtain my master's brother's [grand]daughter for his son.

"So now if you people intend to show grace and truth to my master, tell me. But if not, tell me, so that I can turn elsewhere."

Lavan and B'tu'el replied, "Since this comes from ADONAI, we can't say anything to you either bad or good.

Rivkah is here in front of you; take her and go. Let her be your master's son's wife, as ADONAI has said."

When Avraham's servant heard what they said, he prostrated himself on the ground to ADONAI.

Then the servant brought out silver and gold jewelry, together with clothing, and gave them to Rivkah. He also gave valuable gifts to her brother and mother.

He and his men then ate and drank and stayed the night. In the morning they got up; and he said, "Send me off to my master."

Her brother and mother said, "Let the girl stay with us a few days, at least ten. After that, she will go."

He answered them, "Don't delay me, since ADONAI has made my trip successful, but let me go back to my master."

They said, "We will call the girl and see what she says."