The Servant States His Mission

29

Rebekah had a brother, and his name was Laban. Laban ran out to the man, to the spring.

30

When he saw the ring, and the bracelets on his sister’s hands, and when he heard the words of Rebekah 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

He said, “Come in, you blessed of the LORD. Why do you stand outside? For I have prepared the house, and room for the camels.”

32

The man came into the house, and he unloaded the camels. He gave straw and provender for the camels, and water to wash his feet and the feet of the men who were with him.

33

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

He said, “I am Abraham’s servant.

35

The LORD 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

Sarah, my master’s wife, bore a son to my master when she was old. He has given all that he has to him.

37

My master made me swear, saying, ‘You shall not take a wife for my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I live,

38

but you shall go to my father’s house, and to my relatives, and take a wife for my son.’

39

I asked my master, ‘What if the woman will not follow me?’

40

He said to me, ‘The LORD, before whom I walk, will send his angel with you, and prosper your way. You shall take a wife for my son of my relatives, and of my father’s house.

41

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

I came this day to the spring, and said, ‘The LORD, the God of my master Abraham, if now you do prosper my way which I go—

43

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

and she will tell me, “Drink, and I will also draw for your camels,”—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 pitcher on her shoulder. She went down to the spring, and drew. I said to her, ‘Please let me drink.’

46

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

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

I bowed my head, and worshiped the LORD, and blessed the LORD, the God of my master Abraham, who had led me in the right way to take my master’s brother’s daughter for his son.

49

Now if you will deal kindly and truly with my master, tell me. If not, tell me, that I may turn to the right hand, or to the left.”

50

Then Laban and Bethuel answered, “The thing proceeds from the LORD. We can’t speak to you bad or good.

51

Behold, Rebekah is before you. Take her, and go, and let her be your master’s son’s wife, as the LORD has spoken.”

52

When Abraham’s servant heard their words, he bowed himself down to the earth to the LORD.

53

The servant brought out jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and clothing, and gave them to Rebekah. He also gave precious things to her brother and her mother.

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