Page:JPS-1917-Universal.djvu/49

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
GENESIS
24.44

hastened, and emptied her pitcher into the trough, and ran again unto the well to draw, and drew for all his camels. 21And the man looked stedfastly on her; holding his peace, to know whether the Lord had made his journey prosperous or not. 22And 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; 23and said: 'Whose daughter art thou? tell me, I pray thee. Is there room in thy father's house for us to lodge in?' 24And she said unto him: 'I am the daughter of Bethuel the son of Milcah, whom she bore unto Nahor.' 25She said moreover unto him: 'We have both straw and provender enough, and room to lodge in.' 26And the man bowed his head, and prostrated himself before the Lord. 27And 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.' 28And the damsel ran, and told her mother's house according to these words. 29And Rebekah had a brother, and his name was Laban; and Laban ran out unto the man, unto the fountain. 30And 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 spoke the man unto me, 'that he came unto the man; and, behold, he stood by the camels at the fountain. 31And he said: 'Come in, thou blessed of the Lord; wherefore standest thou without? for I have cleared the house, and made room for the camels.' 32And 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 feet of the men that were with him. 33And there was set food 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 men-servants and maid-servants, and camels and asses. 36And Sarah my master's wife bore 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 for 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 for 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 my oath, when thou comest to my kindred; and if they give her not to thee, thou shalt be clear from my oath. 42And 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: 43behold, I stand by the fountain of water; and let it come to pass, that the maiden that cometh forth to draw, to whom I shall say: Give me, I pray thee, a little water from thy pitcher to drink; 44and 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 appoint-

27