Genesis 24:29-61

29Rebekah had a brother. His name was Laban.

30Laban saw the nose ring and the arm rings that Rebekah was wearing. Rebekah told him what the man had said to her. So Laban went out quickly to the well to meet the servant. He found him standing near the well, together with his camels.

31Laban said to him, ‘The Lord has blessed you! You should not continue to stand out here. Come with me. I have prepared a room for you in my house. There is also a place for your camels.’

32So Abraham's servant went with Laban to the house. They took the luggage off the camels. Someone brought grass and food for the camels. They also brought water so that Abraham's servant and his men could wash their feet.

33They prepared food for the servant but he said, ‘I will not eat yet. First I must tell you why I have come here.’ Laban said, ‘Please tell us.’

34So the servant said, ‘I am Abraham's servant.

35The Lord has blessed my master very much, so that he has become very rich. The Lord has given him sheep and cows, and silver and gold. He has also given him male servants and female servants, camels and donkeys.

36Sarah is my master's wife. She has given birth to a son for him, even when she was very old. My master has given his son everything that belongs to him.

37My master told me to make a serious promise to him. He said, “I live as a stranger among the Canaanite people. But you must not get a Canaanite woman to be a wife for my son.

38Instead, go to the land where my father lived and find a wife for my son from among my family there.”

39So I asked my master, “What should I do if the woman will not return with me?”

40My master said “I have lived to please the Lord. He will send his angel to go with you. You will find a wife for my son, because the Lord will help you. You will find a wife for him from among my own family.

41Go to the place where my family group live. If they refuse to let you take her, you will no longer have to keep your promise to me.”

42I arrived at the town well today. I prayed, “Lord, God of my master Abraham, please help me to find a wife for my master's son. This is why I have travelled here.

43See, I am standing here near this well. If a young woman comes to get water, I will say to her, ‘Please let me drink some water from your pot.’

44If she is the woman that the Lord has chosen to marry my master's son, please may she say to me, ‘Yes, drink. Then I will also get some water for your camels to drink.’ ”

45While I was still praying quietly, Rebekah came to the well. She carried her pot on her shoulder. She went down to the well, and got some water. Then I said to her “Please give me some water to drink.”

46She quickly took her pot down from her shoulder. She said, “Drink. Then I will get water for your camels too.” So I drank. And she also gave water to the camels.

47I asked her, “Whose daughter are you?” She said, “I am the daughter of Bethuel. Nahor is his father and Milcah is his mother.” When I heard that, I put the ring in her nose. I put the rings on her arms.

48I turned my face towards the ground and I worshipped the Lord. I praised the Lord, the God of my master, Abraham. The Lord led me to the right place so that I met the granddaughter of my master's brother. The Lord has led me to her, for my master's son.

49So tell me what you will say. If you will show true love to my master, then please say, “Yes.” But if not, then tell me. Then I will know what to do.’

50Laban and Bethuel replied, ‘We know that the Lord has caused all this to happen. So what we ourselves say is not important.

51Here is Rebekah. Take her with you to become the wife of your master's son. That is what the Lord has shown to be right.’

52When Abraham's servant heard their answer, he turned his face towards the ground to thank the Lord.

53He brought his master's gifts to give them to Rebekah. They were valuable things made from gold and silver, as well as beautiful clothes. He also gave valuable things to her brother and to her mother.

54After that, the servant ate a meal. The men who were with him also ate and drank. They stayed there for the night. When they woke up the next morning, the servant said, ‘Let me leave now so that I can go back to my master.’

55Rebekah's brother and her mother replied, ‘Please let Rebekah stay with us for a few more days. After about ten days, she can go with you.’

56But the servant said, ‘Do not make me stay longer. The Lord has given me what I came here for. Let me leave now so that I can go back to my master.’

57Rebekah's brother and mother said, ‘Let us call the girl. We can ask her what she wants to do.’

58So they called Rebekah to come. They asked her, ‘Will you go with this man now?’ Rebekah said, ‘Yes, I will go.’

59So they agreed to let their sister Rebekah go. Her nurse went with her. They left there with Abraham's servant, and his men.

60As Rebekah was leaving, her brother and her mother blessed her. They said, ‘Our sister, may you become the mother of millions of descendants. May your descendants win against their enemies, and may they go into their enemies' cities.’

61Then Rebekah and her female servants left there, together with Abraham's servant. They took camels to ride on. That was how the servant took Rebekah and left.