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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1"><title>Genesis 24 CEV</title><link rel="stylesheet" href="/chapnew2.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="../spec.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="../cmenus/genesis/24.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="../topmenuchap/genesis/24-1.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="//biblehub.com">Bible</a> > <a href="../">CEV</a> > Genesis 24</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="../genesis/23.htm" title="Genesis 23">◄</a> Genesis 24 <a href="../genesis/25.htm" title="Genesis 25">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheading">Contemporary English Version</div><div class="chap"><h3 class="s1">A Wife for Isaac</h3><p class="par"><span class="v0_24_1"><span class="reftext" id="Gen.24.1" class="v0_24_1">1</span>Abraham was now a very old man. The <span class="nd">Lord</span> had made him rich, and he was successful in everything he did. </span><span class="v0_24_2"><span class="reftext" id="Gen.24.2" class="v0_24_2">2</span>One day, Abraham called in his most trusted servant and said to him, “Solemnly promise me </span><span class="v0_24_3"><span class="reftext" id="Gen.24.3" class="v0_24_3">3</span>in the name of the <span class="nd">Lord</span>, who rules heaven and earth, that you won't choose a wife for my son Isaac from the people here in the land of Canaan. </span><span class="v0_24_4"><span class="reftext" id="Gen.24.4" class="v0_24_4">4</span>Instead, go back to the land where I was born and find a wife for him from among my relatives.”</span></p><p class="par"><span class="v0_24_5"><span class="reftext" id="Gen.24.5" class="v0_24_5">5</span>But the servant asked, “What if the young woman I choose refuses to leave home and come here with me? Should I send Isaac there to look for a wife?”</span></p><p class="par"><span class="v0_24_6"><span class="reftext" id="Gen.24.6" class="v0_24_6">6</span>“No!” Abraham answered. “Don't ever do that, no matter what. </span><span class="v0_24_7"><span class="reftext" id="Gen.24.7" class="v0_24_7">7</span>The <span class="nd">Lord</span> who rules heaven brought me here from the land where I was born and promised that he would give this land to my descendants forever. When you go back there, the <span class="nd">Lord</span> will send his angel ahead of you to help you find a wife for my son. </span><span class="v0_24_8"><span class="reftext" id="Gen.24.8" class="v0_24_8">8</span>If the woman refuses to come along, you don't have to keep this promise. But don't ever take my son back there.” </span><span class="v0_24_9"><span class="reftext" id="Gen.24.9" class="v0_24_9">9</span>So the servant gave Abraham his word that he would do everything he had been told to do.</span></p><p class="par"><span class="v0_24_10"><span class="reftext" id="Gen.24.10" class="v0_24_10">10</span>Soon after that, the servant loaded ten of Abraham's camels with valuable gifts. Then he set out for the city in northern Syria,<a href="#fn" id="link_Gen.24.10!f.1" class="notelink f-link"><span>+</span></a> where Abraham's brother Nahor lived.</span></p><p class="par"><span class="v0_24_11"><span class="reftext" id="Gen.24.11" class="v0_24_11">11</span>When he got there, he let the camels rest near the well outside the city. It was late afternoon, the time when the women came out for water. </span><span class="v0_24_12"><span class="reftext" id="Gen.24.12" class="v0_24_12">12</span>The servant prayed:</span></p><p class="pi"><span class="v0_24_12">You, <span class="nd">Lord</span>, are the God my master Abraham worships. Please keep your promise to him and let me find a wife for Isaac today. </span><span class="v0_24_13"><span class="reftext" id="Gen.24.13" class="v0_24_13">13</span>The young women of the city will soon come to this well for water, </span><span class="v0_24_14"><span class="reftext" id="Gen.24.14" class="v0_24_14">14</span>and I'll ask one of them for a drink. If she gives me a drink and then offers to get some water for my camels, I'll know she is the one you have chosen and that you have kept your promise to my master.</span></p><p class="par"><span class="v0_24_15"><span class="reftext" id="Gen.24.15-Gen.24.16" class="v0_24_15">15-16</span>While he was still praying, a beautiful unmarried young woman came by with a water jar on her shoulder. She was Rebekah, the daughter of Bethuel, the son of Abraham's brother Nahor and his wife Milcah. Rebekah walked past Abraham's servant, then went over to the well, and filled her water jar. When she started back, </span><span class="v0_24_17"><span class="reftext" id="Gen.24.17" class="v0_24_17">17</span>Abraham's servant ran to her and said, “Please let me have a drink of water.”</span></p><p class="par"><span class="v0_24_18"><span class="reftext" id="Gen.24.18" class="v0_24_18">18</span>“I'll be glad to,” she answered. Then she quickly took the jar from her shoulder and held it while he drank. </span><span class="v0_24_19"><span class="reftext" id="Gen.24.19-Gen.24.20" class="v0_24_19">19-20</span>After he had finished, she said, “Now I'll give your camels all the water they want.” She quickly poured out water for them, and she kept going back for more, until his camels had drunk all they wanted. </span><span class="v0_24_21"><span class="reftext" id="Gen.24.21" class="v0_24_21">21</span>Abraham's servant did not say a word, but he watched everything Rebekah did, because he wanted to know for certain if this was the woman the <span class="nd">Lord</span> had chosen.</span></p><p class="par"><span class="v0_24_22"><span class="reftext" id="Gen.24.22" class="v0_24_22">22</span>The servant had brought along an expensive gold ring and two large gold bracelets. When Rebekah had finished bringing the water, he gave her the ring for her nose<a href="#fn" id="link_Gen.24.22!f.1" class="notelink f-link"><span>+</span></a> and the bracelets for her arms. </span><span class="v0_24_23"><span class="reftext" id="Gen.24.23" class="v0_24_23">23</span>Then he said, “Please tell me who your father is. Does he have room in his house for me and my men to spend the night?”</span></p><p class="par"><span class="v0_24_24"><span class="reftext" id="Gen.24.24" class="v0_24_24">24</span>She answered, “My father is Bethuel, the son of Nahor and Milcah. </span><span class="v0_24_25"><span class="reftext" id="Gen.24.25" class="v0_24_25">25</span>We have a place where you and your men can stay, and we also have enough straw and feed for your camels.”</span></p><p class="par"><span class="v0_24_26"><span class="reftext" id="Gen.24.26" class="v0_24_26">26</span>Then the servant bowed his head and prayed, </span><span class="v0_24_27"><span class="reftext" id="Gen.24.27" class="v0_24_27">27</span>“I thank you, <span class="nd">Lord</span> God of my master Abraham! You have led me to his relatives and kept your promise to him.”</span></p><p class="par"><span class="v0_24_28"><span class="reftext" id="Gen.24.28" class="v0_24_28">28</span>Rebekah ran straight home and told her family everything. </span><span class="v0_24_29"><span class="reftext" id="Gen.24.29-Gen.24.30" class="v0_24_29">29-30</span>Her brother Laban heard her tell what the servant had said, and he saw the ring and the bracelets she was wearing. So Laban ran out to Abraham's servant, who was standing by his camels at the well. </span><span class="v0_24_31"><span class="reftext" id="Gen.24.31" class="v0_24_31">31</span>Then Laban said, “The <span class="nd">Lord</span> has brought you safely here. Come home with me. There's no need for you to keep on standing outside. I have a room ready for you in our house, and there's also a place for your camels.”</span></p><p class="par"><span class="v0_24_32"><span class="reftext" id="Gen.24.32" class="v0_24_32">32</span>Abraham's servant went home with Laban, where Laban's servants unloaded his camels and gave them straw and feed. Then they brought water into the house, so Abraham's servant and his men could wash their feet. </span><span class="v0_24_33"><span class="reftext" id="Gen.24.33" class="v0_24_33">33</span>After that, they brought in food. But the servant said, “Before I eat, I must tell you why I have come.”</span></p><p class="par"><span class="v0_24_33">“Go ahead and tell us,” Laban answered.</span></p><p class="par"><span class="v0_24_34"><span class="reftext" id="Gen.24.34" class="v0_24_34">34</span>The servant explained:</span></p><p class="pi"><span class="v0_24_34">I am Abraham's servant. </span><span class="v0_24_35"><span class="reftext" id="Gen.24.35" class="v0_24_35">35</span>The <span class="nd">Lord</span> has been good to my master and has made him very rich. He has given him many sheep, goats, cattle, camels, and donkeys, as well as a lot of silver and gold, and many slaves. </span><span class="v0_24_36"><span class="reftext" id="Gen.24.36" class="v0_24_36">36</span>Sarah, my master's wife, didn't have any children until she was very old. Then she had a son, and my master has given him everything. </span><span class="v0_24_37"><span class="reftext" id="Gen.24.37" class="v0_24_37">37</span>I solemnly promised my master that I would do what he said. And he told me, “Don't choose a wife for my son from the women in this land of Canaan. </span><span class="v0_24_38"><span class="reftext" id="Gen.24.38" class="v0_24_38">38</span>Instead, go back to the land where I was born and find a wife for my son from among my relatives.”</span></p><p class="pi"><span class="v0_24_39"><span class="reftext" id="Gen.24.39" class="v0_24_39">39</span>I asked my master, “What if the young woman refuses to come with me?”</span></p><p class="pi"><span class="v0_24_40"><span class="reftext" id="Gen.24.40" class="v0_24_40">40</span>My master answered, “I have always obeyed the <span class="nd">Lord</span>, and he will send his angel to help you find my son a wife from among my own relatives. </span><span class="v0_24_41"><span class="reftext" id="Gen.24.41" class="v0_24_41">41</span>But if they refuse to let her come back with you, then you are freed from your promise.”</span></p><p class="pi"><span class="v0_24_42"><span class="reftext" id="Gen.24.42" class="v0_24_42">42</span>When I came to the well today, I silently prayed, “You, <span class="nd">Lord</span>, are the God my master Abraham worships, so please lead me to a wife for his son </span><span class="v0_24_43"><span class="reftext" id="Gen.24.43" class="v0_24_43">43</span>while I am here at the well. When a young woman comes out to get water, I'll ask her to give me a drink. </span><span class="v0_24_44"><span class="reftext" id="Gen.24.44" class="v0_24_44">44</span>If she gives me a drink and offers to get some water for my camels, I'll know she is the one you have chosen.”</span></p><p class="pi"><span class="v0_24_45"><span class="reftext" id="Gen.24.45" class="v0_24_45">45</span>Even before I had finished praying, Rebekah came by with a water jar on her shoulder. When she had filled the jar, I asked her for a drink. </span><span class="v0_24_46"><span class="reftext" id="Gen.24.46" class="v0_24_46">46</span>She quickly lowered the jar from her shoulder and said, “Have a drink. Then I'll get water for your camels.” So I drank, and after that she got some water for my camels. </span><span class="v0_24_47"><span class="reftext" id="Gen.24.47" class="v0_24_47">47</span>I asked her who her father was, and she answered, “My father is Bethuel the son of Nahor and Milcah.” At once I put the ring in her nose and the bracelets on her arms. </span><span class="v0_24_48"><span class="reftext" id="Gen.24.48" class="v0_24_48">48</span>Then I bowed my head and gave thanks to the God my master Abraham worships. The <span class="nd">Lord</span> had led me straight to my master's relatives, and I had found a wife for his son.</span></p><p class="pi"><span class="v0_24_49"><span class="reftext" id="Gen.24.49" class="v0_24_49">49</span>Now please tell me if you are willing to do the right thing for my master. Will you treat him fairly, or do I have to look for another young woman?</span></p><p class="par"><span class="v0_24_50"><span class="reftext" id="Gen.24.50" class="v0_24_50">50</span>Laban and Bethuel answered, “The <span class="nd">Lord</span> has done this. We have no choice in the matter. </span><span class="v0_24_51"><span class="reftext" id="Gen.24.51" class="v0_24_51">51</span>Take Rebekah with you; she can marry your master's son, just as the <span class="nd">Lord</span> has said.” </span><span class="v0_24_52"><span class="reftext" id="Gen.24.52" class="v0_24_52">52</span>Abraham's servant bowed down and thanked the <span class="nd">Lord</span>. </span><span class="v0_24_53"><span class="reftext" id="Gen.24.53" class="v0_24_53">53</span>Then he gave clothing, as well as silver and gold jewelry, to Rebekah. He also gave expensive gifts to her brother and her mother.</span></p><p class="par"><span class="v0_24_54"><span class="reftext" id="Gen.24.54" class="v0_24_54">54</span>Abraham's servant and the men with him ate and drank, then spent the night there. The next morning they got up, and the servant told Rebekah's mother and brother, “I would like to go back to my master now.”</span></p><p class="par"><span class="v0_24_55"><span class="reftext" id="Gen.24.55" class="v0_24_55">55</span>“Let Rebekah stay with us for a week or ten days,” they answered. “Then she may go.”</span></p><p class="par"><span class="v0_24_56"><span class="reftext" id="Gen.24.56" class="v0_24_56">56</span>But he said, “Don't make me stay any longer. The <span class="nd">Lord</span> has already helped me find a wife for my master's son. Now let us return.”</span></p><p class="par"><span class="v0_24_57"><span class="reftext" id="Gen.24.57" class="v0_24_57">57</span>They answered, “Let's ask Rebekah what she wants to do.” </span><span class="v0_24_58"><span class="reftext" id="Gen.24.58" class="v0_24_58">58</span>They called her and asked, “Are you willing to leave with this man at once?”</span></p><p class="par"><span class="v0_24_58">“Yes,” she answered.</span></p><p class="par"><span class="v0_24_59"><span class="reftext" id="Gen.24.59" class="v0_24_59">59</span>So they agreed to let Rebekah and an old family servant woman<a href="#fn" id="link_Gen.24.59!f.1" class="notelink f-link"><span>+</span></a> leave immediately with Abraham's servant and his men. </span><span class="v0_24_60"><span class="reftext" id="Gen.24.60" class="v0_24_60">60</span>They gave Rebekah their blessing and said, “We pray that God will give you many children and grandchildren and that he will help them defeat their enemies.” </span><span class="v0_24_61"><span class="reftext" id="Gen.24.61" class="v0_24_61">61</span>Afterwards, Rebekah and the young women who were to travel with her prepared to leave. Then they got on camels and left with Abraham's servant and his men.</span></p><p class="par"><span class="v0_24_62"><span class="reftext" id="Gen.24.62" class="v0_24_62">62</span>At that time Isaac was living in the southern part of Canaan near a place called “The Well of the Living One Who Sees Me.”<a href="#fn" id="link_Gen.24.62!f.1" class="notelink f-link"><span>+</span></a> </span><span class="v0_24_63"><span class="reftext" id="Gen.24.63-Gen.24.65" class="v0_24_63">63-65</span>One evening he was walking<a href="#Gen.24.63-Gen.24.65!f.1" id="link_Gen.24.63-Gen.24.65!f.1" class="notelink f-link"><span>+</span></a> out in the fields, when suddenly he saw a group of people approaching on camels. So he started toward them. Rebekah saw him coming; she got down from her camel, and asked, “Who is that man?”</span></p><p class="par"><span class="v0_24_63">“He is my master Isaac,” the servant answered. Then Rebekah covered her face with her veil.<a href="#Gen.24.63-Gen.24.65!f.2" id="link_Gen.24.63-Gen.24.65!f.2" class="notelink f-link"><span>+</span></a> </span></p><p class="par"><span class="v0_24_66"><span class="reftext" id="Gen.24.66" class="v0_24_66">66</span>The servant told Isaac everything that had happened.</span></p><p class="par"><span class="v0_24_67"><span class="reftext" id="Gen.24.67" class="v0_24_67">67</span>Isaac took Rebekah into the tent<a href="#fn" id="link_Gen.24.67!f.1" class="notelink f-link"><span>+</span></a> where his mother had lived before she died, and Rebekah became his wife. He loved her and was comforted over the loss of his mother.</span></p></div> </div> <a name="fn"></a><br /><br /><br /><b>Footnotes:<br /><br /><note caller="+" style="f"><char style="fr" closed="false">24.10 </char><char style="fq" closed="false">northern Syria: </char><char style="ft" closed="false">The Hebrew text has “Aram-Naharaim,” probably referring to the land around the city of Haran (see also 25.20; 28.2,6; 31.18,20; 33.18; 35.23-26; 46.8-15 where CEV translates “Paddan-Aram” as “northern Syria”; and 48.7 where CEV translates “Paddan” as “northern Syria”).</char></note><br /><note caller="+" style="f"><char style="fr" closed="false">24.22 </char><char style="fq" closed="false">ring for her nose: </char><char style="ft" closed="false">Nose-rings were popular jewelry items, as were earrings.</char></note><br /><note caller="+" style="f"><char style="fr" closed="false">24.59 </char><char style="fq" closed="false">old family servant woman: </char><char style="ft" closed="false">Probably Deborah, who had taken care of Rebekah from the time she was born (see 35.8).</char></note><br /><note caller="+" style="f"><char style="fr" closed="false">24.62 </char><char style="fq" closed="false">Who Sees Me: </char><char style="ft" closed="false">Or “I Have Seen.”</char></note><br /><note caller="+" style="f"><char style="fr" closed="false">24.63-65 </char><char style="fq" closed="false">walking: </char><char style="ft" closed="false">One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.</char></note><br /><note caller="+" style="f"><char style="fr" closed="false">24.63-65 </char><char style="fq" closed="false">covered … veil: </char><char style="ft" closed="false">Since the veiling of a bride was part of the wedding ceremony, this probably means that she was willing to become the wife of Isaac.</char></note><br /><note caller="+" style="f"><char style="fr" closed="false">24.67 </char><char style="fq" closed="false">took … tent: </char><char style="ft" closed="false">This shows that Rebekah is now the wife of Isaac and the successor of Sarah as the leading woman in the tribe.</char></note></div></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div align="center"><p><span style="font-size:11pt;">Contemporary English Version, Second Edition (CEV®)</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt;">© 2006 American Bible Society. 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