Genesis
Chapter24
1Abrahamhadnowreachedaripeoldage,andtheLORDhadblessedhimineveryway.
亚巴郎年纪已老，上主在一切事上常降福他。
21Abrahamsaidtotheseniorservantofhishousehold,whohadchargeofallhispossessions:＂Putyourhandundermythigh,
亚巴郎对管理他所有家产的老仆人说：＂请你将手放在我的胯下，
3andIwillmakeyouswearbytheLORD,theGodofheavenandtheGodofearth,thatyouwillnotprocureawifeformysonfromthedaughtersoftheCanaanitesamongwhomIlive,
要你指着上主、天地的天主起誓：你决不要为我的儿子，由我现住的客纳罕人中，娶一个女子为妻；
4butthatyouwillgotomyownlandandtomykindredtogetawifeformysonIsaac.＂
却要到我的故乡，我的亲族中去，为我的儿子依撒格娶妻。＂
5Theservantaskedhim:＂Whatifthewomanisunwillingtofollowmetothisland?ShouldIthentakeyoursonbacktothelandfromwhichyoumigrated?＂
仆人对他说：＂假使那女子不愿跟我到此地来，我能否带你的儿子回到你的本乡？＂
6＂Nevertakemysonbackthereforanyreason,＂Abrahamtoldhim.
亚巴郎答复他说：＂你切不可带我的儿子回到那里去。
7＂TheLORD,theGodofheaven,whotookmefrommyfather'shouseandthelandofmykin,andwhoconfirmedbyoaththepromisehethenmadetome,'Iwillgivethislandtoyourdescendants'——hewillsendhismessengerbeforeyou,andyouwillobtainawifeformysonthere.
那引我出离父家和我生身地，同我谈过话，对我起誓说＂我必将这地赐给你后裔＂的上主，上天的天主，必派遣自己的使者作你的前导，领你由那里给我儿子娶个妻子。
8Ifthewomanisunwillingtofollowyou,youwillbereleasedfromthisoath.Butnevertakemysonbackthere!＂
假若那女子不愿跟你来，你对我起的誓，就与你无涉；无论如何，你不能带我的儿子回到那里去。＂
9SotheservantputhishandunderthethighofhismasterAbrahamandsworetohiminthisundertaking.
仆人遂将手放在主人亚巴郎的胯下，为这事向他起了誓。
102Theservantthentooktenofhismaster'scamels,andbearingallkindsofgiftsfromhismaster,hemadehiswaytothecityofNahorinAramNaharaim.
仆人就由他主人的骆驼中，牵了十匹骆驼，带着主人的各样宝物，起身往美索不达米亚的纳曷尔城去了。
11Nearevening,atthetimewhenwomengoouttodrawwater,hemadethecamelskneelbythewelloutsidethecity.
傍晚，女人们出来打水的时候，他叫骆驼卧在城外的水井旁，
123Thenheprayed:＂LORD,GodofmymasterAbraham,letitturnoutfavorablyformetodayandthusdealgraciouslywithmymasterAbraham.
然后说：＂上主、我主人亚巴郎的天主！求你对我主人亚巴郎施行仁慈，今日使我幸运。
13WhileIstandhereatthespringandthedaughtersofthetownsmenarecomingouttodrawwater,
看我站在水泉旁，此时城中的女子正出来打水。
14ifIsaytoagirl,'Pleaseloweryourjug,thatImaydrink,'andsheanswers,'Takeadrink,andletmegivewatertoyourcamels,too,'letherbetheonewhomyouhavedecideduponforyourservantIsaac.InthiswayIshallknowthatyouhavedealtgraciouslywithmymaster.＂
我对那个少女说：请你放下水罐，让我喝点水。如果她答说：请喝！并且我还要打水给你的骆驼喝，她即是你为你的仆人依撒格预定的少女；由此我知道，你对我主人施行了仁慈。＂
15HehadscarcelyfinishedthesewordswhenRebekah(whowasborntoBethuel,sonofMilcah,thewifeofAbraham'sbrotherNahor)cameoutwithajugonhershoulder.
话还没有说完，黎贝加就肩着水罐出来了。她是亚巴郎的兄弟纳曷尔的妻子米耳加的儿子贝突耳的女儿。
16Thegirlwasverybeautiful,avirgin,untouchedbyman.Shewentdowntothespringandfilledherjug.Asshecameup,
这少女容貌很美，是个还没有人认识的处女。她下到水泉，灌满了水罐，就上来了。
17theservantrantowardherandsaid,＂Pleasegivemeasipofwaterfromyourjug.＂
仆人就跑上前去迎着她说：＂请让我喝点你水罐里的水，好吗！＂
18＂Takeadrink,sir,＂shereplied,andquicklyloweringthejugontoherhand,shegavehimadrink.
她回答说：＂先生！请喝！＂她急忙将水罐放低，托在手上让他喝。
19Whenshehadlethimdrinkhisfill,shesaid,＂Iwilldrawwaterforyourcamels,too,untiltheyhavedrunktheirfill.＂
他喝足了以后，少女说：＂我再为你的骆驼打水，叫它们也喝足。＂
20Withthat,shequicklyemptiedherjugintothedrinkingtroughandranbacktothewelltodrawmorewater,untilshehaddrawnenoughforallthecamels.
遂急忙将罐里的水倒在槽里，再跑到那井里去打水，打给他的骆驼喝。
21Themanwatchedherthewholetime,silentlywaitingtolearnwhetherornottheLORDhadmadehiserrandsuccessful.
仆人在旁静静地注视她，急愿知道，是否上主已使他此行成功。
22Whenthecamelshadfinisheddrinking,themantookoutagoldringweighinghalfashekel,whichhefastenedonhernose,andtwogoldbraceletsweighingtenshekels,whichheputonherwrists.
骆驼喝完了水以后，老人就拿出一个半＂协刻耳＂重的金鼻环，和一对重十＂协刻耳＂的金手镯，给她戴上，
23Thenheaskedher:＂Whosedaughterareyou?Tellme,please.Andisthereroominyourfather'shouseforustospendthenight?＂
然后说：＂请你告诉我你是谁的女儿？你父亲家里，有没有地方可让我们过宿？＂
24Sheanswered:＂IamthedaughterofBethuelthesonofMilcah,whomsheboretoNahor.
她回答说：＂我是米耳加给纳曷尔所生之子贝突耳的女儿。＂
25Thereisplentyofstrawandfodderatourplace,＂sheadded,＂androomtospendthenight.＂
她又继续说：＂我们家里有很多草料和饲粮，而且还有地方可供过宿。＂
26ThemanthenboweddowninworshiptotheLORD,
老人就俯身朝拜了上主，说：＂
27saying:＂BlessedbetheLORD,theGodofmymasterAbraham,whohasnotlethisconstantkindnesstowardmymasterfail.Asformyselfalso,theLORDhasledmestraighttothehouseofmymaster'sbrother.＂
上主，我主人亚巴郎的天主应受赞美！因为他不断以仁慈和忠信善待了我的主人。上主也一路引我来到了我主人的老家。＂
28Thenthegirlranoffandtoldhermother'shouseholdaboutit.
那少女跑回去，将这一切事告诉了她母亲家中的人。
29NowRebekahhadabrothernamedLaban.
黎贝加有个哥哥名叫拉班
30AssoonashesawtheringandthebraceletsonhissisterRebekahandheardherwordsaboutwhatthemanhadsaidtoher,Labanrushedoutsidetothemanatthespring.Whenhereachedhim,hewasstillstandingbythecamelsatthespring.
他一看见他妹妹鼻上的金环，和手腕上的金镯，听见他妹妹黎贝加说：＂那人如此如此对我说。＂
31Sohesaidtohim:＂Come,blessedoftheLORD!WhyareyoustayingoutsidewhenIhavemadethehousereadyforyou,aswellasaplaceforthecamels?＂
拉班就跑去见那在郊外水泉旁的人，迨他来到那人那里，见他仍站在靠近水泉的骆驼旁，就对他说：＂你这受上主降福的人，请来我已预备好了房屋和喂骆驼的地方；你为什么还站在郊外？＂
32Themanthenwentinside;andwhilethecamelswerebeingunloadedandprovidedwithstrawandfodder,waterwasbroughttobathehisfeetandthefeetofthemenwhowerewithhim.
拉班便将那人领进家去，卸了骆驼，喂上草料和饲粮；又拿水给他和与他同来的人洗脚，
33Butwhenthetablewassetforhim,hesaid,＂IwillnoteatuntilIhavetoldmytale.＂＂Doso,＂theyreplied.
然后在他面前摆上饭，但仆人却说：＂在我未说明我的来意之前，我不吃饭。＂拉班说：＂你说罢！＂
34＂IamAbraham'sservant,＂hebegan.
他说：＂我是亚巴郎的仆人，
35＂TheLORDhasblessedmymastersoabundantlythathehasbecomeawealthyman;hehasgivenhimflocksandherds,silverandgold,maleandfemaleslaves,andcamelsandasses.
上主厚厚地降福了我的主人，使他十分富有，赐了他羊群、牛群、金银、仆婢、骆驼和驴子。
36Mymaster'swifeSarahboreasontomymasterinheroldage,andhehasgivenhimeverythingheowns.
我主人的妻子撒辣，在老年给我主人生了一个儿子，主人遂将所有的财产都给了他。
37Mymasterputmeunderoath,saying:'YoushallnotprocureawifeformysonamongthedaughtersoftheCanaanitesinwhoselandIlive;
我主人叫我起誓说：你决不要给我的儿子，由我现居地的客纳罕人中，娶一个女子为妻。
38instead,youshallgotomyfather'shouse,tomyownrelatives,togetawifeformyson.'
你该到我的父家和我的同族中，为我儿子娶妻。
39WhenIaskedmymaster,'Whatifthewomanwillnotfollowme?,'
我对我主人说：假使女儿不愿跟我来怎麽办？
40hereplied:'TheLORD,inwhosepresenceIhavealwayswalked,willsendhismessengerwithyouandmakeyourerrandsuccessful,andsoyouwillgetawifeformysonfrommyownkindredofmyfather'shouse.
他回答我说：我一向在上主面前行走，他必派遣自己的使者与你同行，使你此行必成功，能由我的同族，我的父家，为我儿子娶妻。
41Thenyoushallbereleasedfrommyban.Ifyouvisitmykindredandtheyrefuseyou,then,too,youshallbereleasedfrommyban.'
只要你去了我同族那里，你就履行了对我起的誓；若是他们不给你，你对我起的誓，就与你无涉。
42＂WhenIcametothespringtoday,Iprayed:'LORD,GodofmymasterAbraham,mayitbeyourwilltomakesuccessfultheerrandIamengagedon!
今天我到了水泉那里就说：上主，我主人亚巴郎的天主！惟愿你使我此行成功。
43WhileIstandhereatthespring,ifIsaytoayoungwomanwhocomesouttodrawwater,Pleasegivemealittlewaterfromyourjug,
看我现在站在泉旁，我对那个出来打水的少女说：请你让我喝点你水罐里的水罢！
44andsheanswers,Notonlymayyouhaveadrink,butIwillgivewatertoyourcamels,too——letherbethewomanwhomtheLORDhasdecideduponformymaster'sson.'
如果她对我说：请喝，并且我还要打水给你的骆驼喝，她即是上主为我主人的儿子预定的妻子。
45＂IhadscarcelyfinishedsayingthisprayertomyselfwhenRebekahcameoutwithajugonhershoulder.Aftershewentdowntothespringanddrewwater,Isaidtoher,'Pleaseletmehaveadrink.'
我心里尚未说完这话，看，黎贝加肩着水罐来了，下到水泉那里打水，我就对她说：请给我一点水喝！
46Shequicklyloweredthejugshewascarryingandsaid,'Takeadrink,andletmebringwaterforyourcamels,too.'SoIdrank,andshewateredthecamelsalso.
她急忙从肩上放下水罐说：你喝，并且我还要打水给你的骆驼喝。我喝了，同时她也给了骆驼水喝。
47WhenIaskedher,‘Whosedaughterareyou?'sheanswered,‘ThedaughterofBethuel,sonofNahor,bornetoNahorbyMilcah.'SoIputtheringonhernoseandthebraceletsonherwrists.
我于是问她说：你是谁的女儿？她答说：我是米耳加给纳曷尔生的儿子贝突耳的女儿。我就将鼻环戴在她鼻上，将手镯带在她手腕上。
48ThenIboweddowninworshiptotheLORD,blessingtheLORD,theGodofmymasterAbraham,whohadledmeontherightroadtoobtainthedaughterofmymaster'skinsmanforhisson.
然后我俯身朝拜了上主，赞颂了上主、我主人亚巴郎的天主，因为他引我走了正路，为我主人的儿子娶了我主人兄弟的孙女。
49If,therefore,youhaveinmindtoshowtrueloyaltytomymaster,letmeknow;butifnot,letmeknowthat,too.Icanthenproceedaccordingly.＂
现在，如果你们愿意以仁慈和忠信善待我主人，请告诉我；如果不肯，也请告诉我；我好决定行事。＂
50Labanandhishouseholdsaidinreply:＂ThisthingcomesfromtheLORD;wecansaynothingtoyoueitherfororagainstit.
拉班和贝突耳答说：＂这件事既是出于上主，我们不能对你说好说坏。
51HereisRebekah,readyforyou;takeherwithyou,thatshemaybecomethewifeofyourmaster'sson,astheLORDhassaid.＂
看黎贝加在你面前，你可带她去做你主人儿子的妻子，如上主所说的。＂
52WhenAbraham'sservantheardtheiranswer,hebowedtothegroundbeforetheLORD.
亚巴郎的仆人一听见他们说出这话，就俯伏在地朝拜了上主；
53ThenhebroughtoutobjectsofsilverandgoldandarticlesofclothingandpresentedthemtoRebekah;healsogavecostlypresentstoherbrotherandmother.
然后拿出金银的珍饰和衣服来，送给了黎贝加，又送给了她的哥哥和她的母亲一些宝贵礼品。
54Afterheandthemenwithhimhadeatenanddrunk,theyspentthenightthere.Whentheywereupthenextmorning,hesaid,＂Givemeleavetoreturntomymaster.＂
这以后，他和同他前来的人才吃喝，并住了一宿。清早起来，他就说：＂请让我回到我主人那里去！＂
55Herbrotherandmotherreplied,＂Letthegirlstaywithusashortwhile,saytendays;afterthatshemaygo.＂
黎贝加的哥哥和母亲说：＂让少女同我们再住上几天或十天，然后走罢！＂
56Buthesaidtothem,＂Donotdetainme,nowthattheLORDhasmademyerrandsuccessful;letmegobacktomymaster.＂
他回答他们说：＂你们不要挽留我，上主既使我此行成功，请你们让我走，回到我主人那里去。＂
57Theyanswered,＂Letuscallthegirlandseewhatsheherselfhastosayaboutit.＂
他们说：＂我们可叫少女来，问问她的意思。＂
58SotheycalledRebekahandaskedher,＂Doyouwishtogowiththisman?＂Sheanswered,＂Ido.＂
他们就将黎贝加叫来问她说：＂你愿意跟这人去吗？＂她答说：＂愿意。＂
59AtthistheyallowedtheirsisterRebekahandhernursetotakeleave,alongwithAbraham'sservantandhismen.
于是他们打发自己的姊妹黎贝加和她的乳母，同亚巴郎的仆人和与他同来的人一起走了。
60InvokingablessingonRebekah,theysaid:＂Sister,mayyougrowintothousandsofmyriads;Andmayyourdescendantsgainpossessionofthegatesoftheirenemies!＂
他们降福黎贝加说：＂我们的姊妹，愿你子孙无数！愿你的后裔，占领仇敌的城门！＂
61ThenRebekahandhermaidsstartedout;theymountedtheircamelsandfollowedtheman.SotheservanttookRebekahandwentonhisway.
黎贝加便和自己的婢女们起来，上了骆驼，跟那人去了。仆人便带着黎贝加起了程。
62MeanwhileIsaachadgonefromBeer-lahai-roiandwaslivingintheregionoftheNegeb.
那时依撒格刚来到拉海洛依井旁附近，他原住在乃革布地方。
634Onedaytowardeveninghewentoutinthefield,andashelookedaround,henoticedthatcamelswereapproaching.
傍晚时，依撒格出来在田间来回沉思，举目一望，看见了一队骆驼。
64Rebekah,too,waslookingabout,andwhenshesawhim,shealightedfromhercamel
黎贝加举目看见了依撒格，便由骆驼上下来，
65andaskedtheservant,＂Whoisthemanoutthere,walkingthroughthefieldstowardus?＂＂Thatismymaster,＂repliedtheservant.Thenshecoveredherselfwithherveil.
问仆人说：＂田间前来迎接我们的那人是谁？＂仆人答说：＂是我的主人。＂黎贝加遂拿面纱蒙在脸上。
66TheservantrecountedtoIsaacallthethingshehaddone.
仆人就将自己所作的一切事，告诉了依撒格。
67ThenIsaactookRebekahintohistent;hemarriedher,andthusshebecamehiswife.InhisloveforherIsaacfoundsolaceafterthedeathofhismotherSarah.
依撒格便领黎贝加进入自己母亲撒辣的帐幕，娶了她为妻，很是爱她。依撒格自从母亲死后，这才有了安慰。
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Footnotes(注解)
1[2]Putyourhandundermythigh:thesymbolismofthisactwasapparentlyconnectedwiththeHebrewconceptofchildrenissuingfromtheirfather's＂thigh＂(Genesis46:26;Exodus1:5).Perhapsthemanwhotooksuchanoathwasthoughttobringthecurseofsterilityonhimselfifhedidnotfulfillhisswornpromise.JacobmadeJosephswearinthesameway(Genesis47:29).Inboththeseinstances,theoathwastakentocarryoutthelastrequestofamanuponhisdeath.
2[10]Nahor:itisuncertainwhetherthisistobeunderstoodasthenameofAbraham'sbrother(Genesis11:27),Rebekah'sgrandfather(Genesis24:15),orthecityofthesamename(asknownfromtheMaridocuments):AramNaharaim,situatednearHaran(Genesis11:31)innorthernMesopotamia.
3[12]Letitturnoutfavorablyforme:letmehaveafavorableomen;cfGenesis24:14.
4[63]Hewentout:themeaningoftheHebrewtermthatfollowsthisisobscure.