Genesis 24:1-9

Contemporary English Version

A Wife for Isaac

24 Abraham was now a very old man. The Lord had made him rich, and he was successful in everything he did. ²One day, Abraham called in his most trusted servant and said to him, “Solemnly promise me ³in the name of the Lord, 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. ⁴Instead, go back to the land where I was born and find a wife for him from among my relatives.”

⁵But 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?”

⁶“No!” Abraham answered. “Don't ever do that, no matter what. ⁷The Lord 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 Lord will send his angel ahead of you to help you find a wife for my son. ⁸If the woman refuses to come along, you don't have to keep this promise. But don't ever take my son back there.” ⁹So the servant gave Abraham his word that he would do everything he had been told to do.

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Genesis 24:1-9

New International Version

Isaac and Rebekah

24 Abraham was now very old,^(A) and the Lord had blessed^(B) him in every way.^(C) ²He said to the senior servant^(D) in his household, the one in charge of all that he had,^(E) “Put your hand under my thigh.^(F) ³I want you to swear^(G) by the Lord, the God of heaven^(H) and the God of earth,^(I) that you will not get a wife for my son^(J) from the daughters of the Canaanites,^(K) among whom I am living,^(L) ⁴but will go to my country and my own relatives^(M) and get a wife for my son Isaac.^(N)”

⁵The servant asked him, “What if the woman is unwilling to come back with me to this land?^(O) Shall I then take your son back to the country you came from?^(P)”

⁶“Make sure that you do not take my son back there,”^(Q) Abraham said. ⁷“The Lord, the God of heaven,^(R) who brought me out of my father’s household and my native land^(S) and who spoke to me and promised me on oath, saying, ‘To your offspring^[a]^(T) I will give this land’^(U)—he will send his angel before you^(V) so that you can get a wife for my son from there. ⁸If the woman is unwilling to come back with you, then you will be released from this oath^(W) of mine. Only do not take my son back there.”^(X) ⁹So the servant put his hand under the thigh^(Y) of his master^(Z) Abraham and swore an oath to him concerning this matter.