44 : Laban Rebekahs Brother
The girl ran on to her mother's house, and told these things.
LABAN, REBEKAH'S BROTHER
Now Rebekah had a brother, and his name was Laban.
When he saw the ear-rings and the bracelets upon his sister's hands,
and when he heard the words of Rebekah his sister,
Laban ran out and found the servant of Abraham standing by the camels at the well.
Laban said: "Come in, you whom the Lord has blessed.
Why do you stand outside? For I have prepared the house, and there is room for the camels."
So the man came into the house, and Laban unharnessed the camels and gave them straw and feed.
He brought water to wash the man's feet and the feet of the men who were with him.
They set meat before the man to eat, but he said: "I will not eat until I have told my errand."
"Speak on," said Laban.
The man said: "I am Abraham's servant.
The Lord has blessed my master greatly, and he has become great.
The Lord has given him flocks and herds,
silver and gold, menservants and maidservants, camels and asses.
And Sarah, my master's wife, bore a son to my master when she was old,
and to him he has given all that he has."
Then the servant told how Abraham had sent him to find a wife for Isaac,
and how the Lord had led him to Rebekah.
"And now if you will deal kindly and truly with my master, tell me.
If not" tell me also, so that I may know which way to turn."
Then Laban and Bethuel answered and said: "All this comes from the Lord.
We cannot say anything to you, bad or good.
Behold, Rebekah is here before you; take her and go.
Let her be your master's son's wife, as the Lord has said."
When Abraham's servant heard their words, he worshipped the Lord, bowing himself to the earth. And he brought out jewels of silver and jewels of gold and clothing, and gave them to Rebekah.
To her brother and her mother he also gave precious things.
They ate and drank, he and the men that were with him.
They spent the night and rose up in the morning.
Then he said: "Send me back to my master."
Rebekah's brother and her mother said: "Let the girl remain with us a few days, at least ten.
After that she shall go with you."
"Do not hinder me," he said to them. "The Lord has made my errand successful.
Send me away, that I may go to my master."
"We will call the girl and ask her," they said.
They called Rebekah and said to her: "Will you go with this man?"
"I will go," she said.
So they sent away Rebekah their sister, and her nurse, and Abraham's servant, and his men.
They blessed Rebekah, and Rebekah arose with her maidens, and they rode upon the camels
and followed the man.
And the servant took Rebekah and went his way.
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