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12 He prayed, “O Lord, God of my master Abraham, guide me today.[a] Be faithful[b] to my master Abraham. 13 Here I am, standing by the spring,[c] and the daughters of the people[d] who live in the town are coming out to draw water. 14 I will say to a young woman, ‘Please lower your jar so I may drink.’ May the one you have chosen for your servant Isaac reply, ‘Drink, and I’ll give your camels water too.’[e] In this way I will know that you have been faithful to my master.”[f]

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Footnotes

  1. Genesis 24:12 tn Heb “make it happen before me today.” Although a number of English translations understand this as a request for success in the task (cf. NASB, NIV, NRSV) it is more likely that the servant is requesting an omen or sign from God (v. 14).
  2. Genesis 24:12 tn Heb “act in loyal love with” or “show kindness to.”
  3. Genesis 24:13 tn Heb “the spring of water.”
  4. Genesis 24:13 tn Heb “the men.”
  5. Genesis 24:14 sn I will also give your camels water. It would be an enormous test for a young woman to water ten camels. The idea is that such a woman would not only be industrious but hospitable and generous.
  6. Genesis 24:14 tn Heb “And let the young woman to whom I say, ‘Lower your jar that I may drink,’ and she says, ‘Drink and I will also give your camels water,’—her you have appointed for your servant, for Isaac, and by it I will know that you have acted in faithfulness with my master.”

12 Then he prayed, “Lord, God of my master Abraham,(A) make me successful(B) today, and show kindness(C) to my master Abraham. 13 See, I am standing beside this spring, and the daughters of the townspeople are coming out to draw water.(D) 14 May it be that when I say to a young woman, ‘Please let down your jar that I may have a drink,’ and she says, ‘Drink,(E) and I’ll water your camels too’(F)—let her be the one you have chosen for your servant Isaac.(G) By this I will know(H) that you have shown kindness to my master.”

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