1. Now Abraham was old and of many days. And the Lord had blessed him in all things.
2. And he said to the elder servant of his house, who was in charge of all that he had: "Place your hand under my thigh,
3. so that I may make you swear by the Lord, the God of heaven and earth, that you will not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I live.
4. But that you will proceed to my land and kindred, and from there take a wife for my son Isaac."
5. The servant responded, "If the woman is not willing to come with me into this land, must I lead your son back to the place from which you departed?"
6. And Abraham said: "Beware that you never lead my son back to that place.
7. The Lord God of heaven, who took me from my father's house, and from the land of my nativity, who spoke to me and swore to me, saying, 'To your offspring I will give this land,' himself will send his Angel before you, and you will take from there a wife for my son.
8. But if the woman is not willing to follow you, you will not be held by the oath. Only do not lead my son back to that place."
9. Therefore, the servant placed his hand under the thigh of Abraham, his lord, and he swore to him on his word.
10. And he took ten camels from his lord's herd, and he went forth, carrying with him things from all of his goods. And he set out, and continued on, to the city of Nahor, in Mesopotamia.
11. And when he had made the camels lie down outside of the town, near a well of water, in the evening, at the time when women are accustomed to go out to draw water, he said:
12. "O Lord, the God of my lord Abraham, meet with me today, I beg you, and show mercy to my lord Abraham.
13. Behold, I stand near the fountain of water, and the daughters of the inhabitants of this city will go forth to draw water.
14. Therefore, the girl to whom I will say, 'Tip your pitcher, so that I may drink,' and she will respond, 'Drink. In fact, I will give your camels a drink also,' the same one is she whom you have prepared for your servant Isaac. And by this, I will understand that you have shown mercy to my lord."
15. But he had not yet completed these words within himself, when, behold, Rebekah went out, the daughter of Bethuel, son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, the brother of Abraham, having a pitcher on her shoulder.
16. She was an exceedingly elegant girl, and a most beautiful virgin, and unknown by man. And she descended to the spring, and she filled her pitcher, and then was returning.