1. Abraham was now a very old man. The Lord had made him rich, and he was successful in everything he did.
2. One day, Abraham called in his most trusted servant and said to him, “Solemnly promise me
3. in 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.
4. Instead, go back to the land where I was born and find a wife for him from among my relatives.”
5. But 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.
7. The 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 for ever. When you go back there, the Lord will send his angel ahead of you to help you find a wife for my son.
8. If the woman refuses to come along, you don't have to keep this promise. But don't ever take my son back there.”
9. So the servant gave Abraham his word that he would do everything he had been told to do.
10. Soon after that, the servant loaded ten of Abraham's camels with valuable gifts. Then he set out for the city in northern Syria, where Abraham's brother Nahor lived.
11. When he got there, he let the camels rest near the well outside the city. It was late afternoon, the time when the women came out for water.