Bible Society of South Africa

Season after Pentecost: Sixth Sunday after Pentecost

First reading

34“I am the servant of Abraham,” he began. 35“The LORD has greatly blessed my master and made him a rich man. He has given him flocks of sheep and goats, cattle, silver, gold, male and female slaves, camels, and donkeys. 36Sarah, my master's wife, bore him a son when she was old, and my master has given everything he owns to him. 37My master made me promise with a vow to obey his command. He said, ‘Do not choose a wife for my son from the young women in the land of Canaan. 38Instead, go to my father's people, to my relatives, and choose a wife for him.’

Genesis 24:34-38GNBOpen in Bible reader

42“When I came to the well today, I prayed, ‘LORD, God of my master Abraham, please give me success in what I am doing. 43Here I am at the well. When a young woman comes out to get water, I will ask her to give me a drink of water from her jar. 44If she agrees and also offers to bring water for my camels, may she be the one that you have chosen as the wife for my master's son.’ 45Before I had finished my silent prayer, Rebecca came with a water jar on her shoulder and went down to the well to get water. I said to her, ‘Please give me a drink.’ 46She quickly lowered her jar from her shoulder and said, ‘Drink, and I will also water your camels.’ So I drank, and she watered the camels. 47I asked her, ‘Who is your father?’ And she answered, ‘My father is Bethuel son of Nahor and Milcah.’ Then I put the ring in her nose and the bracelets on her arms. 48I knelt down and worshipped the LORD. I praised the LORD, the God of my master Abraham, who had led me straight to my master's relative, where I found his daughter for my master's son. 49Now, if you intend to fulfil your responsibility towards my master and treat him fairly, please tell me; if not, say so, and I will decide what to do.”

Genesis 24:42-49GNBOpen in Bible reader

58So they called Rebecca and asked, “Do you want to go with this man?”

“Yes,” she answered.

59So they let Rebecca and her old family servant go with Abraham's servant and his men. 60And they gave Rebecca their blessing in these words:

“May you, sister, become the mother of millions!

May your descendants conquer the cities of their enemies!”

61Then Rebecca and her young women got ready and mounted the camels to go with Abraham's servant, and they all started out.

62Isaac had come into the wilderness of “The Well of the Living One who Sees Me” and was staying in the southern part of Canaan. 63He went out in the early evening to take a walk in the fields and saw camels coming. 64When Rebecca saw Isaac, she got down from her camel 65and asked Abraham's servant, “Who is that man walking towards us in the field?”

“He is my master,” the servant answered. So she took her scarf and covered her face.

66The servant told Isaac everything he had done. 67Then Isaac brought Rebecca into the tent that his mother Sarah had lived in, and she became his wife. Isaac loved Rebecca, and so he was comforted for the loss of his mother.

Genesis 24:58-67GNBOpen in Bible reader

10Bride of the king, listen to what I say —

forget your people and your relatives.

11Your beauty will make the king desire you;

he is your master, so you must obey him.

12The people of Tyre will bring you gifts;

rich people will try to win your favour.

13The princess is in the palace — how beautiful she is!

Her gown is made of gold thread.

14In her colourful gown she is led to the king,

followed by her bridesmaids,

and they also are brought to him.

15With joy and gladness they come

and enter the king's palace.

16You, my king, will have many sons

to succeed your ancestors as kings,

and you will make them rulers over the whole earth.

17My song will keep your fame alive for ever,

and everyone will praise you for all time to come.

Psalms 45:10-17GNBOpen in Bible reader

The Second Song

The Woman

8I hear my lover's voice.

He comes running over the mountains,

racing across the hills to me.

9My lover is like a gazelle,

like a young stag.

There he stands beside the wall.

He looks in through the window

and glances through the lattice.

10My lover speaks to me.

The Man

Come then, my love;

my darling, come with me.

11The winter is over; the rains have stopped;

12in the countryside the flowers are in bloom.

This is the time for singing;

the song of doves is heard in the fields.

13Figs are beginning to ripen;

the air is fragrant with blossoming vines.

Come then, my love;

my darling, come with me.

Song of Songs 2:8-13GNBOpen in Bible reader
Bible Society of South Africav.4.24.4
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