First ReadingGenesis 23:1-4, 19; 24:1-8, 62-67
From the Book of Genesis
1Sarah lived one hundred twenty-seven years.This was the length of Sarah’s life.2Sarah died in Kiriath Arba (also called Hebron),in the land of Canaan.Abraham came to mourn for Sarah, and to weep for her.3Abraham rose up from before his deadand spoke to the children of Heth, saying,4“I am a stranger and a foreigner living with you.Give me a possession of a burying-place with you,that I may bury my dead out of my sight.” verses 5–18 are not read19After this, Abraham buried Sarah his wife in the cave of the field of Machpelah before Mamre (that is,Hebron), in the land of Canaan.
some verses are not read1Abraham was old, and well advanced in age.The Lord had blessed Abraham in all things.2Abraham said to his servant,the elder of his house,who ruled over all that he had,“Please put your hand under my thigh.3I will make you swear by the Lord,the God of heaven and the God of the earth,that you shall not take a wife for my son of the daughters of the Canaanites,among whom I live.4But you shall go to my country,and to my relatives,and take a wife for my son Isaac.”
5The servant said to him,“What if the woman isn’t willing to follow me to this land?Must I bring your son again to the land you came from?”
6Abraham said to him,“Beware that you don’t bring my son there again.7The Lord, the God of heaven—who took me from my father’s house,and from the land of my birth,who spoke to me, and who swore to me,saying, ‘I will give this land to your offspring—he will send his angel before you,and you shall take a wife for my son from there.8If the woman isn’t willing to follow you,then you shall be clear from this oath to me.Only you shall not bring my son there again.” verses 9–61 are not read62Isaac came from the way of Beer Lahai Roi,for he lived in the land of the South.63Isaac went out to meditate in the field at the evening.He lifted up his eyes and looked.Behold, there were camels coming.64Rebekah lifted up her eyes,and when she saw Isaac,she got off the camel.65She said to the servant,“Who is the man who is walking in the field to meet us?”
The servant said, “It is my master.”
She took her veil, and covered herself.66The servant told Isaac all the things that he had done.67Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah’s tent,and took Rebekah, and she became his wife.He loved her.So Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death.