Genesis 38
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Judah and Tamar

(1 Chronicles 2:3-12)

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1At that time, Judah left his brothers and went down to stay with a man of Adullam named Hirah.1It happened at that time that Judah went down from his brothers and turned aside to a certain Adullamite, whose name was Hirah.1And it came about at that time, that Judah departed from his brothers and visited a certain Adullamite, whose name was Hirah.1And it came to pass at that time, that Judah went down from his brethren, and turned in to a certain Adullamite, whose name was Hirah.1At that time Judah left his brothers and settled near an Adullamite named Hirah.
2There Judah met the daughter of a Canaanite man named Shua. He married her and made love to her;2There Judah saw the daughter of a certain Canaanite whose name was Shua. He took her and went in to her,2Judah saw there a daughter of a certain Canaanite whose name was Shua; and he took her and went in to her.2And Judah saw there a daughter of a certain Canaanite, whose name was Shuah; and he took her, and went in unto her.2There Judah saw the daughter of a Canaanite named Shua; he took her as a wife and slept with her.
3she became pregnant and gave birth to a son, who was named Er.3and she conceived and bore a son, and he called his name Er.3So she conceived and bore a son and he named him Er.3And she conceived, and bare a son; and he called his name Er.3She conceived and gave birth to a son, and he named him Er.
4She conceived again and gave birth to a son and named him Onan.4She conceived again and bore a son, and she called his name Onan.4Then she conceived again and bore a son and named him Onan.4And she conceived again, and bare a son; and she called his name Onan.4She conceived again, gave birth to a son, and named him Onan.
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5She gave birth to still another son and named him Shelah. It was at Kezib that she gave birth to him.5Yet again she bore a son, and she called his name Shelah. Judah was in Chezib when she bore him.5She bore still another son and named him Shelah; and it was at Chezib that she bore him.5And she yet again conceived, and bare a son; and called his name Shelah: and he was at Chezib, when she bare him.5She gave birth to another son and named him Shelah. It was at Chezib that she gave birth to him.
6Judah got a wife for Er, his firstborn, and her name was Tamar.6And Judah took a wife for Er his firstborn, and her name was Tamar.6Now Judah took a wife for Er his firstborn, and her name was Tamar.6And Judah took a wife for Er his firstborn, whose name was Tamar.6Judah got a wife for Er, his firstborn, and her name was Tamar.
7But Er, Judah's firstborn, was wicked in the LORD's sight; so the LORD put him to death.7But Er, Judah’s firstborn, was wicked in the sight of the LORD, and the LORD put him to death.7But Er, Judah's firstborn, was evil in the sight of the LORD, so the LORD took his life.7And Er, Judah's firstborn, was wicked in the sight of the LORD; and the LORD slew him.7Now Er, Judah's firstborn, was evil in the LORD's sight, and the LORD put him to death.
8Then Judah said to Onan, "Sleep with your brother's wife and fulfill your duty to her as a brother-in-law to raise up offspring for your brother."8Then Judah said to Onan, “Go in to your brother’s wife and perform the duty of a brother-in-law to her, and raise up offspring for your brother.”8Then Judah said to Onan, "Go in to your brother's wife, and perform your duty as a brother-in-law to her, and raise up offspring for your brother."8And Judah said unto Onan, Go in unto thy brother's wife, and marry her, and raise up seed to thy brother.8Then Judah said to Onan, "Sleep with your brother's wife. Perform your duty as her brother-in-law and produce offspring for your brother."
9But Onan knew that the child would not be his; so whenever he slept with his brother's wife, he spilled his semen on the ground to keep from providing offspring for his brother.9But Onan knew that the offspring would not be his. So whenever he went in to his brother’s wife he would waste the semen on the ground, so as not to give offspring to his brother.9Onan knew that the offspring would not be his; so when he went in to his brother's wife, he wasted his seed on the ground in order not to give offspring to his brother.9And Onan knew that the seed should not be his; and it came to pass, when he went in unto his brother's wife, that he spilled it on the ground, lest that he should give seed to his brother.9But Onan knew that the offspring would not be his, so whenever he slept with his brother's wife, he released his semen on the ground so that he would not produce offspring for his brother.
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10What he did was wicked in the LORD's sight; so the LORD put him to death also.10And what he did was wicked in the sight of the LORD, and he put him to death also.10But what he did was displeasing in the sight of the LORD; so He took his life also.10And the thing which he did displeased the LORD: wherefore he slew him also.10What he did was evil in the LORD's sight, so He put him to death also.
11Judah then said to his daughter-in-law Tamar, "Live as a widow in your father's household until my son Shelah grows up." For he thought, "He may die too, just like his brothers." So Tamar went to live in her father's household.11Then Judah said to Tamar his daughter-in-law, “Remain a widow in your father’s house, till Shelah my son grows up”—for he feared that he would die, like his brothers. So Tamar went and remained in her father’s house.11Then Judah said to his daughter-in-law Tamar, "Remain a widow in your father's house until my son Shelah grows up"; for he thought, "I am afraid that he too may die like his brothers." So Tamar went and lived in her father's house.11Then said Judah to Tamar his daughter in law, Remain a widow at thy father's house, till Shelah my son be grown: for he said, Lest peradventure he die also, as his brethren did. And Tamar went and dwelt in her father's house.11Then Judah said to his daughter-in-law Tamar, "Remain a widow in your father's house until my son Shelah grows up." For he thought, "He might die too, like his brothers." So Tamar went to live in her father's house.
12After a long time Judah's wife, the daughter of Shua, died. When Judah had recovered from his grief, he went up to Timnah, to the men who were shearing his sheep, and his friend Hirah the Adullamite went with him.12In the course of time the wife of Judah, Shua’s daughter, died. When Judah was comforted, he went up to Timnah to his sheepshearers, he and his friend Hirah the Adullamite.12Now after a considerable time Shua's daughter, the wife of Judah, died; and when the time of mourning was ended, Judah went up to his sheepshearers at Timnah, he and his friend Hirah the Adullamite.12And in process of time the daughter of Shuah Judah's wife died; and Judah was comforted, and went up unto his sheepshearers to Timnath, he and his friend Hirah the Adullamite.12After a long time Judah's wife, the daughter of Shua, died. When Judah had finished mourning, he and his friend Hirah the Adullamite went up to Timnah to the sheepshearers.
13When Tamar was told, "Your father-in-law is on his way to Timnah to shear his sheep,"13And when Tamar was told, “Your father-in-law is going up to Timnah to shear his sheep,”13It was told to Tamar, "Behold, your father-in-law is going up to Timnah to shear his sheep."13And it was told Tamar, saying, Behold thy father in law goeth up to Timnath to shear his sheep.13Tamar was told, "Your father-in-law is going up to Timnah to shear his sheep."
14she took off her widow's clothes, covered herself with a veil to disguise herself, and then sat down at the entrance to Enaim, which is on the road to Timnah. For she saw that, though Shelah had now grown up, she had not been given to him as his wife.14she took off her widow’s garments and covered herself with a veil, wrapping herself up, and sat at the entrance to Enaim, which is on the road to Timnah. For she saw that Shelah was grown up, and she had not been given to him in marriage.14So she removed her widow's garments and covered herself with a veil, and wrapped herself, and sat in the gateway of Enaim, which is on the road to Timnah; for she saw that Shelah had grown up, and she had not been given to him as a wife.14And she put her widow's garments off from her, and covered her with a vail, and wrapped herself, and sat in an open place, which is by the way to Timnath; for she saw that Shelah was grown, and she was not given unto him to wife.14So she took off her widow's clothes, veiled her face, covered herself, and sat at the entrance to Enaim, which is on the way to Timnah. For she saw that, though Shelah had grown up, she had not been given to him as a wife.
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15When Judah saw her, he thought she was a prostitute, for she had covered her face.15When Judah saw her, he thought she was a prostitute, for she had covered her face.15When Judah saw her, he thought she was a harlot, for she had covered her face.15When Judah saw her, he thought her to be an harlot; because she had covered her face.15When Judah saw her, he thought she was a prostitute, for she had covered her face.
16Not realizing that she was his daughter-in-law, he went over to her by the roadside and said, "Come now, let me sleep with you." "And what will you give me to sleep with you?" she asked.16He turned to her at the roadside and said, “Come, let me come in to you,” for he did not know that she was his daughter-in-law. She said, “What will you give me, that you may come in to me?”16So he turned aside to her by the road, and said, "Here now, let me come in to you"; for he did not know that she was his daughter-in-law. And she said, "What will you give me, that you may come in to me?"16And he turned unto her by the way, and said, Go to, I pray thee, let me come in unto thee; (for he knew not that she was his daughter in law.) And she said, What wilt thou give me, that thou mayest come in unto me?16He went over to her and said, "Come, let me sleep with you," for he did not know that she was his daughter-in-law. She said, "What will you give me for sleeping with me?""
17"I'll send you a young goat from my flock," he said. "Will you give me something as a pledge until you send it?" she asked.17He answered, “I will send you a young goat from the flock.” And she said, “If you give me a pledge, until you send it—”17He said, therefore, "I will send you a young goat from the flock." She said, moreover, "Will you give a pledge until you send it?"17And he said, I will send thee a kid from the flock. And she said, Wilt thou give me a pledge, till thou send it?17I will send you a young goat from my flock," he replied. But she said, "Only if you leave something with me until you send it.""
18He said, "What pledge should I give you?" "Your seal and its cord, and the staff in your hand," she answered. So he gave them to her and slept with her, and she became pregnant by him.18He said, “What pledge shall I give you?” She replied, “Your signet and your cord and your staff that is in your hand.” So he gave them to her and went in to her, and she conceived by him.18He said, "What pledge shall I give you?" And she said, "Your seal and your cord, and your staff that is in your hand." So he gave them to her and went in to her, and she conceived by him.18And he said, What pledge shall I give thee? And she said, Thy signet, and thy bracelets, and thy staff that is in thine hand. And he gave it her, and came in unto her, and she conceived by him.18What should I give you?" he asked. She answered, "Your signet ring, your cord, and the staff in your hand." So he gave them to her and slept with her, and she got pregnant by him.
19After she left, she took off her veil and put on her widow's clothes again.19Then she arose and went away, and taking off her veil she put on the garments of her widowhood.19Then she arose and departed, and removed her veil and put on her widow's garments.19And she arose, and went away, and laid by her vail from her, and put on the garments of her widowhood.19She got up and left, then removed her veil and put her widow's clothes back on.
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20Meanwhile Judah sent the young goat by his friend the Adullamite in order to get his pledge back from the woman, but he did not find her.20When Judah sent the young goat by his friend the Adullamite to take back the pledge from the woman’s hand, he did not find her.20When Judah sent the young goat by his friend the Adullamite, to receive the pledge from the woman's hand, he did not find her.20And Judah sent the kid by the hand of his friend the Adullamite, to receive his pledge from the woman's hand: but he found her not.20When Judah sent the young goat by his friend the Adullamite in order to get back the items he had left with the woman, he could not find her.
21He asked the men who lived there, "Where is the shrine prostitute who was beside the road at Enaim?" "There hasn't been any shrine prostitute here," they said.21And he asked the men of the place, “Where is the cult prostitute who was at Enaim at the roadside?” And they said, “No cult prostitute has been here.”21He asked the men of her place, saying, "Where is the temple prostitute who was by the road at Enaim?" But they said, "There has been no temple prostitute here."21Then he asked the men of that place, saying, Where is the harlot, that was openly by the way side? And they said, There was no harlot in this place.21He asked the men of the place, "Where is the cult prostitute who was beside the road at Enaim?"" There has been no cult prostitute here," they answered.
22So he went back to Judah and said, "I didn't find her. Besides, the men who lived there said, 'There hasn't been any shrine prostitute here.'"22So he returned to Judah and said, “I have not found her. Also, the men of the place said, ‘No cult prostitute has been here.’”22So he returned to Judah, and said, "I did not find her; and furthermore, the men of the place said, 'There has been no temple prostitute here.'"22And he returned to Judah, and said, I cannot find her; and also the men of the place said, that there was no harlot in this place.22So the Adullamite returned to Judah, saying, "I couldn't find her, and furthermore, the men of the place said, 'There has been no cult prostitute here.'"
23Then Judah said, "Let her keep what she has, or we will become a laughingstock. After all, I did send her this young goat, but you didn't find her."23And Judah replied, “Let her keep the things as her own, or we shall be laughed at. You see, I sent this young goat, and you did not find her.”23Then Judah said, "Let her keep them, otherwise we will become a laughingstock. After all, I sent this young goat, but you did not find her."23And Judah said, Let her take it to her, lest we be shamed: behold, I sent this kid, and thou hast not found her.23Judah replied, "Let her keep the items for herself; otherwise we will become a laughingstock. After all, I did send this young goat, but you couldn't find her."
24About three months later Judah was told, "Your daughter-in-law Tamar is guilty of prostitution, and as a result she is now pregnant." Judah said, "Bring her out and have her burned to death!"24About three months later Judah was told, “Tamar your daughter-in-law has been immoral. Moreover, she is pregnant by immorality.” And Judah said, “Bring her out, and let her be burned.”24Now it was about three months later that Judah was informed, "Your daughter-in-law Tamar has played the harlot, and behold, she is also with child by harlotry." Then Judah said, "Bring her out and let her be burned!"24And it came to pass about three months after, that it was told Judah, saying, Tamar thy daughter in law hath played the harlot; and also, behold, she is with child by whoredom. And Judah said, Bring her forth, and let her be burnt.24About three months later Judah was told, "Your daughter-in-law, Tamar, has been acting like a prostitute, and now she is pregnant."" Bring her out!" Judah said. "Let her be burned to death!"
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25As she was being brought out, she sent a message to her father-in-law. "I am pregnant by the man who owns these," she said. And she added, "See if you recognize whose seal and cord and staff these are."25As she was being brought out, she sent word to her father-in-law, “By the man to whom these belong, I am pregnant.” And she said, “Please identify whose these are, the signet and the cord and the staff.”25It was while she was being brought out that she sent to her father-in-law, saying, "I am with child by the man to whom these things belong." And she said, "Please examine and see, whose signet ring and cords and staff are these?"25When she was brought forth, she sent to her father in law, saying, By the man, whose these are, am I with child: and she said, Discern, I pray thee, whose are these, the signet, and bracelets, and staff.25As she was being brought out, she sent her father-in-law this message: "I am pregnant by the man to whom these items belong." And she added, "Examine them. Whose signet ring, cord, and staff are these?"
26Judah recognized them and said, "She is more righteous than I, since I wouldn't give her to my son Shelah." And he did not sleep with her again.26Then Judah identified them and said, “She is more righteous than I, since I did not give her to my son Shelah.” And he did not know her again.26Judah recognized them, and said, "She is more righteous than I, inasmuch as I did not give her to my son Shelah." And he did not have relations with her again.26And Judah acknowledged them, and said, She hath been more righteous than I; because that I gave her not to Shelah my son. And he knew her again no more.26Judah recognized them and said, "She is more in the right than I, since I did not give her to my son Shelah." And he did not know her intimately again.

The Birth of Pharez and Zarah

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27When the time came for her to give birth, there were twin boys in her womb.27When the time of her labor came, there were twins in her womb.27It came about at the time she was giving birth, that behold, there were twins in her womb.27And it came to pass in the time of her travail, that, behold, twins were in her womb.27When the time came for her to give birth, there were twins in her womb.
28As she was giving birth, one of them put out his hand; so the midwife took a scarlet thread and tied it on his wrist and said, "This one came out first."28And when she was in labor, one put out a hand, and the midwife took and tied a scarlet thread on his hand, saying, “This one came out first.”28Moreover, it took place while she was giving birth, one put out a hand, and the midwife took and tied a scarlet thread on his hand, saying, "This one came out first."28And it came to pass, when she travailed, that the one put out his hand: and the midwife took and bound upon his hand a scarlet thread, saying, This came out first.28As she was giving birth, one of them put out his hand, and the midwife took it and tied a scarlet thread around it, announcing, "This one came out first."
29But when he drew back his hand, his brother came out, and she said, "So this is how you have broken out!" And he was named Perez.29But as he drew back his hand, behold, his brother came out. And she said, “What a breach you have made for yourself!” Therefore his name was called Perez.29But it came about as he drew back his hand, that behold, his brother came out. Then she said, "What a breach you have made for yourself!" So he was named Perez.29And it came to pass, as he drew back his hand, that, behold, his brother came out: and she said, How hast thou broken forth? this breach be upon thee: therefore his name was called Pharez.29But then he pulled his hand back, and his brother came out. Then she said, "You have broken out first!" So he was named Perez.
30Then his brother, who had the scarlet thread on his wrist, came out. And he was named Zerah.30Afterward his brother came out with the scarlet thread on his hand, and his name was called Zerah.30Afterward his brother came out who had the scarlet thread on his hand; and he was named Zerah.30And afterward came out his brother, that had the scarlet thread upon his hand: and his name was called Zarah.30Then his brother, who had the scarlet thread tied to his hand, came out, and was named Zerah.



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