 創:1.(gn)  [創世紀]     [Genesis]   [共 50 章]   [思高聖經]

            前編 太古史(1-11)

 創:1.1      [天地萬物的創造]  在起初天主創造了天地。
 創:1.2      大地還是混沌空虛，深淵上還是一團黑暗，天主的神在水面上運行。
 創:1.3      天主說：「有光! 」就有了光。
 創:1.4      天主見光好，就將光與黑暗分開。
 創:1.5      天主稱光為「晝，」稱黑暗為「夜。」過了晚上，過了早晨，這是第一天。
 創:1.6      天主說：「在水與水之間要有穹蒼，將水分開!」事就這樣成了。
 創:1.7      天主造了穹蒼，分開了穹蒼以下的水和穹蒼以上的水。
 創:1.8      天主稱穹蒼為「天，」天主看了認為好。過了晚上，過了早晨，這是第二天。
 創:1.9      天主說：「天下的水應聚在一處，使旱地出現! 」事就這樣成了。
 創:1.10     天主稱旱地為「陸地，」稱水匯合處為「海洋。」天主看了認為好。
 創:1.11     天主說：「地上要生出青草，結種子的蔬菜，和各種結果子的樹木，在地上的果子內都含有種子! 」事就這樣成了。
 創:1.12     地上就生出了青草，各種結種子的蔬菜，和各種結果子的樹木，果子內都含有種子。天主看了認為好。
 創:1.13     過了晚上，過了早晨，這是第三天。
 創:1.14     天主說：「在天空中要有光體，以分別晝夜，作為規定時節和年月日的記號。
 創:1.15     要在天空中放光，照耀大地! 」事就這樣成了。
 創:1.16     天主於是造了兩個大光體：較大的控制白天，較小的控制黑夜，並造了星宿。
 創:1.17     天主將星宿擺列在天空，照耀大地，
 創:1.18     控制晝夜，分別明與暗。天主看了認為好。
 創:1.19     過了晚上，過了早晨，這是第四天。
 創:1.20     天主說：「水中要繁生蠕動的生物，地面上、天空中要有鳥飛翔! 」事就這樣成了。
 創:1.21     天主於是造了大魚和水中各種孳生的蠕動生物以及各種飛鳥。天主看了認為好。
 創:1.22     遂祝福牠們說：「你們要孳生繁殖，充滿海洋；飛鳥也要在地上繁殖! 」
 創:1.23     過了晚上，過了早晨，這是第五天。
 創:1.24     天主說：「地上要生出各種生物，即各種牲畜、爬蟲和野獸! 」事就這樣成了。
 創:1.25     天主於是造了各種野獸、各種牲畜和地上所有的各種爬蟲。天主看了認為好。
 創:1.26     天主說：「讓我們照我們的肖像，按我們的模樣造人，叫他管理海中的魚、天空的飛鳥、牲畜、各種野獸、在地上爬行的各種爬蟲。」
 創:1.27     天主於是照自己的肖像造了人，就是照天主的肖像造了人：造了一男一女。
 創:1.28     天主祝福他們說：「你們要生育繁殖，充滿大地，治理大地，管理海中的魚、天空的飛鳥、各種在地上爬行的生物! 」
 創:1.29     天主又說：「看，全地面上結種子的各種蔬菜，在果內含有種子的各種果樹，我都給你們作食物；
 創:1.30     至於地上的各種野獸，天空中的各種飛鳥，在地上爬行有生魂的各種動物，我把一切青草給牠們作食物。」事就這樣成了。
 創:1.31     天主看了他所造的一切，認為樣樣都很好。過了晚上，過了早晨，這是第六天。

 創:2.1      [安息日]  這樣，天地和天地間的一切點綴都完成了。
 創:2.2      到第七天天主造物的工程已完成，就在第七天休息，停止了所作的一切工程。
 創:2.3      天主祝福了第七天，定為聖日，因為這一天，天主停止了他所行的一切創造工作。
 創:2.4      [人與樂園]  這是創造天地的來歷：在上主天主創造天地時，
 創:2.5      地上還沒有灌木，田間也沒有生出蔬菜，因為上主天主還沒有使雨降在地上，也沒有人耕種土地，
 創:2.6      有從地下湧出的水浸潤所有地面。
 創:2.7      上主天主用地上的灰土形成了人，在他鼻孔內吹了一口生氣，人就成了一個有靈的生物。
 創:2.8      上主天主在伊甸東部種植了一個樂園，就將他形成的人安置在裏面。
 創:2.9      上主天主使地面生出各種好看好吃的果樹，生命樹和知善惡樹在樂園中央。
 創:2.10     有一條河由伊甸流出灌溉樂園，由那裏分為四支：
 創:2.11     第一支名叫丕雄，環流產金的哈威拉全境；
 創:2.12     那地方的金子很好，那裏還產真珠和瑪瑙；
 創:2.13     第二支河名叫基紅，環流雇士全境；
 創:2.14     第三支河名叫底格里斯，流入亞述東部；第四支河即幼發拉的。
 創:2.15     上主天主將人安置在伊甸的樂園內，叫他耕種，看守樂園。
 創:2.16     上主天主給人下令說：「樂園中各樹上的果子，你都可吃，
 創:2.17     只有知善惡樹上的果子你不可吃，因為那一天你吃了，必定要死。」
 創:2.18     [造女人立婚姻]  上主天主說：「人單獨不好，我要給他造個與他相稱的助手。」
 創:2.19     上主天主用塵土造了各種野獸和天空中的各種飛鳥，都引到人面前，看他怎樣起名；凡人給生物起的名字，就成了那生物的名字。
 創:2.20     人遂給各種畜牲、天空中的各種飛鳥和各種野獸起了名字；但他沒有找著一個與自己相稱的助手。
 創:2.21     上主天主遂使人熟睡，當他睡著了，就取出了他的一根肋骨，再用肉補滿原處。
 創:2.22     然後上主天主用那由人取來的肋骨，形成了一個女人，引她到人前，
 創:2.23     遂說：「這才真是我的親骨肉，她應稱為「女人，」因為是由男人取出的。」
 創:2.24     為此人應離開自己的父母，依附自己的妻子，二人成為一體。
 創:2.25     當時，男女二人都赤身露體，並不害羞。

 創:3.1      [原祖違命]  在上主天主所造的一切野獸中，蛇是最狡猾的。蛇對女人說：「天主真說了，你們不可吃樂園中任何樹上的果子嗎﹖」
 創:3.2      女人對蛇說：「樂園中樹上的果子，我們都可吃；
 創:3.3      只有樂園中央那棵樹上的果子，天主說過，你們不可以吃，也不可摸，免得死亡。」
 創:3.4      蛇對女人說：「你們決不會死!
 創:3.5      因為天主知道，你們那天吃了這果子，你們的眼就會開了，將如同天主一樣知道善惡。」
 創:3.6      女人看那棵果樹實在好吃好看，令人羨慕，且能增加智慧，遂摘下一個果子吃了，又給了她的男人一個，他也吃了。
 創:3.7      於是二人的眼立即開了，發覺自己赤身露體，遂用無花果樹葉，編了個裙子圍身。
 創:3.8      當亞當和他的妻子聽見了上主天主趁晚涼在樂園中散步的聲音，就躲藏在樂園的樹林中，怕見上主天主的面。
 創:3.9      上主天主呼喚亞當對他說：「你在那裏﹖」
 創:3.10     他答說：「我在樂園中聽到了你的聲音，就害怕起來，因為我赤身露體，遂躲藏了。」
 創:3.11     天主說：「誰告訴了你，赤身露體﹖莫非你吃了我禁止你吃的果子﹖」
 創:3.12     亞當說：「是你給作伴的那個女人給了我那樹上的果子，我才吃了。」
 創:3.13     上主天主遂對女人說：「你為什麼作了這事﹖」女人答說：「是蛇哄騙了我，我才吃了。」
 創:3.14     [處罰與預許]  上主天主對蛇說：「因你做了這事，你在一切畜牲和野獸中，是可咒罵的；你要用肚子爬行，畢生日日吃土。
 創:3.15     我要把仇恨放在你和女人，你的後裔和她的後裔之間，她的後裔要踏碎你的頭顱，你要傷害他的腳跟。」
 創:3.16     後對女人說：「我要增加你懷孕的苦楚，在痛苦中生子；你要依戀你的丈夫，也要受他的管轄。」
 創:3.17     後對亞當說：「因為你聽了你妻子的話，吃了我禁止你吃的果子，為了你的緣故，地成了可咒罵的；你一生日日勞苦才能得到吃食。
 創:3.18     地要給你生出荊棘和蒺蔾，你要吃田間的蔬菜；
 創:3.19     你必須汗流滿面，才有飯吃，直到你歸於土中，因為你是由土來的；你既是灰土，你還要歸於灰土。」
 創:3.20     [被逐出樂園]  亞當給自己的妻子起名叫厄娃，因為她是眾生的母親。
 創:3.21     上主天主為亞當和他的妻子做了件皮衣，給他們穿上；
 創:3.22     然後上主天主說：「看，人已相似我們中的一個，知道了善惡；如今不要讓他伸手再摘取生命樹上的果子，吃了活到永遠。」
 創:3.23     上主天主遂把他趕出伊甸樂園，叫他耕種他所由出的土地。
 創:3.24     天主將亞當逐出了以後，就在伊甸樂園的東面，派了「革魯賓」和刀光四射的火劍，防守到生命樹去的路。

 創:4.1      [殺弟之罪]  亞當認識了自己的妻子厄娃，厄娃懷了孕，生了加音說：「我賴上主獲得了一個人。」
 創:4.2      以後她生了加音的弟弟亞伯爾；亞伯爾牧羊，加音耕田。
 創:4.3      有一天，加音把田地的出產作祭品獻給天主；
 創:4.4      同時亞伯爾獻上自己羊群中最肥美而又是首生的羊；上主惠顧了亞伯爾和他的祭品，
 創:4.5      卻沒有惠顧加音和他的祭品；因此加音大怒，垂頭喪氣。
 創:4.6      上主對加音說：「你為什麼發怒﹖為什麼垂頭喪氣﹖
 創:4.7      你若做得好，豈不也可仰起頭來﹖你若做得不好，罪惡就伏在你門前，企圖對付你，但你應制服它。」
 創:4.8      事後加音對他弟弟亞伯爾說：「我們到田間去! 」當他們在田間的時候，加音就襲擊了弟弟亞伯爾，將他殺死。
 創:4.9      上主對加音說：「你弟弟亞伯爾在那裏﹖」他答說：「我不知道，難道我是看守我弟弟的人﹖」
 創:4.10     上主說：「你作什麼事﹖聽! 你弟弟的血由地上向我喊冤。
 創:4.11     你現在是地上所咒罵的人，地張開口由你手中接收了你弟弟的血，
 創:4.12     從此你即使耕種，地也不會給你出產；你在地上要成個流離失所的人。」
 創:4.13     加音對上主說：「我的罪罰太重，無法承擔。
 創:4.14     看你今天將我由這地面上驅逐，我該躲避你的面，在地上成了個流離失所的人；那麼凡遇見我的，必要殺我。」
 創:4.15     上主對他說：「決不這樣，凡殺加音的人，一定要受七倍的罰。」上主遂給加音一個記號，以免遇見他的人擊殺他。
 創:4.16     加音就離開上主的面，住在伊甸東方的諾得地方。
 創:4.17     [加音的後代]  加音認識了自己的妻子，她懷了孕，生了哈諾客。加音建築了一座城，即以他兒子的名字，給這城起名叫「哈諾客。」
 創:4.18     哈諾客生了依辣得；依辣得生了默胡雅耳；默胡雅耳生了默突沙耳；默突沙耳生了拉默客。
 創:4.19     拉默客娶了兩個妻子：一個名叫阿達，一個名叫漆拉。
 創:4.20     阿達生了雅巴耳，他是住在帳幕內畜牧者的始組。
 創:4.21     他的弟弟名叫猶巴耳，他是所有彈琴吹簫者的始祖。
 創:4.22     同時漆拉也生了突巴耳加音，他是製造各種銅鐵器具的匠人。突巴耳加音有個姊妹名叫納阿瑪拉。
 創:4.23     拉默客對自己的妻子說：「阿達和漆拉傾聽我的聲音，拉默客的妻子，靜聆我的言語：因我受傷，殺了一成年；因我受損，殺了一青年；
 創:4.24     殺加音的受罰是七倍，殺拉默客的是七十七倍。」
 創:4.25     [舍特的子孫]  亞當又認識了自己的妻子，她生了個兒子，給他起名叫舍特說：「天主又賜給了我一個兒子，代替加音殺了的亞伯爾。」
 創:4.26     舍特也生了一個兒子，給他起名叫厄諾士。那時人才開始呼求上主的名。

 創:5.1      [洪水前亞當的後代]  以下是亞當後裔的族譜：當天主造人的時候，是按天主的肖像造的，
 創:5.2      造了一男一女，且在造他們的那一天，祝福了他們，稱他們為「人。」
 創:5.3      亞當一百三十歲時，生了一個兒子，也像自己的模樣和肖像，給他起名叫舍特。
 創:5.4      亞當生舍特後，還活了八百年，生了其他的兒女。
 創:5.5      亞當共活了九百三十歲死了。
 創:5.6      舍特一百零五歲時，生了厄諾士。
 創:5.7      舍特生厄諾士後，還活了八百零七年，生了其他的兒女。
 創:5.8      舍特共活了九百一十二歲死了。
 創:5.9      厄諾士九十歲時生了刻南。
 創:5.10     厄諾士生刻南後，還活了八百一十五年，生了其他的兒女。
 創:5.11     厄諾士共活了九百零五歲死了。
 創:5.12     刻南七十歲時，生了瑪拉肋耳。
 創:5.13     刻南生瑪拉肋耳後，還活了八百四十年，生了其他的兒女。
 創:5.14     刻南共活了九百一十歲死了。
 創:5.15     瑪拉肋耳六十五歲時，生了耶勒得。
 創:5.16     瑪拉肋耳生耶勒得後，還活了八百三十年，生了其他的兒女。
 創:5.17     瑪拉肋耳共活了八百九十五歲死了。
 創:5.18     耶勒得一百六十二歲時，生了哈諾客。
 創:5.19     耶勒得生哈諾客後，還活了八百年，生了其他的兒女。
 創:5.20     耶勒得共活了九百六十二歲死了。
 創:5.21     哈諾客六十五歲時，生了默突舍拉。 哈諾客常與天主往來。
 創:5.22     哈諾客生默突舍拉後，還活了三百年，生了其他的兒女。
 創:5.23     哈諾客共活了三百六十五歲。
 創:5.24     哈諾客時與天主往來，然後就不見了，因為天主將他提去。
 創:5.25     默突舍拉一百八十七歲時，生了拉默客。
 創:5.26     默突舍拉生了拉默客後，還活了七百八十二年，生了其他的兒女。
 創:5.27     默突舍拉共活了九百六十九歲死了。
 創:5.28     拉默客一百八十二歲時，生了一個兒子，
 創:5.29     給他起名叫諾厄說：「這孩子要使我們在上主詛咒的地上，在我們做的工作和勞苦上，獲得欣慰! 」
 創:5.30     拉默客生諾厄後，還活了五百九十五年，生了其他的兒女。
 創:5.31     拉默客共活了七百七十七歲死了。
 創:5.32     諾厄五百歲時，生了閃、含、和耶斐特。
   :
 創:6.1      [人類的敗壞]  當人在地上開始繁殖，生養女兒時，
 創:6.2      天主的兒子見人的女兒美麗，就隨意選取，作為妻子。
 創:6.3      上主於是說：「因為人既屬於血肉，我的神不能常在他內；他的壽數只可到一百二十歲。」
 創:6.4      當天主的兒子與人的兒女結合生子時，在地上已有一些巨人，（以後也有，）他們就是古代的英雄，著名的人物。
 創:6.5      [上主決意消滅世界]  上主見人在地上的罪惡重大，人心天天所思念的無非是邪惡；
 創:6.6      上主遂後悔在地上造了人，心中很是悲痛。
 創:6.7      上主於是說：「我要將我所造的人，連人帶野獸、爬蟲和天空的飛鳥，都由地面上消滅，因為我後悔造了他們。」
 創:6.8      惟有諾厄在上主眼中蒙受恩愛。
 創:6.9      [諾厄建造方舟]  以下是諾厄的小史：諾厄是他同時代惟一正義齊全的人，常同天主往來。
 創:6.10     他生了三個兒子：就是閃、含、和耶斐特。
 創:6.11     大地已在天主面前敗壞，到處充滿了強暴。
 創:6.12     天主見大地已敗壞，因為凡有血肉的人，品行在地上全敗壞了，
 創:6.13     天主遂對諾厄說：「我已決定要結果一切有血肉的人，因為他們使大地充滿了強暴，我要將他們由大地上消滅。
 創:6.14     你要用柏木造一隻方舟，舟內建造一些艙房，內外都塗上瀝青。
 創:6.15     你要這樣建造：方舟要有三百肘長，五十肘寬，三十肘高。
 創:6.16     方舟上層四面做上窗戶，高一肘，門要安在側面；方舟要分為上中下三層。
 創:6.17     看我要使洪水在地上氾濫，消滅天下一切有生氣的血肉；凡地上所有的都要滅亡。
 創:6.18     但我要與你立約，你以及你的兒子、妻子和兒媳，要與你一同進入方舟。
 創:6.19     你要由一切有血肉的生物中，各帶一對，即一公一母，進入方舟，與你一同生活；
 創:6.20     各種飛鳥、各種牲畜、地上所有的各種爬蟲，皆取一對同你進去，得以保存生命。
 創:6.21     此外，你還應帶上各種吃用的食物，貯存起來，作你和他們的食物。」
 創:6.22     諾厄全照辦了；天主怎樣吩咐了他，他就怎樣做了。

 創:7.1      [洪水滅世]  上主對諾厄說：「你和你全家進入方舟，因為在這一世代，我看只有你在我面前正義。
 創:7.2      由一切潔淨牲畜中，各取公母七對；由那些不潔淨的牲畜中，各取公母一對；
 創:7.3      由天空的飛鳥中，也各取公母七對；好在全地面上傳種。
 創:7.4      因為還有七天，我要在地上降雨四十天四十夜，消滅我在地面上所造的一切生物。」
 創:7.5      諾厄全照上主吩咐他的做了。
 創:7.6      當洪水在地上氾濫時，諾厄已六百歲。
 創:7.7      諾厄和他的兒子，他的妻子和他的兒媳，同他進了方舟，為躲避洪水。
 創:7.8      潔淨的牲畜和不潔淨的牲畜，飛鳥和各種在地上爬行的動物，
 創:7.9      一對一對地同諾厄進了方舟；都是一公一母，照天主對他所吩咐的。
 創:7.10     七天一過，洪水就在地上氾濫。
 創:7.11     諾厄六百歲那一年，二月十七日那天，所有深淵的泉水都冒出，天上的水閘都開放了；
 創:7.12     大雨在地上下了四十天四十夜。
 創:7.13     正在這一天，諾厄和他的兒子閃、含、耶斐特，他的妻子和他的三個兒媳，一同進了方舟。
 創:7.14     他們八口和所有的野獸、各種牲畜、各種在地上爬行的爬蟲、各種飛禽，
 創:7.15     一切有生氣有血肉的，都一對一對地同諾厄進了方舟。
 創:7.16     凡有血肉的，都是一公一母地進了方舟，如天主對諾厄所吩咐的。隨後上主關了門。
 創:7.17     洪水在地上氾濫了四十天；水不斷增漲，浮起了方舟，方舟遂由地面上升起。
 創:7.18     洪水洶湧，在地上猛漲，方舟漂浮在水面上。
 創:7.19     洪水在地上一再猛漲，天下所有的高山也都沒了頂；
 創:7.20     洪水高出淹沒的群山十有五肘。
 創:7.21     凡地上行動而有血肉的生物：飛禽、牲畜、野獸，在地上爬行的爬蟲，以及所有的人全滅亡了；
 創:7.22     凡在旱地上以鼻呼吸的生靈都死了。
 創:7.23     這樣，天主消滅了在地面上的一切生物，由人以至於牲畜、爬蟲以及天空中的飛鳥，這一切都由地上消滅了，只剩下諾厄和同他在方舟內的人物。
 創:7.24     洪水在地上氾濫了一百五十天。

 創:8.1      [洪水退落] 天主想起了諾厄和同他在方舟內的一切野獸和牲畜，遂使風吹過大地，水漸漸退落；
 創:8.2      深淵的泉源和天上的水閘已關閉，雨也由天上停止降落，
 創:8.3      於是水逐漸由地上退去；過了一百五十天，水就低落了。
 創:8.4      七月十七日，方舟停在阿辣辣特山上。
 創:8.5      洪水繼續減退，直到十月；十月一日，許多山頂都露出來。
 創:8.6      過了四十天，諾厄開了在方舟上做的窗戶，
 創:8.7      放了一隻烏鴉；烏鴉飛去又飛回，直到地上的水都乾了。
 創:8.8      諾厄等待了七天，又放出了一隻鴿子，看看水是否已由地面退盡。
 創:8.9      但是，因為全地面上還有水，鴿子找不著落腳的地方，遂飛回方舟；諾厄伸手將牠接入方舟內。
 創:8.10     再等了七天，他由方舟中又放出一隻鴿子，
 創:8.11     傍晚時，那隻鴿子飛回他那裏，看，嘴裏啣著一根綠的橄欖樹枝；諾厄於是知道，水已由地上退去。
 創:8.12     諾厄又等了七天再放出一隻鴿子；這隻鴿子沒有回來。
 創:8.13     [諾厄出方舟]  諾厄六百零一歲，正月初一，地上的水都乾了，諾厄就撤開方舟的頂觀望，看見地面已乾。
 創:8.14     二月二十七日，大地全乾了。
 創:8.15     天主於是吩咐諾厄說：
 創:8.16     「你和你的妻子、兒子及兒媳，同你由方舟出來；
 創:8.17     所有同你在方舟內的有血肉的生物：飛禽、牲畜和各種地上的爬蟲，你都帶出來，叫他們在地上滋生，在地上生育繁殖。」
 創:8.18     諾厄遂同他的兒子、妻子及兒媳出來；
 創:8.19     所有的爬蟲、飛禽和地上所有的動物，各依其類出了方舟。
 創:8.20     諾厄給上主築了一座祭壇，拿各種潔淨的牲畜和潔淨的飛禽，獻在祭壇上，作為全燔祭。
 創:8.21     上主聞到了馨香，心裏說：「我再不為人的緣故咒罵大地，因為人心的思念從小就邪惡；我也再不照我所作的打擊一切生物了，
 創:8.22     只願大地存在之日，稼穡寒暑，冬夏晝夜，循環不息。」

 創:9.1      [人類復興]  天主祝福諾厄和他的兒子們說：「你們要滋生繁殖，充滿大地。
 創:9.2      地上的各種野獸，天空的各種飛鳥，地上的各種爬蟲和水中的各種游魚，都要對你們表示驚恐畏懼：這一切都已交在你們手中。
 創:9.3      凡有生命的動物，都可作你們的食物；我將這一切賜給你們，有如以前賜給你們蔬菜一樣；
 創:9.4      凡有生命，帶血的肉，你們不可吃；
 創:9.5      並且，我要追討害你們生命的血債：向一切野獸追討，向人，向為弟兄的人，追討人命。
 創:9.6      凡流人血的，他的血也要為人所流，因為人是照天主的肖像造的。
 創:9.7      你們要生育繁殖，在地上滋生繁衍。」
 創:9.8      [天主與諾厄立約]  天主對諾厄和他的兒子們說：
 創:9.9      「看，我現在與你們和你們未來的後裔立約，
 創:9.10     並與同你們在一起的一切生物：飛鳥、牲畜和一切地上野獸，即凡由方舟出來的一切地上生物立約。
 創:9.11     我與你們立約：凡有血肉的，以後決不再受洪水湮滅，再沒有洪水來毀滅大地。」
 創:9.12     天主說：「這是我在我與你們以及同你們在一起的一切生物之間，立約的永遠標記：
 創:9.13     我把虹霓放在雲間，作我與大地之間立約的標記。
 創:9.14     幾時我興雲遮蓋大地，雲中要出現虹霓，
 創:9.15     那時我便想起我與你們以及各種屬血肉的生物之間所立的盟約：這樣水就不會再成為洪水，毀滅一切血肉的生物。
 創:9.16     幾時虹霓在雲間出現，我一看見，就想起在天主與地上各種屬血肉的生物之間所立的永遠盟約。」
 創:9.17     天主對諾厄說：「這就是我在我與地上一切有血肉的生物之間，所立的盟約的標記。」
 創:9.18     [諾厄的詛咒與祝福]  諾厄的兒子由方舟出來的，有閃、含、和耶斐特。含是客納罕的父親。
 創:9.19     這三人是諾厄的兒子；人類就由這三人分布天下。
 創:9.20     諾厄原是農夫，遂開始種植葡萄園。
 創:9.21     一天他喝酒喝醉了，就在自己的帳幕內脫去了衣服。
 創:9.22     客納罕的父親含看見了父親赤身露體，遂去告訴外面的兩個兄弟。
 創:9.23     閃和耶斐特二人於是拿了件外衣，搭在肩上，倒退著走進去，蓋上父親的裸體。他們的臉背著，沒有看見父親的裸體。
 創:9.24     諾厄醒了後，知道了小兒對他作的事，
 創:9.25     就說：「客納罕是可咒罵的，給兄弟當最下賤的奴隸。」
 創:9.26     又說：「上主，閃的天主，應受讚美，客納罕應作他的奴隸。
 創:9.27     願天主擴展耶斐特，使他住在閃的帳幕內；客納罕應作他的奴隸。」
 創:9.28     洪水以後，諾厄又活了三百五十年。
 創:9.29     諾厄共活了九百五十歲死了。

 創:10.1     [諾厄三子的後裔]  以下是諾厄的兒子閃、含、和耶斐特的後裔。洪水以後，他們都生了子孫。
 創:10.2     耶斐特的子孫：哥默爾、瑪哥格、瑪待、雅汪、突巴耳、默舍客和提辣斯。
 創:10.3     哥默爾的子孫：阿市革納次、黎法特和托加爾瑪。
 創:10.4     雅汪的子孫：厄里沙、塔爾史士、基廷和多丹。
 創:10.5     那些分佈於島上的民族，就是出於這些人：以上這些人按疆域、語言、宗族和國籍，都屬耶斐特的子孫。
 創:10.6     含的子孫：雇士、米茲辣殷、普特、和客納罕。
 創:10.7     雇士的子孫：色巴、哈威拉、撒貝達、辣阿瑪和撒貝特加。辣阿瑪的子孫：舍巴和德丹。
 創:10.8     雇士生尼默洛得，他是世上第一個強人。
 創:10.9     他在上主面前是個有本領的獵人，為此有句俗話說：「如在上主面前，有本領的獵人尼默洛得。」
 創:10.10    他開始建國於巴比倫、厄勒客和阿加得，都在史納爾地域。
 創:10.11    他由那地方去了亞述，建設了尼尼微、勒曷波特城、
 創:10.12    加拉和在尼尼微與加拉之間的勒森（尼尼微即是那大城。）
 創:10.13    米茲辣殷生路丁人、阿納明人、肋哈賓人、納斐突歆人、
 創:10.14    帕特洛斯人、加斯路人和加非托爾人。培肋舍特人即出自此族。
 創:10.15    客納罕生長子漆冬，以後生赫特、
 創:10.16    耶步斯人、阿摩黎人、基爾加士人、
 創:10.17    希威人、阿爾克人、息尼人、
 創:10.18    阿爾瓦得人、責瑪黎人、和哈瑪特人；此後，客納罕的宗族分散了，
 創:10.19    以致客納罕人的邊疆，自漆冬經過革辣爾直到迦薩，又經過索多瑪、哈摩辣、阿德瑪和責波殷，直到肋沙。
 創:10.20    以上這些人按疆域、語言、宗族和國籍，都屬含的子孫。
 創:10.21    耶斐特的長兄，即厄貝爾所有子孫的祖先閃，也生了兒子。
 創:10.22    閃的子孫：厄藍、亞述、阿帕革沙得、路得和阿蘭。
 創:10.23    阿蘭的子孫：伍茲、胡耳、革特爾和瑪士。
 創:10.24    阿帕革沙得生舍拉；舍拉生厄貝爾。
 創:10.25    厄貝爾生了兩個兒子：一個名叫培肋格，因為在他的時代世界分裂了；他的兄弟名叫約刻堂。
 創:10.26    約刻堂生阿耳摩達得、舍肋夫、哈匝瑪委特、耶辣、
 創:10.27    哈多蘭、烏匝耳、狄刻拉、
 創:10.28    敖巴耳、阿彼瑪耳、舍巴、
 創:10.29    敖非爾、哈威拉和約巴布：以上都是約刻堂的子孫。
 創:10.30    他們居住的地域，從默沙經過色法爾直到東面的山地：
 創:10.31    以上這些人按疆域、語言、宗族和國籍，都屬閃的子孫：
 創:10.32    以上這些人按他們的出身和國籍，都是諾厄子孫的家族；洪水以後，地上的民族都是由他們分出來的。

 創:11.1     [巴貝耳塔]  當時全世界只有一種語言和一樣的話。
 創:11.2     當人們由東方遷移的時候，在史納爾地方找到了一塊平原，就在那裏住下了。
 創:11.3     他們彼此說：「來，我們做磚，用火燒透。」他們遂拿磚當石，拿瀝青代灰泥。
 創:11.4     然後彼此說：「來，讓我們建造一城一塔，塔頂摩天，好給我們作記念，免得我們在全地面上分散了! 」
 創:11.5     上主遂下來，要看看世人所造的城和塔。
 創:11.6     上主說：「看，他們都是一個民族，都說一樣的語言。他們如今就開始做這事；以後他們所想做的，就沒有不成功的了。
 創:11.7     來，我們下去，混亂他們的語言，使他們彼此語言不通。」
 創:11.8     於是上主將他們分散到全地面，他們遂停止建造那城。
 創:11.9     為此人稱那地為「巴貝耳，」因為上主在那裏混亂了全地的語言，且從那裏將他們分散到全地面。
 創:11.10    [閃族的家譜]  以下是閃的後裔：洪水後兩年，閃正一百歲，生了阿帕革沙得；
 創:11.11    生阿帕革沙得後，閃還活了五百年，也生了其他的兒女。
 創:11.12    阿帕革沙得三十五歲時，生了舍拉；
 創:11.13    生舍拉後，阿帕革沙得還活了四百零三年，也生了其他的兒女。
 創:11.14    舍拉三十歲時，生了厄貝爾；
 創:11.15    生厄貝爾後，舍拉還活了四百零三年，也生了其他的兒女。
 創:11.16    厄貝爾三十四歲時生了培肋格；
 創:11.17    生培肋格後，厄貝爾還活了四百三十年，也生了其他的兒女。
 創:11.18    培肋格三十歲時，生了勒伍；
 創:11.19    生勒伍後，培肋格還活了二百零九年，也生了其他的兒女。
 創:11.20    勒伍三十二歲時，生了色魯格；
 創:11.21    生色魯格後，勒伍還活了二百零七年，也生了其他的兒女。
 創:11.22    色魯格三十歲時，生了納曷爾；
 創:11.23    生納曷爾後，色魯格還活了二百年，也生了其他的兒女。
 創:11.24    納曷爾活到二十九歲時，生特辣黑；
 創:11.25    生特辣黑後，納曷爾還活了一百一十九年，也生了其他的兒女。
 創:11.26    特辣黑七十歲時，生了亞巴郎、納曷爾和哈郎。
 創:11.27    [特辣黑的後裔]  以下是特辣黑的後裔：特辣黑生了亞巴郎、納曷爾和哈郎；哈郎生了羅特。
 創:11.28    哈郎在他的出生地，加色丁人的烏爾，死在他父親特辣黑面前。
 創:11.29    亞巴郎和納曷爾都娶了妻子：亞巴郎的妻子名叫撒辣依；納曷爾的妻子名叫米耳加，她是哈郎的女兒；哈郎是米耳加和依色加的父親。
 創:11.30    撒辣依不生育，沒有子女。
 創:11.31    特辣黑帶了自己的兒子亞巴郎和孫子，即哈郎的兒子羅特，並兒媳，即亞巴郎的妻子撒辣依，一同由加色丁的烏爾出發，往客納罕地去；他們到了哈蘭，就在那裏住下了。
 創:11.32    特辣黑死於哈蘭，享壽二百零五歲。
 創:11.33    後編 聖祖史(12-50)

 創:12.1     [亞巴郎蒙召]  上主對亞巴郎說：「離開你的故鄉、你的家族和父家，往我指給你的地方去。
 創:12.2     我要使你成為一個大民族，我必祝福你，使你成名，成為一個福源。
 創:12.3     我要祝福那祝福你的人，咒罵那咒罵你的人；地上萬民都要因你獲得祝福。」
 創:12.4     亞巴郎遂照上主的吩咐起了身，羅特也同他一起走了。亞巴郎離開哈蘭時，已七十五歲。
 創:12.5     他帶了妻子撒辣依、他兄弟的兒子羅特和他在哈蘭積蓄的財物，獲得的僕婢，一同往客納罕地去，終於到了客納罕地。
 創:12.6     亞巴郎經過那地，直到了舍根地摩勒橡樹區；當時客納罕人尚住在那地方。
 創:12.7     上主顯現給亞巴郎說：「我要將這地方賜給你的後裔。」亞巴郎就在那裏給顯現於他的上主，築了一座祭壇。
 創:12.8     從那裏又遷移到貝特耳東面山區，在那裏搭了帳幕，西有貝特耳，東有哈依；他在那裏又為上主築了一座祭壇，呼求上主的名。
 創:12.9     以後亞巴郎漸漸移往乃革布區。
 創:12.10    [亞巴郎去埃及]  其時那地方起了饑荒，亞巴郎遂下到埃及，寄居在那裏，因為那地方飢荒十分嚴重。
 創:12.11    當他要進埃及時，對妻子撒辣依說：「我知道你是個貌美的女人；
 創:12.12    埃及人見了你，必要說：這是他的妻子；他們定要殺我，讓你活著。
 創:12.13    所以請你說：你是我的妹妹，這樣我因了你而必獲優待，賴你的情面，保全我的生命。」
 創:12.14    果然，當亞巴郎一到了埃及，埃及人就注意了這女人實在美麗。
 創:12.15    法郎的朝臣也看見了她，就在法郎前讚她美麗；這女人就被帶入法郎的宮中。
 創:12.16    亞巴郎因了她果然蒙了優待，得了些牛羊、公驢、僕婢、母驢和駱駝。
 創:12.17    但是，上主為了亞巴郎的妻子撒辣依的事，降下大難打擊了法郎和他全家。
 創:12.18    法郎遂叫亞巴郎來說：「你對我作的是什麼事﹖為什麼你沒有告訴我，她是你的妻子﹖
 創:12.19    為什麼你說：她是我的妹妹，以致我娶了她做我的妻子﹖現在你的妻子在這裏，你帶她去罷! 」
 創:12.20    法郎於是吩咐人送走了亞巴郎和他的妻子以及他所有的一切。

 創:13.1     [亞巴郎回貝特耳]  亞巴郎帶了妻子和他所有的一切，與羅特一同由埃及上來，往乃革布去。
 創:13.2     亞巴郎有許多牲畜和金銀。
 創:13.3     他由乃革布逐漸往貝特耳移動帳幕，到了先前他在貝特耳與哈依之間，支搭帳幕的地方，
 創:13.4     亦即他先前築了祭壇，呼求上主之名的地方。
 創:13.5     [亞巴郎與羅特分離]  與亞巴郎同行的羅特，也有羊群、牛群和帳幕，
 創:13.6     那地方容不下他們住在一起，因為他們的產業太多，無法住在一起。
 創:13.7     牧放亞巴郎牲畜的人與牧放羅特牲畜的人，時常發生口角－－當時客納罕人和培黎齊人尚住在那裏。
 創:13.8     亞巴郎遂對羅特說：「在我與你，我的牧人與你的牧人之間，請不要發生口角，因為我們是至親。
 創:13.9     所有的地方不是都在你面前嗎﹖請你與我分開。你若往左，我就往右；你若往右，我就往左。」
 創:13.10    羅特舉目看見約但河整個平原，直到左哈爾一帶全有水灌溉，－－這是在上主消滅索多瑪和哈摩辣以前的事，－－有如上主的樂園，有如埃及地。
 創:13.11    羅特選了約但河的整個平原，遂向東方遷移；這樣，他們就彼此分開了：
 創:13.12    亞巴郎住在客納罕地；羅特住在平原的城市中，漸漸移動帳幕，直到索多瑪。
 創:13.13    索多瑪人在上主面前罪大惡極。
 創:13.14    羅特與亞巴郎分離以後，上主對亞巴郎說：「請你舉起眼來，由你所在的地方，向東西南北觀看；
 創:13.15    凡你看見的地方，我都要永遠賜給你和你的後裔。
 創:13.16    我要使你的後裔有如地上的灰塵；如果人能數清地上的灰塵，也能數清你的後裔。
 創:13.17    你起來，縱橫走遍這地，因為我要將這地賜給你。」
 創:13.18    於是亞巴郎移動了帳幕，來到赫貝龍的瑪默勒橡樹區居住，在那裏給上主築了一座祭壇。
   :
 創:14.1     [亞巴郎突襲獲勝]  那時史納爾王阿默辣斐耳，厄拉撒爾王阿黎約客，厄蘭王革多爾老默爾，哥因王提達耳，
 創:14.2     興兵攻擊索多瑪王貝辣，哈摩辣王彼爾沙，阿德瑪王史納布，責波殷王舍默貝爾及貝拉即左哈爾王。
 創:14.3     那些王子會合於息丁山谷，即今日的鹽海。
 創:14.4     他們十二年之久隸屬於革多爾老默爾，在十三年上就背叛了。
 創:14.5     在十四年上，革多爾老默爾率領與他聯盟的君王前來，在阿市塔特卡爾那殷擊敗了勒法因，在哈木擊敗了組斤，在克黎雅塔殷平原擊敗了厄明，
 創:14.6     在曷黎人的色依爾山擊敗了曷黎人，一直殺到靠近曠野的厄耳帕蘭；
 創:14.7     然後回軍轉到恩米市帕特，即卡德士，征服了阿瑪肋克人的全部領土，也征服了住在哈匝宗塔瑪爾的阿摩黎人。
 創:14.8     索多瑪王哈摩辣王，阿德瑪王，責波殷王和貝拉即左哈爾王於是出來，在息丁山谷列陣，
 創:14.9     與厄蘭王革多爾老默爾，哥因王提達耳，史納爾王阿漠辣斐耳和厄拉撒爾王阿黎約客交戰：四個王子敵對五個王子。
 創:14.10    息丁山谷遍地是瀝青坑；索多瑪王和哈摩辣王逃跑時都跌在坑裏；其餘的人都逃到山裏去了。
 創:14.11    那四個王子劫走了索多瑪和哈摩辣所有的財物和一切食糧，
 創:14.12    連亞巴郎兄弟的兒子羅特和他的財物也帶走了，因為那時他正住在索多瑪。
 創:14.13    有個逃出的人跑來，將這事告訴了希伯來人亞巴郎，他那時住在阿摩黎人瑪默勒的橡樹區；這阿摩黎人原是亞巴郎的盟友厄市苛耳和阿乃爾的兄弟。
 創:14.14    亞巴郎一聽說他的親人被人擄去，遂率領家生的步兵三百一十八人，直追至丹。
 創:14.15    夜間又和自己的僕人分隊襲擊，將他們擊敗，直追至大馬士革以北的曷巴，
 創:14.16    奪回了所有的財物，連他的親屬羅特和他的財物，以及婦女和人民都奪回來了。
 創:14.17    [默基瑟德祝福亞巴郎]  亞巴郎擊敗革多爾老默爾和與他聯盟的王子回來時，索多瑪王出來，到沙委山谷，即「君王山谷」迎接他。
 創:14.18    撒冷王默基瑟德也帶了餅酒來，他是至高者天主的司祭，
 創:14.19    祝福他說：「願亞巴郎蒙受天地的主宰，至高者天主的祝福!
 創:14.20    願將你的敵人交於你手中的至高者的天主受讚美! 」亞巴郎遂將所得的，拿出十分之一，給了默基瑟德。
 創:14.21    索多瑪王對亞巴郎說：「請你將人交給我，財物你都拿去罷! 」
 創:14.22    除僕從吃用了的以外，我什麼也不要；至於與我同行的人阿乃爾、厄市苛耳和瑪默勒所應得的一分，應讓他們拿去。」
  
 創:15.1     [上主與亞巴郎立約]  這些事以後，有上主的話在神視中對亞巴郎說：「亞巴郎，你不要怕，我是你的盾牌；你得的報酬必很豐厚! 」
 創:15.2     亞巴郎說：「我主上主! 你能給我什麼﹖我一直沒有兒子；繼承我家業的是大馬士革人厄里則爾。」
 創:15.3     亞巴郎又說：「你既沒有賜給我後裔，那麼只有一個家僕來作我的承繼人。」
 創:15.4     有上主的話答覆他說：「這人決不會是你的承繼人，而是你親生的要做你的承繼人。」
 創:15.5     上主遂領他到外面說：「請你仰觀蒼天，數點星辰，你能夠數清嗎﹖」繼而對他說：「你的後裔也將這樣。」
 創:15.6     亞巴郎相信了上主，上主就以此算為他的正義。
 創:15.7     上主又對他說：「我是上主，我從加色丁人的烏爾領你出來，是為將這地賜給你作為產業。」
 創:15.8     亞巴郎說：「我主上主!我如何知道我要佔有此地為產業﹖」
 創:15.9     上主對他說：「你給我拿來一隻三歲的母牛，一隻三歲的母山羊，一隻三歲的公綿羊，一隻斑鳩和一隻雛鴿。」
 創:15.10    亞巴郎便把這一切拿了來，每樣從中剖開，將一半與另一半相對排列，只有飛鳥沒有剖開。
 創:15.11    有鷙鳥落在獸屍上，亞巴郎就把牠們趕走。
 創:15.12    太陽快要西落時，亞巴郎昏沉地睡去，忽覺陰森萬分，遂害怕起來。
 創:15.13    上主對亞巴郎說：「你當知道，你的後裔必要寄居在異邦，受人奴役虐待四百年之久。
 創:15.14    但是，我要親自懲罰他們所要服事的民族；如此你的後裔必要帶著豐富的財物由那裏出來。
 創:15.15    至於你，你要享受高壽，以後平安回到你列祖那裏，被人埋葬。
 創:15.16    到了第四代，他們必要回到這裏，因為阿摩黎人的罪惡至今尚未滿貫。」
 創:15.17    當日落天黑的時候，看，有冒煙的火爐和燃著的火炬，由那些肉塊間經過。
 創:15.18    在這一天，上主與亞巴郎立約說：「我要賜給你後裔的這土地，是從埃及河直到幼發拉的河，
 創:15.19    就是刻尼人、刻納次人、卡德摩尼人、
 創:15.20    赫特人、培黎齊人、勒法因人、
 創:15.21    阿摩黎人、客納罕人、基爾加士人和耶步斯人的土地。」
  
 創:16.1     [依市瑪耳誕生]  郎的妻子撒辣依，沒有給他生孩子，她有個埃及婢女，名叫哈加爾。
 創:16.2     撒辣依就對亞巴「請看，上主既使我不能生育，你可去親近我的婢女，或許我能由她得到孩子。」亞巴郎就聽了撒辣依的話。
 創:16.3     亞巴郎住在客納年後，亞巴郎的妻子撒辣依將自己的埃及婢女哈加爾，給了丈夫亞巴郎做妾。
 創:16.4     亞巴郎自從同哈近，哈加爾就懷了孕；她見自己懷了孕；就看不起自己的主母。
 創:16.5     撒辣依對亞巴郎說：「我受羞辱是你的過錯。我將我的婢女放在你懷裏，她一見自己懷了孕，便看不起我。願上主在我與你之間來判斷!」
 創:16.6     亞巴郎對撒辣依你的婢女是在你手中；你看怎樣好，就怎樣待她罷! 」於是撒辣依就虐待她，她便由撒辣依面前逃跑了。
 創:16.7     上主的使者在曠泉旁，即在往叔爾道上的水泉旁，遇見了她，
 創:16.8     對她說：「撒辣女哈加爾! 你從那裏來，要往那裏去﹖」她答說：「我由我主母撒辣依那裏逃出來的。」
 創:16.9     上主的使者對她說：「你要回到你主母那裏，屈服在她手下。」
 創:16.10    上主的使者又對她說：「我要使你的後裔繁衍，多得不可勝數。」
 創:16.11    上主的使者再對她說：「看，你已懷孕，要生個兒子；要給他起名叫依市瑪耳，因為上主俯聽了你的苦訴。
 創:16.12    他將來為人，像頭野驢；他要反對眾人，眾人也要反對他；他要衝著自己的眾兄弟支搭帳幕。」
 創:16.13    哈加爾遂給那對的上主起名叫「你是看顧人的天主，」因為她說：「我不是也看見了那看顧人的天主嗎﹖」
 創:16.14    為此她給那井起海洛依井。這井是在卡德士與貝勒得之間。
 創:16.15    哈加爾給亞巴郎個兒子，亞巴郎給哈加爾所生的兒子，起名叫依市瑪耳。
 創:16.16    哈加爾給亞巴郎瑪耳時，亞巴郎已八十六歲。
  
 創:17.1     [立割損禮]  亞巴郎九十九歲時，上主顯現給他，對他說：「我是全能的天主，你當在我面前行走，作個成全的人。
 創:17.2     我要與你立約，使你極其繁盛。」
 創:17.3     亞巴郎遂俯伏在地；天主又對他說：
 創:17.4     「看，是我與你立約：你要成為萬民之父；
 創:17.5     以後，你不再叫做亞巴郎，要叫做亞巴辣罕，因為我已立定你為萬民之父，
 創:17.6     使你極其繁衍，成為一大民族，君王要由你而出。
 創:17.7     我要在我與你和你歷代後裔之間，訂立我的約，當作永久的約，就是我要做你和你後裔的天主。
 創:17.8     我必將你現今僑居之地，即客納罕全地，賜給你和你的後裔做永久的產業；我要作他們的天主。」
 創:17.9     天主又對亞巴郎說：「你和你的後裔，世世代代應遵守我的約。
 創:17.10    這就是你們應遵守的，在我與你們以及你的後裔之間所立的約：你們中所有的男子都應受割損。
 創:17.11    你們都應割去肉體上的包皮，作為我與你們之間的盟約的標記。
 創:17.12    你們中世世代代所有的男子，在生後八日都應受割損；連家中生的，或是用錢買來而不屬你種族的外方人，都應受割損。
 創:17.13    凡在你家中生的，和你用錢買來的奴僕，都該受割損。這樣，我的約刻在你們肉體上作為永久的約。
 創:17.14    凡未割去包皮，未受割損的男子，應由民間剷除；因他違犯了我的約。」
 創:17.15    [應許生子]  天主又對亞巴郎說：「你的妻子撒辣依，你不要再叫她撒辣依，而要叫她撒辣。
 創:17.16    我必要祝福她，使她也給你生個兒子。我要祝福她，使她成為一大民族，人民的君王要由她而生。
 創:17.17    亞巴郎遂俯伏在地笑起來，心想：「百歲的人還能生子嗎﹖撒辣已九十歲，還能生子﹖」
 創:17.18    亞巴郎對天主說：「只望依市瑪耳在你面前生存就夠了! 」
 創:17.19    天主說：「你的妻子撒辣確要給你生個兒子，你要給他起名叫依撒格；我要與他和他的後裔，訂立我的約當作永久的約。
 創:17.20    至於依市瑪耳，我也聽從你；我要祝福他，使他繁衍，極其昌盛。他要生十二個族長，我要使他成為一大民族。
 創:17.21    但是我的約，我要與明年此時撒辣給你生的依撒格訂立。」
 創:17.22    天主同亞巴郎說完話，就離開他上升去了。
 創:17.23    [亞巴郎全家男子受割損]  當天，亞巴郎就照天主所吩咐的，召集他的兒子依市瑪耳以及凡家中生的，和用錢買來的奴僕，即自己家中的一切男子，割去了他們肉體上的包皮。
 創:17.24    亞巴郎受割損時，已九十九歲；
 創:17.25    他的兒子，依市瑪耳受割損時，是十三歲。
 創:17.26    亞巴郎和他的兒子依市瑪耳在同日上受了割損。
 創:17.27    他家中所有的男人，不論是家中生的，或是由外方人那裏用錢買來的奴僕，都與他一同受了割損。
  
 創:18.1     [天主顯現給亞巴郎]  天正熱的時候，亞巴郎坐在帳幕門口，上主在瑪默勒橡樹林那裏，給他顯現出來。
 創:18.2     他舉目一望，見有三人站在對面。他一見就由帳幕門口跑去迎接他們，俯伏在地，
 創:18.3     說：「我主如果我蒙你垂愛，請不要由你僕人這裏走過去，
 創:18.4     我叫人拿點水來，洗洗你們的腳，然後在樹下休息休息。
 創:18.5     你們既然路過你僕人這裏，等我拿點餅來，吃點點心，然後再走。」他們答說：「就照你所說的做罷! 」
 創:18.6     亞巴郎趕快進入帳幕，到撒辣前說：「你快拿三斗細麵，和一和，作些餅。」
 創:18.7     遂又跑到牛群中，選了一頭又嫩又肥的牛犢，交給僕人，要他趕快煮好。
 創:18.8     亞巴郎遂拿了凝乳和牛奶，及預備好了的牛犢，擺在他們面前；他們吃的時候，自己在樹下侍候。
 創:18.9     他們對他說：「你的妻子撒辣在那裏﹖」他答說：「在帳幕裏。」
 創:18.10    其中一位說：「明年此時我必回到你這裏，那時，你的妻子撒辣要有一個兒子。」辣其時正在那人背後的帳幕門口竊聽。
 創:18.11    亞巴郎和撒辣都已年老，年紀很大，而且撒辣的月經早已停止。
 創:18.12    撒辣遂心裏竊笑說：「現在，我已衰老，同我年老的丈夫，還有這喜事嗎﹖」
 創:18.13    上主對亞巴郎說：「撒辣為什麼笑﹖且說：像我這樣老，真的還能生育﹖
 創:18.14    為上主豈有難事﹖明年這時，我必要回到你這裏，那時撒辣必有一個兒子。」
 創:18.15    撒辣害怕了，否認說：「我沒有笑。」但是那位說：「不，你實在笑了。」
 創:18.16    [亞巴郎求情]  後來那三人由那裏起身，望著索多瑪前行；亞巴郎送他們，也一同前行。
 創:18.17    上主說：「我要作的事，豈能瞞著亞巴郎﹖
 創:18.18    因為他要成為一強大而又興盛的民族，地上所有的民族，都要因他蒙受祝福；
 創:18.19    何況我揀選了他，是要他訓令自己的子孫和未來的家族，保持上主的正道，實行公義正道，好使上主能實現他對亞巴郎所許的事。」
 創:18.20    上主於是說：「控告索多瑪和哈摩辣的聲音實在很大，他們的罪惡實在深重!
 創:18.21    我要下去看看，願意知道：是否他們所行的全如達到我前的呼聲一樣。」
 創:18.22    三人中有二人轉身向索多瑪走去；亞巴郎卻仍立在上主面前。
 創:18.23    亞巴郎近前來說：「你真要將義人同惡人一起消滅嗎﹖
 創:18.24    假如城中有五十個義人，你還要消滅嗎﹖不為其中的那五十個義人，赦免那地方嗎﹖
 創:18.25    你決不能如此行事，將義人同惡人一併誅滅；將義人如惡人一樣看待，你決不能! 審判全地的主，豈能不行公義﹖」
 創:18.26    上主答說：「假如我在索多瑪城中找出了五十個義人，為了他們我要赦免整個地方。」
 創:18.27    亞巴郎接著說：
 創:18.28    「我雖只是塵埃灰土，膽敢再對我主說：假如五十個義人中少了五個怎樣﹖你就為了少五個而毀滅全城嗎﹖」他答說：「假如我在那裏找到四十五個，我不毀滅。」
 創:18.29    亞巴郎再向他進言說：「假如在那裏找到四十個怎樣﹖」他答說：「為了這四十個我也不做這事。」
 創:18.30    亞巴郎說：「求我主且勿動怒，容我再進一言：假如在那裏找到三十個怎樣﹖」他答說：「假如在那裏我找到三十個，我也不做這事。」
 創:18.31    亞巴郎說：「我再放膽對我主進一言：假如在那裏找到二十個怎樣﹖」他答說：「為了這二十個，我也不毀滅。」
 創:18.32    亞巴郎求：「求我主且勿動怒，容我最後一次進言：假如在那裏找到十個怎樣﹖」他答說：「為了這十個我也不毀滅。」
 創:18.33    上主向亞巴郎說完話就走了；亞巴郎也回家去了。
  
 創:19.1     [索多瑪的邪行]  黃昏時，那兩位使者來到了索多瑪，羅特正坐在索多瑪城門口，他一看見他們，就起身前去迎接，俯伏在地，
 創:19.2     說：「請二位先生下到你們僕人家中住一夜，洗洗你們的腳；明天早起，再趕你們的路。」他們答說：「不，我們願在街上過宿。」
 創:19.3     但因羅特極力邀請，他們才轉身跟著進了他的家。羅特為他們備辦了宴席，烤了無酵餅；他們就吃了。
 創:19.4     他們尚未就寢，閤城的人即索多瑪男人，不論年輕年老的，沒有例外，全都來圍住他的家，
 創:19.5     向羅特喊說：「今晚來到你這裏的那兩個男人在那裏﹖給我們領出來，叫我們好認識他們。」
 創:19.6     羅特就出來，隨手關上門，到門口見他們，
 創:19.7     說：「我的弟兄們! 請你們切不可作惡。
 創:19.8     看，我有兩個女兒，尚未認識過男人，容我領出她們來，任憑你們對待她們；只是這兩個男人，既然來到舍下，請你們不要對他們行事。」
 創:19.9     他們反說：「滾開! 」繼而說：「來這裏的這個外方人，居然做起判官來! 現在我們待你比他們還要厲害。」他們遂用力向羅特衝去，一齊向前要打破那門。
 創:19.10    那兩個人卻伸出手來，將羅特拉進屋內，關上了門；
 創:19.11    又使那些在屋門口的男人，無論大小都迷了眼，找不著門口。
 創:19.12    那兩個人對羅特說：「你這裏還有什麼人﹖帶你的女婿、兒女，以及城中你所有的人，離開這地方，
 創:19.13    因為我們要毀滅這地方；由於在上主面前控告他們的聲音實在大，所以上主派遣我們來毀滅這地方。」
 創:19.14    羅特遂出去，告訴要娶他女兒的兩個女婿說：「起來，離開這地方，因為上主要毀滅這城! 」但他的兩個女婿卻以為他在開玩笑。
 創:19.15    [索多瑪受罰]  天一亮，兩位使者就催促羅特說：「起來，快領你的妻子和你這裏的兩個女兒逃走，免得你因這城的罪惡同遭滅亡。」
 創:19.16    羅特仍遲延不走；但因為上主憐恤他，那兩個人就拉著他的手，他妻子的和他兩個女兒的手領出城外。
 創:19.17    二人領他們到城外，其中一個說：「快快逃命，不要往後看，也不要在平原任何地方站住；該逃往山中，免得同遭滅亡。」
 創:19.18    羅特對他們說：「啊! 不，我主!
 創:19.19    你僕人既蒙你垂愛，又蒙你大顯仁慈，得以保全我的性命；但是現在我不能逃往山中，怕遇見災禍死去。
 創:19.20    看這座城很近，容我逃往那裏，那只是一座小城；請容我逃往那裏；那不只是一座小城嗎﹖在那裏我可保全性命。」
 創:19.21    其中一個對他說：「好罷! 連在這事上我也顧全你的臉面，我必不消滅你提及的這座城。
 創:19.22    你趕快逃往那裏，因為你不到那裏，我不能行事。」為此那城稱為左哈爾。
 創:19.23    羅特到了左哈爾時，太陽已升出地面；
 創:19.24    上主遂使硫磺和火，從天上上主那裏，降於索多瑪和哈摩辣，
 創:19.25    毀滅了這幾座城市和整個平原，以及城中所有的居民和地上的草木。
 創:19.26    羅特的妻子因回頭觀看，立即變為鹽柱。
 創:19.27    亞巴郎清晨起來，到了以前他立在上主面前的地方，
 創:19.28    向索多瑪和哈摩辣，以及整個平原一帶眺望，看見那地煙火上騰，有如燒窯一般。
 創:19.29    當天主毀滅平原諸城，消滅羅特所住的城市時，想起了亞巴郎，由滅亡中救了羅特。
 創:19.30    [摩阿布和阿孟二族的由來]  羅特因為怕住在左哈爾，便與他的兩個女兒離開左哈爾，上了山住在那裏；他和兩個女兒同住在一個山洞裏。
 創:19.31    長女對幼女說：「我們的父親已經老了，地上又沒有男人依照世界上的禮俗來與我們親近。
 創:19.32    來讓我們用酒將父親灌醉，與他同睡：這樣我們可由父親傳生後代﹖」
 創:19.33    那天夜裏，她們就用酒將父親灌醉；長女遂進去與父親同睡；女兒幾時臥下，幾時起來，他都不知道。
 創:19.34    第二天，長女對幼女說：「看，昨夜我與父親同睡了，今夜我們再用酒灌醉他，你好進去與他同睡，由我們的父親傳生後代。」
 創:19.35    那天夜裏，她們又用酒將父親灌醉，幼女遂進去與他同睡；女兒幾時臥下，幾時起來，他都不知道。
 創:19.36    這樣，羅特的兩個女兒都由父親懷了孕。
 創:19.37    長女生了一個兒子，給他起名叫摩阿布，是現今摩阿布人的始祖。
 創:19.38    幼女也生了一個兒子，給他起名叫本阿米，是現今阿孟子民的始祖。
  
 創:20.1     [亞巴郎遷往革辣爾]  亞巴郎從那裏遷往乃革布地，定居在卡德士和叔爾之間。當他住在革辣爾時，
 創:20.2     亞巴郎一論到他的妻子撒辣就說：「她是我的妹妹。」革辣爾王阿彼默肋客於是派人來取了撒辣去。
 創:20.3     但是夜間，天主在夢中來對阿彼默肋客說：「為了你取來的那個女人你該死，因為她原是有夫之婦。」
 創:20.4     阿彼默肋客尚未接近她，於是說：「我主，連正義的人你也殺害嗎﹖
 創:20.5     那男人不是對我說過「她是我的妹妹嗎﹖」連她自己也說「他是我的哥哥。」我做了這事，是出於心正手潔呀! 」
 創:20.6     天主在夢中對他說：「我也知道，你是出於心正做了這事，所以我阻止了你犯罪得罪我，也沒有讓你接觸她。
 創:20.7     現在你應將女人還給那人，因為他是一位先知，他要為你轉求，你才可生存；倘若你不歸還，你該知道：你以及凡屬於你的，必死無疑。」
 創:20.8     阿彼默肋客很早就起來召集了眾臣僕，將全部實情告訴給他們聽；這些人都很害怕。
 創:20.9     然後阿彼默肋客叫了亞巴郎來，對他說：「你對我們作的是什麼事﹖我在什麼事上得罪了你，竟給我和我的王國招來了這樣大的罪過﹖你對我作了不應該作的事。」
 創:20.10    阿彼默肋客繼而對亞巴郎說：「你作這事，究有什麼意思﹖」
 創:20.11    亞巴郎答說：「我以為在這地方一定沒有人敬畏天主，人會為了我妻子的緣故殺害我。
 創:20.12    何況她實在是我的妹妹，雖不是我母親的女兒，卻是我父親的女兒；後來做了我的妻子。
 創:20.13    當天主叫我離開父家，在外飄流的時候，我對她說：我們無論到什麼地方，你要說我是你的哥哥，這就我是你待我的大恩。」
 創:20.14    阿彼默肋客把些牛羊奴婢，送給了亞巴郎，也將他的妻子撒辣歸還了他；
 創:20.15    然後對他說：「看，我的土地盡在你面前，你願住在那裏，就住在那裏。」
 創:20.16    繼而對撒辣說：「看，我給了你哥哥一千銀子，作為你在闔家人前的遮羞錢；這樣，各方面無可指摘。」
 創:20.17    亞巴郎懇求了天主，天主就醫好了阿彼默肋客，他的妻子和他的眾婢女，使她們都能生育，
 創:20.18    因為上主為了亞巴郎妻子撒辣的事，關閉了阿彼默肋客家中所有婦女的子宮。
  
 創:21.1     [依撒格誕生]  上主照所許的，眷顧了撒辣；上主對撒辣實踐了他所說的話。
 創:21.2     撒辣懷了孕，在天主所許的時期，給年老的亞巴郎生了一個兒子。
 創:21.3     亞巴郎為撒辣給他所生的兒子，起名叫依撒格。
 創:21.4     生後第八天，亞巴郎照天主所吩咐的給自己的兒子依撒格行了割損。
 創:21.5     他兒子依撒格誕生時，亞巴郎正一百歲；
 創:21.6     為此撒辣說：「天主使我笑，凡聽見的也要與我一同笑。」
 創:21.7     又說：「誰能告訴亞巴郎，撒辣要哺養兒子呢﹖可是我在他老年，卻給他生了個兒子。」
 創:21.8     孩子漸漸長大，斷了乳；在依撒格斷乳的那天，亞巴郎擺了盛宴。
 創:21.9     撒辣見那埃及女人哈加爾給亞巴郎生的兒子，戲笑自己的兒子依撒格，
 創:21.10    就對亞巴郎說：「你該趕走這婢女和她的兒子，因為這婢女的兒子不能和我的兒子依撒格一同承受家業。」
 創:21.11    亞巴郎為了他這兒子的事很是苦惱。
 創:21.12    但天主對亞巴郎說：「你不必為這孩子和你的婢女苦惱；凡撒辣對你說的，你都可聽從，因為只有藉依撒格你的名才能傳後。
 創:21.13    至於這婢女的兒子，我也要使他成為一大民族，因為他也是你的孩子。」
 創:21.14    第二天，亞巴郎清早起來拿了餅和一皮囊水，交給哈加爾，放在她肩上，又將孩子交給她，打發她走了。她一路前行，在貝爾舍巴曠野迷失了路。
 創:21.15    那時皮囊裏的水已用盡，她把孩子丟在一堆小樹下，
 創:21.16    自己走開，在約離一箭之遠的對面坐下，自言自語說：「我不忍見這孩子夭折。」就坐在對面放聲大哭。
 創:21.17    天主聽見孩子啼哭，天主的使者由天上呼喚哈加爾說：「哈加爾! 你有什麼事﹖不要害怕，因為天主已聽見孩子在那裏的哭聲。
 創:21.18    起來，去扶起孩子來，用手攙著他，因為我要使他成為一大民族。」
 創:21.19    天主於是開了她的眼，她看見了一口水井，遂去將皮囊灌滿了水，給孩子喝。
 創:21.20    天主與孩子同在，他漸漸長大住在曠野，成了個弓手。
 創:21.21    他住在帕蘭曠野；他母親由埃及地給他娶了一個妻子。
 創:21.22    [阿彼默肋客與亞巴郎立約]  那時阿彼默肋客同他的司令非苛耳對亞巴郎說：「在你所作的一切事上，天主常與你同在。
 創:21.23    現在你在這裏要指著天主對我起誓：總不要虧待我和我的子子孫孫。我怎樣厚待了你，你也要怎樣厚待我和你寄居的地方。」
 創:21.24    亞巴郎回答說：「我願起誓。」
 創:21.25    亞巴郎為了阿彼默肋客的僕人霸佔了一口水井，就責斥阿彼默肋客。
 創:21.26    阿彼默肋客回答說：「我不知道誰作了這事，你也沒有通知我，我到今天才聽說。」
 創:21.27    亞巴郎遂把牛羊交給阿彼默肋客，二人互相立了約。
 創:21.28    亞巴郎又將羊群中七隻母羔羊，另放在一邊。
 創:21.29    阿彼默肋客問亞巴郎說：「將這七隻母羔羊另放一邊，請問有什麼意思﹖」
 創:21.30    他答說：「你要由我手中接受這七隻母羔羊，作我挖了這口水井的憑據。」
 創:21.31    因為他們二人在那裏起了誓，為此那地方叫做貝爾舍巴。
 創:21.32    他們在貝爾舍巴立了約，阿彼默肋客同他的司令非苛耳起身回培肋舍特地去了。
 創:21.33    亞巴郎在貝爾舍巴栽了一株檉柳，在那裏呼求了上主，永恒天主的名。
 創:21.34    亞巴郎在培肋舍特人地內住了許久。
  
 創:22.1     [亞巴郎從命獻子]  這些事以後，天主試探亞巴郎說：「亞巴郎! 」他答說：「我在這裏。」
 創:22.2     天主說：「帶你心愛的獨生子依撒格往摩黎雅地方去，在我所要指給你的一座山上，將他獻為全燔祭。」
 創:22.3     亞巴郎次日清早起來，備好驢，帶了兩個僕人和自己的兒子依撒格，劈好為全燔祭用的木柴，就起身往天主指給他的地方去了。
 創:22.4     第三天，亞巴郎舉目遠遠看見了那個地方，
 創:22.5     就對僕人說：「你們同驢在這裏等候，我和孩子要到那邊去朝拜，以後就回到你們這裏來。」
 創:22.6     亞巴郎將為全燔祭用的木柴，放在兒子依撒格的肩上，自己手中拿著刀和火，兩人一同前行。
 創:22.7     路上依撒格對父親亞巴郎說：「阿爸! 」他答說：「我兒，我在這裏。」依撒格說：「看，這裏有火有柴，但是那裏有作全燔祭的羔羊﹖」
 創:22.8     亞巴郎答說：「我兒! 天主自會照料作全燔祭的羔羊。」於是二人再繼續一同前行。
 創:22.9     當他們到了天主指給他的地方，亞巴郎便在那裏築了一座祭壇，擺好木柴，將兒子依撒格捆好，放在祭壇上的木柴上。
 創:22.10    亞巴郎正伸手舉刀要宰獻自己的兒子時，
 創:22.11    上主的使者從天上對他喊說：「亞巴郎! 亞巴郎! 」他答說：「我在這裏。」
 創:22.12    使者說：「不可在這孩子身上下手，不要傷害他! 我現在知道你實在敬畏天主，因為你為了我竟連你的獨生子也不顧惜。」
 創:22.13    亞巴郎舉目一望，見有一隻公綿羊，兩角纏在灌木中，遂前去取了那隻公綿羊，代替自己的兒子，獻為全燔祭。
 創:22.14    亞巴郎給那地方起名叫「上主自會照料。」直到今日人還說：「在山上，上主自會照料。」
 創:22.15    上主的使者由天上又呼喚亞巴郎說：「
 創:22.16    我指自己起誓，－－上主的斷語，－－因為你作了這事，沒有顧惜你的獨生子，
 創:22.17    我必多多祝福你，使你的後裔繁多，如天上的星辰，如海邊的沙粒。你的後裔必佔領他們仇敵的城門；
 創:22.18    地上萬民要因你的後裔蒙受祝福，因為你聽從了我的話。」
 創:22.19    亞巴郎回到自己僕人那裏，一同起身回了貝爾舍巴，遂住在貝爾舍巴。
 創:22.20    [納曷爾的後代]  這些事以後，有人告訴亞巴郎說：「米耳加也給你的兄弟納曷爾生了兒子：
 創:22.21    長子伍茲，他的弟弟步次、阿蘭的父親刻慕耳、
 創:22.22    革色得、哈左、丕耳達士、依德拉夫和貝突耳：－－
 創:22.23    貝突耳生了黎貝加，－－這八人都是米耳加給亞巴郎的兄弟納曷爾生的兒子。
 創:22.24    此外他的妾名叫勒烏瑪的，給他生了特巴黑、加罕、塔哈士和瑪阿加。
  
 創:23.1     [撒辣逝世埋葬]  撒辣一生的壽數是一百二十歲。
 創:23.2     撒辣死在客納罕地的克黎雅特阿爾巴，即赫貝龍。亞巴郎來舉哀哭弔撒辣；
 創:23.3     然後從死者面前起來，對赫特人說道：「
 創:23.4     我在你們中是個外鄉僑民，請你們在這裏賣給我一塊墳地，我好將我的死者移去埋葬。」
 創:23.5     赫特人答覆亞巴郎說：「
 創:23.6     先生，請聽：你在我們中是天主的寵臣，你可在我們最好的墳地埋葬你的死者，我們沒有人會拒絕你，在他的墳地內埋葬你的死者。」
 創:23.7     亞巴郎遂起來，向當地人民赫特人下拜，
 創:23.8     然後對他們說：「如果你們實在願意我將死者移去埋葬，請你們答應我，為我請求祚哈爾的兒子厄斐龍，
 創:23.9     要他賣給我他那塊田地盡頭所有的瑪革培拉山洞；要他按實價在你們面前賣給我，作為私有墳地。」
 創:23.10    當時，厄斐龍也坐在赫特人中間。這赫特人厄斐龍遂在聚於城門口的赫特人面前，高聲答覆亞巴郎說：「
 創:23.11    先生，不要這樣。請聽我說：我送給你這塊田，連其中的山洞，也送給你。我願在我同族的人民眼前送給你，埋葬你的死者。」
 創:23.12    亞巴郎又在當地人民面前下拜，
 創:23.13    然後對當地人民高聲向厄斐龍說：「假如你樂意，請你聽我說：我願給你地價，你收下後，我才在那裏埋葬我的死者。」
 創:23.14    厄斐龍答覆亞巴郎說：「
 創:23.15    先生，請聽我說：一塊值四百「協刻耳」銀子的地，在你和我之間，算得什麼! 你儘管去埋葬你的死者罷! 」
 創:23.16    亞巴郎明白了厄斐龍的意思，便照他在赫特人前大聲提出的價值，按流行的市價稱了四百「協刻耳」銀子給他。
 創:23.17    這樣，厄斐龍在瑪革培拉面對瑪默勒的那塊田地，連田地帶其中的山洞，以及在田地四周所有的樹木，
 創:23.18    當著聚在城門口的赫特人面前，全移交給亞巴郎作產業。
 創:23.19    事後，亞巴郎遂將自己的妻子撒辣葬在客納罕地，即葬在那塊面對瑪默勒，(即赫貝龍)，瑪革培拉田地的山洞內。
 創:23.20    這樣，這塊田地和其中的山洞，由赫特人移交了給亞巴郎作為私有墳地。
  
 創:24.1     [亞巴郎為子娶妻]  亞巴郎年紀已老，上主在一切事上常祝福他。
 創:24.2     亞巴郎對管理他所有家產的老僕人說：「請你將手放在我的胯下，
 創:24.3     要你指著上主、天地的天主起誓：你決不要為我的兒子，由我現住的客納罕人中，娶一個女子為妻；
 創:24.4     卻要到我的故鄉，我的親族中去，為我的兒子依撒格娶妻。」
 創:24.5     僕人對他說：「假使那女子不願跟我到此地來，我能否帶你的兒子回到你的本鄉﹖」
 創:24.6     亞巴郎答覆他說：「你切不可帶我的兒子回到那裏去。
 創:24.7     那引我出離父家和我生身地，同我談過話，對我起誓說「我必將這地賜給你後裔」的上主，上天的天主，必派遣自己的使者作你的前導，領你由那裏給我兒子娶個妻子。
 創:24.8     假若那女子不願跟你來，你對我起的誓，就與你無涉；無論如何，你不能帶我的兒子回到那裏去。」
 創:24.9     僕人遂將手放在主人亞巴郎的胯下，為這事向他起了誓。
 創:24.10    僕人就由他主人的駱駝中，牽了十匹駱駝，帶著主人的各樣寶物，起身往美索不達米亞的納曷爾城去了。
 創:24.11    傍晚，女人們出來打水的時候，他叫駱駝臥在城外的水井旁，
 創:24.12    然後說：「上主、我主人亞巴郎的天主! 求你對我主人亞巴郎施行仁慈，今日使我幸運。
 創:24.13    看我站在水泉旁，此時城中的女子正出來打水。
 創:24.14    我對那個少女說：請你放下水罐，讓我喝點水。如果她答說：請喝! 並且我還要打水給你的駱駝喝，她即是你為你的僕人依撒格預定的少女；由此我知道，你對我主人施行了仁慈。」
 創:24.15    話還沒有說完，黎貝加就肩著水罐出來了。她是亞巴郎的兄弟納曷爾的妻子米耳加的兒子貝突耳的女兒。
 創:24.16    這少女容貌很美，是個還沒有人認識的處女。她下到水泉，灌滿了水罐，就上來了。
 創:24.17    僕人就跑上前去迎著她說：「請讓我喝點你水罐裏的水，好嗎! 」
 創:24.18    她回答說：「先生! 請喝! 」她急忙將水罐放低，托在手上讓他喝。
 創:24.19    他喝足了以後，少女說：「我再為你的駱駝打水，叫牠們也喝足。」
 創:24.20    遂急忙將罐裏的水倒在槽裏，再跑到那井裏去打水，打給他的駱駝喝。
 創:24.21    僕人在旁靜靜地注視她，急願知道，是否上主已使他此行成功。
 創:24.22    駱駝喝完了水以後，老人就拿出一個半「協刻耳」重的金鼻環，和一對重十「協刻耳」的金手鐲，給她戴上，
 創:24.23    然後說：「請你告訴我你是誰的女兒﹖你父親家裏，有沒有地方可讓我們過宿﹖」
 創:24.24    她回答說：「我是米耳加給納曷爾所生之子貝突耳的女兒。」
 創:24.25    她又繼續說：「我們家裏有很多草料和飼糧，而且還有地方可供過宿。」
 創:24.26    老人就俯身朝拜了上主，說：「
 創:24.27    上主，我主人亞巴郎的天主應受讚美! 因為他不斷以仁慈和忠信善待了我的主人。上主也一路引我來到了我主人的老家。」
 創:24.28    那少女跑回去，將這一切事告訴了她母親家中的人。
 創:24.29    黎貝加有個哥哥名叫拉班，他一看見他妹妹鼻上的金環，和手腕上的金鐲，聽見他妹妹黎貝加說：「那人如此如此對我說。」
 創:24.30    拉班就跑去見那在郊外水泉旁的人，迨他來到那人那裏，見他仍站在靠近水泉的駱駝旁，
 創:24.31    就對他說：「你這受上主祝福的人，請來我已預備好了房屋和餵駱駝的地方；你為什麼還站在郊外﹖」
 創:24.32    拉班便將那人領進家去，卸了駱駝，餵上草料和飼糧；又拿水給他和與他同來的人洗腳，
 創:24.33    然後在他面前擺上飯，但僕人卻說：「在我未說明我的來意之前，我不吃飯。」拉班說：「你說罷! 」
 創:24.34    他說：「我是亞巴郎的僕人，
 創:24.35    上主厚厚地祝福了我的主人，使他十分富有，賜了他羊群、牛群、金銀、僕婢、駱駝和驢子。
 創:24.36    我主人的妻子撒辣，在老年給我主人生了一個兒子，主人遂將所有的財產都給了他。
 創:24.37    我主人叫我起誓說：你決不要給我的兒子，由我現居地的客納罕人中，娶一個女子為妻。
 創:24.38    你該到我的父家和我的同族中，為我兒子娶妻。
 創:24.39    我對我主人說：假使女兒不願跟我來怎麼辦﹖
 創:24.40    他回答我說：我一向在上主面前行走，他必派遣自己的使者與你同行，使你此行必成功，能由我的同族，我的父家，為我兒子娶妻。
 創:24.41    只要你去了我同族那裏，你就履行了對我起的誓；若是他們不給你，你對我起的誓，就與你無涉。
 創:24.42    今天我到了水泉那裏就說：上主，我主人亞巴郎的天主! 惟願你使我此行成功。
 創:24.43    看我現在站在泉旁，我對那個出來打水的少女說：請你讓我喝點你水罐裏的水罷!
 創:24.44    如果她對我說：請喝，並且我還要打水給你的駱駝喝，她即是上主為我主人的兒子預定的妻子。
 創:24.45    我心裏尚未說完這話，看，黎貝加肩著水罐來了，下到水泉那裏打水，我就對她說：請給我一點水喝!
 創:24.46    她急忙從肩上放下水罐說：你喝，並且我還要打水給你的駱駝喝。我喝了，同時她也給了駱駝水喝。
 創:24.47    我於是問她說：你是誰的女兒﹖她答說：我是米耳加給納曷爾生的兒子貝突耳的女兒。我就將鼻環戴在她鼻上，將手鐲帶在她手腕上。
 創:24.48    然後我俯身朝拜了上主，讚頌了上主、我主人亞巴郎的天主，因為他引我走了正路，為我主人的兒子娶了我主人兄弟的孫女。
 創:24.49    現在，如果你們願意以仁慈和忠信善待我主人，請告訴我；如果不肯，也請告訴我；我好決定行事。」
 創:24.50    拉班和貝突耳答說：「這件事既是出於上主，我們不能對你說好說壞。
 創:24.51    看黎貝加在你面前，你可帶她去做你主人兒子的妻子，如上主所說的。」
 創:24.52    亞巴郎的僕人一聽見他們說出這話，就俯伏在地朝拜了上主；
 創:24.53    然後拿出金銀的珍飾和衣服來，送給了黎貝加，又送給了她的哥哥和她的母親一些寶貴禮品。
 創:24.54    這以後，他和同他前來的人才吃喝，並住了一宿。清早起來，他就說：「請讓我回到我主人那裏去! 」
 創:24.55    黎貝加的哥哥和母親說：「讓少女同我們再住上幾天或十天，然後走罷! 」
 創:24.56    他回答他們說：「你們不要挽留我，上主既使我此行成功，請你們讓我走，回到我主人那裏去。」
 創:24.57    他們說：「我們可叫少女來，問問她的意思。」
 創:24.58    他們就將黎貝加叫來問她說：「你願意跟這人去嗎﹖」她答說：「願意。」
 創:24.59    於是他們打發自己的姊妹黎貝加和她的乳母，同亞巴郎的僕人和與他同來的人一起走了。
 創:24.60    他們祝福黎貝加說：「我們的姊妹，願你子孫無數! 願你的後裔，佔領仇敵的城門! 」
 創:24.61    黎貝加便和自己的婢女們起來，上了駱駝，跟那人去了。僕人便帶著黎貝加起了程。
 創:24.62    [依撒格完婚]  那時依撒格剛來到拉海洛依井旁附近，他原住在乃革布地方。
 創:24.63    傍晚時，依撒格出來在田間來回沉思，舉目一望，看見了一隊駱駝。
 創:24.64    黎貝加舉目看見了依撒格，便由駱駝上下來，
 創:24.65    問僕人說：「田間前來迎接我們的那人是誰﹖」僕人答說：「是我的主人。」黎貝加遂拿面紗蒙在臉上。
 創:24.66    僕人就將自己所作的一切事，告訴了依撒格。
 創:24.67    依撒格便領黎貝加進入自己母親撒辣的帳幕，娶了她為妻，很是愛她。依撒格自從母親死後，這才有了安慰。
  
 創:25.1     [亞巴郎的晚年]  亞巴郎又續娶了一個妻子，名叫刻突辣。
 創:25.2     刻突辣給他生了齊默郎、約刻商、默丹、米德楊、依市巴克和叔哈。
 創:25.3     約刻商生了舍巴和德丹；德丹的子孫是阿叔陵人、肋突興人和肋烏明人。
 創:25.4     米德楊的子孫是厄法、厄斐爾、哈諾客、阿彼達和厄耳達阿：以上都是刻突辣的子孫。
 創:25.5     亞巴郎將自己所有的財產都給了依撒格；
 創:25.6     至於妾所生的兒子，亞巴郎給了他們一些禮物，在自己活著時，就叫他們離開自己的兒子依撒格，打發他們向東去，住在東方。
 創:25.7     [亞巴郎逝世]  亞巴郎一生的歲月共是一百七十五歲。
 創:25.8     亞巴郎壽高年老，已享天年，遂斷氣而死，歸到他親族那裏去了。
 創:25.9     他的兒子依撒格和依市瑪耳，將他葬在面對瑪默勒，赫特人祚哈爾之子厄斐龍的田間瑪革培拉山洞內。
 創:25.10    這塊田地是亞巴郎由赫特人那裏買來的；亞巴郎和妻子撒辣都葬在那裏。
 創:25.11    亞巴郎死後，天主祝福了他的兒子依撒格。依撒格定居在拉海洛依井附近。
 創:25.12    [依市瑪耳的後代]  以下是撒辣的婢女，埃及人哈加爾給亞巴郎生的依市瑪耳的後裔。
 創:25.13    依市瑪耳的子孫名單，依照出生的次第記載如下：依市瑪耳的長子是乃巴約特，其次是刻達爾、阿德貝耳、米貝散、
 創:25.14    米市瑪、杜瑪、瑪薩、
 創:25.15    哈達得、特瑪、耶突爾、納菲士和刻德瑪：
 創:25.16    以上都是依市瑪耳的兒子，這些人的名字也是他們的村莊和營地的名字，又是十二家族的族長。
 創:25.17    依市瑪耳一生的歲月是一百三十七歲；然後斷氣而死，歸到他親族那裏去了。
 創:25.18    他的子孫住在從哈威拉直到埃及東面的叔爾，往亞述道上，對著自己的眾兄弟支搭帳幕。
 創:25.19    [依撒格的後代]  以下是亞巴郎的兒子依撒格的歷史：亞巴郎生依撒格。
 創:25.20    依撒格四十歲時娶了帊丹阿蘭地阿蘭人貝突耳的女兒，阿蘭人拉班的妹妹黎貝加為妻。
 創:25.21    依撒格因為自己的妻子不生育，便為她懇求上主；上主俯允了他的祈求，他的妻子黎貝加遂懷了孕，
 創:25.22    雙胎在她腹內互相衝突，於是她說：「若是這樣，我可怎麼辦﹖」遂去求問上主。
 創:25.23    上主答覆她說：「你一胎懷了兩個國家，你腹中所生的要分為兩個民族：一個民族強於另一民族，年長的要服事年幼的。」
 創:25.24    到了生產的時候，她腹內果然是一對雙生；
 創:25.25    首先產出的發紅，渾身是毛，如披毛裘，給他起名厄撒烏。
 創:25.26    他的弟弟隨後出生，一手握著厄撒烏的腳跟，為此給他起名叫雅各伯。他們誕生時，依撒格已是六十歲的人。
 創:25.27    [厄撒烏出賣長子名分]  兩個孩童漸漸長大，厄撒烏成了個好打獵的人，喜居戶外；雅各伯卻為人恬靜，深居幕內。
 創:25.28    依撒格愛厄撒烏，因為他愛吃野味；黎貝加卻愛雅各伯。
 創:25.29    有一天，雅各伯正煮好豆羹，厄撒烏由田間回來，饑餓疲乏，
 創:25.30    便對雅各伯說：「請將這紅紅的東西給我點吃，因為我實在又餓又乏。」－－因此他的名字又叫「厄東。」
 創:25.31    雅各伯回答說：「你要將你長子的名分先賣給我。」
 創:25.32    厄撒烏說：「我快要死了，這長子的名分為我還有什麼益處﹖」
 創:25.33    雅各伯接著說：「你得立刻對我起誓。」厄撒烏遂對他起了誓，將自己長子的名分賣給了雅各伯。
 創:25.34    雅各伯遂將餅和扁豆羹給了厄撒烏；他吃了喝了，起身走了。－－厄撒烏竟如此輕視了長子的名分。
  
 創:16.1     [依撒格遷居革辣爾]  以前，在亞巴郎時代曾有過一次饑荒，現在地上又有了饑荒，依撒格便去了革辣爾，即培肋舍特人王阿彼默肋客那裏。
 創:26.2     上主顯現給他說：「你不要下到埃及去，要住在我指示給你的地方。
 創:26.3     你要住在這地方，我必與你同在，祝福你，因為我要將這整個地方賜給你和你的後裔，實踐我向你父親亞巴郎所立的誓約；
 創:26.4     且要使你的後裔繁多如天上的星辰，要將這一切地方賜給你的後裔，地上萬民要因你的後裔蒙受祝福，
 創:26.5     因為亞巴郎聽從了我的話，遵守了我的訓示、誡命、規定和法律。」
 創:26.6     依撒格就在革辣爾住下了。
 創:26.7     那地方的人問到他的妻子時，他就說：「這是我的妹妹。」他怕說：「這是我的妻子。」恐怕那地方的人為了黎貝加要殺害他，因為她面貌美麗。
 創:26.8     他在那裏住了許久；有一天培肋舍特人王阿彼默肋客從窗戶向外眺望，看見依撒格正在愛撫他的妻子黎貝加。
 創:26.9     阿彼默肋客遂召依撒格來說：「看，她明明是你的妻子，為什麼你說：她是我的妹妹﹖」依撒格回答說：「因為我怕我可能因她而被殺害。」
 創:26.10    阿彼默肋客說：「你對我們作的是什麼事﹖差一點百姓中就有人與你妻子同睡，叫我們陷於罪惡。」
 創:26.11    於是阿彼默肋客號令全百姓說：「凡觸犯這人和他妻子的，必死無赦。」
 創:26.12    [水井的糾紛]  依撒格在那地方耕種，當年就得了百倍的收成。上主實在祝福了他，
 創:26.13    他竟成了富翁，越來越富，終於成了個大富翁，
 創:26.14    擁有羊群、牛群和許多奴僕，因此培肋舍特人都嫉妒他。
 創:26.15    那時，凡他父親的僕人，在他父親亞巴郎生時所掘的井，培肋舍特人都用土填了。
 創:26.16    阿彼默肋客對依撒格說：「你在我們中太強盛了。你離開我們罷! 」
 創:26.17    依撒格遂離開了那裏，在革辣爾山谷中搭了帳幕，住在那裏。
 創:26.18    依撒格將他父親生時所掘的，亞巴郎死後培肋舍特人所填的一些水井，又從新掘好，仍照他父親起的名字稱呼這些水井。
 創:26.19    依撒格的僕人在山谷中掘井時，掘了一口活水井。
 創:26.20    革辣爾的牧童和依撒格的牧童遂發生了爭論，說：「這水是我們的。」為此他給那井起名叫「爭論，」因為他們曾與他爭論過。
 創:26.21    依撒格的僕人又另掘了一口井，為這口井又起了爭論，為此他給這井起名叫「仇恨。」
 創:26.22    以後，他由那裏遷往別處，又掘了另一口井，為這口井再沒有起爭論，遂給這井起名叫「寬大，」說：「上主終於使我們寬綽，我們將在這地繁盛。」
 創:26.23    依撒格由那裏上到了貝爾舍巴，
 創:26.24    那天夜裏上主顯現給他說：「我是你父親亞巴郎的天主，你不要害怕，因為我與你同在，我必要為了我僕人亞巴郎的緣故祝福你，使你的後裔繁盛。」
 創:26.25    依撒格就在那裏築了一座祭壇，呼求了上主的名；也在那裏搭了帳幕，他的僕人也在那裏掘了一口井。
 創:26.26    [與阿彼默肋客立約]  阿彼默肋客和他的摯友阿胡匝特以及他的司令非苛耳，由革辣爾來到了依撒格那裏。
 創:26.27    他遂對他們說：「你們既然仇恨我，將我由你們中間驅逐，為什麼又來到我這裏﹖」
 創:26.28    他們回答說：「我們實在看出上主與你同在；因此我們想，更好我們雙方彼此宣誓，讓我們與你立約：
 創:26.29    你決不加害我們，猶如我們從未觸犯你，只有好待了你，叫你平安離去；如今你實是上主祝福的人。」
 創:26.30    依撒格遂為他們設宴，大家一齊吃了喝了。
 創:26.31    次日一早起來，彼此宣了誓。然後依撒格送他們出來，他們遂平安離去。
 創:26.32    當天依撒格的僕人來，報告他們掘井的事說：「我們找著了水。」
 創:26.33    依撒格就給這井起名叫「誓約；」為此，那城直到今日還稱作「誓約井。」
 創:26.34    [厄撒烏娶妻]  撒烏到四十歲時，娶了赫特人貝厄黎的女兒友狄特和赫特人厄隆的女兒巴色瑪特為妻。
 創:26.35    她們二人使依撒格和黎貝加傷心難受。
  
 創:27.1     [雅各伯巧奪祝福]  依撒格年紀已老，雙目失明，看不見了，遂叫了他的大兒厄撒烏來，對他說：「我兒! 」他回答說：「我在這裏。」
 創:27.2     他說：「你看，我已年老，不知道那天就死。
 創:27.3     現在你拿器械、箭囊和弓，往田間去打點獵物，
 創:27.4     照我的嗜好給我作成美味，拿來給我吃，好叫我在未死以前祝福你。」
 創:27.5     依撒格對他的兒子厄撒烏說這話時，黎貝加聽見了。厄撒烏就到田間去給父親打獵，
 創:27.6     黎貝加對自己的兒子雅各伯說：「我聽見你父親對你哥哥厄撒烏說：
 創:27.7     你去給我打點獵物來，作成美味，叫我吃了，好在死前當著上主的面祝福你。」
 創:27.8     現在，我兒，要聽從我吩咐你的話。
 創:27.9     到羊群裏去，給我拿兩隻肥美的小山羊來，我要照你父親的嗜好，給他作成美味，
 創:27.10    你端給父親吃，好叫他死前祝福你。」
 創:27.11    雅各伯對母親黎貝加說：「但是我哥哥渾身是毛，我卻皮膚光滑，
 創:27.12    萬一我父親摸我，必以為我哄騙他，我必招來咒罵，而不是祝福。」
 創:27.13    母親對他說：「我兒，咒罵歸於我，你只管聽我的話，去給我拿來。」
 創:27.14    他遂拿了來，交給了他的母親，他母親就照他父親的嗜好作成了美味。
 創:27.15    黎貝加又將家中所存的大兒厄撒烏最好的衣服，給她小兒雅各伯穿上；
 創:27.16    又用小山羊的皮，包在他的手上和他光滑的頸上，
 創:27.17    然後將自己作好的美味和餅，放在他兒子雅各伯的手裏。
 創:27.18    雅各伯來到他父親前說：「我父! 」他答說：「我在這裏! 我兒，你是誰﹖」
 創:27.19    雅各伯對父親說：「我是你長子厄撒烏。我已照你吩咐的作了。請坐起來，吃我作的野味，好祝福我。」
 創:27.20    依撒格對他兒子說：「我兒! 你怎麼這樣快就找著了﹖」雅各伯答說：「因為上主你的天主使我碰得好。」
 創:27.21    依撒格對雅各伯說：「我兒! 你前來，讓我摸摸，看你是不是我兒厄撒烏﹖」
 創:27.22    雅各伯就走近他父親依撒格前；依撒格摸著他說：「聲音是雅各伯的聲音，手卻是厄撒烏的手。」
 創:27.23    依撒格沒有分辨出來，因為他的手，像他哥哥厄撒烏的手一樣有毛，就祝福了他。
 創:27.24    隨後說：「你真是我兒厄撒烏嗎﹖」雅各伯答說：「我是。」
 創:27.25    依撒格說：「我兒! 遞給我，叫我吃了你作的野味，好祝福你。」雅各伯於是遞過去，他吃了；又給他拿了酒來，他也喝了。
 創:27.26    他父親依撒烏就對他說：「我兒! 你前來吻我。」
 創:27.27    他就前去吻了父親。他父親一聞到他衣服上的香氣，就祝福他說：「看! 我兒子的香氣，像上主祝福的肥田的香氣。
 創:27.28    惟願天主賜與你天上的甘露，土地的肥沃，五穀美酒的豐裕!
 創:27.29    願眾民服事你，萬國叩拜你! 願你作你兄弟的主人，你母親的兒子叩拜你! 凡詛咒你的，必受詛咒；凡祝福你的，必受祝福。」
 創:27.30    [厄撒烏再求祝福]  依撒格一祝福了雅各伯，雅各伯剛由他父親依撒格面前出來，他哥哥厄撒烏打獵回來了。
 創:27.31    他也作了美味，給他父親端來，對他父親說：「我父! 請起來吃，你兒預備的野味，好祝福我。」
 創:27.32    他父親依撒格對他說：「你是誰﹖」他答說：「我是你兒，你長子厄撒烏。」
 創:27.33    依撒格不禁戰慄起來，驚問說：「那麼，是誰打了獵物給我送了來﹖並且在你未來以前，我已吃了，已祝福了他；他從此必蒙祝福。」
 創:27.34    厄撒烏一聽見他父親說出這話，就放聲哀號，對他父親說：「我父，請你也祝福我! 」
 創:27.35    父親答說：「你弟弟用詭計來奪去了你的祝福。」
 創:27.36    厄撒烏說：「他不是名叫雅各伯嗎﹖他已兩次欺騙了我：以前奪去了我長子的名分，現在又奪去了我的祝福。」繼而問說：「你沒有給我留下祝福嗎﹖」
 創:27.37    依撒格回答厄撒烏說：「看，我已立他作你的主人，將所有的兄弟都給他作僕人，將五穀美酒都供給他了。我兒，我還能為你作什麼﹖」
 創:27.38    厄撒烏對父親說：「我父，你只有一個祝福嗎﹖我父，你也得祝福我。」厄撒烏就放聲大哭。
 創:27.39    他父親依撒格回答他說：「看，你住的地方必缺乏肥沃的土地，天上的甘露。
 創:27.40    你要憑仗刀劍生活，要服事你的弟弟；但你一強盛起來，將由你的頸上擺脫他的束縛。」
 創:27.41    [厄撒烏蓄意殺弟]  厄撒烏因為他父親祝福了雅各伯，便懷恨雅各伯，心下思念說：「為父親居喪的日期已近，到時我必要殺死我弟弟雅各伯。」
 創:27.42    有人告訴了黎貝加他大兒子厄撒烏所說的話；她便派人叫了她小兒雅各伯來，對他說：「看，你哥哥厄撒烏想要殺你洩恨。
 創:27.43    現在，我兒! 你得聽我的話，起身逃往哈蘭我哥哥拉班那裏去，
 創:27.44    與他住些時日，直到你哥哥忿怒消失了。
 創:27.45    幾時你哥哥對你息了怒，忘了你對他作的事，我就派人去，從那裏接你回來。為什麼我在一日內要喪失你們兩個呢﹖」
 創:27.46    黎貝加就對依撒格說：「為了這兩個赫特女人，我厭惡得要死；假使雅各伯也從這地的女人中娶一個像這樣的赫特女人為妻，我還活著做什麼﹖」
  
 創:28.1     [雅各伯去帕丹阿蘭]  依撒格叫了雅各伯來，祝福他，吩咐他說：「你不要娶客納罕女人為妻。
 創:28.2     你應起身往帕丹阿蘭你外祖父貝突耳家去，在那裏娶你舅父拉班的女兒為妻。
 創:28.3     願全能的天主祝福你，使你生育繁殖，成為一大家族。
 創:28.4     願天主將亞巴郎的祝福賜與你和你的後裔，使你承受你所住的地方，即天主賜與亞巴郎的土地作為產業。」
 創:28.5     依撒格就這樣打發了雅各伯往帕丹阿蘭，投往阿蘭人貝突耳的兒子拉班，即雅各伯和厄撒烏的母親黎貝加的哥哥那裏去了。
 創:28.6     厄撒烏見依撒格祝福了雅各伯，打發他到帕丹阿蘭去，在那裏娶妻；祝福他時還吩咐他說：「不要娶客納罕女人為妻。」
 創:28.7     厄撒烏見雅各伯聽從父母的命，往帕丹阿蘭去了，
 創:28.8     便明白父親依撒格不喜歡客納罕女子。
 創:28.9     所以他去了依市瑪耳那裏，除自己所有的兩個妻子外，又娶了亞巴郎之子依市瑪耳的女兒乃巴約特的妹妹瑪哈拉特為妻。
 創:28.10    [在貝特耳得見神視]  雅各伯離開貝爾舍巴，往哈蘭去了。
 創:28.11    他來到一個地方，因太陽已落，就在那裏過宿，隨地拿了一塊石頭，放在頭底下，就在那地方躺下睡了。
 創:28.12    他作了一夢：見一個梯子直立在地上，梯頂與天相接；天主的使者在梯子上，上去下來。
 創:28.13    上主立在梯上說：「我是上主，你父亞巴郎的天主，依撒格的天主。我要將你所躺的地方，賜給你和你的後裔。
 創:28.14    你的後裔要多得如地上的灰塵；你要向東西南北擴展，地上的萬民都要因你和你的後裔蒙受祝福。
 創:28.15    看我與你同在；你不論到那裏，我必護佑你，領你回到此地。我決不離棄你，直到我實踐了我對你所許的。」
 創:28.16    雅各伯一覺醒來，說：「上主實在在這地方，我竟不知道。」
 創:28.17    他又滿懷敬畏地說：「這地方多麼可畏! 這裏不是別處，乃是天主的住所，上天之門。」
 創:28.18    雅各伯清早一起來，就把那塊放在頭底下的石頭，立作石柱，在頂上倒了油，
 創:28.19    給那地方起名叫貝特耳，原先那城名叫路次。
 創:28.20    然後雅各伯許願說：「若是天主與我同在，在我所走的路上護佑我，賜我豐衣足食，
 創:28.21    使我平安回到父家，上主實在當是我的天主。
 創:28.22    我立作石柱的這塊石頭，必要成為天主的住所；凡你賜與我的，我必給你奉獻十分之一。」
  
 創:29.1     雅[雅各伯寄居舅家]  各伯取道前行，來到了東方人的地方；
 創:29.2     舉目看見田間有口井，還有三群羊，臥在井旁。－－因為人慣常由這井取水飲羊，井口上蓋著塊大石頭；
 創:29.3     幾時羊群都聚集在那裏，人就將井口的石頭挪開，取水飲羊；然後再將石頭蓋在井口原處。
 創:29.4     雅各伯對他們說：「弟兄們，你們是那裏的﹖」他們答說：「我們是哈蘭人。」
 創:29.5     雅各伯問他們說：「你們認識納曷爾的兒子拉班嗎﹖」他們答說：「我們認識。」
 創:29.6     雅各伯又問說：「他好嗎﹖」他們答說：「他好。看，那不是他的女兒辣黑耳領著羊群來了。」
 創:29.7     雅各伯說：「看，太陽還很高，尚不到聚集家畜的時候，你們取水飲了羊，然後再領去牧放。」
 創:29.8     他們回答說：「不能夠；因為除非等所有羊群都聚集起來，才可挪開井口的石頭，取水飲羊。」
 創:29.9     他還同他們說話的時候，辣黑耳領著他父親的羊群到了；因為她是個牧羊女。
 創:29.10    雅各伯一見了舅父拉班的女兒辣黑耳，和舅父拉班的羊群，就上前去，挪開井口的石頭，取水飲他舅父拉班的羊。
 創:29.11    然後雅各伯口親辣黑耳，放聲大哭，
 創:29.12    告訴辣黑耳，自己是她父親的外甥，黎貝加的兒子。辣黑耳便跑回去，告訴她父親。
 創:29.13    拉班一聽得了關於他外甥雅各伯的消息，就跑來迎接他，抱住他，親他，領他到自己的家中。雅各伯遂將所遇的事全告訴了拉班。
 創:29.14    拉班對他說：「你實在是我的骨肉。」雅各伯遂同他住下了。
 創:29.15    [娶拉班二女為妻]  過了一月，
 創:29.16    拉班對雅各伯說：「豈可因為你是我的外甥，就該白白服事我﹖告訴我，你要什麼報酬﹖」
 創:29.17    拉班有兩個女兒：大的名叫肋阿，小的名叫辣黑耳。
 創:29.18    肋阿雙眼無神；辣黑耳卻相貌美麗；
 創:29.19    為此雅各伯喜愛辣黑耳，遂回答說：「我願為你小女兒辣黑耳服事你七年。」
 創:29.20    拉班答說：「我將她給你，比給外人好；你就同我住下。」
 創:29.21    這樣，雅各伯為得到辣黑耳，服事了拉班七年；由於他喜愛這少女，看七年好像幾天。
 創:29.22    雅各伯遂對拉班說：「期限已滿，請將我的妻子給我，我好與她親近。」
 創:29.23    拉班也請了當地所有的人士，擺了婚宴。
 創:29.24    到了晚上，他卻將自己的女兒肋阿，引到雅各伯前，雅各伯就親近了她。－－
 創:29.25    拉班且將自己的婢女齊耳帕給了女兒肋阿作婢女。－－
 創:29.26    到了早晨，他一見是肋阿，便對拉班說：「你對我作的是什麼事﹖我服事你，豈不是為了辣黑耳﹖你為什麼欺騙我﹖」
 創:29.27    拉班回答說：「我們這地方沒有先嫁幼女，而後嫁長女的風俗。
 創:29.28    你同長女滿了七天以後，我也將幼女給你，只要你再服事我七年。」
 創:29.29    雅各伯就這樣做了。與肋阿滿了七天以後，拉班便將自己的女兒辣黑耳給了他為妻。－－
 創:29.30    拉班且將自己的婢女彼耳哈給了女兒辣黑耳作婢女。－－
 創:29.31    雅各伯也親近了辣黑耳，而且他愛辣黑耳甚於肋阿；於是又服事了拉班七年。
 創:29.32    [肋阿連生四子]  上主見肋阿失寵，便開了她的胎；但辣黑耳卻荒胎不孕。
 創:29.33    肋阿懷孕生了一子，給他起名叫勒烏本，說：「上主垂視了我的苦衷，現在我的丈夫會愛我了。」
 創:29.34    她又懷孕生了一子，說：「上主聽說我失了寵，又給了我一個。」遂給他起名叫西默盎。
 創:29.35    她又懷孕生了一子，說：「這次，我的丈夫可要戀住我了，因為我已給他生了三個兒子。」遂給他起名叫肋未。
 創:29.36    她又懷孕生了一子，說：「這次我要讚頌上主。」為此給他起名叫猶大。以後就停止生育。
  
 創:30.1     [辣黑耳與肋阿相爭]  辣黑耳見自己沒有給雅各伯生子，就嫉妒姐姐，對雅各伯說：「你要給我孩子；不然，我就死啦! 」
 創:30.2     雅各伯對辣黑耳生氣說：「不肯使你懷孕的是天主，難道我能替他作主﹖」
 創:30.3     辣黑耳回答說：「這裏有我的婢女彼耳哈，你親近她，叫她在我膝下生子，使我能由她得子。」
 創:30.4     辣黑耳就將自己的婢女彼耳哈給了雅各伯作妾；雅各伯親近了她，
 創:30.5     她遂懷孕，給雅各伯生了一子。
 創:30.6     辣黑耳就說：「天主對我公道，俯聽了我的哀聲，給了我一子。」為此給他起名叫丹。
 創:30.7     辣黑耳的婢女彼耳哈又懷孕，給雅各伯生了第二個兒子。
 創:30.8     辣黑耳就說：「我以天大的力量與我姐姐相爭，得到勝利了。」便給他起名叫納斐塔里。
 創:30.9     肋阿見自己停止生育，也將自己的婢女齊耳帕給了雅各伯作妾。
 創:30.10    肋阿的婢女齊耳帕給雅各伯生了一子。
 創:30.11    肋阿遂說：「好幸運! 」就給他起名叫加得。
 創:30.12    肋阿的婢女齊耳帕給雅各伯又生了第二個兒子。
 創:30.13    肋阿遂說：「我真有福! 女人都要以為我有福。」就給他起名叫阿協爾。
 創:30.14    到了割麥的時節，勒烏本出去，在田間尋得了一些曼陀羅，帶回來給了他母親肋阿。辣黑耳對肋阿說：「請你將你兒子得的曼陀羅給我一些。」
 創:30.15    肋阿回答說：「你奪去了我的丈夫還不夠；你還想奪去我兒的曼陀羅麼﹖」辣黑耳說：「好罷! 今夜就讓他與你同睡，為交換你兒子的曼陀羅。」
 創:30.16    到了晚上雅各伯由田間回來，肋阿就跑出去迎接他說：「你該來我這裏，因為我用我兒子的曼陀羅雇了你。」那夜雅各伯便與她同睡。
 創:30.17    天主俯允了肋阿，她又懷孕，給雅各伯生了第五個兒子。
 創:30.18    肋阿說：「天主給了我報酬，因為我將我的婢女給了我的丈夫。」便給他起名叫依撒加爾。
 創:30.19    肋阿又懷孕，給雅各伯生了第六個兒子。
 創:30.20    肋阿說：「天主給了我一個很好的禮物；這一回我的丈夫要與我同居了，因為我給他生了六個兒子。」便給他起名叫則步隆。
 創:30.21    後來她生了一個女兒，給她起名叫狄納。
 創:30.22    天主想起了辣黑耳，垂允了她，開了她的子宮，
 創:30.23    她遂懷孕，生了一個兒子，說：「天主拭去了我的恥辱。」
 創:30.24    她給他起名叫若瑟說：「願上主再給我添子。」
 創:30.25    [雅各伯成家立業]  辣黑耳生了若瑟以後，雅各伯對拉班說：「請讓我回到我的本鄉故土!
 創:30.26    請你將我服事你所得的妻子兒女交給我，讓我回去；你知道我怎樣服事了你。」
 創:30.27    拉班對他說：「如果我在你眼中得寵，請你住下；我覺察出，上主祝福我，是為了你的原故。」
 創:30.28    繼而說：「請規定你的工價，我必付給你。」
 創:30.29    雅各伯對他說：「你知道，我是怎樣服事了你；你的牲畜跟著我是怎樣的情形。
 創:30.30    我未來之前，你所有的是那麼少，現在增加了那麼多；我一來，上主就祝福了你。但是，我幾時也能為我興家立業呢﹖」
 創:30.31    拉班問說：「我該給你什麼﹖」雅各伯答說：「你什麼也不必給我，只要你應承我這件事，我就仍牧放照顧你的羊群：
 創:30.32    你今天走遍你的羊群，將其中凡有斑點或黑點的，即綿羊群中有黑色的，山羊群中有黑點或斑點的，都挑出來，當作我的工價。
 創:30.33    後來任何一天，你來察看我的工價時，我好對你證明我的公正。山羊中凡是沒有斑點或黑點的，綿羊中凡是不黑的，都算是偷來的。」
 創:30.34    拉班回答說：「好，就照你的話辦罷!」
 創:30.35    當天拉班就將有條紋有斑點的公山羊，凡有白紋，或斑點和黑點的母山羊，並黑色的綿羊都挑出來，交在自己兒子們手中；
 創:30.36    又使雅各伯與自己相距三日的路程。雅各伯便牧放拉班其餘的羊群。
 創:30.37    雅各伯拿了楊樹、杏樹和楓樹的嫩枝，將皮剝成一條一條的白紋，使樹枝的光白露出；
 創:30.38    然後將剝去皮的枝條，插在水溝和水漕裏，羊群前來喝水時，正與羊群相對。羊群前來喝水時，就彼此相配。
 創:30.39    羊群對著枝條相配，就生出了有條紋，有斑點和黑點的小羊。
 創:30.40    雅各伯將這些羔羊分開，將這些羊放在拉班羊群中有條紋和有黑點的羊前；這樣他為自己另組羊群，不將牠們放在拉班的羊群中。
 創:30.41    到了肥壯的羊要配合時，雅各伯就將枝條插在水溝裏，對著羊群的眼，使羊對著枝條彼此相配。
 創:30.42    當羊群瘦弱時，他就不插枝條：這樣，瘦弱的都歸拉班，肥壯的都歸雅各伯。
 創:30.43    為此這人越來越富，擁有許多羊群，婢女和奴僕，駱駝和驢子。
  
 創:31.1     [雅各伯決意回鄉]  雅各伯聽見拉班的兒子們談論說：「雅各伯奪去了我們父親所有的一切，利用我們父親的財物，才獲得了這一切的財富。」
 創:31.2     雅各伯也注意了拉班對自己的臉色不如先前。
 創:31.3     那時，上主對雅各伯說：「你回到你的家鄉和你的出生地，我必與你同在。」
 創:31.4     雅各伯就派人叫辣黑耳和肋阿來到放羊的田間，
 創:31.5     對她們說：「我看你們父親的臉色，對我已不如先前；但是我父親的天主卻與我同在。
 創:31.6     你們清楚知道，我是全力服事了你們的父親；
 創:31.7     你們的父親卻欺騙了我，十次變換了我的工價，但天住卻沒有容許他害我。
 創:31.8     當他說：有斑點的算是你的工價；全羊群就都生下有斑點的；當他說：有條紋的算是你的工價，全羊群就都生下有條紋的。
 創:31.9     天主這樣將你們父親的牲畜奪來了給我。
 創:31.10    有一次當羊群配合時，我於夢中舉目觀望：看見跳在母羊身上的公山羊，都是有條紋，有斑點和雜色的。
 創:31.11    天主的使者在夢中對我說：雅各伯! 我答說：我在這裏。
 創:31.12    他說：你舉目觀望：跳在母羊身上的公山羊，都是有條紋，有斑點和雜色的，因為我看到了拉班對你所作的一切。
 創:31.13    我是貝特耳的天主，你曾在那裏用油敷了一座石柱，並對我許了願。現在你起身，離開這地方，回到你生身之地去。」
 創:31.14    辣黑耳和肋阿回答他說：「我們在父親家裏還有產業可分嗎﹖
 創:31.15    他豈不是把我們視作外人，把我們出賣了，吞併了我們的身價﹖
 創:31.16    所以天主由我們父親奪來的那一切財物，都應屬於我們和我們子女。現今凡天主吩咐你的，你都該照辦。
 創:31.17    [雅各伯不辭而別]  雅各伯遂立即叫自己的兒女和妻子騎上駱駝，
 創:31.18    帶了自己一切牲畜和積聚的一切財物，即他在帕丹阿蘭所得的一切牲畜，起程往客納罕地，他父親依撒格那裏去了。
 創:31.19    其時拉班正剪羊毛去了，辣黑耳就偷走了她父親的神像。
 創:31.20    雅各伯隱瞞了阿蘭人拉班，沒有告訴拉班他將逃走，
 創:31.21    遂帶了自己所有的一切逃走了，起身過了幼發拉的河，直向基肋阿得山地進發。
 創:31.22    [拉班追趕雅各伯]  第三天拉班得報雅各伯偷跑了，
 創:31.23    遂帶了自己的弟兄，在他後面一連追趕了七天的路程，在基肋阿得山地追上了他。
 創:31.24    天主在夜間夢中顯現給阿蘭人拉班，對他說：「你小心，不要對雅各伯說好說壞。」
 創:31.25    拉班追上雅各伯時，雅各伯已在山上搭了帳幕；拉班和他的弟兄也在基肋阿得山地搭了帳幕。
 創:31.26    拉班對雅各伯說：「你作的是什麼事﹖竟瞞著我，將我的女兒們帶走，有如戰俘一樣!
 創:31.27    你為什麼暗中偷跑，瞞著我而不通知我，叫我好能快樂的唱著歌，打著鼓，彈著琴歡送你回去﹖
 創:31.28    連我的兒女你都不讓我與他們吻別，你作的實在糊塗!
 創:31.29    我本可伸手加害你們，但是你們父親的天主昨夜對我說：小心，不要對雅各伯說好說壞。
 創:31.30    你現在切望回到父家，定要回去，但是你為什麼偷走了我的神像! 」
 創:31.31    雅各伯回答拉班說：「我害怕，我還以為你要由我手中奪去你的女兒。
 創:31.32    至於你的神像，你在誰那裏搜出來，決不容他活著；當著我們弟兄的面，你如認出我這裏有什麼是屬於你的，儘管拿去。」雅各伯原不知道是辣黑耳偷了神像。
 創:31.33    拉班便進入雅各伯的帳幕，肋阿的帳幕和兩個婢女的帳幕，沒有找著；遂由肋阿的帳幕出來，進入辣黑耳的帳幕，
 創:31.34    辣黑耳卻拿了神像，放在駱駝的鞍下，自己坐在上面。拉班搜遍了整個帳幕，沒有找著。
 創:31.35    辣黑耳對她父親說：「望我主不要見怪，我不能在你面前起迎，因為我正在經期。」他搜索了，卻沒有找著神像。
 創:31.36    雅各伯於是動怒，與拉班爭論，質問他說：「我有什麼不對，有什麼罪過，致使你在我後面追趕﹖
 創:31.37    你搜遍了我的東西，如找出了什麼東西是屬於你家的，擺在我和你的兄弟面前，叫他們在我們兩人間行裁判。
 創:31.38    這二十年來，我同你在一起，你的母綿羊和母山羊從未流產；你羊群中的公羊，我從未吃過；
 創:31.39    被野獸撕裂的我從未給你帶回，我自己賠償了損失；不論是白天偷去的，或是黑夜偷去的，你都向我索取。
 創:31.40    日間我受盡炎熱，夜間受盡嚴寒，兩眼無法入睡。在你家內這二十年，為了你的兩個女兒，我服事了你十四年；
 創:31.41    另六年是為了你的羊群，這期間你竟十次變更了我的工價。
 創:31.42    假若我父的天主，亞巴郎的天主，依撒格所敬畏的上主，不同我在一起，你現在定會打發我空手回去；但是天主見到了我的苦況和我的辛苦，在昨夜就下了判決。」
 創:31.43    [雅各伯與拉班立約]  拉班回答雅各伯說：「女兒是我的女兒，孩子是我的孩子，羊群是我的羊群，你眼見的這一切都是我的。但是對我的女兒，對她們生的孩子，我今天能作什麼呢﹖
 創:31.44    現在，來，讓我們在你我之間立約，作你我之間的證據。」
 創:31.45    雅各伯遂拿了一塊石頭，立作石柱，
 創:31.46    然後對自己的親戚說：「你們堆集石頭。」他們便拿了石頭，堆成一堆，就在那堆石頭上吃了飯。
 創:31.47    拉班稱那石堆為「耶加爾、撒哈杜達；」雅各伯稱為「基肋阿得」
 創:31.48    拉班說：「今天這堆石頭在你和我之間作見證。」為此給它起名叫「基肋阿得。」
 創:31.49    又叫作「米茲帕，」因為他說：「我們彼此分離後，願上主監視我和你：
 創:31.50    如果你虐待我的女兒，或在我的女兒外，另娶妻室，雖無人在我們中間，但有天主在你我之間作證。」
 創:31.51    拉班又對雅各伯說：「看這堆石頭，看我在你我之間所立的石柱：
 創:31.52    這堆石頭是見證，這石柱是見證，我決不越過這堆石頭去妨害你，你也不要越過這堆石頭和這石柱來妨害我。
 創:31.53    但願亞巴郎的天主和納曷爾的天主，－－即他們父親的天主，－－在我們之間行裁判! 」雅各伯就指自己的父親依撒格所敬畏的上主起了誓。
 創:31.54    然後雅各伯在山上宰牲獻祭，叫了自己的親戚來吃飯；吃飯以後就在山上過了夜。
  
 創:32.1     [雅各伯回故鄉]  拉班清早起來，與自己的外孫和女兒吻別，祝福了他們，便起身回本鄉去了。
 創:32.2     雅各伯也上道前行，遇見了天主的使者。
 創:32.3     雅各伯一見他們就說：「這是天主的營地。」遂給那地方起名叫瑪哈納因。
 創:32.4     雅各伯先派使者，往厄東鄉間色依爾地方，他哥哥厄撒烏那裏去，
 創:32.5     吩咐他們說：「你們應對我主厄撒烏這樣說：你的僕人雅各伯這樣說：我在拉班那裏作客，一直到現在。
 創:32.6     我擁有牛、驢、羊和僕婢，現在打發人報告我主，希望得你的恩愛。」
 創:32.7     使者回來見雅各伯說：「我們到了你哥哥厄撒烏那裏，他正前來迎接你；同他來的尚有四百人。」
 創:32.8     雅各伯大為震驚，很是憂慮，遂將自己的人和羊群牛群及駱駝分作兩隊，
 創:32.9     心想如果厄撒烏前來攻擊一隊，剩下的另一隊還可逃跑。
 創:32.10    然後雅各伯祈求說：「我父亞巴郎的天主，我父依撒格的天主、上主! 你曾對我說：回到你本鄉，你本家去，我必使你順利。
 創:32.11    我本不配獲得你向你僕人所施的種種慈恩和忠信，我只帶了一條棍杖過了這約但河，現在我卻擁有兩隊人馬。
 創:32.12    求你救我脫離我哥哥厄撒烏的手，因為我怕他來擊殺我，擊殺母親和孩子。
 創:32.13    你原來說過：我必要恩待你，使你的後代如海沙，多得不可勝數。」
 創:32.14    那夜雅各伯就在那裏過夜。然後，就由他所有的財物中選出一些來，送給他哥哥厄撒烏作禮物：
 創:32.15    計有母山羊二百隻，公山羊二十隻，母綿羊二百隻，公綿羊二十隻，
 創:32.16    哺乳的母駱駝同駝駒三十頭，母牛四十頭，公牛十頭，母驢二十匹，公驢十匹。
 創:32.17    他將這些分成一隊一隊的交給自己的僕人，對他們說：「你們應走在我前面，每隊之間應隔開些。」
 創:32.18    然後吩咐第一隊說：「幾時我哥哥厄撒烏遇見你，問你說：你是誰家的﹖你往那裏去﹖你前面這些牲畜是誰的﹖
 創:32.19    你要答說：是你僕人雅各伯的，是送給我主厄撒烏的禮物。看，他自己就在我們後面。」
 創:32.20    他也吩咐了第二第三隊，和跟在每隊後面的人說：「你們若遇見厄撒烏，都要照這話回答他。
 創:32.21    並且還要說：看，你的僕人雅各伯就在我們後面。」因為他心裏想：「如果我先送禮向他討好，然後才與他見面，也許他會歡迎我。」
 創:32.22    於是禮物先他而行，他自己當夜仍留在營內。
 創:32.23    [雅各伯與天神搏鬥]  他當夜起來，帶了他的兩個妻子，兩個婢女和十一個孩子，由淺處過了雅波克河。
 創:32.24    等他們過了河，也叫自己所有的過了河，
 創:32.25    雅各伯獨自一人留在後面。有一人前來與他搏鬥一直到曙光破曉。
 創:32.26    那人見自己不能制勝，就在他的大腿窩上打了一下；雅各伯正在與他搏鬥之際，大腿窩脫了節。
 創:32.27    那人說：「讓我走罷! 天已破曉。」雅各伯說：「你如果不祝福我，我不讓你走。」
 創:32.28    那人問他說：「你叫什麼名字﹖」他答說：「雅各伯。」
 創:32.29    那人說：「你的名字以後不再叫雅各伯，應叫以色列，因為你與神與人搏鬥，佔了優勢。」
 創:32.30    雅各伯問說：「請你告訴我你的名字。」那人答說：「為什麼你要問我的名字﹖」遂在那裏祝福了他。
 創:32.31    雅各伯給那地方起名叫「培尼耳，」意謂「我面對面見了神，我的生命仍得保全。」
 創:32.32    雅各伯經過培尼耳時，太陽已升起照在身上，由於大腿脫了節，他一走一瘸。
 創:32.33    為此，以色列子民至今不吃大腿窩上的筋，因為那人打了雅各伯的大腿窩，正打在筋上。
  
 創:33.1     [兄弟重逢]  雅各伯舉目，看見厄撒烏帶了四百人前來，遂將孩子分別交與肋阿、辣黑耳和兩個婢女；
 創:33.2     將兩個婢女和她們的孩子放在最前面，其次是肋阿和她的孩子，最後是辣黑耳和若瑟。
 創:33.3     他自己走在他們前面，七次伏地叩拜，直到來到哥哥前。
 創:33.4     厄撒烏卻向他跑來，抱住他，撲在他頸上吻他，兩人都哭了。
 創:33.5     厄撒烏舉目，看見女人和孩子，遂問說：「這些人是你的什麼人﹖」雅各伯答說：「是天主恩賜給你僕人的孩子。」
 創:33.6     於是婢女和她們的孩子前來叩拜了。
 創:33.7     肋阿和她的孩子也前來叩拜了，最後若瑟和辣黑耳才近前來叩拜。
 創:33.8     厄撒烏又問說：「我所見的這一大隊，有什麼意思﹖」雅各伯答說：「這是蒙我主悅納的。」
 創:33.9     厄撒烏說：「我的兄弟，我已夠富足了；你的，你留下罷! 」
 創:33.10    雅各伯說：「請不要這樣! 我若真蒙你悅納，請你收下我手中的禮物；因為我見了你的面，就如見了天主的面；你實在仁厚接待了我。
 創:33.11    請你收下我獻給你的禮品；因為天主厚待了我，我什麼都有了。」由於雅各伯極力懇請，他才收下了。
 創:33.12    厄撒烏說：「我們起程前行，我願與你同行。」
 創:33.13    雅各伯對他說：「我主知道，孩子尚幼小，我還要照顧尚在哺乳的牛羊，若一天只顧催趕，全群牲畜都要死盡。
 創:33.14    還是請我主在你僕人前先行；我要照我前面的牲畜和孩子們的腳步，慢慢前行；直至達到色依爾我主那裏。」
 創:33.15    厄撒烏說：「讓我留下幾個跟我的人陪著你。」雅各伯說：「只要我能蒙我主悅納，又何必如此! 」
 創:33.16    厄撒烏就在當天回了色依爾。
 創:33.17    雅各伯卻動身往穌苛特去了，在那裏為自己蓋了一座房屋，為牲畜搭了些棚子；為此給那地起名叫「穌苛特。」
 創:33.18    [雅各伯移居舍根]  雅各伯由帕丹阿蘭回來，平安來到客納罕地的舍根城，在城的對面支搭了帳幕。
 創:33.19    他支搭帳幕的那塊地，是由舍根的父親哈摩爾的兒子們手裏，用一百塊銀錢買來的。
 創:33.20    雅各伯在那裏建立了一座祭壇，稱它為：「大能者以色列的天主。」
  
 創:34.1     [舍根強姦狄納]  肋阿給雅各伯生的女兒狄納，要去看看當地的女人。
 創:34.2     當地酋長希威人哈摩爾的兒子舍根看見她，就抓住她，強姦了她，玷辱了她。
 創:34.3     他的心迷戀雅各伯的女兒狄納，深愛這少女，說寬慰她心的話。
 創:34.4     事後，舍根向自己的父親哈摩爾說：「請給我娶這少女為妻。」
 創:34.5     雅各伯聽見舍根污辱了女兒狄納，但因他的兒子們那時正在鄉間看守他的牲畜，所以沒有作聲，等他們回來。
 創:34.6     [騙取舍根]  舍根的父親哈摩爾前來見雅各伯，與他商議。
 創:34.7     那時雅各伯的兒子已由鄉間回來，一聽見這消息，就人人憤恨，非常惱怒，因為有人對以色列做出了這樣的醜事：竟與雅各伯的女兒同臥；這是不應該做的。
 創:34.8     哈摩爾與他們商議說：「我兒舍根的心迷戀你們的女兒，請你們將她嫁給他為妻。
 創:34.9     你們可與我們互通婚姻：將你們的女兒嫁給我們，你們也可娶我們的女兒；
 創:34.10    這樣你們可同我們住在一起，本地都擺在你們面前，你們可在其中居住、行動、置業。」
 創:34.11    舍根也對狄納的父親和她的兄弟們說：「只要我在你們眼中蒙恩，凡你們要求的，我必依從。
 創:34.12    任憑你們向我要多少聘金和禮品，我必照你們提出的交付，只要你們將這少女給我為妻。」
 創:34.13    雅各伯的兒子因為舍根污辱了他們的妹妹狄納，就用欺詐的話答覆舍根和他父親哈摩爾，
 創:34.14    說：「將我們的妹妹嫁給一個沒有受割損的人，為我們實是一大恥辱，我們不能這樣作。
 創:34.15    除非有這個條件，我們不能同意：你們都應和我們一樣，使你們中所有的男子都受割損；
 創:34.16    以後我們可將我們的女兒嫁給你們，我們也可娶你們的女兒；我們與你們住在一起，成為一個民族。
 創:34.17    如果你們不肯聽從我們而受割損，我們就帶著我們的女兒離去。」
 創:34.18    哈摩爾和他的兒子舍根認為他們的建議很好。
 創:34.19    這少年毫不遲延地要照這建議進行，因為他喜愛雅各伯的女兒，更何況他還是他父親全家族中最重要的人物。
 創:34.20    哈摩爾和自己的兒子舍根於是來到城門口，向本城的人提議說：「
 創:34.21    這些人對我們很和善，讓他們住在本地內，在這裏活動；本地原很廣闊，足夠容納他們。我們可娶他們的女兒為妻，也可將我們的女兒嫁給他們。
 創:34.22    但是，這些人只有一個條件，才同意與我們住在一起，形成一個民族：就是我們中所有的男子都應受割損，如同他們受了割損一樣。
 創:34.23    這樣，他們的家畜和財產，以及一切牲口，豈不都歸了我們! 只要我們同意，他們就肯同我們住在一起。」
 創:34.24    凡由城門出入的人，都聽從了哈摩爾和他的兒子舍根的話；由城門出入的男子，都受了割損。
 創:34.25    [為妹雪恥]  第三天，他們正疼痛難忍時，雅各伯的兩個兒子，狄納的哥哥西默盎和肋未，各自拿了一把刀，不慌不忙進了城，殺了所有的男子；
 創:34.26    又用刀殺了哈摩爾和他的兒子舍根，由舍根房內領出狄納而去。
 創:34.27    雅各伯其餘的兒子因了自己的妹妹受污，乘人被殺就前來洗劫城邑，
 創:34.28    奪去了他們的羊群、牛群和驢，並城內和鄉間所有的一切。
 創:34.29    他們回答說：「難道人應待我們的妹妹如同一個妓女﹖」
  
 創:35.1     [雅各伯到貝特耳]  天主對雅各伯說：「起來，上貝特耳去，住在那裏，為你昔日逃避你哥哥厄撒烏在那裏顯現給你的天主，築一祭壇。」
 創:35.2     雅各伯便對家人和跟隨他的人說：「你們應除去你們中間所有外邦的神像，並取潔，更換衣服，
 創:35.3     因為我們要起身上貝特耳去；在那裏我要給在我困苦的時日俯聽了我，在我所走的路上伴隨了我的天主，築一祭壇。」
 創:35.4     眾人便將自己手中所有外邦的神像，所有的耳環，都交給了雅各伯；雅各伯就都埋在那靠近舍根的橡樹底下。
 創:35.5     當他們起程出發時，天主叫周圍的城邑都非常恐怖，為此誰也不敢追趕雅各伯的兒子。
 創:35.6     這樣，雅各伯和與他在一起的人，來到客納罕地的路次，即貝特耳；
 創:35.7     他在那裏築了一座祭壇。稱呼那地方為貝特耳，因為他逃避他哥哥時，天主曾在那裏顯現給他。
 創:35.8     其時黎貝加的乳母德波辣死了，就埋在貝特耳下面的一株橡樹底下；為此給這橡樹起名叫「悲泣的橡樹。」
 創:35.9     [天主再次顯現]  雅各伯由帕丹阿蘭回來後，天主又顯現給他，再祝福他。
 創:35.10    天主對他說：「你原叫雅各伯，但以後不再叫作雅各伯，卻要叫作以色列。」遂給他改名以色列。
 創:35.11    天主又對他說：「我是全能的天主，你要生育繁殖；不但一個民族，而是一些民族要由你而生，許多君王要由你而生。
 創:35.12    我將賜給了亞巴郎和依撒格的土地賜給你；我也將這土地賜給你未來的後裔。」
 創:35.13    然後天主就在與他談話的地方，離開他，上升去了。
 創:35.14    雅各伯在天主與他談話地方，豎立了一根柱子，一根石柱；在上面行了奠祭，倒上油。
 創:35.15    雅各伯給天主與他談話的地方起名叫貝特耳。
 創:35.16    [辣黑耳難產逝世]  他們由貝特耳起程出發，離厄弗辣大還有一段路程時，辣黑耳要生產，感覺難產。
 創:35.17    正當難產之際，收生婆對她說：「不要怕，你這次還是生個男孩。」
 創:35.18    辣黑耳將要斷氣快死的時候，給他起名叫本敖尼；但他的父親卻叫他本雅明。
 創:35.19    辣黑耳死了，葬在去厄弗辣大，即白冷的路旁。
 創:35.20    雅各伯在她墳上立了一塊碑；這塊辣黑耳墳上的碑，至今尚存。
 創:35.21    [勒烏本亂倫]  以色列又起程前行，在米革達耳厄德爾的那一面支搭了帳幕。
 創:35.22    以色列住在那地時，勒烏本竟去與他父親的妾彼耳哈同睡；以色列後來聞知了此事。
 創:35.23    [雅各伯十二子]  雅各伯的兒子共計十二人。
 創:35.24    肋阿的兒子：雅各伯的長子勒烏本、西默盎、肋未、猶大、依撒加爾和則步隆。
 創:35.25    辣黑耳的兒子：若瑟和本雅明。
 創:35.26    辣黑耳的婢女彼耳哈的兒子：丹和納斐塔里。
 創:35.27    肋阿的婢女齊耳帕的兒子：加得和阿協爾：這些都是雅各伯在帕丹阿蘭生的兒子。
 創:35.28    [依撒格逝世]  雅各伯來到了克黎雅特阿爾巴，即赫貝龍的瑪默勒他父親依撒格那裏，即亞巴郎和依撒格曾寄居過的地方。
 創:35.29    依撒格享壽一百八十歲。
 創:35.30    他年高老邁，已享天年，遂斷氣而死，歸到他親族那裏去了；他的兒子厄撒烏和雅各伯將他埋葬了。
  
 創:36.1     [厄撒烏的後裔]  以下是厄撒烏，即厄東的後裔：
 創:36.2     厄撒烏由客納罕女人中娶的妻子，有赫特人厄隆的女兒阿達，有曷黎人漆貝紅之子阿納的女兒敖曷里巴瑪；
 創:36.3     還有依市瑪耳的女兒，乃巴約特的姊妹巴色瑪特。
 創:36.4     阿達給厄撒烏生了厄里法次；巴色瑪特生了勒烏耳；
 創:36.5     敖曷里巴瑪生了耶烏士、雅藍和科辣黑：以上都是厄撒烏在客納罕地生的兒子。
 創:36.6     厄撒烏帶了自己的妻子兒女，和家中所有的人，並自己所有的牛羊家畜，以及在客納罕地所獲得的財物，遷移到色依爾，離開他的弟弟雅各伯，
 創:36.7     因為他們家產太多，不能住在一起；他們寄居的地方，由於家畜太多，也容不下他們。
 創:36.8     厄撒烏就住在色依爾山地。厄撒烏即是厄東。
 創:36.9     以下是色依爾山地厄東人的始祖厄撒烏的後裔。
 創:36.10    以下是厄撒烏子孫的名譜：厄撒烏的妻子阿達的兒子厄里法次；厄撒烏的妻子巴色瑪特的兒子勒烏耳。
 創:36.11    厄里法次的兒子：特曼、敖瑪爾、則缶、加堂和刻納次。
 創:36.12    厄撒烏的兒子厄里法次的妾提默納給厄里法次生了阿瑪肋克：以上是厄撒烏的妻子阿達的子孫。
 創:36.13    勒烏耳的兒子：納哈特、則辣黑、沙瑪和米匝：以上是厄撒烏的妻子巴色瑪特的子孫。
 創:36.14    以下是漆貝紅之子阿納的女兒，厄撒烏的妻子敖曷里巴瑪的兒子：她給厄撒烏生了耶烏士、雅藍和科辣黑。
 創:36.15    [厄撒烏子孫的族長]  以下是厄撒烏子孫中的族長：厄撒烏的長子厄里法次的子孫中，有特曼族長，敖瑪爾族長，則缶族長，刻納次族長，
 創:36.16    科辣黑族長，加堂族長和阿瑪肋克族長：以上是厄東地厄里法次族的族長，都是阿達的子孫。
 創:36.17    厄撒烏的兒子勒烏耳的子孫中，有納哈特族長，則辣黑族長，沙瑪族長和米匝族長：以上是厄東地勒烏耳族的族長，都是厄撒烏的妻子巴色瑪特的子孫。
 創:36.18    厄撒烏的妻子敖曷里巴瑪的子孫中有耶烏士族長，雅藍族長和科辣黑族長：以上是阿納的女兒，厄撒烏的妻子敖曷里巴瑪子孫中的族長。
 創:36.19    以上都是厄撒烏的子孫，都是族長。這就是厄東。
 創:36.20    [曷黎人色依爾的族譜]  以下是當地居民曷黎人色依爾的子孫：羅堂、芍巴耳、漆貝紅、阿雅、
 創:36.21    狄雄、厄責爾和狄商：以上是厄東地色依爾子孫曷黎人的族長。
 創:36.22    羅堂的兒子：曷黎和赫曼；羅堂的姊妹是提默納。
 創:36.23    芍巴耳的兒子：阿耳汪、瑪納哈特、厄巴耳、舍佛和敖南。
 創:36.24    漆貝紅的兒子：阿雅和阿納；那在曠野裏放牧他父親漆貝紅的驢，發現溫泉的，就是這位阿納。
 創:36.25    阿納的兒子狄雄；阿納的女兒就是敖曷里巴瑪。
 創:36.26    狄雄的兒子：赫默丹、厄市班、依特蘭和革蘭。
 創:36.27    厄責爾的兒子：彼耳漢、匝汪和阿甘。
 創:36.28    狄商的兒子：伍茲和阿郎。
 創:36.29    以下是曷黎人的族長：羅堂族長，芍巴耳族長，漆貝紅族長，阿納族長，
 創:36.30    狄雄族長，厄責爾族長和狄商族長以上是色依爾地曷黎人各族的族長。
 創:36.31    [厄東的君王]  以下是在以色列子民未有君王統治以前，統治厄東地的君王。
 創:36.32    貝敖爾的兒子貝拉在厄東作王，他的京城名叫丁哈巴。
 創:36.33    貝拉死後，波責辣人則辣黑的兒子約巴布繼他為王。
 創:36.34    約巴布死後，特曼地人胡商繼他為王。
 創:36.35    胡商死後，貝達得的兒子哈達得繼他為王，他曾在摩阿布平原擊敗了米德楊人。他的京城名叫阿威特。
 創:36.36    哈達得死後，瑪斯勒卡人撒默拉繼他為王。
 創:36.37    撒默拉死後河間的勒曷波特人沙烏耳繼他為王。
 創:36.38    沙烏耳死後，阿革波爾的兒子巴耳哈南繼他為王。
 創:36.39    阿革波爾的兒子巴耳哈南死後，哈達得繼他為王；他的京城名叫帕烏。他的妻子名叫默塔貝耳，是默匝哈布人瑪特勒得的女兒。
 創:36.40    [厄撒烏族其餘的族長]  厄撒烏族的族長名稱，依族系和地區名列如下：提默納族長，阿耳瓦族長，耶太特族長，
 創:36.41    敖曷里巴瑪族長，厄拉族長，丕農族長，
 創:36.42    刻納次族長，特曼族長，米貝匝爾族長，
 創:36.43    瑪革狄耳族長和依蘭族長：以上是厄東人在所佔有的地方，依住區所有的族長。厄東人的始祖即是厄撒烏。
  
 創:37.1     [雅各伯定居客納罕]  雅各伯定居在他父親作客的客納罕地方。
 創:37.2     以下是雅各伯的小史。[若瑟作異夢]  若瑟十七歲時，與哥哥們一同放羊。他尚年幼，常與自己的父親的妻子彼耳哈和齊耳帕的兒子們在一起。他不斷將他們作的惡事報告給父親。
 創:37.3     以色列愛若瑟超過其他的兒子，因為是他年老生的，並給他做了一件彩色長衫。
 創:37.4     他的哥哥們見父親愛他勝過其餘的兒子，就忌恨他，不能與他和氣交談。
 創:37.5     若瑟作了一夢，講給哥哥們聽，因此他們越發惱恨他。
 創:37.6     他對他們說：「請聽我作的夢：
 創:37.7     我夢見我們同在田間捆麥子，忽然我的麥捆站起來，你們的麥捆圍住我的麥捆下拜。」
 創:37.8     他哥哥們對他說：「難道你要作我們的君王﹖或者統治我們﹖」他們為了這夢和這番話，越發惱恨他。
 創:37.9     他又作了一夢，也告訴他哥哥們說：「我又作了一夢：夢見太陽和月亮並十一顆星辰向我下拜。」
 創:37.10    當他給父親和哥哥們講說這夢時，他父親就責斥他說：「你作的是什麼夢﹖難道我和你母親以及你的兄弟，都要來向你叩首至地﹖」
 創:37.11    他兄弟們都忌恨他；他父親卻將這事存在心裏。
 創:37.12    [若瑟被出賣]  若瑟的哥哥們去了舍根，放他們父親的羊。
 創:37.13    以色列對若瑟說：「你哥哥們不是在舍根放羊麼﹖來，我打發你去看看他們。」他回答說：「我在這裏。」
 創:37.14    以色列對他說：「你去看看你哥哥們是否平安，羊群怎樣；然後回來告訴我。」以色列便打發他由赫貝龍山谷前去；他到了舍根。
 創:37.15    有一個人見他在田間遊蕩，那人就問他說：「你尋找什麼﹖」
 創:37.16    他答說：「我尋找我的哥哥；請告訴我：他們在那裏放羊﹖」
 創:37.17    那人答說：「他們已離開了這裏；我聽見他們說：我們到多堂去。」於是若瑟便去追尋他的哥哥，在多堂找到了。
 創:37.18    他們老遠就看見了他；在他尚未來近以前，就已決定要謀殺他。
 創:37.19    他們彼此說：「看，那作夢的人來了!
 創:37.20    我們殺掉他，將他拋在一口井裏，說是猛獸吃了。看他的夢還有什麼用﹖」
 創:37.21    勒烏本聽了，就設法由他們手中救他，遂說：「我們不要害他! 」
 創:37.22    勒烏本又對他們說：「你們不要流血；只將他丟在這曠野的井裏，不可下手害他。」他的意思是想由他們手中救出他來，還給父親。
 創:37.23    若瑟一來到他哥哥們那裏，他們就脫去了他穿的那件彩色長衣，抓住他，把他丟在井裏；
 創:37.24    那井是空的，裏面沒有水。
 創:37.25    他們坐下吃飯時，舉目看見一隊由基肋阿得來的依市瑪耳人；他們的駱駝滿載樹膠、香液和香料，要下到埃及去。
 創:37.26    猶大遂對兄弟們說：「殺害我們的弟弟，隱瞞他的血，究竟有什麼益處﹖
 創:37.27    不如將他賣給依市瑪耳人，免得對他下毒手，因為他究竟是我們的兄弟，是我們的骨肉。」兄弟們聽從了他的意見。
 創:37.28    米德楊的商人經過那裏時，他們便從井中拉出若瑟來，以二十塊銀錢賣給了依市瑪耳人；他們便將若瑟帶到埃及去了。
 創:37.29    勒烏本回到井邊，不見若瑟在井內，遂撕裂了自己的衣服，
 創:37.30    回到兄弟們那裏喊說：「孩子不見了! 我可往那裏去呢﹖」
 創:37.31    他們於是拿了若瑟的長衣，殺了一隻公山羊，將長衣浸在血裏；
 創:37.32    然後派人將那件彩色的長衣送給他們的父親說：「這是我們尋得的，請你仔細看看，是不是你兒子的長衣﹖」
 創:37.33    雅各伯仔細一看，就喊說：「是我兒子的長衣；猛獸將他吃了。若瑟被撕裂了，被撕裂了! 」
 創:37.34    雅各伯遂撕裂了自己的衣服，腰間圍上麻衣，為自己的兒子悲哀了多日。
 創:37.35    雖然他的兒女都來安慰他，他卻不肯接受他們的安慰，說：「我只有悲哀地下到陰間，往我兒那裏去! 」他的父親竟這樣哀悼他。
 創:37.36    米德楊人後來在埃及將若瑟賣給了法郎的內臣，衛隊長普提法爾。
  
 創:38.1     [猶大與兒媳]  那時猶大離開自己的兄弟，下到一個名叫希辣的阿杜藍人那裏住下了。
 創:38.2     猶大在那裏看見了一個名叫叔亞的客納罕人的女兒，就娶了她，親近了她。
 創:38.3     她遂懷孕，生了一個兒子，給他起名叫厄爾。
 創:38.4     她又懷孕，生了一個兒子，給他起名叫敖難。
 創:38.5     以後她又生了一個兒子，給他起名叫舍拉；生他的時候，猶大正在革齊布。
 創:38.6     猶大給自己的長子厄爾娶了妻子，名叫塔瑪爾。
 創:38.7     猶大的長子厄爾行了上主所厭惡的事，上主就叫他死了。
 創:38.8     於是猶大對敖難說：「你去與你哥哥的妻子親近，與她盡你為弟弟的義務，給你哥哥立後。」
 創:38.9     敖難明知後裔不歸自己，所以當他與哥哥的妻子結合時，便將精液遺洩於地，免得給自己的哥哥立後。
 創:38.10    他作這事，為上主所厭惡，上主就叫他死了。
 創:38.11    猶大於是對兒媳塔瑪爾說：「你回到你父親家中去守寡，直到我兒子舍拉長大成人。」因為他心裏想：「恐怕他也如同他哥哥們一樣死去。」塔瑪爾就回去，住在自己父親的家裏。
 創:38.12    過了幾年，猶大的妻子叔亞的女兒死了。喪期過後，猶大便同自己的朋友阿杜藍人希辣，上提默納黑去剪羊毛。
 創:38.13    有人告訴塔瑪爾說:「你公公現正上提默納黑去剪羊毛。」
 創:38.14    塔瑪爾遂脫去守寡的衣服，蒙上首帕，遮掩自己，坐在通往提默納黑大道去厄納殷的路口上；－－原來她見舍拉已經長大，還沒有娶她為妻。－－
 創:38.15    猶大一看見她，以為她是個妓女，因為她遮蓋了自己的臉。
 創:38.16    猶大便由路上轉到她面前，向她說：「來! 讓我與你親近! 」他並不知她就是自己的兒媳。她答說：「你給我什麼，好與我親近﹖」
 創:38.17    猶大答說：「由羊群中取一隻小公山羊送給你。」塔瑪爾說：「你未送來以前，你應給個抵押。」
 創:38.18    猶大問說：「我該給你什麼作抵押﹖」她答說：「你的印章，你的繫印帶和你手中的棍杖。」猶大便交給了她，與她親近了；她於是由他懷了孕。
 創:38.19    事後，她起來回家，除掉首帕，再穿上她守寡的衣服。
 創:38.20    猶大託自己的朋友阿杜藍人送了一隻小公山羊去，好由那女人手中取回抵押；他卻找不到她，
 創:38.21    便問當地人說：「那在厄納殷路旁的廟妓在那裏﹖」人答說：「這裏從來沒有廟妓。」
 創:38.22    他回來對猶大說：「我找不著她，並且當地的人都說：這裏從來沒有廟妓。」
 創:38.23    猶大遂說：「讓她留著罷! 免得我們被人嗤笑。我將小公山羊送了去，可是你沒有找著她。」
 創:38.24    大約過了三個月，有人告訴猶大說：「你的兒媳塔瑪爾與人通姦，而且因通姦有了身孕。猶大說：「把她拉出來燒死! 」
 創:38.25    當她被拉出來時，她派人到她公公那裏說：「這些東西是誰的，我就是由誰懷了孕。」並且說：「請你仔細看看這些東西：印章、印帶和棍杖是誰的﹖」
 創:38.26    猶大仔細一看，就說：「她比我更有理，因為我尚沒有將她嫁給我的兒子舍拉。」他從此以後，再沒有認識她。
 創:38.27    到了她要生產的時候，腹中竟是一對雙胎。
 創:38.28    她正生產時，一個胎兒伸出一手來，收生婆就拿了一根朱紅線繫在他手上說：「這個是先出生的。」
 創:38.29    但是他一收回手去，他的兄弟就出生了；收生婆說：「你為自己開了個怎樣的裂口! 」遂給他起名叫培勒茲。
 創:38.30    以後，那手上繫有朱紅線的兄弟也出生了，遂給他起名叫則辣黑。
  
 創:39.1     [若瑟在普提法爾家]  若瑟被人帶到埃及，有個埃及人普提法爾，是法郎的內臣兼衛隊長，從帶若瑟來的依市瑪耳人手裏買了他。
 創:39.2     上主與若瑟同在，他便事事順利，住在他埃及主人家裏。
 創:39.3     他主人見上主與若瑟同在，又見上主使他手中所做的事，無不順利；
 創:39.4     為此若瑟在他主人眼中得了寵，令他服事自己，託他管理自己的家務，將所有的一切，都交在他手中。
 創:39.5     自從主人託他管理家務和所有的一切以來，上主為若瑟的原故，祝福了這埃及人的家庭，他家內和田間所有的一切，都蒙受了上主的祝福。
 創:39.6     普提法爾將自己所有的一切，都交在若瑟的手裏；只要有他在，除自己所吃的食物外，其餘一概不管。若瑟生來體態秀雅，容貌俊美。
 創:39.7     [主婦勾引若瑟]  這些事以後，有一回，主人的妻子向若瑟以目傳情，並且說：「你與我同睡罷! 」
 創:39.8     他立即拒絕，對主人的妻子說：「你看，有我在，家中的事，我主人什麼都不管；凡他所有的一切，都交在我手中。
 創:39.9     在這一家內，他並不比我更有權勢，因為他沒有留下一樣不交給我；只有你除外，因為你是他的妻子。我怎能做這極惡的事，得罪天主呢﹖」
 創:39.10    她雖然天天這樣對若瑟說，若瑟總不聽從與她同睡，與她結合。
 創:39.11    有這麼一天，若瑟走進屋內辦事，家人都沒有在屋裏，
 創:39.12    她便抓住若瑟的衣服說：「與我同睡罷! 」若瑟把自己的外衣，捨在她手中，就跑到外面去了。
 創:39.13    [若瑟無罪入獄]  她一見若瑟把自己的外衣捨在她手中，跑到外面去了。
 創:39.14    就召喚她的家人來，對他們說：「你們看! 他給我們帶來的希伯來人竟敢調戲我啊!他來到我這裏，要與我同睡，我就大聲呼喊。
 創:39.15    他一聽見我高聲呼喊，把他的衣服捨在我身邊，就跑到外面去了。」
 創:39.16    她便將若瑟的衣服留在身邊，等他的主人回家，
 創:39.17    她又用同樣的話給他講述說：「你給我們帶來的那個希伯來僕人，竟到這裏來調戲我。
 創:39.18    我一高聲呼喊，他就把他的衣服捨在我身邊，跑到外面去了。」
 創:39.19    主人一聽見他妻子對他所說：「你的僕人如此如此對待我的話，」便大發憤怒。
 創:39.20    若瑟的主人遂捉住若瑟放在監裏，即囚禁君王囚犯人的地方。他雖在那裏坐監，
 創:39.21    上主仍與他同在，對他施恩，使他在獄長眼中得寵；
 創:39.22    因此獄長將監中所有的囚犯都交在若瑟手中；凡獄中應辦的事，都由他辦理。
 創:39.23    凡交在若瑟手中的事，獄長一概不聞不問，因為上主與他同在，凡他所做的，上主無不使之順遂。
  
 創:40.1     [若瑟在獄中解夢]  這些事以後，埃及王的司酒和司廚得罪了他們的主人埃及王。
 創:40.2     法郎於是對那兩個內臣，司酒長和司廚長發了怒，
 創:40.3     將他們囚在衛隊長府內的拘留所內，若瑟被囚禁的地方。
 創:40.4     衛隊長將他們交給若瑟，若瑟就照管他們。他們在拘留所內過了一些時日，
 創:40.5     那兩個被囚在獄裏的埃及王的司酒和司廚，在同一夜裏，各作了一夢；每人的夢都有它的意義。
 創:40.6     早晨若瑟到了他們那裏，見他們面有憂色，
 創:40.7     便問那與他同在自己主人府中監獄裏的法郎內臣說：「為什麼你們今天面帶憂色﹖」
 創:40.8     他們回答說：「我們各作了一夢，沒有人能夠解釋。」若瑟對他們說：「解夢不是天主的事嗎﹖請你們講給我聽! 」
 創:40.9     司酒長就將自己的夢講給若瑟聽，對他說：「我夢見在我前面有株葡萄樹。
 創:40.10    樹上有三根枝子，剛發芽，就生出了花朵，花朵結了熟葡萄。
 創:40.11    我手拿著法郎的杯，將葡萄擠在法郎的杯中，將杯遞在法郎的手內。」
 創:40.12    若瑟對他說：「這夢的意義就是：三根枝子是指的三天。
 創:40.13    三天以內，法郎要高舉你，恢復你的職位：你仍將杯放在法郎的手中，像先前作他司酒時一樣；
 創:40.14    但是，當你得志時，請你記得我，望你對我施恩，為我告訴法郎，救我出離這監牢；
 創:40.15    因為我不但是由希伯來人地被拐來的，而且在這裏我也沒有做過什麼使他們將我放在這地牢裏的事。」
 創:40.16    司廚長見他解得吉祥，便對若瑟說：「我也作了一夢，夢見在我的頭上有三筐白餅。
 創:40.17    最上面的筐內，有為法郎預備的各種食物，有飛鳥來啄食我頭上筐裏的食物。」
 創:40.18    若瑟回答說：「這夢的意義就是：三筐是指的三天。
 創:40.19    三天以內，法郎要高舉你，將你懸在木架上，飛鳥要來啄食你的肉。」
 創:40.20    第三天，適逢法郎的生日，法郎為群臣擺設了盛宴，在群臣中將司酒長和司廚長提出來，
 創:40.21    恢復了司酒長的司酒職，再將杯放在法郎手中；
 創:40.22    至於司廚長，卻被懸掛起來，正如若瑟對他們所解釋的。
 創:40.23    司酒長卻沒有記得若瑟，竟將他忘了。
  
 創:41.1     [法郎連作二夢] 過了兩年，法郎作了一夢，夢見自己站在尼羅河畔。
 創:41.2     看見從尼羅河中上來了七隻母牛，色美體肥，在蘆葦中吃草。
 創:41.3     隨後，從尼羅河中，又上來了七隻色醜體瘦的母牛，站在尼羅河岸上靠近那些母牛身旁。
 創:41.4     這些色醜體瘦的母牛，竟將那七隻色美體肥的母牛吞了下去；法郎便驚醒了。
 創:41.5     他又睡下，作了一個夢，夢見在一根麥莖上，生出了七枝又肥又美的麥穗；
 創:41.6     隨後，又發出了七枝又細弱，而又為東風吹焦了的麥穗。
 創:41.7     這些細弱的麥穗竟將那七枝又肥又實的麥穗吞了下去。法郎驚醒了，原是一場夢。
 創:41.8     到了早晨，他心煩意亂，遂遣人將埃及所有的術士和賢士召來，給他們講述了自己的夢，卻沒有人能給法郎解釋。
 創:41.9     那時司酒長向法郎說：「我今天想起了我的過犯。
 創:41.10    有一次陛下對自己的臣僕發怒，將我和司廚長關在衛隊長府內的拘留所內。
 創:41.11    我和他在同一夜裏，各作了一夢，我們每人的夢都有它的意義。
 創:41.12    在那裏有個希伯來少年人與我們在一起，他是衛隊長的僕人；當我們把夢告訴了他，他就給我們加以解釋，給每個人的夢都說明了它的意義。
 創:41.13    果然，都照他給我們所解釋的應驗了：我恢復了原職，他卻被吊死了。」
 創:41.14    [若瑟出獄解夢]  法郎於是遣人去召若瑟，人就快把他從地牢裏提出來；他剃了頭，刮了臉，換了衣服，來到法郎跟前。
 創:41.15    法郎對若瑟說：「我作了一夢，沒有人能夠解釋。我聽見人說，你聽了夢就能解釋。」
 創:41.16    若瑟回答法郎說：「這不是我所能的，只有天主能給陛下一個吉祥的解答。」
 創:41.17    法郎遂向若瑟說：「我夢見我站在尼羅河上，
 創:41.18    看見從河中上來了七隻母牛，體肥色美，在蘆葦叢中吃草。
 創:41.19    隨後，又上來了七隻母牛，軟弱無力，色醜體瘦，那種醜陋，我在埃及全國從未見過。
 創:41.20    這些又瘦又醜的母牛，竟將先上來的那七隻肥母牛吞了下去。
 創:41.21    牠們吞下去之後，竟看不出來牠們吞了下去，因為牠們醜陋的樣子和先前一樣，我就驚醒了。
 創:41.22    以後我又夢見在一根麥莖上，生出了七枝粗大美麗的麥穗。
 創:41.23    隨後，又發出了七枝枯萎細弱而又被東風吹焦了的麥穗。
 創:41.24    這些細弱的麥穗竟將那七枝美麗的麥穗吞了。我講給了術士們聽，但沒有人能給我解說。」
 創:41.25    若瑟遂對法郎說：「陛下的夢只是一個。天主已將所要作的告訴陛下：
 創:41.26    七隻美好的母牛表示七年，七枝美好的麥穗也表示七年。這原是一個夢。
 創:41.27    隨後上來的那七隻又瘦又醜的母牛，和那七枝空虛而又被東風吹焦了的麥穗，都表示七年，表示將有七個荒年。
 創:41.28    這即是我對陛下所說：天主已將他要作的顯示給陛下了。
 創:41.29    看埃及全國將有七年大豐收。
 創:41.30    繼之而來的是七個荒年，那時人都忘記了埃及國曾有過豐收。當飢荒蹂躪此地時，
 創:41.31    誰也覺不到此地曾有過豐收，因為相繼而來的飢荒實在太嚴重了。
 創:41.32    至於陛下的夢重複了兩次，是表示這事已由天主命定，天主就快要實行。
 創:41.33    所以陛下現在應當尋找一個聰明，有智慧的人，派他管理埃及國。
 創:41.34    陛下應設法在地方上派定督辦，在七個豐年內，徵收埃及國所出產的五分之一；
 創:41.35    使他們將未來豐年內的一切食糧，聚斂起來，將五穀都儲藏在陛下手下，貯在城內備作食糧，妥為保管。
 創:41.36    這些食糧應作為本地的存糧，以應付那在埃及國要出現的七個荒年，免得全國因飢荒而滅亡。
 創:41.37    [若瑟居高位]  這番話使法郎和他的群臣十分贊成，
 創:41.38    於是法郎對他的臣僕說：「像他這樣的人，有天主的神住在他內，我們豈能找著另一個﹖」
 創:41.39    法郎遂對若瑟說：「天主既使你知道這一切，就再沒有像你這樣聰敏富有智慧的人了。
 創:41.40    你要掌管我的朝廷，我的人民都要聽從你的號令；只在寶座上我比你大。」
 創:41.41    法郎又對若瑟說：「看，我立你統治全埃及國。」
 創:41.42    遂由自己手上取下打印的戒指，戴在若瑟手上，給他穿上細麻長袍，將金鍊戴在他的頸項上；
 創:41.43    又使他坐在自己的第二部御車上，人們在他前面喊說：「跪下! 」法郎就這樣立他管理全埃及國。
 創:41.44    法郎又對若瑟說：「我是法郎，沒有你的同意，全埃及國，任何人不得做任何事。」
 創:41.45    法郎給若瑟起名叫匝斐納特帕乃亞，又將翁城的司祭頗提斐辣的女兒阿斯納特給他為妻。若瑟便出去巡行埃及全國。
 創:41.46    [若瑟囤糧]  若瑟立於埃及王法郎前時，年三十歲。他由法郎面前出去巡行了埃及全國。
 創:41.47    七個豐年內，土地出產極其豐富。
 創:41.48    若瑟聚斂了埃及國七個豐年內所有的糧食，積蓄在城內；每城城郊田間所出的糧食，也都儲藏在本城內。
 創:41.49    這樣若瑟聚斂了大量的五穀，多得有如海沙，無法計算，無法勝數。
 創:41.50    [若瑟生子]  在荒年未來以前，若瑟已有了兩個兒子，是翁城的司祭頗提斐辣的女兒阿斯納特給他生的。
 創:41.51    若瑟給長子起名叫默納協，說：「天主使我忘盡了我的一切困苦和我父的全家。
 創:41.52    給次子起名叫厄弗辣因，說：「天主使我在我受苦的地方有了子息。」
 創:41.53    [一連七個荒年]  埃及國的七個豐年一過，
 創:41.54    七個荒年隨著就來了，恰如若瑟所預言的；各地都發生了飢荒，唯獨全埃及國還有食糧。
 創:41.55    及至埃及全國鬧飢荒時，人民便向法郎呼求糧食；法郎對埃及民眾說：「你們到若瑟那裏去，照他對你們所說的做。」
 創:41.56    當時飢荒彌漫天下，若瑟便開了國內所有的糧倉，將糧食賣給埃及人，因為埃及的飢荒很嚴重。
 創:41.57    天下的人都來到埃及，向若瑟購買食糧，因為天下各地都大鬧飢荒。
  
 創:42.1     [雅各伯派子購糧]  雅各伯見埃及有糧食出售，便對自己的兒子們說：「你們為什麼彼此觀望﹖」
 創:42.2     繼而說：「我聽說在埃及有糧食出售，你們下到那裏，給我們購買些糧食，叫我們好活下去，不致餓死。」
 創:42.3     於是若瑟的十個哥哥下到埃及買糧食去了。
 創:42.4     至於若瑟的弟弟本雅明，雅各伯沒有叫他與哥哥們同去，因為他想：怕他遇害。
 創:42.5     這樣以色列的兒子們也夾在前來購糧的人中，前來購糧，因為客納罕地也發生了飢荒。
 創:42.6     當時在地方上執政的人是若瑟，給地方上所有人民配售糧食的也是他。若瑟的哥哥們來了，就俯首至地，向他下拜。
 創:42.7     若瑟一見他的哥哥們，就認出他們來，卻裝做生人，向他們說了一切嚴厲的話，問他們說：「你們是從那裏來的﹖」他們答說：「我們是從客納罕地來購買糧食的。」
 創:42.8     [若瑟試探哥哥]  若瑟認出哥哥們來，他們卻沒有認出他來。
 創:42.9     於是若瑟想起了他昔日關於他們所作的夢，便對他們說：「你們是探子，前來刺探本地的虛實。」
 創:42.10    他們回答說：「我主! 絕對不是：你的僕人們是來購買糧食的。
 創:42.11    我們全是一個人的兒子，我們是誠實人；你的僕人們從未做過探子。」
 創:42.12    若瑟對他們說：「不，你們前來必是為刺探此地的虛實。」
 創:42.13    他們答說：「你的僕人們原是兄弟十二人，同是客納罕地一個人的兒子；最小的現今在父親那裏，另一個已不在了。」
 創:42.14    若瑟對他們說：「我才說你們是探子；這話實在不錯。
 創:42.15    為此我要考驗你們：我指著法郎的生命起誓：如果你們最小的弟弟不到這裏來，你們莫想離開此地。
 創:42.16    你們可由你們中派一個人回去，帶你們的弟弟來，其他的人暫且拘留，以待證明你們的話是否誠實；如果不是真的，我指著法郎的生命起誓：你們必是探子。」
 創:42.17    於是在拘留所內拘禁了他們三天。
 創:42.18    第三天，若瑟對他們說：「我原是個敬畏天主的人，你們願意保全性命，應這樣做：
 創:42.19    如果你們是誠實人，叫你們兄弟中一個人留在拘留所內，其餘的人可帶糧食回去，解救家中的飢荒。
 創:42.20    然後給我帶你們的小弟弟來，好證實你們的話，你們也不致於死。」他們就這樣作了。
 創:42.21    他們彼此說：「我們實在該賠補加害我們兄弟的罪，因為他向我們哀求時，我們見了他心靈痛苦，竟不肯聽；為此這場苦難才落到我們身上! 」
 創:42.22    勒烏本就對他們說：「我豈不是對你們說過：不要傷害那孩子嗎﹖你們卻不肯聽；看，現在要追討他的血了。」
 創:42.23    他們原不知道若瑟都聽得懂，因為在他們中有一翻譯員。
 創:42.24    若瑟就由他們前退出去哭了。然後又回來與他們交談，由他們中提出西默盎在他們眼前將他捆綁起來。
 創:42.25    若瑟遂吩咐人將他們的布袋裝滿了糧食，將各人的銀錢仍放在各人的布袋內，並且還給了他們途中所需要的食物；人就對他們這樣做了。
 創:42.26    他們將購得的糧食馱在驢上，就從那裏起身走了。
 創:42.27    到了客棧，他們中一人打開了布袋拿料餵驢，看見自己的銀錢仍在布袋口，
 創:42.28    遂對兄弟們說：「我的銀錢退回來了；看，仍在我的袋裏。」他們心驚起來，彼此戰慄地說：「天主對我們所作的，是怎麼一回事。」
 創:42.29    [雅各伯訴苦]  他們回到客納罕地，他們的父親雅各伯那裏，將所遇見的事全告訴他說：「
 創:42.30    那地方的主人對我們說了一些嚴厲的話，將我們視作刺探那地方的人。
 創:42.31    我們對他說：「我們是誠實人，決不是探子；
 創:42.32    我們原是兄弟十二人，同一父親的兒子，一個已不在了，最小的現在同我們的父親在客納罕地。
 創:42.33    那地方的主人對我們說：為叫我知道你們是誠實人，你們兄弟中一人留在我這裏，其餘的人帶糧食回去解救家中的飢荒；
 創:42.34    然後將你們的弟弟給我帶來，那時我才能知道你們不是探子，確是誠實人，我將你們的兄弟還給你們，你們可在這地方自由行動。」
 創:42.35    當他們倒自己的糧袋時，不料各人的錢囊仍在各人的袋內。他們和他們的父親，一見錢囊，都害怕起來。
 創:42.36    他們的父親雅各伯對他們說：「你們總是使我喪失兒子：若瑟不在了，西默盎不在了，你們還要帶走本雅明! 這一切都落在我身上! 」
 創:42.37    勒烏本對他父親說：「如果我不將他給你帶回來，你可殺死我的兩個兒子；只管將他交在我手裏，我必再還給你。」
 創:42.38    雅各伯答說：「我兒子不能和你們一同下去，因為他哥哥死了，只剩下了他獨自一個；如果他在你們行的路上遇到什麼不幸，那你們就要使我這白髮老人在憂苦中降入陰府了。」
  
 創:43.1     [本雅明來埃及]  地上的饑荒仍然嚴重。
 創:43.2     他們吃完了由埃及帶來的糧食，父親對他們說：「你們再去給我們買點糧食來吃! 」
 創:43.3     猶大立即回答父親說：「那人明明告訴我們說：你們若不帶弟弟一起來，你們休想見我的面。
 創:43.4     你若讓我們的弟弟與我們一同去，我們就下去給你買些糧食來；
 創:43.5     你若不讓他去，我們也不下去；因為那人對我們說過：「你們若不帶弟弟與你們一同來，你們休想見我的面。」
 創:43.6     以色列說：「你們為什麼這樣害我，告訴那人你們還有個弟弟﹖」
 創:43.7     他們回答說：「那人再三再四問我們和我們的家庭說：「你們的父親是否還活著﹖你們是否另有個兄弟﹖我們只得照這些話答覆他。那裏會知道他要說：帶你們的兄弟一同下來﹖」
 創:43.8     猶大又對他父親以色列說：「你叫孩童與我同去，我們就起身前去；這樣，我們和你並我們的幼兒，可以生活，不致餓死。
 創:43.9     我為他擔保，你可由我手中要人；如果我不將他帶回，交在你面前，我在你前終生負罪。
 創:43.10    假使我們沒有遲延，現在第二次也回來了! 」
 創:43.11    他們的父親以色列對他們說：「如果必須如此，你們就這樣做：在行李內帶些本地最好的出產，一些香液、蜂蜜、樹膠、香料、榧子和杏仁，下去送給那人當作禮物。
 創:43.12    手中多帶一倍銀錢，將那放在你們糧袋口的銀錢，也一併帶上，這或者是出於一時的錯誤。
 創:43.13    並且帶著你們的弟弟起身往那人那裏去。
 創:43.14    願全能的天主使你們在那人面前蒙恩，放回你們那個兄弟和本雅明；至於我，如要喪子，就喪子罷! 」
 創:43.15    這一夥人於是帶了那些禮物，手中帶上雙倍銀錢，帶本雅明起身下到埃及去，到了若瑟面前。
 創:43.16    若瑟一看見他們和本雅明，就對自己的管家說：「帶這些人到家裏去，宰牲設宴，中午這些人要與我一起吃飯。」
 創:43.17    管家就依照若瑟吩咐的做了，將這些人帶到若瑟家中。
 創:43.18    這些人一進入了若瑟的家，就害怕起來，心裏想：「他帶我們到這裏來，定是為了上次放回我們袋裏銀錢的事，想找我們的錯處，加害我們，拿住我們當奴隸，奪取我們的驢。」
 創:43.19    他們於是走到若瑟的管家前，在房門口同他談起這事，
 創:43.20    說：「我主，請原諒：我們上次下到這裏來購買糧食，
 創:43.21    當我們到了客棧，打開我們的布袋時，發見各人的銀錢仍在各人的布袋口，我們的銀錢一分不少；現在我們又親手帶回來了。
 創:43.22    此外我們手中又帶了些銀錢，來購買糧食；我們不知道是誰將我們的銀錢放在我們的布袋內。」
 創:43.23    管家答說：「請你們放心，不必害怕! 是你們的天主，你們祖先的天主，在你們的布袋裏給你們放上了財寶；你們的銀錢我已經收了。」以後給他們領出西默盎來。
 創:43.24    [若瑟款待兄弟]  管家領這些人到了若瑟家裏，先給他們拿水洗了腳，然後拿草料餵了驢。
 創:43.25    他們遂將禮物預備好，等候若瑟中午回來；因為聽說，他們要在那裏吃午飯。
 創:43.26    若瑟回到家裏，他們就將手中的禮物獻給他，俯首至地向他下拜。
 創:43.27    若瑟先向他們問安，然後說：「你們以前所說的老父好麼﹖還健在麼﹖」
 創:43.28    他們答說：「你的僕人，我們的父親還好，還健在。」遂又鞠躬下拜。
 創:43.29    若瑟舉目，見了他母親親生的弟弟本雅明，就問說：「這就是你們對我說的那小弟弟嗎﹖」繼而說：「孩子，願天主保佑你! 」
 創:43.30    若瑟愛弟情切，想要流淚，趕快進了自己的內室，在那裏哭了一場；
 創:43.31    然後洗臉出來，勉強抑制自己，吩咐說：「擺飯罷! 」
 創:43.32    人就給若瑟擺了一席，為他們擺了一席，為與若瑟一起吃飯的埃及人另擺了一席；因為埃及人不能同希伯來人一起吃飯，這為他們是個恥辱。
 創:43.33    他們便在若瑟前，安排就坐，全按長幼的次序，長者在上，幼者在下；眾兄弟彼此相看，驚奇不已。
 創:43.34    若瑟將自己面前的食物分開，分給他們；但本雅明的一分，比其餘的人多五倍。他們遂與若瑟飲酒宴樂。
  
 創:44.1     [若瑟再試探兄弟]  然後若瑟吩咐自己的管家說：「將糧食裝滿這些人的布袋，他們能帶多少，就裝多少；將每人的銀錢仍放在他的布袋口處，
 創:44.2     再將我的銀杯和內最年幼購糧的銀錢，一併放在他的布袋口處。」管家就照若瑟吩咐的話做了。
 創:44.3     清早天一發亮，就遣送這些人帶著他們的驢走了。
 創:44.4     他們出了城，還不很遠，若瑟就對他的管家說：「你起身去追趕那些人，追上他們，就對他們說：你們為什麼以惡報善﹖
 創:44.5     為什麼偷去我的銀杯﹖這杯是我主人為飲酒為占卜用的啊! 你們作的實在不對! 」
 創:44.6     管家追上他們，就對他們說了這些話。
 創:44.7     他們回答說：「我主怎麼說些這樣的話﹖你的僕人們決不敢做這樣的事!
 創:44.8     你看! 我們在布袋口所發現的銀錢，還從客納罕地帶回來給了你，我們怎能偷你主人家的金銀呢﹖
 創:44.9     在你僕人中，不論在誰那裏搜出來，誰就該死，並且我們都該作我主的奴隸。」
 創:44.10    管家答說：「也好，就照你們的話做；只是在誰那裏搜出來，誰該作我的奴隸；你們其餘的人可自由離去。」
 創:44.11    於是他們各人急忙將自己的布袋卸下，放在地上，各人打開自己的布袋。
 創:44.12    管家便一一搜查，從年長的開始，到年幼的為止；結果那杯在本雅明的布袋裏搜了出來。
 創:44.13    他們遂撕裂了自己的衣服，各人又使驢馱上重載，回城裏去了。
 創:44.14    猶大和他的兄弟們進了若瑟的家，若瑟還在那裏，他們就在他面前俯伏在地。
 創:44.15    若瑟對他們說：「你們作的是什麼事﹖難道你們不知道像我這樣的人會占卜嗎﹖」
 創:44.16    猶大答說：「我們對我主還能說什麼﹖還有什麼話可說﹖我們如何能表白自己﹖天主已查出了你僕人們的罪惡。我們和在他手裏搜出杯來的，都應作我主的奴隸。」
 創:44.17    若瑟答說：「我決不這樣做；在誰手裏搜出杯來，誰就該作我的奴隸；至於你們，都可平安上去，回到你們父親那裏。」
 創:44.18    [猶大自願代罪]  猶大近前對若瑟說：「我主，請原諒，容你僕人向我主進一言，請不要對你僕人動怒，因為你原與法郎無異。
 創:44.19    我主以前曾問僕人們說：你們還有父親或兄弟嗎﹖
 創:44.20    我們曾回答我主說：還有老父和他老年生的幼兒；他的哥哥死了，他母親只剩下了他一個；為此父親非常疼愛他。
 創:44.21    你就對你僕人們說：將他帶到我這裏來，我要親眼看看他。
 創:44.22    我們即對我主說：孩子是不能離開他父親的；如果離開了，他父親必會死去。
 創:44.23    你對你僕人們說：如果你們的小弟弟不同你們一起下來，你們休想再見我的面。
 創:44.24    我們一上到你僕人，我父親那裏，就將我主的話告訴了他。
 創:44.25    後來我們的父親說：你們再去給我們買點糧食來。
 創:44.26    我們答說：我們不能下去；除非我們的小弟弟同我們一起，我們才下去；因為我們的小弟弟不同我們在一起，我們不能見那人的面。
 創:44.27    你的僕人，我的父親就對我們說：你們知道，我的妻子給我只生了兩個兒子：
 創:44.28    其中一個離開我出去，我猜想，他是被猛獸撕裂了，到現在，再沒有見到他。
 創:44.29    如今你們連這一個也要由我面前帶走；倘若他遇到什麼不幸，你們就要使我這白髮老人在悲痛中下到陰府了!
 創:44.30    現在，如我回到你僕人，我父親那裏，孩童沒有與我們在一起，－－他原與這孩童相依為命，－－
 創:44.31    他一見孩童沒有與我們在一起，就必死無疑；那你的僕人們就要使你的僕人，我們的父親帶著白髮在憂苦中下入陰府了。
 創:44.32    況且你的僕人曾在我父面前為孩童擔保說：如果我不將他帶回來交給你，我終生在我父前負罪。
 創:44.33    現在請讓你的僕人留下，代替孩童給我主為奴，讓孩童跟他哥哥們回去。
 創:44.34    如果孩童不與我在一起，我怎能上去見我父親﹖我怕看見我父親遭到不幸! 」
  
 創:45.1     [若瑟表明身份]  若瑟在眾侍從前不能再抑制自己，就喊說：「叫眾人離開我出去! 」這樣，若瑟使兄弟認出自己來時，沒有別人在場。
 創:45.2     他便放聲大哭，埃及人都聽到了，法郎朝廷也聽到了。
 創:45.3     若瑟對兄弟們說：「我就是若瑟，我父親還在嗎﹖」他的兄弟們不能回答，因為在他面前都嚇呆了。
 創:45.4     若瑟又對兄弟們說：「請你們近前來。」他們就上前去。若瑟說：「我就是你們賣到埃及的弟弟若瑟。
 創:45.5     現在你們不要因為將我賣到這裏便自憂自責；這原是天主派遣我在你們以先來，為保全你們的性命。
 創:45.6     地方上的饑荒纔過了第二年，還有五年，不能耕種，不能收割。
 創:45.7     天主派遣我在你們以先來，是為給你們在地上留下後裔，給你們保全多人的性命。
 創:45.8     所以叫我到這裏來的並不是你們，而是天主；是他立我作法郎之父，作他全家的主人，作全埃及地的總理。
 創:45.9     你們急速上到我父親那裏，對他說：你的兒子若瑟這樣說：天主立我作了全埃及的主人，請你下到我這裏來，不要遲延。
 創:45.10    你和你的兒孫，以及你的羊群牲畜，並你一切所有，都可住在哥笙地，離我不遠，
 創:45.11    我好在那裏奉養你，免得你和你的眷屬，並你一切所有陷於貧乏，因為尚有五年饑荒。
 創:45.12    看你們和我的弟弟本雅明都親眼見到，是我親口在對你們說話。
 創:45.13    你們要將我在埃及的一切光榮，和你們親見的一切，都告訴我父親，儘速帶我父親下到這裏來。」
 創:45.14    說畢，便撲在他弟弟本雅明的頸上哭起來了，本雅明也伏在他頸上哭泣。
 創:45.15    然後與眾兄弟親吻，抱著他們痛哭。這以後，他的兄弟們纔敢與他交談。
 創:45.16    [法郎面諭若瑟迎父]  法郎朝廷聽說若瑟兄弟來了的消息，法郎和他的臣僕都很高興。
 創:45.17    法郎便對若瑟說：「你對你的兄弟們說：你們應這樣做：備好牲口，立即往客納罕地去，
 創:45.18    接你們的父親和家眷到我這裏來，我願賜給你們埃及地最好的出產，使你們享受本地的肥物。
 創:45.19    你再吩咐他們說：你們應這樣做：從埃及帶些車輛去接你們的子女和妻子，並把你們的父親接來；
 創:45.20    不要顧惜你們的物品，因為全埃及地最好的出品都歸你們享用。」
 創:45.21    以色列的兒子們就這樣做了。若瑟依照法郎的吩咐，給了他們一些車輛和路上用的食糧；
 創:45.22    又給了每人一套新衣，至於本雅明，卻給了他三百銀錢和五套新衣；
 創:45.23    同樣，給他父親送去十匹公驢，滿載埃及最好的出品，十匹母驢，滿載糧食麵餅，和為父親路上用的食品。
 創:45.24    隨後打發他的兄弟們走了；當他們離別時，對他們說：「路上不要爭吵! 」
 創:45.25    [兄弟歸家迎父]  若瑟的兄弟們由埃及上到客納罕，他們父親雅各伯那裏，
 創:45.26    告訴他說：「若瑟還活著，而且做了全埃及國的總理。」雅各伯聽了心中淡然，並不相信。
 創:45.27    及至他們將若瑟對他們所說的話，全講給他聽，他又看了若瑟打發來接他的車輛，他們的父親雅各伯的心神才甦醒過來。
 創:45.28    以色列於是說：「只要我兒若瑟還在，我就心滿意足了；在我未死以前，我該去見他一面。」
  
 創:46.1     [雅各伯遷往埃及]  以色列遂帶著他所有的一切出發，來到了貝爾舍巴，向他父親依撒格的天主獻了祭，
 創:46.2     當夜天主在神視中對以色列說：「雅各伯、雅各伯!」他答說：「我在這裏。」
 創:46.3     天主說：「我是天主，你父親的天主。你不要害怕下到埃及去，因為我要使你在那裏成為一大民族。
 創:46.4     我與你一同下到埃及，也必使你再上來；若瑟要親手合上你的眼。」
 創:46.5     雅各伯遂由貝爾舍巴起程。以色列的兒子們扶自己的父親雅各伯和自己的孩子及妻子，上了法郎派來接他的車，
 創:46.6     帶了家畜和在客納罕地積聚的財物，一同向埃及進發：這樣雅各伯和他所有的孩子，
 創:46.7     即他的兒子、孫子、女兒、孫女，他的一切孩子，都一同來到了埃及。
 創:46.8     [雅各伯的子孫]  以下是來到埃及的以色列人，雅各伯和他子孫的名單：雅各伯的長子勒烏本；
 創:46.9     勒烏本的兒子：哈諾客、帕路、赫茲龍和加爾米；
 創:46.10    西默盎的兒子：耶慕耳、雅明、敖哈得、雅津、祚哈爾和客納罕女子的兒子沙烏耳；
 創:46.11    肋未的兒子：革爾雄、刻哈特和默辣黎；
 創:46.12    猶大的兒子：厄爾、敖難、舍拉、培勒茲和則辣黑：厄爾和敖難已死在客納罕地。培勒茲的兒子：赫茲龍和哈慕耳；
 創:46.13    依撒加爾的兒子：托拉、普瓦、雅叔布和史默龍；
 創:46.14    則步隆的兒子：色勒得、厄隆和雅赫肋耳：
 創:46.15    以上是肋阿在帕丹阿蘭給雅各伯生的子孫；還有他的女兒狄納：男女子孫共計三十三人。
 創:46.16    加得的兒子：漆斐雍、哈基、叔尼、厄茲朋、厄黎、阿洛狄和阿勒里；
 創:46.17    阿協爾的兒子：依默納、依市瓦、依市偉、貝黎雅和他們的姊妹色辣黑；貝黎雅的兒子赫貝爾和瑪耳基耳：
 創:46.18    以上是拉班給他的女兒肋阿的婢女齊耳帕，給雅各伯生的子孫，共計十六人。
 創:46.19    雅各伯的妻子辣黑耳的兒子：若瑟和本雅明；
 創:46.20    翁城的司祭頗提斐辣的女兒阿斯納特在埃及地給若瑟生了默納協和厄弗辣因；
 創:46.21    本雅明的兒子：貝拉、貝革爾、阿市貝耳、革辣、納阿曼、厄希、洛士、慕平、胡平和阿爾得：
 創:46.22    以上是辣黑耳給雅各伯生的子孫，共計十四人。
 創:46.23    丹的兒子：胡生；
 創:46.24    納斐塔里的兒子：雅赫則耳，古尼，耶則爾和史冷：
 創:46.25    以上是拉班給他的女兒辣黑耳的婢女彼耳哈，給雅各伯生的子孫，共計七人。
 創:46.26    由雅各伯所生而同來到埃及的人數，除雅各伯的兒媳不計外，共計六十六人。
 創:46.27    此外還有若瑟在埃及所生的兒子二人：雅各伯家來到埃及的全體人數，共計七十人。
 創:46.28    [父子異鄉重逢]  雅各伯派猶大先去見若瑟，同他約定在哥笙相見。他們來到了哥笙地方，
 創:46.29    若瑟套車上哥笙去迎接他父親以色列；一見了他，就撲在他頸上，抱住他的頸，哭了很久。
 創:46.30    以色列對若瑟說：「我見了你的面，見你還活著，現在我可以死了! 」
 創:46.31    若瑟對他的兄弟們和父親的家屬說：「我要上去呈報法郎說：我在客納罕地的兄弟們和我父親的家屬，都來到我這裏了。
 創:46.32    這些人都是放羊飼畜的人；他們的羊群牛群和他們所有的一切都帶來了。
 創:46.33    所以，當法郎召見你們，問你們有何職業時，你們要答說：你的僕人們自幼直到現在，都是牧養牲畜的人，我們和我們的祖先都是如此。這樣你們才能住在哥笙地方，因為埃及人厭惡一切牧羊的人。」
  
 創:47.1     [雅各伯進見法郎]  若瑟遂去呈報法郎說：「我父和我兄弟，帶著他們的牛羊和一切所有，從客納罕地來了，現今都在哥笙地方。」
 創:47.2     若瑟由他兄弟中選了五人，引他們去謁見法郎。
 創:47.3     法郎問若瑟的兄弟們說：「你們有何職業﹖」他們回答法郎說：「你的僕人們是放羊的人，我們和我們的祖先，都是如此。」
 創:47.4     繼而又對法郎說：「我們來僑居此地，因為客納罕地饑荒很凶，你僕人們的羊群找不到草地，所以請陛下讓你的僕人們住在哥笙地方。」
 創:47.5     法郎遂面對若瑟說：「你父親和你兄弟既來到了你這裏，
 創:47.6     埃及國全在你面前，你可叫你父親和你兄弟住在最好的地方，叫他們住在哥笙地；你若知道他們中有能幹的人可派他們管我的牲畜。」
 創:47.7     然後若瑟引他父親來謁見法郎；雅各伯向法郎請安。
 創:47.8     法郎遂問雅各伯說：「請問高壽﹖」
 創:47.9     雅各伯回答法郎說：「我寄居人世，已一百三十年；我一生歲月又少又苦，不會達到我祖先寄居人世的年數。」
 創:47.10    雅各伯再向法郎請安，辭別法郎出來了。
 創:47.11    若瑟依照法郎的吩咐，給他父親和兄弟安排了住處，將埃及國辣默色斯境內最好的地方，給了他們作產業。
 創:47.12    若瑟並按照他們的人口，供給他父親和兄弟以及他父親全部家屬的食糧。
 創:47.13    [若瑟施新政]  那時因為饑荒十分嚴重，各地絕糧，連埃及國和客納罕地也因饑荒缺了糧。
 創:47.14    若瑟因售糧與民眾，將埃及國和客納罕地內所有的一切銀錢，都聚斂了來，將這些銀錢盡歸入法郎王室。
 創:47.15    當埃及國和客納罕地的銀錢都用盡了，埃及人前來見若瑟說：「銀錢已用完了，請給我們糧食，免得我們死在你面前! 」
 創:47.16    若瑟回答說：「如果沒有銀錢，可將你們的家畜送來；我將糧食給你們，交換你們的家畜。」
 創:47.17    他們遂將家畜送來，交給若瑟；若瑟便以糧食換取了他們的馬、牛、羊、驢；那一年人們就以所有的家畜，換糧食生活。
 創:47.18    這一年過後，第二年他們又來見他說：「我們實不瞞我主，銀錢都用盡了，畜養的家畜也全歸了我主，在我主面前什麼也沒有了，只剩下了我們自身和我們的田地。
 創:47.19    為什麼要我們死在你面前﹖讓田地荒蕪呢﹖你用糧食收買我們和我們的田地罷! 好叫我們的田地都歸法郎作主。請給我們穀種，好叫我們生活，不致於死，田地也不致於荒蕪。」
 創:47.20    埃及人為饑荒所迫，人人出賣了自己的農田；若瑟遂為法郎購得了埃及所有的田地，田地遂盡歸法郎所有。
 創:47.21    並使埃及境內的人民，從這邊直到那邊，都成了農奴；
 創:47.22    只有司祭的田地他沒有買得，因為司祭有得自法郎的常糧，可藉法郎賜與他們的常糧生活，所以沒有賣他們的田地。
 創:47.23    那時若瑟對人民說：「今天我將你們和你們的田地，都已買下歸於法郎，這裏有你們的穀種，你們拿去播種；
 創:47.24    到了收穫的時候，五分之一應歸法郎，其餘四分歸你們自己，作為田地的穀種，作為你們和你們的家屬以及幼兒的食糧。」
 創:47.25    他們答說：「你救了我們的性命! 唯願我們在我主前蒙恩，我們情願給法郎為奴! 」
 創:47.26    由此若瑟為埃及的田地立了法例，至今有效：五分之一應歸法郎；只有司祭的田地例外，不歸法郎。
 創:47.27    [雅各伯立遺囑]  以色列人住在埃及國哥笙地方，那裏置業繁殖，人數大為增加。
 創:47.28    雅各伯在埃及國又活了十七年；雅各伯的一生歲月共計一百四十七年。
 創:47.29    以色列自知死期已近，便叫了他兒子若瑟來，對他說：「如果我在你眼內得寵，請將你的手放在我的胯下許下，以恩情和忠實對待我，不要將我埋在埃及。
 創:47.30    我與我的祖先同眠了，你應將我帶出埃及，葬在他們的墓地裏。」若瑟答說：「我必照你的話去行。」
 創:47.31    雅各伯接著說：「你對我發誓。」若瑟遂對他發了誓；以色列便靠著床頭屈身下拜。
  
 創:48.1     這些事以後，有人] 告訴若瑟說：「你的父親病了。」若瑟遂帶了他的兩個兒子，默納協和厄弗辣因同去。
 創:48.2     人告訴雅各伯說：「你兒子若瑟來看你。」以色列遂勉強由床上坐起。
 創:48.3     雅各伯對若瑟說：「全能者天主曾在客納罕地路次顯現給我，祝福了我，
 創:48.4     對我說：看! 我要使你繁殖增多，成為一大民族；我要將這地方賜給你未來的後裔，作為永久的產業。
 創:48.5     我未到埃及見你以前，你在埃及國所生的兩個兒子，由今起應歸於我；厄弗辣因和默納協屬我全如勒烏本和西默盎一樣。
 創:48.6     在他們以後所生的子女，盡歸於你；不過在分產業時，他們應歸他們兄弟的名下。
 創:48.7     當我由帕丹回來時，在離厄弗辣大還有一段路程時，在路上你母親辣黑耳，就在我的悲痛中死在客納罕地，我就將她葬在去厄弗辣大，即白冷的路旁。」
 創:48.8     以色列看見若瑟的兒子，就問說：「他們是誰﹖」
 創:48.9     若瑟回答父親說：「是天主在此地賜給我的兒子。」以色列說：「帶他們到我跟前來，我要祝福他們。」
 創:48.10    以色列因年老眼目昏花，看不清楚；若瑟遂領他們到他跟前；他就口親他們，抱住他們。
 創:48.11    以色列對若瑟說：「連見你的面我都沒有料到；現今，看，天主還使我見到了你的後裔。」
 創:48.12    若瑟遂由他父親膝間將孩子拉出來，俯伏在地下拜。
 創:48.13    然後若瑟又領他們兩個，右手領厄弗辣因到以色列左邊，左手領默納協到以色列右邊，到父親面前。
 創:48.14    以色列卻伸出右手，放在次子厄弗辣因的頭上，伸出左手放在長子默納協的頭上，故意交叉著自己的手。
 創:48.15    遂祝福若瑟說：「願我的祖先亞巴郎和依撒格一生與之往來的天主，自我出生直到今日牧育我的天主，
 創:48.16    救我脫離一切禍患的使者，祝福這兩個孩童! 願我的名及我祖先亞巴郎和依撒格的名，賴他們流傳! 願他們在地上生育繁昌! 」
 創:48.17    若瑟見他父親將右手放在厄弗辣因頭上，認為不對，便拿起父親的右手，由厄弗辣因頭上，移到默納協頭上，
 創:48.18    對父親說：「阿爸! 錯了；這個原是長子，應將你的右手放在他頭上。」
 創:48.19    他的父親卻拒絕說：「我知道，我兒! 我知道，他也要成為一個民族，他也要昌盛；但他的弟弟卻比他更要昌盛，他的後裔要成為一大民族。」
 創:48.20    那一天他又這樣祝福他們說：「以色列將以你們祝福人說：願天主使你如厄弗辣因和默納協!」他又將厄弗辣因放在默納協前面。
 創:48.21    然後以色列對若瑟說：「看，我快要死；但天主必與你們同在，必領你們回到你們祖先的地方去。
 創:48.22    現在我將由阿摩黎人手中，以我的刀劍弓矢奪得的那塊山地賜給你，使你比眾兄弟多得一分。」
  
 創:49.1     [雅各伯祝福眾子]  雅各伯叫了他的兒子們來說：「你們聚在一起，我要將你們日後所遇到的事告訴你們。
 創:49.2     雅各伯的兒子! 你們集合靜聽，靜聽你們父親以色列的話：
 創:49.3     勒烏本，你是我的長子，我的力量，我壯年的首生；你過於暴燥，過於激烈，
 創:49.4     沸騰有如滾水。你不能佔據首位，因為你侵犯了你父親的床第，上去玷污了我的臥榻。
 創:49.5     西默盎和肋未實是一對兄弟；他們的刀劍是殘暴的武器。
 創:49.6     我的心靈決不加入他們的陰謀，我的心神決不參與他們的聚會；因為他們在盛怒下屠殺了人，任意割斷了牛的腿筋。
 創:49.7     他們的忿怒這樣激烈，他們的狂暴這樣凶狠，實可詛咒! 我要使他們分散在雅各伯內，使他們散居在以色列中。
 創:49.8     猶大! 你將受你兄弟的讚揚；你的手必壓在你仇敵的頸上；你父親的兒子要向你俯首致敬。
 創:49.9     猶大是隻幼獅；我兒，你獵取食物後上來，屈身伏臥，有如雄獅，又如母獅，誰敢驚動﹖
 創:49.10    權杖不離猶大，柄杖不離他腳間，直到那應得權杖者來到，萬民都要歸順他。
 創:49.11    他將自己的驢繫在葡萄樹上，將自己的驢駒拴在優美的葡萄樹上；在酒中洗自己的衣服，在葡萄汁中洗自己的外氅。
 創:49.12    他的雙眼因酒而發紅，他的牙齒因乳而變白。
 創:49.13    則步隆將居於海濱，成為船隻停泊的口岸，與漆冬毗連。
 創:49.14    依撒加爾是匹壯驢，臥在圈中；
 創:49.15    他覺得安居美好，地方優雅；便屈肩負重，成為服役的奴隸。
 創:49.16    丹將如以色列的一個支派，衛護自己的人民。
 創:49.17    丹必似路邊的長蟲，道旁的毒蛇，咬傷馬蹄，使騎士向後跌下。
 創:49.18    上主! 我期待你的救援!
 創:49.19    加得要受襲擊者襲擊，但他要襲擊他們的後隊。
 創:49.20    阿協爾的食物肥美，將供給君王的佳餚。
 創:49.21    納斐塔里是隻被釋放的母鹿，發出悅耳的歌詠。
 創:49.22    若瑟是一株茂盛的果樹，一株泉旁茂盛的果樹；枝條蔓延牆頭。
 創:49.23    弓手令他苦惱，向他射擊，與他對敵；
 創:49.24    但他的弓仍舊有力，他的手臂依然靈活；這是因了雅各伯的大能者之手，因了以色列的牧者和磐石之名；
 創:49.25    這是因為你父親的天主扶助了你，全能者天主，以天上高處的祝福，以地下深淵蘊藏的祝福，以哺乳和生育的祝福，祝福了你。
 創:49.26    你父親的祝福，遠超過古山岳的祝福，永遠丘陵的願望；願這些祝福都降在若瑟頭上，降在他兄弟中被選者的額上。
 創:49.27    本雅明是隻掠奪的豺狼：早上吞食獵物，晚上分贓。」
 創:49.28    以上是以色列十二支派，以及他們的父親對他們所說的話。他祝福了他們，以適合每人的祝福，祝福了他們。
 創:49.29    [雅各伯的遺囑和死]  以後雅各伯又囑咐他們，對他們說：「我快要歸到我親族那裏去，你們應將我葬在赫特人厄斐龍田裏的山洞裏，與我的祖先在一起。
 創:49.30    這山洞是在客納罕地，面對瑪默勒的瑪革培拉的田內；這塊田原是亞巴郎由赫特人厄斐龍買了來作為私有墳地，
 創:49.31    在那裏葬了亞巴郎和他的妻子撒辣，在那裏葬了依撒格和他的妻子黎貝加；我也在那裏葬了肋阿。
 創:49.32    這塊田地和其中的山洞是由赫特人買來的。」
 創:49.33    雅各伯給他的兒子們立完遺囑以後，便將腳縮到床上，斷氣而死，歸到他親族那裏去了。
  
 創:50.1     [雅各伯死後哀榮]  若瑟伏在他父親的臉上，痛哭親吻，
 創:50.2     然後吩咐照料自己的醫生，用香料包殮他父親；醫生便用香料包殮了以色列。
 創:50.3     為他共費了四十天，因為用香料包殮屍體原需要這些天數。埃及人為他舉哀七十天。
 創:50.4     舉哀期一過，若瑟就向法郎的朝廷說：「我如在你們眼中得寵，請你們代我轉告法郎說：
 創:50.5     我父親曾叫我起誓，對我說：看，我快要死了! 我在客納罕地，曾為自己鑿了一個墳墓，你應把我葬在那裏。現在請讓我上去埋葬我父親，然後回來。」
 創:50.6     法郎回覆說：「你就照你父親令你起的誓，上去埋葬他罷! 」
 創:50.7     於是若瑟上去埋葬他父親，與他一同去的，有法郎的一切臣僕，朝廷的顯要，和埃及國所有的紳士；
 創:50.8     還有若瑟全家和他的兄弟們，並他父親的家屬，只留下家中幼小，羊群和家畜在哥笙地。
 創:50.9     與他同去的，尚有車輛和騎兵：實在是一大隊行列。
 創:50.10    當他們到了約但河對岸的阿塔得打禾場，就在那裏舉行了極備哀榮的隆重喪禮；若瑟又為自己的父親舉哀了七天。
 創:50.11    住在當地的客納罕人見了阿塔得打禾場上的喪禮，就說：「這為埃及人實是一場極備哀榮的喪禮。」因而給那在約但對岸的地方，起名叫阿貝耳米茲辣殷。
 創:50.12    雅各伯的兒子們完全照他們的父親所吩咐的給他辦了：
 創:50.13    將他運到客納罕地，葬在面對瑪默勒的瑪革培拉田裏的山洞內；這塊田是亞巴郎由赫特人厄斐龍買了來作為私有墳地。
 創:50.14    若瑟葬了父親以後，遂和他兄弟們，以及所有與他上來埋葬他父親的人們，返回了埃及。
 創:50.15    [若瑟的寬大]  若瑟的兄弟們見父親已死，就說：「或者若瑟仍懷恨我們，要報復我們對他所行的一切惡事。」
 創:50.16    因此便派人去見若瑟說：「你父親未死以前曾囑咐說：
 創:50.17    你們要這樣對若瑟說：請你務必饒恕你兄弟們的過失和罪惡，因為他們實在虐待了你。現在，求你饒恕你父親的天主的僕人們的過失罷! 」若瑟聽他們對他說出這樣的話，就哭了起來。
 創:50.18    後來他的兄弟們還親自來，俯伏在他面前說：「看，我們都是你的奴隸! 」
 創:50.19    若瑟對他們說：「不要害怕! 我豈能替代天主﹖
 創:50.20    你們原有意對我作的惡事，天主卻有意使之變成好事，造成了今日的結果：挽救了許多人民的性命。
 創:50.21    所以，你們不必害怕，有我維持你們和你們的孩子。」他這樣撫慰他們，使他們安心。
 創:50.22    [若瑟逝世]  若瑟和他父親的家屬，以後就住在埃及。若瑟活到了一百一十歲，
 創:50.23    見到了厄弗辣因的第三代子孫；默納協的兒子瑪基爾的兒子們，也都生在若瑟的膝下。
 創:50.24    若瑟對自己的兄弟們說：「我快要死了；但天主要看顧你們，領你們由這地回到他誓許給亞巴郎、依撒格和雅各伯的地方去。」
 創:50.25    若瑟又叫以色列的兒子們起誓說：「當天主看顧你們時，你們應將我的骨骸由這裏帶回去。」
 創:50.26    若瑟死了，享壽一百一十歲。人遂用香料包殮了他，放在棺槨內，安厝在埃及。 [創世紀完篇]

 gn1.       [Genesis]    50 chapters   [創世記]   [英文版]

 gn:1.1      In the beginning, when God created the heavens and the earth,
 gn:1.2      the earth was a formless wasteland, and darkness covered the abyss, while a mighty wind swept over the waters.
 gn:1.3      Then God said, "Let there be light," and there was light.
 gn:1.4      God saw how good the light was.  God then separated the light from the darkness.
 gn:1.5      God called the light "day," and the darkness he called "night. " Thus evening came, and morning followed--the first day.
 gn:1.6      Then God said, "Let there be a dome in the middle of the waters, to separate one body of water from the other. " And so it happened:
 gn:1.7      God made the dome, and it separated the water above the dome from the water below it.
 gn:1.8      God called the dome "the sky. " Evening came, and morning followed--the second day.
 gn:1.9      Then God said, "Let the water under the sky be gathered into a single basin, so that the dry land may appear. " And so it happenedthe water under the sky was gathered into its basin, and the dry land appeared.
 gn:1.10     God called the dry land "the earth," and the basin of the water he called "the sea. " God saw how good it was.
 gn:1.11     Then God said, "Let the earth bring forth vegetationevery kind of plant that bears seed and every kind of fruit tree on earth that bears fruit with its seed in it. " And so it happened:
 gn:1.12     the earth brought forth every kind of plant that bears seed and every kind of fruit tree on earth that bears fruit with its seed in it.  God saw how good it was.
 gn:1.13     Evening came, and morning followed--the third day.
 gn:1.14     Then God said"Let there be lights in the dome of the sky, to separate day from night.  Let them mark the fixed times, the days and the years,
 gn:1.15     and serve as luminaries in the dome of the sky, to shed light upon the earth. " And so it happened:
 gn:1.16     God made the two great lights, the greater one to govern the day, and the lesser one to govern the night; and he made the stars.
 gn:1.17     God set them in the dome of the sky, to shed light upon the earth,
 gn:1.18     to govern the day and the night, and to separate the light from the darkness.  God saw how good it was.
 gn:1.19     Evening came, and morning followed--the fourth day.
 gn:1.20     Then God said, "Let the water teem with an abundance of living creatures, and on the earth let birds fly beneath the dome of the sky. " And so it happened:
 gn:1.21     God created the great sea monsters and all kinds of swimming creatures with which the water teems, and all kinds of winged birds.  God saw how good it was,
 gn:1.22     and God blessed them, saying, "Be fertile, multiply, and fill the water of the seas; and let the birds multiply on the earth. "
 gn:1.23     Evening came, and morning followed--the fifth day.
 gn:1.24     Then God said, "Let the earth bring forth all kinds of living creaturescattle, creeping things, and wild animals of all kinds. " And so it happened:
 gn:1.25     God made all kinds of wild animals, all kinds of cattle, and all kinds of creeping things of the earth.  God saw how good it was.
 gn:1.26     Then God said"Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.  Let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and the cattle, and over all the wild animals and all the creatures that crawl on the ground. "
 gn:1.27     God created man in his image; in the divine image he created him; male and female he created them.
 gn:1.28     God blessed them, saying"Be fertile and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it.  Have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and all the living things that move on the earth. "
 gn:1.29     God also said"See, I give you every seed-bearing plant all over the earth and every tree that has seed-bearing fruit on it to be your food;
 gn:1.30     and to all the animals of the land, all the birds of the air, and all the living creatures that crawl on the ground, I give all the green plants for food. " And so it happened.
 gn:1.31     God looked at everything he had made, and he found it very good.  Evening came, and morning followed--the sixth day.
  
 gn:2.1      Thus the heavens and the earth and all their array were completed.
 gn:2.2      Since on the seventh day God was finished with the work he had been doing, he rested on the seventh day from all the work he had undertaken.
 gn:2.3      So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work he had done in creation.
 gn:2.4      Such is the story of the heavens and the earth at their creation.  At the time when the LORD God made the earth and the heavens--
 gn:2.5      while as yet there was no field shrub on earth and no grass of the field had sprouted, for the LORD God had sent no rain upon the earth and there was no man to till the soil,
 gn:2.6      but a stream was welling up out of the earth and was watering all the surface of the ground--
 gn:2.7      the LORD God formed man out of the clay of the ground and blew into his nostrils the breath of life, and so man became a living being.
 gn:2.8      Then the LORD God planted a garden in Eden, in the east, and he placed there the man whom he had formed.
 gn:2.9      Out of the ground the LORD God made various trees grow that were delightful to look at and good for food, with the tree of life in the middle of the garden and the tree of the knowledge of good and bad.
 gn:2.10     A river rises in Eden to water the garden; beyond there it divides and becomes four branches.
 gn:2.11     The name of the first is the Pishon; it is the one that winds through the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold.
 gn:2.12     The gold of that land is excellent; bdellium and lapis lazuli are also there.
 gn:2.13     The name of the second river is the Gihon; it is the one that winds all through the land of Cush.
 gn:2.14     The name of the third river is the Tigris; it is the one that flows east of Asshur.  The fourth river is the Euphrates.
 gn:2.15     The LORD God then took the man and settled him in the garden of Eden, to cultivate and care for it.
 gn:2.16     The LORD God gave man this order"You are free to eat from any of the trees of the garden
 gn:2.17     except the tree of knowledge of good and bad.  From that tree you shall not eat; the moment you eat from it you are surely doomed to die. "
 gn:2.18     The LORD God said"It is not good for the man to be alone.  I will make a suitable partner for him. "
 gn:2.19     So the LORD God formed out of the ground various wild animals and various birds of the air, and he brought them to the man to see what he would call them; whatever the man called each of them would be its name.
 gn:2.20     The man gave names to all the cattle, all the birds of the air, and all the wild animals; but none proved to be the suitable partner for the man.
 gn:2.21     So the LORD God cast a deep sleep on the man, and while he was asleep, he took out one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh.
 gn:2.22     The LORD God then built up into a woman the rib that he had taken from the man.  When he brought her to the man,
 gn:2.23     the man said"This one, at last, is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; This one shall be called 'woman,' for out of 'her man' this one has been taken. "
 gn:2.24     That is why a man leaves his father and mother and clings to his wife, and the two of them become one body.
 gn:2.25     The man and his wife were both naked, yet they felt no shame.
  
 gn:3.1      Now the serpent was the most cunning of all the animals that the LORD God had made.  The serpent asked the woman, "Did God really tell you not to eat from any of the trees in the garden?"
 gn:3.2      The woman answered the serpent"We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden;
 gn:3.3      it is only about the fruit of the tree in the middle of the garden that God said, 'You shall not eat it or even touch it, lest you die. '"
 gn:3.4      But the serpent said to the woman"You certainly will not die!
 gn:3.5      No, God knows well that the moment you eat of it your eyes will be opened and you will be like gods who know what is good and what is bad. "
 gn:3.6      The woman saw that the tree was good for food, pleasing to the eyes, and desirable for gaining wisdom.  So she took some of its fruit and ate it; and she also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.
 gn:3.7      Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized that they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made loincloths for themselves.
 gn:3.8      When they heard the sound of the LORD God moving about in the garden at the breezy time of the day, the man and his wife hid themselves from the LORD God among the trees of the garden.
 gn:3.9      The LORD God then called to the man and asked him, "Where are you?"
 gn:3.10     He answered, "I heard you in the garden; but I was afraid, because I was naked, so I hid myself. "
 gn:3.11     Then he asked, "Who told you that you were naked? You have eaten, then, from the tree of which I had forbidden you to eat!"
 gn:3.12     The man replied, "The woman whom you put here with me--she gave me fruit from the tree, so I ate it. "
 gn:3.13     The LORD God then asked the woman, "Why did you do such a thing?" The woman answered, "The serpent tricked me into it, so I ate it. "
 gn:3.14     Then the LORD God said to the serpent"Because you have done this, you shall be banned from all the animals and from all the wild creatures; On your belly shall you crawl, and dirt shall you eat all the days of your life.
 gn:3.15     I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; He will strike at your head, while you strike at his heel. "
 gn:3.16     To the woman he said"I will intensify the pangs of your childbearing; in pain shall you bring forth children.  Yet your urge shall be for your husband, and he shall be your master. "
 gn:3.17     To the man he said"Because you listened to your wife and ate from the tree of which I had forbidden you to eat, "Cursed be the ground because of you! In toil shall you eat its yield all the days of your life.
 gn:3.18     Thorns and thistles shall it bring forth to you, as you eat of the plants of the field.
 gn:3.19     By the sweat of your face shall you get bread to eat, Until you return to the ground, from which you were taken; For you are dirt, and to dirt you shall return. "
 gn:3.20     The man called his wife Eve, because she became the mother of all the living.
 gn:3.21     For the man and his wife the LORD God made leather garments, with which he clothed them.
 gn:3.22     Then the LORD God said"See! The man has become like one of us, knowing what is good and what is bad! Therefore, he must not be allowed to put out his hand to take fruit from the tree of life also, and thus eat of it and live forever. "
 gn:3.23     The LORD God therefore banished him from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from which he had been taken.
 gn:3.24     When he expelled the man, he settled him east of the garden of Eden; and he stationed the cherubim and the fiery revolving sword, to guard the way to the tree of life.
  
 gn:4.1      The man had relations with his wife Eve, and she conceived and bore Cain, saying, "I have produced a man with the help of the LORD. "
 gn:4.2      Next she bore his brother Abel.  Abel became a keeper of flocks, and Cain a tiller of the soil.
 gn:4.3      In the course of time Cain brought an offering to the LORD from the fruit of the soil,
 gn:4.4      while Abel, for his part, brought one of the best firstlings of his flock.  The LORD looked with favor on Abel and his offering,
 gn:4.5      but on Cain and his offering he did not.  Cain greatly resented this and was crestfallen.
 gn:4.6      So the LORD said to Cain"Why are you so resentful and crestfallen?
 gn:4.7      If you do well, you can hold up your head; but if not, sin is a demon lurking at the doorhis urge is toward you, yet you can be his master. "
 gn:4.8      Cain said to his brother Abel, "Let us go out in the field. " When they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him.
 gn:4.9      Then the LORD asked Cain, "Where is your brother Abel?" He answered, "I do not know.  Am I my brother's keeper?"
 gn:4.10     The LORD then said"What have you done! Listenyour brother's blood cries out to me from the soil!
 gn:4.11     Therefore you shall be banned from the soil that opened its mouth to receive your brother's blood from your hand.
 gn:4.12     If you till the soil, it shall no longer give you its produce.  You shall become a restless wanderer on the earth. "
 gn:4.13     Cain said to the LORD"My punishment is too great to bear.
 gn:4.14     Since you have now banished me from the soil, and I must avoid your presence and become a restless wanderer on the earth, anyone may kill me at sight. "
 gn:4.15     Not so!" the LORD said to him.  "If anyone kills Cain, Cain shall be avenged sevenfold. " So the LORD put a mark on Cain, lest anyone should kill him at sight.
 gn:4.16     Cain then left the LORD'S presence and settled in the land of Nod, east of Eden.
 gn:4.17     Cain had relations with his wife, and she conceived and bore Enoch.  Cain also became the founder of a city, which he named after his son Enoch.
 gn:4.18     To Enoch was born Irad, and Irad became the father of Mehujael; Mehujael became the father of Methusael, and Methusael became the father of Lamech.
 gn:4.19     Lamech took two wives; the name of the first was Adah, and the name of the second Zillah.
 gn:4.20     Adah gave birth to Jabal, the ancestor of all who dwell in tents and keep cattle.
 gn:4.21     His brother's name was Jubal; he was the ancestor of all who play the lyre and the pipe.
 gn:4.22     Zillah, on her part, gave birth to Tubalcain, the ancestor of all who forge instruments of bronze and iron.  The sister of Tubalcain was Naamah.
 gn:4.23     Lamech said to his wives"Adah and Zillah, hear my voice; wives of Lamech, listen to my utteranceI have killed a man for wounding me, a boy for bruising me.
 gn:4.24     If Cain is avenged sevenfold, then Lamech seventy-sevenfold. "
 gn:4.25     Adam again had relations with his wife, and she gave birth to a son whom she called Seth.  "God has granted me more offspring in place of Abel," she said, "because Cain slew him. "
 gn:4.26     To Seth, in turn, a son was born, and he named him Enosh.  At that time men began to invoke the LORD by name.
  
 gn:5.1      This is the record of the descendants of Adam.  When God created man, he made him in the likeness of God;
 gn:5.2      he created them male and female.  When they were created, he blessed them and named them "man. "
 gn:5.3      Adam was one hundred and thirty years old when he begot a son in his likeness, after his image; and he named him Seth.
 gn:5.4      Adam lived eight hundred years after the birth of Seth, and he had other sons and daughters.
 gn:5.5      The whole lifetime of Adam was nine hundred and thirty years; then he died.
 gn:5.6      When Seth was one hundred and five years old, he became the father of Enosh.
 gn:5.7      Seth lived eight hundred and seven years after the birth of Enosh, and he had other sons and daughters.
 gn:5.8      The whole lifetime of Seth was nine hundred and twelve years; then he died.
 gn:5.9      When Enosh was ninety years old, he became the father of Kenan.
 gn:5.10     Enosh lived eight hundred and fifteen years after the birth of Kenan, and he had other sons and daughters.
 gn:5.11     The whole lifetime of Enosh was nine hundred and five years; then he died.
 gn:5.12     When Kenan was seventy years old, he became the father of Mahalalel.
 gn:5.13     Kenan lived eight hundred and forty years after the birth of Mahalalel, and he had other sons and daughters.
 gn:5.14     The whole lifetime of Kenan was nine hundred and ten years; then he died.
 gn:5.15     When Mahalalel was sixty-five years old, he became the father of Jared.
 gn:5.16     Mahalalel lived eight hundred and thirty years after the birth of Jared, and he had other sons and daughters.
 gn:5.17     The whole lifetime of Mahalalel was eight hundred and ninety-five years; then he died.
 gn:5.18     When Jared was one hundred and sixty-two years old, he became the father of Enoch.
 gn:5.19     Jared lived eight hundred years after the birth of Enoch, and he had other sons and daughters.
 gn:5.20     The whole lifetime of Jared was nine hundred and sixty-two years; then he died.
 gn:5.21     When Enoch was sixty-five years old, he became the father of Methuselah.
 gn:5.22     Enoch lived three hundred years after the birth of Methuselah, and he had other sons and daughters.
 gn:5.23     The whole lifetime of Enoch was three hundred and sixty-five years.
 gn:5.24     Then Enoch walked with God, and he was no longer here, for God took him.
 gn:5.25     When Methuselah was one hundred and eighty-seven years old, he became the father of Lamech.
 gn:5.26     Methuselah lived seven hundred and eighty-two years after the birth of Lamech, and he had other sons and daughters.
 gn:5.27     The whole lifetime of Methuselah was nine hundred and sixty-nine years; then he died.
 gn:5.28     When Lamech was one hundred and eighty-two years old, he begot a son
 gn:5.29     and named him Noah, saying, "Out of the very ground that the LORD has put under a curse, this one shall bring us relief from our work and the toil of our hands. "
 gn:5.30     Lamech lived five hundred and ninety-five years after the birth of Noah, and he had other sons and daughters.
 gn:5.31     The whole lifetime of Lamech was seven hundred and seventy-seven years; then he died.
 gn:5.32     When Noah was five hundred years old, he became the father of Shem, Ham, and Japheth.
  
 gn:6.1      When men began to multiply on earth and daughters were born to them,
 gn:6.2      the sons of heaven saw how beautiful the daughters of man were, and so they took for their wives as many of them as they chose.
 gn:6.3      Then the LORD said"My spirit shall not remain in man forever, since he is but flesh.  His days shall comprise one hundred and twenty years. "
 gn:6.4      At that time the Nephilim appeared on earth (as well as later), after the sons of heaven had intercourse with the daughters of man, who bore them sons.  They were the heroes of old, the men of renown.
 gn:6.5      When the LORD saw how great was man's wickedness on earth, and how no desire that his heart conceived was ever anything but evil,
 gn:6.6      he regretted that he had made man on the earth, and his heart was grieved.
 gn:6.7      So the LORD said"I will wipe out from the earth the men whom I have created, and not only the men, but also the beasts and the creeping things and the birds of the air, for I am sorry that I made them. "
 gn:6.8      But Noah found favor with the LORD.
 gn:6.9      These are the descendants of Noah.  Noah, a good man and blameless in that age,
 gn:6.10     for he walked with God, begot three sonsShem, Ham, and Japheth.
 gn:6.11     In the eyes of God the earth was corrupt and full of lawlessness.
 gn:6.12     When God saw how corrupt the earth had become, since all mortals led depraved lives on earth,
 gn:6.13     he said to Noah"I have decided to put an end to all mortals on earth; the earth is full of lawlessness because of them.  So I will destroy them and all life on earth.
 gn:6.14     Make yourself an ark of gopherwood, put various compartments in it, and cover it inside and out with pitch.
 gn:6.15     This is how you shall build itthe length of the ark shall be three hundred cubits, its width fifty cubits, and its height thirty cubits.
 gn:6.16     Make an opening for daylight in the ark, and finish the ark a cubit above it.  Put an entrance in the side of the ark, which you shall make with bottom, second and third decks.
 gn:6.17     I, on my part, am about to bring the flood (waters) on the earth, to destroy everywhere all creatures in which there is the breath of life; everything on earth shall perish.
 gn:6.18     But with you I will establish my covenant; you and your sons, your wife and your sons' wives, shall go into the ark.
 gn:6.19     Of all other living creatures you shall bring two into the ark, one male and one female, that you may keep them alive with you.
 gn:6.20     Of all kinds of birds, of all kinds of beasts, and of all kinds of creeping things, two of each shall come into the ark with you, to stay alive.
 gn:6.21     Moreover, you are to provide yourself with all the food that is to be eaten, and store it away, that it may serve as provisions for you and for them. "
 gn:6.22     This Noah did; he carried out all the commands that God gave him.
  
 gn:7.1      Then the LORD said to Noah"Go into the ark, you and all your household, for you alone in this age have I found to be truly just.
 gn:7.2      Of every clean animal, take with you seven pairs, a male and its mate; and of the unclean animals, one pair, a male and its mate;
 gn:7.3      likewise, of every clean bird of the air, seven pairs, a male and a female, and of all the unclean birds, one pair, a male and a female.  Thus you will keep their issue alive over all the earth.
 gn:7.4      Seven days from now I will bring rain down on the earth for forty days and forty nights, and so I will wipe out from the surface of the earth every moving creature that I have made. "
 gn:7.5      Noah did just as the LORD had commanded him.
 gn:7.6      Noah was six hundred years old when the flood waters came upon the earth.
 gn:7.7      Together with his sons, his wife, and his sons' wives, Noah went into the ark because of the waters of the flood.
 gn:7.8      Of the clean animals and the unclean, of the birds, and of everything that creeps on the ground,
 gn:7.9      (two by two) male and female entered the ark with Noah, just as the LORD had commanded him.
 gn:7.10     As soon as the seven days were over, the waters of the flood came upon the earth.
 gn:7.11     In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month, on the seventeenth day of the monthit was on that day that All the fountains of the great abyss burst forth, and the floodgates of the sky were opened.
 gn:7.12     For forty days and forty nights heavy rain poured down on the earth.
 gn:7.13     On the precise day named, Noah and his sons Shem, Ham, and Japheth, and Noah's wife, and the three wives of Noah's sons had entered the ark,
 gn:7.14     together with every kind of wild beast, every kind of domestic animal, every kind of creeping thing of the earth, and every kind of bird.
 gn:7.15     Pairs of all creatures in which there was the breath of life entered the ark with Noah.
 gn:7.16     Those that entered were male and female, and of all species they came, as God had commanded Noah.  Then the LORD shut him in.
 gn:7.17     The flood continued upon the earth for forty days.  As the waters increased, they lifted the ark, so that it rose above the earth.
 gn:7.18     The swelling waters increased greatly, but the ark floated on the surface of the waters.
 gn:7.19     Higher and higher above the earth rose the waters, until all the highest mountains everywhere were submerged,
 gn:7.20     the crest rising fifteen cubits higher than the submerged mountains.
 gn:7.21     All creatures that stirred on earth perishedbirds, cattle, wild animals, and all that swarmed on the earth, as well as all mankind.
 gn:7.22     Everything on dry land with the faintest breath of life in its nostrils died out.
 gn:7.23     The LORD wiped out every living thing on earthman and cattle, the creeping things and the birds of the air; all were wiped out from the earth.  Only Noah and those with him in the ark were left.
 gn:7.24     The waters maintained their crest over the earth for one hundred and fifty days,
  
 gn:8.1      and then God remembered Noah and all the animals, wild and tame, that were with him in the ark.  So God made a wind sweep over the earth, and the waters began to subside.
 gn:8.2      The fountains of the abyss and the floodgates of the sky were closed, and the downpour from the sky was held back.
 gn:8.3      Gradually the waters receded from the earth.  At the end of one hundred and fifty days, the waters had so diminished
 gn:8.4      that, in the seventh month, on the seventeenth day of the month, the ark came to rest on the mountains of Ararat.
 gn:8.5      The waters continued to diminish until the tenth month, and on the first day of the tenth month the tops of the mountains appeared.
 gn:8.6      At the end of forty days Noah opened the hatch he had made in the ark,
 gn:8.7      and he sent out a raven, to see if the waters had lessened on the earth.  It flew back and forth until the waters dried off from the earth.
 gn:8.8      Then he sent out a dove, to see if the waters had lessened on the earth.
 gn:8.9      But the dove could find no place to alight and perch, and it returned to him in the ark, for there was water all over the earth.  Putting out his hand, he caught the dove and drew it back to him inside the ark.
 gn:8.10     He waited seven days more and again sent the dove out from the ark.
 gn:8.11     In the evening the dove came back to him, and there in its bill was a plucked-off olive leaf! So Noah knew that the waters had lessened on the earth.
 gn:8.12     He waited still another seven days and then released the dove once more; and this time it did not come back.
 gn:8.13     In the six hundred and first year of Noah's life, in the first month, on the first day of the month, the water began to dry up on the earth.  Noah then removed the covering of the ark and saw that the surface of the ground was drying up.
 gn:8.14     In the second month, on the twenty-seventh day of the month, the earth was dry.
 gn:8.15     Then God said to Noah:
 gn:8.16     "Go out of the ark, together with your wife and your sons and your sons' wives.
 gn:8.17     Bring out with you every living thing that is with you--all bodily creatures, be they birds or animals or creeping things of the earth-and let them abound on the earth, breeding and multiplying on it. "
 gn:8.18     So Noah came out, together with his wife and his sons and his sons' wives;
 gn:8.19     and all the animals, wild and tame, all the birds, and all the creeping creatures of the earth left the ark, one kind after another.
 gn:8.20     Then Noah built an altar to the LORD, and choosing from every clean animal and every clean bird, he offered holocausts on the altar.
 gn:8.21     WHEN the LORD smelled the sweet odor, he said to himself"Never again will I doom the earth because of man, since the desires of man's heart are evil from the start; nor will I ever again strike down all living beings, as I have done.
 gn:8.22     As long as the earth lasts, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, Summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease. "
  
 gn:9.1      God blessed Noah and his sons and said to them"Be fertile and multiply and fill the earth.
 gn:9.2      Dread fear of you shall come upon all the animals of the earth and all the birds of the air, upon all the creatures that move about on the ground and all the fishes of the sea; into your power they are delivered.
 gn:9.3      Every creature that is alive shall be yours to eat; I give them all to you as I did the green plants.
 gn:9.4      Only flesh with its lifeblood still in it you shall not eat.
 gn:9.5      For your own lifeblood, too, I will demand an accountingfrom every animal I will demand it, and from man in regard to his fellow man I will demand an accounting for human life.
 gn:9.6      If anyone sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed; For in the image of God has man been made.
 gn:9.7      Be fertile, then, and multiply; abound on earth and subdue it. "
 gn:9.8      God said to Noah and to his sons with him:
 gn:9.9      "See, I am now establishing my covenant with you and your descendants after you
 gn:9.10     and with every living creature that was with youall the birds, and the various tame and wild animals that were with you and came out of the ark.
 gn:9.11     I will establish my covenant with you, that never again shall all bodily creatures be destroyed by the waters of a flood; there shall not be another flood to devastate the earth. "
 gn:9.12     God added"This is the sign that I am giving for all ages to come, of the covenant between me and you and every living creature with you:
 gn:9.13     I set my bow in the clouds to serve as a sign of the covenant between me and the earth.
 gn:9.14     When I bring clouds over the earth, and the bow appears in the clouds,
 gn:9.15     I will recall the covenant I have made between me and you and all living beings, so that the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all mortal beings.
 gn:9.16     As the bow appears in the clouds, I will see it and recall the everlasting covenant that I have established between God and all living beings--all mortal creatures that are on earth. "
 gn:9.17     God told Noah"This is the sign of the covenant I have established between me and all mortal creatures that are on earth. "
 gn:9.18     The sons of Noah who came out of the ark were Shem, Ham and Japheth.  (Ham was the father of Canaan. )
 gn:9.19     These three were the sons of Noah, and from them the whole earth was peopled.
 gn:9.20     Now Noah, a man of the soil, was the first to plant a vineyard.
 gn:9.21     When he drank some of the wine, he became drunk and lay naked inside his tent.
 gn:9.22     Ham, the father of Canaan, saw his father's nakedness, and he told his two brothers outside about it.
 gn:9.23     Shem and Japheth, however, took a robe, and holding it on their backs, they walked backward and covered their father's nakedness; since their faces were turned the other way, they did not see their father's nakedness.
 gn:9.24     When Noah woke up from his drunkenness and learned what his youngest son had done to him,
 gn:9.25     he said"Cursed be Caanan! The lowest of slaves shall he be to his brothers. "
 gn:9.26     He also said"Blessed be the LORD, the God of Shem! Let Canaan be his slave.
 gn:9.27     May God expand Japheth, so that he dwells among the tents of Shem; and let Canaan be his slave. "
 gn:9.28     Noah lived three hundred and fifty years after the flood.
 gn:9.29     The whole lifetime of Noah was nine hundred and fifty years; then he died.
  
 gn:10.1     These are the descendants of Noah's sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth, to whom sons were born after the flood.
 gn:10.2     The descendants of JaphethGomer, Magog, Madai, Javan, Tubal, Meshech, and Tiras.
 gn:10.3     The descendants of GomerAshkenaz, Riphath, and Togarmah.
 gn:10.4     The descendants of JavanElishah, Tarshish, the Kittim, and the Rodanim.
 gn:10.5     These are the descendants of Japheth, and from them sprang the maritime nations, in their respective lands--each with its own language--by their clans within their nations.
 gn:10.6     The descendants of HamCush, Mizraim, Put, and Canaan.
 gn:10.7     The descendants of CushSeba, Havilah, Sabtah, Raamah, and Sabteca.  The descendants of RaamahSheba and Dedan.
 gn:10.8     Cush became the father of Nimrod, who was the first potentate on earth.
 gn:10.9     He was a mighty hunter by the grace of the LORD; hence the saying, "Like Nimrod, a mighty hunter by the grace of the LORD. "
 gn:10.10    The chief cities of his kingdom were Babylon, Erech, and Accad, all of them in the land of Shinar.
 gn:10.11    From that land he went forth to Asshur, where he built Nineveh, Rehoboth-Ir, and Calah,
 gn:10.12    as well as Resen, between Nineveh and Calah, the latter being the principal city.
 gn:10.13    Mizraim became the father of the Ludim, the Anamim, the Lehabim, the Naphtuhim,
 gn:10.14    the Pathrusim, the Casluhim, and the Caphtorim from whom the Philistines sprang.
 gn:10.15    Canaan became the father of Sidon, his first-born, and of Heth;
 gn:10.16    also of the Jebusites, the Amorites, the Girgashites,
 gn:10.17    the Hivites, the Arkites, the Sinites,
 gn:10.18    the Arvadites, the Zemarites, and the Hamathites.  Afterward, the clans of the Canaanites spread out,
 gn:10.19    so that the Canaanite borders extended from Sidon all the way to Gerar, near Gaza, and all the way to Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah and Zeboiim, near Lasha.
 gn:10.20    These are the descendants of Ham, according to their clans and languages, by their lands and nations.
 gn:10.21    To Shem also, Japheth's oldest brother and the ancestor of all the children of Eber, sons were born.
 gn:10.22    The descendants of ShemElam, Asshur, Arpachshad, Lud, and Aram.
 gn:10.23    The descendants of AramUz, Hul, Gether, and Mash.
 gn:10.24    Arpachshad became the father of Shelah, and Shelah became the father of Eber.
 gn:10.25    To Eber two sons were bornthe name of the first was Peleg, for in his time the world was divided; and the name of his brother was Joktan.
 gn:10.26    Joktan became the father of Almodad, Sheleph, Hazarmaveth, Jerah,
 gn:10.27    Hadoram, Uzal, Diklah,
 gn:10.28    Obal, Abimael, Sheba,
 gn:10.29    Ophir, Havilah, and Jobab.  All these were descendants of Joktan.
 gn:10.30    Their settlements extended all the way to Sephar, the eastern hill country.
 gn:10.31    These are the descendants of Shem, according to their clans and languages by their lands and nations.
 gn:10.32    These are the groupings of Noah's sons, according to their origins and by their nations.  From these the other nations of the earth branched out after the flood.
  
 gn:11.1     The whole world spoke the same language, using the same words.
 gn:11.2     While men were migrating in the east, they came upon a valley in the land of Shinar and settled there.
 gn:11.3     They said to one another, "Come, let us mold bricks and harden them with fire. " They used bricks for stone, and bitumen for mortar.
 gn:11.4     Then they said, "Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the sky, and so make a name for ourselves; otherwise we shall be scattered all over the earth. "
 gn:11.5     LORD came down to see the city and the tower that the men had built.
 gn:11.6     Then the LORD said"If now, while they are one people, all speaking the same language, they have started to do this, nothing will later stop them from doing whatever they presume to do.
 gn:11.7     Let us then go down and there confuse their language, so that one will not understand what another says. "
 gn:11.8     Thus the LORD scattered them from there all over the earth, and they stopped building the city.
 gn:11.9     That is why it was called Babel, because there the LORD confused the speech of all the world.  It was from that place that he scattered them all over the earth.
 gn:11.10    This is the record of the descendants of Shem.  When Shem was one hundred years old, he became the father of Arpachshad, two years after the flood.
 gn:11.11    Shem lived five hundred years after the birth of Arpachshad, and he had other sons and daughters.
 gn:11.12    When Arpachshad was thirty-five years old, he became the father of Shelah.
 gn:11.13    Arpachshad lived four hundred and three years after the birth of Shelah, and he had other sons and daughters.
 gn:11.14    When Shelah was thirty years old, he became the father of Eber.
 gn:11.15    Shelah lived four hundred and three years after the birth of Eber, and he had other sons and daughters.
 gn:11.16    When Eber was thirty-four years old, he became the father of Peleg.
 gn:11.17    Eber lived four hundred and thirty years after the birth of Peleg, and he had other sons and daughters.
 gn:11.18    When Peleg was thirty years old, he became the father of Reu.
 gn:11.19    Peleg lived two hundred and nine years after the birth of Reu, and he had other sons and daughters.
 gn:11.20    When Reu was thirty-two years old, he became the father of Serug.
 gn:11.21    Reu lived two hundred and seven years after the birth of Serug, and he had other sons and daughters.
 gn:11.22    When Serug was thirty years old, he became the father of Nahor.
 gn:11.23    Serug lived two hundred years after the birth of Nahor, and he had other sons and daughters.
 gn:11.24    When Nahor was twenty-nine years old, he became the father of Terah.
 gn:11.25    Nahor lived one hundred and nineteen years after the birth of Terah, and he had other sons and daughters.
 gn:11.26    When Terah was seventy years old, he became the father of Abram, Nahor and Haran.
 gn:11.27    This is the record of the descendants of Terah.  Terah became the father of Abram, Nahor, and Haran, and Haran became the father of Lot.
 gn:11.28    Haran died before his father Terah, in his native land, in Ur of the Chaldeans.
 gn:11.29    Abram and Nahor took wives; the name of Abram's wife was Sarai, and the name of Nahor's wife was Milcah, daughter of Haran, the father of Milcah and Iscah.
 gn:11.30    Sarai was barren; she had no child.
 gn:11.31    Terah took his son Abram, his grandson Lot, son of Haran, and his daughter-in-law Sarai, the wife of his son Abram, and brought them out of Ur of the Chaldeans, to go to the land of Canaan.  But when they reached Haran, they settled there.
 gn:11.32    The lifetime of Terah was two hundred and five years; then Terah died in Haran.
  
 gn:12.1     The LORD said to Abram"Go forth from the land of your kinsfolk and from your father's house to a land that I will show you.
 gn:12.2     "I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.
 gn:12.3     I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you.  All the communities of the earth shall find blessing in you. "
 gn:12.4     Abram went as the LORD directed him, and Lot went with him.  Abram was seventy-five years old when he left Haran.
 gn:12.5     Abram took his wife Sarai, his brother's son Lot, all the possessions that they had accumulated, and the persons they had acquired in Haran, and they set out for the land of Canaan.  When they came to the land of Canaan,
 gn:12.6     Abram passed through the land as far as the sacred place at Shechem, by the terebinth of Moreh.  (The Canaanites were then in the land. )
 gn:12.7     The LORD appeared to Abram and said, "To your descendants I will give this land. " So Abram built an altar there to the LORD who had appeared to him.
 gn:12.8     From there he moved on to the hill country east of Bethel, pitching his tent with Bethel to the west and Ai to the east.  He built an altar there to the LORD and invoked the LORD by name.
 gn:12.9     Then Abram journeyed on by stages to the Negeb.
 gn:12.10    There was famine in the land; so Abram went down to Egypt to sojourn there, since the famine in the land was severe.
 gn:12.11    When he was about to enter Egypt, he said to his wife Sarai"I know well how beautiful a woman you are.
 gn:12.12    When the Egyptians see you, they will say, 'She is his wife'; then they will kill me, but let you live.
 gn:12.13    Please say, therefore, that you are my sister, so that it may go well with me on your account and my life may be spared for your sake. "
 gn:12.14    When Abram came to Egypt, the Egyptians saw how beautiful the woman was; and when Pharaoh's courtiers saw her,
 gn:12.15    they praised her to Pharaoh.  So she was taken into Pharaoh's palace.
 gn:12.16    On her account it went very well with Abram, and he received flocks and herds, male and female slaves, male and female asses, and camels.
 gn:12.17    But the LORD struck Pharaoh and his household with severe plagues because of Abram's wife Sarai.
 gn:12.18    Then Pharaoh summoned Abram and said to him"How could you do this to me! Why didn't you tell me she was your wife?
 gn:12.19    Why did you say, 'She is my sister,' so that I took her for my wife? Here, then, is your wife.  Take her and be gone!"
 gn:12.20    Then Pharaoh gave men orders concerning him, and they sent him on his way, with his wife and all that belonged to him.
  
 gn:13.1     From Egypt Abram went up to the Negeb with his wife and all that belonged to him, and Lot accompanied him.
 gn:13.2     Now Abram was very rich in livestock, silver, and gold.
 gn:13.3     From the Negeb he traveled by stages toward Bethel, to the place between Bethel and Ai where his tent had formerly stood,
 gn:13.4     the site where he had first built the altar; and there he invoked the LORD by name.
 gn:13.5     Lot, who went with Abram, also had flocks and herds and tents,
 gn:13.6     so that the land could not support them if they stayed together; their possessions were so great that they could not dwell together.
 gn:13.7     There were quarrels between the herdsmen of Abram's livestock and those of Lot's.  (At this time the Canaanites and the Perizzites were occupying the land. )
 gn:13.8     So Abram said to Lot"Let there be no strife between you and me, or between your herdsmen and mine, for we are kinsmen.
 gn:13.9     Is not the whole land at your disposal? Please separate from me.  If you prefer the left, I will go to the right; if you prefer the right, I will go to the left. "
 gn:13.10    Lot looked about and saw how well watered the whole Jordan Plain was as far as Zoar, like the LORD'S own garden, or like Egypt.  (This was before the LORD had destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah. )
 gn:13.11    Lot, therefore, chose for himself the whole Jordan Plain and set out eastward.  Thus they separated from each other;
 gn:13.12    Abram stayed in the land of Canaan, while Lot settled among the cities of the Plain, pitching his tents near Sodom.
 gn:13.13    Now the inhabitants of Sodom were very wicked in the sins they committed against the LORD.
 gn:13.14    After Lot had left, the LORD said to Abram"Look about you, and from where you are, gaze to the north and south, east and west;
 gn:13.15    all the land that you see I will give to you and your descendants forever.
 gn:13.16    I will make your descendants like the dust of the earth; if anyone could count the dust of the earth, your descendants too might be counted.
 gn:13.17    Set forth and walk about in the land, through its length and breadth, for to you I will give it. "
 gn:13.18    Abram moved his tents and went on to settle near the terebinth of Mamre, which is at Hebron.  There he built an altar to the LORD.
  
 gn:14.1     In the days of.  .  .  , Amraphel king of Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar, Chedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal king of Goiim
 gn:14.2     made war on Bera king of Sodom, Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, Shemeber king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar).
 gn:14.3     All the latter kings joined forces in the Valley of Siddim (that is, the Salt Sea).
 gn:14.4     For twelve years they had been subject to Chedorlaomer, but in the thirteenth year they rebelled.
 gn:14.5     In the fourteenth year Chedorlaomer and the kings allied with him came and defeated the Rephaim in Ashteroth-karnaim, the Zuzim in Ham, the Emim in Shaveh-kiriathaim,
 gn:14.6     and the Horites in the hill country of Seir, as far as Elparan, close by the wilderness.
 gn:14.7     They then turned back and came to Enmishpat (that is, Kadesh), and they subdued the whole country both of the Amalekites and of the Amorites who dwelt in Hazazon-tamar.
 gn:14.8     Thereupon the king of Sodom, the king of Gomorrah, the king of Admah, the king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar) marched out, and in the Valley of Siddim they went into battle against them:
 gn:14.9     against Chedorlaomer king of Elam, Tidal king of Goiim, Amraphel king of Shinar, and Arioch king of Ellasar-four kings against five.
 gn:14.10    Now the Valley of Siddim was full of bitumen pits; and as the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, they fell into these, while the rest fled to the mountains.
 gn:14.11    The victors seized all the possessions and food supplies of Sodom and Gomorrah and then went their way,
 gn:14.12    taking with them Abram's nephew Lot, who had been living in Sodom, as well as his possessions.
 gn:14.13    A fugitive came and brought the news to Abram the Hebrew, who was camping at the terebinth of Mamre the Amorite, a kinsman of Eshcol and Aner; these were in league with Abram.
 gn:14.14    When Abram heard that his nephew had been captured, he mustered three hundred and eighteen of his retainers, born in his house, and went in pursuit as far as Dan.
 gn:14.15    He and his party deployed against them at night, defeated them, and pursued them as far as Hobah, which is north of Damascus.
 gn:14.16    He recovered all the possessions, besides bringing back his kinsman Lot and his possessions, along with the women and the other captives.
 gn:14.17    When Abram returned from his victory over Chedorlaomer and the kings who were allied with him, the king of Sodom went out to greet him in the Valley of Shaveh (that is, the King's Valley).
 gn:14.18    Melchizedek, king of Salem, brought out bread and wine, and being a priest of God Most High, he blessed Abram with these words:
 gn:14.19    Blessed be Abram by God Most High, the creator of heaven and earth;
 gn:14.20    And blessed be God Most High, who delivered your foes into your hand. " Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.
 gn:14.21    The king of Sodom said to Abram, "Give me the people; the goods you may keep. "
 gn:14.22    But Abram replied to the king of Sodom"I have sworn to the LORD, God Most High, the creator of heaven and earth,
 gn:14.23    that I would not take so much as a thread or a sandal strap from anything that is yours, lest you should say, 'I made Abram rich. '
 gn:14.24    Nothing for me except what my servants have used up and the share that is due to the men who joined me--Aner, Eshcol and Mamre; let them take their share. "
  
 gn:15.1     Some time after these events, this word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision"Fear not, Abram! I am your shield; I will make your reward very great. "
 gn:15.2     But Abram said, "O Lord GOD, what good will your gifts be, if I keep on being childless and have as my heir the steward of my house, Eliezer?"
 gn:15.3     Abram continued, "See, you have given me no offspring, and so one of my servants will be my heir. "
 gn:15.4     Then the word of the LORD came to him"No, that one shall not be your heir; your own issue shall be your heir. "
 gn:15.5     He took him outside and said"Look up at the sky and count the stars, if you can.  Just so," he added, "shall your descendants be. "
 gn:15.6     Abram put his faith in the LORD, who credited it to him as an act of righteousness.
 gn:15.7     He then said to him, "I am the LORD who brought you from Ur of the Chaldeans to give you this land as a possession. "
 gn:15.8     "O Lord GOD," he asked, "How am I to know that I shall possess it?"
 gn:15.9     He answered him, "Bring me a three-year-old heifer, a three-year-old she-goat, a three-year-old ram, a turtle-dove, and a young pigeon. "
 gn:15.10    He brought him all these, split them in two, and placed each half opposite the other; but the birds he did not cut up.
 gn:15.11    Birds of prey swooped down on the carcasses, but Abram stayed with them.
 gn:15.12    As the sun was about to set, a trance fell upon Abram, and a deep, terrifying darkness enveloped him.
 gn:15.13    Then the LORD said to Abram"Know for certain that your descendants shall be aliens in a land not their own, where they shall be enslaved and oppressed for four hundred years.
 gn:15.14    But I will bring judgment on the nation they must serve, and in the end they will depart with great wealth.
 gn:15.15    You, however, shall join your forefathers in peace; you shall be buried at a contented old age.
 gn:15.16    In the fourth time-span the others shall come back here; the wickedness of the Amorites will not have reached its full measure until then. "
 gn:15.17    When the sun had set and it was dark, there appeared a smoking brazier and a flaming torch, which passed between those pieces.
 gn:15.18    It was on that occasion that the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying"To your descendants I give this land, from the Wadi of Egypt to the Great River (the Euphrates),
 gn:15.19    the land of the Kenites, the Kenizzites, the Kadmonites,
 gn:15.20    the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Rephaim,
 gn:15.21    the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Girgashites, and the Jebusites. "
  
 gn:16.1     Abram's wife Sarai had borne him no children.  She had, however, an Egyptian maidservant named Hagar.
 gn:16.2     Sarai said to Abram"The LORD has kept me from bearing children.  Have intercourse, then, with my maid; perhaps I shall have sons through her. " Abram heeded Sarai's request.
 gn:16.3     Thus, after Abram had lived ten years in the land of Canaan, his wife Sarai took her maid, Hagar the Egyptian, and gave her to her husband Abram to be his concubine.
 gn:16.4     He had intercourse with her, and she became pregnant.  When she became aware of her pregnancy, she looked on her mistress with disdain.
 gn:16.5     So Sarai said to Abram"You are responsible for this outrage against me.  I myself gave my maid to your embrace; but ever since she became aware of her pregnancy, she has been looking on me with disdain.  May the LORD decide between you and me!"
 gn:16.6     Abram told Sarai"Your maid is in your power.  Do to her whatever you please. " Sarai then abused her so much that Hagar ran away from her.
 gn:16.7     The LORD'S messenger found her by a spring in the wilderness, the spring on the road to Shur,
 gn:16.8     and he asked, "Hagar, maid of Sarai, where have you come from and where are you going?" She answered, "I am running away from my mistress, Sarai. "
 gn:16.9     But the LORD'S messenger told her"Go back to your mistress and submit to her abusive treatment.
 gn:16.10    I will make your descendants so numerous," added the LORD'S messenger, "that they will be too many to count.
 gn:16.11    Besides," the LORD'S messenger said to her"You are now pregnant and shall bear a son; you shall name him Ishmael, For the LORD has heard you, God has answered you.
 gn:16.12    He shall be a wild ass of a man, his hand against everyone, and everyone's hand against him; In opposition to all his kin shall he encamp. "
 gn:16.13    To the LORD who spoke to her she gave a name, saying, "You are the God of Vision"; she meant, "Have I really seen God and remained alive after my vision?"
 gn:16.14    That is why the well is called Beer-lahai-roi.  It is between Kadesh and Bered.
 gn:16.15    Hagar bore Abram a son, and Abram named the son whom Hagar bore him Ishmael.
 gn:16.16    Abram was eighty-six years old when Hagar bore him Ishmael.
  
 gn:17.1     When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him and said"I am God the Almighty.  Walk in my presence and be blameless.
 gn:17.2     Between you and me I will establish my covenant, and I will multiply you exceedingly. "
 gn:17.3     When Abram prostrated himself, God continued to speak to him:
 gn:17.4     "My covenant with you is thisyou are to become the father of a host of nations.
 gn:17.5     No longer shall you be called Abram; your name shall be Abraham, for I am making you the father of a host of nations.
 gn:17.6     I will render you exceedingly fertile; I will make nations of you; kings shall stem from you.
 gn:17.7     I will maintain my covenant with you and your descendants after you throughout the ages as an everlasting pact, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you.
 gn:17.8     I will give to you and to your descendants after you the land in which you are now staying, the whole land of Canaan, as a permanent possession; and I will be their God. "
 gn:17.9     God also said to Abraham"On your part, you and your descendants after you must keep my covenant throughout the ages.
 gn:17.10    This is my covenant with you and your descendants after you that you must keepevery male among you shall be circumcised.
 gn:17.11    Circumcise the flesh of your foreskin, and that shall be the mark of the covenant between you and me.
 gn:17.12    Throughout the ages, every male among you, when he is eight days old, shall be circumcised, including houseborn slaves and those acquired with money from any foreigner who is not of your blood.
 gn:17.13    Yes, both the houseborn slaves and those acquired with money must be circumcised.  Thus my covenant shall be in your flesh as an everlasting pact.
 gn:17.14    If a male is uncircumcised, that is, if the flesh of his foreskin has not been cut away, such a one shall be cut off from his people; he has broken my covenant. "
 gn:17.15    God further said to Abraham"As for your wife Sarai, do not call her Sarai; her name shall be Sarah.
 gn:17.16    I will bless her, and I will give you a son by her.  Him also will I bless; he shall give rise to nations, and rulers of peoples shall issue from him. "
 gn:17.17    Abraham prostrated himself and laughed as he said to himself, "Can a child be born to a man who is a hundred years old? Or can Sarah give birth at ninety?"
 gn:17.18    Then Abraham said to God, "Let but Ishmael live on by your favor!"
 gn:17.19    God replied"Nevertheless, your wife Sarah is to bear you a son, and you shall call him Isaac.  I will maintain my covenant with him as an everlasting pact, to be his God and the God of his descendants after him.
 gn:17.20    As for Ishmael, I am heeding youI hereby bless him.  I will make him fertile and will multiply him exceedingly.  He shall become the father of twelve chieftains, and I will make of him a great nation.
 gn:17.21    But my covenant I will maintain with Isaac, whom Sarah shall bear to you by this time next year. "
 gn:17.22    When he had finished speaking with him, God departed from Abraham.
 gn:17.23    Then Abraham took his son Ishmael and all his slaves, whether born in his house or acquired with his money--every male among the members of Abraham's household--and he circumcised the flesh of their foreskins on that same day, as God had told him to do.
 gn:17.24    Abraham was ninety-nine years old when the flesh of his foreskin was circumcised,
 gn:17.25    and his son Ishmael was thirteen years old when the flesh of his foreskin was circumcised.
 gn:17.26    Thus, on that same day Abraham and his son Ishmael were circumcised;
 gn:17.27    and all the male members of his household, including the slaves born in his house or acquired with his money from foreigners, were circumcised with him.
  
 gn:18.1     The LORD appeared to Abraham by the terebinth of Mamre, as he sat in the entrance of his tent, while the day was growing hot.
 gn:18.2     Looking up, he saw three men standing nearby.  When he saw them, he ran from the entrance of the tent to greet them; and bowing to the ground,
 gn:18.3     he said"Sir, if I may ask you this favor, please do not go on past your servant.
 gn:18.4     Let some water be brought, that you may bathe your feet, and then rest yourselves under the tree.
 gn:18.5     Now that you have come this close to your servant, let me bring you a little food, that you may refresh yourselves; and afterward you may go on your way. " "Very well," they replied, "do as you have said. "
 gn:18.6     Abraham hastened into the tent and told Sarah, "Quick, three seahs of fine flour! Knead it and make rolls. "
 gn:18.7     He ran to the herd, picked out a tender, choice steer, and gave it to a servant, who quickly prepared it.
 gn:18.8     Then he got some curds and milk, as well as the steer that had been prepared, and set these before them; and he waited on them under the tree while they ate.
 gn:18.9     "Where is your wife Sarah?" they asked him.  "There in the tent," he replied.
 gn:18.10    One of them said, "I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah will then have a son. " Sarah was listening at the entrance of the tent, just behind him.
 gn:18.11    Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in years, and Sarah had stopped having her womanly periods.
 gn:18.12    So Sarah laughed to herself and said, "Now that I am so withered and my husband is so old, am I still to have sexual pleasure?"
 gn:18.13    But the LORD said to Abraham"Why did Sarah laugh and say, 'Shall I really bear a child, old as I am?'
 gn:18.14    Is anything too marvelous for the LORD to do? At the appointed time, about this time next year, I will return to you, and Sarah will have a son. "
 gn:18.15    Because she was afraid, Sarah dissembled, saying, "I didn't laugh. " But he said, "Yes you did. "
 gn:18.16    The men set out from there and looked down toward Sodom; Abraham was walking with them, to see them on their way.
 gn:18.17    The LORD reflected"Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do,
 gn:18.18    now that he is to become a great and populous nation, and all the nations of the earth are to find blessing in him?
 gn:18.19    Indeed, I have singled him out that he may direct his sons and his posterity to keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just, so that the LORD may carry into effect for Abraham the promises he made about him. "
 gn:18.20    Then the LORD said"The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is so great, and their sin so grave,
 gn:18.21    that I must go down and see whether or not their actions fully correspond to the cry against them that comes to me.  I mean to find out. "
 gn:18.22    While the two men walked on farther toward Sodom, the LORD remained standing before Abraham.
 gn:18.23    Then Abraham drew nearer to him and said"Will you sweep away the innocent with the guilty?
 gn:18.24    Suppose there were fifty innocent people in the city; would you wipe out the place, rather than spare it for the sake of the fifty innocent people within it?
 gn:18.25    Far be it from you to do such a thing, to make the innocent die with the guilty, so that the innocent and the guilty would be treated alike! Should not the judge of all the world act with justice?"
 gn:18.26    The LORD replied, "If I find fifty innocent people in the city of Sodom, I will spare the whole place for their sake. "
 gn:18.27    Abraham spoke up again"See how I am presuming to speak to my Lord, though I am but dust and ashes!
 gn:18.28    What if there are five less than fifty innocent people? Will you destroy the whole city because of those five?" "I will not destroy it," he answered, "if I find forty-five there. "
 gn:18.29    But Abraham persisted, saying, "What if only forty are found there?" He replied, "I will forebear doing it for the sake of the forty. "
 gn:18.30    Then he said, "Let not my Lord grow impatient if I go on.  What if only thirty are found there?" He replied, "I will forebear doing it if I can find but thirty there. "
 gn:18.31    Still he went on, "Since I have thus dared to speak to my Lord, what if there are no more than twenty?" "I will not destroy it," he answered, "for the sake of the twenty. "
 gn:18.32    But he still persisted"Please, let not my Lord grow angry if I speak up this last time.  What if there are at least ten there?" "For the sake of those ten," he replied, "I will not destroy it. "
 gn:18.33    The LORD departed as soon as he had finished speaking with Abraham, and Abraham returned home.
  
 gn:19.1     The two angels reached Sodom in the evening, as Lot was sitting at the gate of Sodom.  When Lot saw them, he got up to greet them; and bowing down with his face to the ground,
 gn:19.2     he said, "Please, gentlemen, come aside into your servant's house for the night, and bathe your feet; you can get up early to continue your journey. " But they replied, "No, we shall pass the night in the town square. "
 gn:19.3     He urged them so strongly, however, that they turned aside to his place and entered his house.  He prepared a meal for them, baking cakes without leaven, and they dined.
 gn:19.4     Before they went to bed, all the townsmen of Sodom, both young and old--all the people to the last man--closed in on the house.
 gn:19.5     They called to Lot and said to him, "Where are the men who came to your house tonight? Bring them out to us that we may have intimacies with them. "
 gn:19.6     Lot went out to meet them at the entrance.  When he had shut the door behind him,
 gn:19.7     he said, "I beg you, my brothers, not to do this wicked thing.
 gn:19.8     I have two daughters who have never had intercourse with men.  Let me bring them out to you, and you may do to them as you please.  But don't do anything to these men, for you know they have come under the shelter of my roof. "
 gn:19.9     They replied, "Stand back! This fellow," they sneered, "came here as an immigrant, and now he dares to give orders! We'll treat you worse than them!" With that, they pressed hard against Lot, moving in closer to break down the door.
 gn:19.10    But his guests put out their hands, pulled Lot inside with them, and closed the door;
 gn:19.11    at the same time they struck the men at the entrance of the house, one and all, with such a blinding light that they were utterly unable to reach the doorway.
 gn:19.12    Then the angels said to Lot"Who else belongs to you here? Your sons (sons-in-law) and your daughters and all who belong to you in the city--take them away from it!
 gn:19.13    We are about to destroy this place, for the outcry reaching the LORD against those in the city is so great that he has sent us to destroy it. "
 gn:19.14    So Lot went out and spoke to his sons-in-law, who had contracted marriage with his daughters.  "Get up and leave this place," he told them; "the LORD is about to destroy the city. " But his sons-in-law thought he was joking.
 gn:19.15    As dawn was breaking, the angels urged Lot on, saying, "On your way! Take with you your wife and your two daughters who are here, or you will be swept away in the punishment of the city. "
 gn:19.16    When he hesitated, the men, by the LORD'S mercy, seized his hand and the hands of his wife and his two daughters and led them to safety outside the city.
 gn:19.17    As soon as they had been brought outside, he was told"Flee for your life! Don't look back or stop anywhere on the Plain.  Get off to the hills at once, or you will be swept away. "
 gn:19.18    "Oh, no, my lord!" replied Lot.
 gn:19.19    "You have already thought enough of your servant to do me the great kindness of intervening to save my life.  But I cannot flee to the hills to keep the disaster from overtaking me, and so I shall die.
 gn:19.20    Look, this town ahead is near enough to escape to.  It's only a small place.  Let me flee there--it's a small place, isn't it?--that my life may be saved. "
 gn:19.21    "Well, then," he replied, "I will also grant you the favor you now ask.  I will not overthrow the town you speak of.
 gn:19.22    Hurry, escape there! I cannot do anything until you arrive there. " That is why the town is called Zoar.
 gn:19.23    The sun was just rising over the earth as Lot arrived in Zoar;
 gn:19.24    at the same time the LORD rained down sulphurous fire upon Sodom and Gomorrah (from the LORD out of heaven).
 gn:19.25    He overthrew those cities and the whole Plain, together with the inhabitants of the cities and the produce of the soil.
 gn:19.26    But Lot's wife looked back, and she was turned into a pillar of salt.
 gn:19.27    Early the next morning Abraham went to the place where he had stood in the LORD'S presence.
 gn:19.28    As he looked down toward Sodom and Gomorrah and the whole region of the Plain, he saw dense smoke over the land rising like fumes from a furnace.
 gn:19.29    Thus it came to passwhen God destroyed the Cities of the Plain, he was mindful of Abraham by sending Lot away from the upheaval by which God overthrew the cities where Lot had been living.
 gn:19.30    Since Lot was afraid to stay in Zoar, he and his two daughters went up from Zoar and settled in the hill country, where he lived with his two daughters in a cave.
 gn:19.31    The older one said to the younger"Our father is getting old, and there is not a man on earth to unite with us as was the custom everywhere.
 gn:19.32    Come, let us ply our father with wine and then lie with him, that we may have offspring by our father. "
 gn:19.33    So that night they plied their father with wine, and the older one went in and lay with her father; but he was not aware of her lying down or her getting up.
 gn:19.34    Next day the older one said to the younger"Last night it was I who lay with my father.  Let us ply him with wine again tonight, and then you go in and lie with him, that we may both have offspring by our father. "
 gn:19.35    So that night, too, they plied their father with wine, and then the younger one went in and lay with him; but again he was not aware of her lying down or her getting up.
 gn:19.36    Thus both of Lot's daughters became pregnant by their father.
 gn:19.37    The older one gave birth to a son whom she named Moab, saying, "From my father. " He is the ancestor of the Moabites of today.
 gn:19.38    The younger one, too, gave birth to a son, and she named him Ammon, saying, "The son of my kin. " He is the ancestor of the Ammonites of today.
  
 gn:20.1     Abraham journeyed on to the region of the Negeb, where he settled between Kadesh and Shur.  While he stayed in Gerar,
 gn:20.2     he said of his wife Sarah, "She is my sister. " So Abimelech, king of Gerar, sent and took Sarah.
 gn:20.3     But God came to Abimelech in a dream one night and said to him, "You are about to die because of the woman you have taken, for she has a husband. "
 gn:20.4     Abimelech, who had not approached her, said"O Lord, would you slay a man even though he is innocent?
 gn:20.5     He himself told me, 'She is my sister,' and she herself also stated, 'He is my brother. ' I did it in good faith and with clean hands. "
 gn:20.6     God answered him in the dream"Yes, I know you did it in good faith.  In fact, it was I who kept you from sinning against me; that is why I did not let you touch her.
 gn:20.7     Therefore, return the man's wife--as a spokesman he will intercede for you--that your life may be saved.  If you do not return her, you can be sure that you and all who are yours will certainly die. "
 gn:20.8     Early the next morning Abimelech called all his court officials and informed them of everything that had happened, and the men were horrified.
 gn:20.9     Then Abimelech summoned Abraham and said to him"How could you do this to us! What wrong did I do to you that you should have brought such monstrous guilt on me and my kingdom? You have treated me in an intolerable way.
 gn:20.10    What were you afraid of," he asked him, "that you should have done such a thing?"
 gn:20.11    "I was afraid," answered Abraham, "because I thought there would surely be no fear of God in this place, and so they would kill me on account of my wife.
 gn:20.12    Besides, she is in truth my sister, but only my father's daughter, not my mother's; and so she became my wife.
 gn:20.13    When God sent me wandering from my father's house, I asked her'Would you do me this favor? In whatever place we come to, say that I am your brother. '"
 gn:20.14    Then Abimelech took flocks and herds and male and female slaves and gave them to Abraham; and after he restored his wife Sarah to him,
 gn:20.15    he said, "Here, my land lies at your disposal; settle wherever you please. "
 gn:20.16    To Sarah he said"See, I have given your brother a thousand shekels of silver.  Let that serve you as a vindication before all who are with you; your honor has been preserved with everyone. "
 gn:20.17    Abraham then interceded with God, and God restored health to Abimelech, that is, to his wife and his maidservants, so that they could bear children;
 gn:20.18    for God had tightly closed every womb in Abimelech's household on account of Abraham's wife Sarah.
  
 gn:21.1     The LORD took note of Sarah as he had said he would; he did for her as he had promised.
 gn:21.2     Sarah became pregnant and bore Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time that God had stated.
 gn:21.3     Abraham gave the name Isaac to this son of his whom Sarah bore him.
 gn:21.4     When his son Isaac was eight days old, Abraham circumcised him, as God had commanded.
 gn:21.5     Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him.
 gn:21.6     Sarah then said, "God has given me cause to laugh, and all who hear of it will laugh with me.
 gn:21.7     Who would have told Abraham," she added, "that Sarah would nurse children! Yet I have borne him a son in his old age. "
 gn:21.8     Isaac grew, and on the day of the child's weaning, Abraham held a great feast.
 gn:21.9     Sarah noticed the son whom Hagar the Egyptian had borne to Abraham playing with her son Isaac;
 gn:21.10    so she demanded of Abraham"Drive out that slave and her son! No son of that slave is going to share the inheritance with my son Isaac!"
 gn:21.11    Abraham was greatly distressed, especially on account of his son Ishmael.
 gn:21.12    But God said to Abraham"Do not be distressed about the boy or about your slave woman.  Heed the demands of Sarah, no matter what she is asking of you; for it is through Isaac that descendants shall bear your name.
 gn:21.13    As for the son of the slave woman, I will make a great nation of him also, since he too is your offspring. "
 gn:21.14    Early the next morning Abraham got some bread and a skin of water and gave them to Hagar.  Then, placing the child on her back, he sent her away.  As she roamed aimlessly in the wilderness of Beer-sheba,
 gn:21.15    the water in the skin was used up.  So she put the child down under a shrub,
 gn:21.16    and then went and sat down opposite him, about a bowshot away; for she said to herself, "Let me not watch to see the child die. " As she sat opposite him, he began to cry.
 gn:21.17    God heard the boy's cry, and God's messenger called to Hagar from heaven"What is the matter, Hagar? Don't be afraid; God has heard the boy's cry in this plight of his.
 gn:21.18    Arise, lift up the boy and hold him by the hand; for I will make of him a great nation. "
 gn:21.19    Then God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water.  She went and filled the skin with water, and then let the boy drink.
 gn:21.20    God was with the boy as he grew up.  He lived in the wilderness and became an expert bowman,
 gn:21.21    with his home in the wilderness of Paran.  His mother got a wife for him from the land of Egypt.
 gn:21.22    About that time Abimelech, accompanied by Phicol, the commander of his army, said to Abraham"God is with you in everything you do.
 gn:21.23    Therefore, swear to me by God at this place that you will not deal falsely with me or with my progeny and posterity, but will act as loyally toward me and the land in which you stay as I have acted toward you. "
 gn:21.24    To this Abraham replied, "I so swear. "
 gn:21.25    Abraham, however, reproached Abimelech about a well that Abimelech's men had seized by force.
 gn:21.26    "I have no idea who did that," Abimelech replied.  "In fact, you never told me about it, nor did I ever hear of it until now. "
 gn:21.27    Then Abraham took sheep and cattle and gave them to Abimelech and the two made a pact.
 gn:21.28    Abraham also set apart seven ewe lambs of the flock,
 gn:21.29    and Abimelech asked him, "What is the purpose of these seven ewe lambs that you have set apart?"
 gn:21.30    Abraham answered, "The seven ewe lambs you shall accept from me that thus I may have your acknowledgment that the well was dug by me. "
 gn:21.31    This is why the place is called Beer-sheba; the two took an oath there.
 gn:21.32    When they had thus made the pact in Beer-sheba, Abimelech, along with Phicol, the commander of his army, left and returned to the land of the Philistines.
 gn:21.33    Abraham planted a tamarisk at Beer-sheba, and there he invoked by name the LORD, God the Eternal.
 gn:21.34    Abraham resided in the land of the Philistines for many years.
  
 gn:22.1     Some time after these events, God put Abraham to the test.  He called to him, "Abraham!" "Ready!" he replied.
 gn:22.2     Then God said"Take your son Isaac, your only one, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah.  There you shall offer him up as a holocaust on a height that I will point out to you. "
 gn:22.3     Early the next morning Abraham saddled his donkey, took with him his son Isaac, and two of his servants as well, and with the wood that he had cut for the holocaust, set out for the place of which God had told him.
 gn:22.4     On the third day Abraham got sight of the place from afar.
 gn:22.5     Then he said to his servants"Both of you stay here with the donkey, while the boy and I go on over yonder.  We will worship and then come back to you. "
 gn:22.6     Thereupon Abraham took the wood for the holocaust and laid it on his son Isaac's shoulders, while he himself carried the fire and the knife.
 gn:22.7     As the two walked on together, Isaac spoke to his father Abraham.  "Father!" he said.  "Yes, son," he replied.  Isaac continued, "Here are the fire and the wood, but where is the sheep for the holocaust?"
 gn:22.8     "Son," Abraham answered, "God himself will provide the sheep for the holocaust. " Then the two continued going forward.
 gn:22.9     When they came to the place of which God had told him, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it.  Next he tied up his son Isaac, and put him on top of the wood on the altar.
 gn:22.10    Then he reached out and took the knife to slaughter his son.
 gn:22.11    But the LORD'S messenger called to him from heaven, "Abraham, Abraham!" "Yes, Lord," he answered.
 gn:22.12    "Do not lay your hand on the boy," said the messenger.  "Do not do the least thing to him.  I know now how devoted you are to God, since you did not withhold from me your own beloved son. "
 gn:22.13    As Abraham looked about, he spied a ram caught by its horns in the thicket.  So he went and took the ram and offered it up as a holocaust in place of his son.
 gn:22.14    Abraham named the site Yahweh-yireh; hence people now say, "On the mountain the LORD will see. "
 gn:22.15    Again the LORD'S messenger called to Abraham from heaven
 gn:22.16    and said"I swear by myself, declares the LORD, that because you acted as you did in not withholding from me your beloved son,
 gn:22.17    I will bless you abundantly and make your descendants as countless as the stars of the sky and the sands of the seashore; your descendants shall take possession of the gates of their enemies,
 gn:22.18    and in your descendants all the nations of the earth shall find blessing--all this because you obeyed my command. ''
 gn:22.19    Abraham then returned to his servants, and they set out together for Beer-sheba, where Abraham made his home.
 gn:22.20    Some time afterward, the news came to Abraham"Milcah too has borne sons, to your brother Nahor:
 gn:22.21    Uz, his first-born, his brother Buz, Kemuel (the father of Aram),
 gn:22.22    Chesed, Hazo, Pildash, Jidlaph, and Bethuel. "
 gn:22.23    Bethuel became the father of Rebekah.  These eight Milcah bore to Abraham's brother Nahor.
 gn:22.24    His concubine, whose name was Reumah, also bore childrenTebah, Gaham, Tahash, and Maacah.
  
 gn:23.1     The span of Sarah's life was one hundred and twenty-seven years.
 gn:23.2     She died in Kiriatharba (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan, and Abraham performed the customary mourning rites for her.
 gn:23.3     Then he left the side of his dead one and addressed the Hittites:
 gn:23.4     "Although I am a resident alien among you, sell me from your holdings a piece of property for a burial ground, that I may bury my dead wife. "
 gn:23.5     The Hittites answered Abraham"Please, sir,
 gn:23.6     listen to us! You are an elect of God among us.  Bury your dead in the choicest of our burial sites.  None of us would deny you his burial ground for the burial of your dead. "
 gn:23.7     Abraham, however, began to bow low before the local citizens, the Hittites,
 gn:23.8     while he appealed to them"If you will allow me room for burial of my dead, listen to me! Intercede for me with Ephron, son of Zohar, asking him
 gn:23.9     to sell me the cave of Machpelah that he owns; it is at the edge of his field.  Let him sell it to me in your presence, at its full price, for a burial place. "
 gn:23.10    Now Ephron was present with the Hittites.  So Ephron the Hittite replied to Abraham in the hearing of the Hittites who sat on his town council:
 gn:23.11    "Please, sir, listen to me! I give you both the field and the cave in it; in the presence of my kinsmen I make this gift.  Bury your dead!"
 gn:23.12    But Abraham, after bowing low before the local citizens, addressed Ephron in the hearing of these men:
 gn:23.13    "Ah, if only you would please listen to me! I will pay you the price of the field.  Accept it from me, that I may bury my dead there. "
 gn:23.14    Ephron replied to Abraham, "Please,
 gn:23.15    sir, listen to me! A piece of land worth four hundred shekels of silver--what is that between you and me, as long as you can bury your dead?"
 gn:23.16    Abraham accepted Ephron's terms; he weighed out to him the silver that Ephron had stipulated in the hearing of the Hittites, four hundred shekels of silver at the current market value.
 gn:23.17    Thus Ephron's field in Machpelah, facing Mamre, together with its cave and all the trees anywhere within its limits, was conveyed
 gn:23.18    to Abraham by purchase in the presence of all the Hittites who sat on Ephron's town council.
 gn:23.19    After this transaction, Abraham buried his wife Sarah in the cave of the field of Machpelah, facing Mamre (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan.
 gn:23.20    Thus the field with its cave was transferred from the Hittites to Abraham as a burial place.
  
 gn:24.1     Abraham had now reached a ripe old age, and the LORD had blessed him in every way.
 gn:24.2     Abraham said to the senior servant of his household, who had charge of all his possessions"Put your hand under my thigh,
 gn:24.3     and I will make you swear by the LORD, the God of heaven and the God of earth, that you will not procure a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites among whom I live,
 gn:24.4     but that you will go to my own land and to my kindred to get a wife for my son Isaac. "
 gn:24.5     The servant asked him"What if the woman is unwilling to follow me to this land? Should I then take your son back to the land from which you migrated?"
 gn:24.6     "Never take my son back there for any reason," Abraham told him.
 gn:24.7     "The LORD, the God of heaven, who took me from my father's house and the land of my kin, and who confirmed by oath the promise he then made to me, 'I will give this land to your descendants'--he will send his messenger before you, and you will obtain a wife for my son there.
 gn:24.8     If the woman is unwilling to follow you, you will be released from this oath.  But never take my son back there!"
 gn:24.9     So the servant put his hand under the thigh of his master Abraham and swore to him in this undertaking.
 gn:24.10    The servant then took ten of his master's camels, and bearing all kinds of gifts from his master, he made his way to the city of Nahor in Aram Naharaim.
 gn:24.11    Near evening, at the time when women go out to draw water, he made the camels kneel by the well outside the city.
 gn:24.12    Then he prayed"LORD, God of my master Abraham, let it turn out favorably for me today and thus deal graciously with my master Abraham.
 gn:24.13    While I stand here at the spring and the daughters of the townsmen are coming out to draw water,
 gn:24.14    if I say to a girl, 'Please lower your jug, that I may drink,' and she answers, 'Take a drink, and let me give water to your camels, too,' let her be the one whom you have decided upon for your servant Isaac.  In this way I shall know that you have dealt graciously with my master. "
 gn:24.15    He had scarcely finished these words when Rebekah (who was born to Bethuel, son of Milcah, the wife of Abraham's brother Nahor) came out with a jug on her shoulder.
 gn:24.16    The girl was very beautiful, a virgin, untouched by man.  She went down to the spring and filled her jug.  As she came up,
 gn:24.17    the servant ran toward her and said, "Please give me a sip of water from your jug. "
 gn:24.18    "Take a drink, sir," she replied, and quickly lowering the jug onto her hand, she gave him a drink.
 gn:24.19    When she had let him drink his fill, she said, "I will draw water for your camels, too, until they have drunk their fill. "
 gn:24.20    With that, she quickly emptied her jug into the drinking trough and ran back to the well to draw more water, until she had drawn enough for all the camels.
 gn:24.21    The man watched her the whole time, silently waiting to learn whether or not the LORD had made his errand successful.
 gn:24.22    When the camels had finished drinking, the man took out a gold ring weighing half a shekel, which he fastened on her nose, and two gold bracelets weighing ten shekels, which he put on her wrists.
 gn:24.23    Then he asked her"Whose daughter are you? Tell me, please.  And is there room in your father's house for us to spend the night?"
 gn:24.24    She answered"I am the daughter of Bethuel the son of Milcah, whom she bore to Nahor.
 gn:24.25    There is plenty of straw and fodder at our place," she added, "and room to spend the night. "
 gn:24.26    The man then bowed down in worship to the LORD,
 gn:24.27    saying"Blessed be the LORD, the God of my master Abraham, who has not let his constant kindness toward my master fail.  As for myself also, the LORD has led me straight to the house of my master's brother. "
 gn:24.28    Then the girl ran off and told her mother's household about it.
 gn:24.29    Now Rebekah had a brother named Laban.
 gn:24.30    As soon as he saw the ring and the bracelets on his sister Rebekah and heard her words about what the man had said to her, Laban rushed outside to the man at the spring.  When he reached him, he was still standing by the camels at the spring.
 gn:24.31    So he said to him"Come, blessed of the LORD! Why are you staying outside when I have made the house ready for you, as well as a place for the camels?"
 gn:24.32    The man then went inside; and while the camels were being unloaded and provided with straw and fodder, water was brought to bathe his feet and the feet of the men who were with him.
 gn:24.33    But when the table was set for him, he said, "I will not eat until I have told my tale. " "Do so," they replied.
 gn:24.34    "I am Abraham's servant," he began.
 gn:24.35    "The LORD has blessed my master so abundantly that he has become a wealthy man; he has given him flocks and herds, silver and gold, male and female slaves, and camels and asses.
 gn:24.36    My master's wife Sarah bore a son to my master in her old age, and he has given him everything he owns.
 gn:24.37    My master put me under oath, saying'You shall not procure a wife for my son among the daughters of the Canaanites in whose land I live;
 gn:24.38    instead, you shall go to my father's house, to my own relatives, to get a wife for my son. '
 gn:24.39    When I asked my master, 'What if the woman will not follow me?,'
 gn:24.40    he replied'The LORD, in whose presence I have always walked, will send his messenger with you and make your errand successful, and so you will get a wife for my son from my own kindred of my father's house.
 gn:24.41    Then you shall be released from my ban.  If you visit my kindred and they refuse you, then, too, you shall be released from my ban. '
 gn:24.42    "When I came to the spring today, I prayed'LORD, God of my master Abraham, may it be your will to make successful the errand I am engaged on!
 gn:24.43    While I stand here at the spring, if I say to a young woman who comes out to draw water, Please give me a little water from your jug,
 gn:24.44    and she answers, Not only may you have a drink, but I will give water to your camels, too--let her be the woman whom the LORD has decided upon for my master's son. '
 gn:24.45    "I had scarcely finished saying this prayer to myself when Rebekah came out with a jug on her shoulder.  After she went down to the spring and drew water, I said to her, 'Please let me have a drink. '
 gn:24.46    She quickly lowered the jug she was carrying and said, 'Take a drink, and let me bring water for your camels, too. ' So I drank, and she watered the camels also.
 gn:24.47    When I asked her, 'Whose daughter are you?' she answered, 'The daughter of Bethuel, son of Nahor, borne to Nahor by Milcah. ' So I put the ring on her nose and the bracelets on her wrists.
 gn:24.48    Then I bowed down in worship to the LORD, blessing the LORD, the God of my master Abraham, who had led me on the right road to obtain the daughter of my master's kinsman for his son.
 gn:24.49    If, therefore, you have in mind to show true loyalty to my master, let me know; but if not, let me know that, too.  I can then proceed accordingly. "
 gn:24.50    Laban and his household said in reply"This thing comes from the LORD; we can say nothing to you either for or against it.
 gn:24.51    Here is Rebekah, ready for you; take her with you, that she may become the wife of your master's son, as the LORD has said. "
 gn:24.52    When Abraham's servant heard their answer, he bowed to the ground before the LORD.
 gn:24.53    Then he brought out objects of silver and gold and articles of clothing and presented them to Rebekah; he also gave costly presents to her brother and mother.
 gn:24.54    After he and the men with him had eaten and drunk, they spent the night there.  When they were up the next morning, he said, "Give me leave to return to my master. "
 gn:24.55    Her brother and mother replied, "Let the girl stay with us a short while, say ten days; after that she may go. "
 gn:24.56    But he said to them, "Do not detain me, now that the LORD has made my errand successful; let me go back to my master. "
 gn:24.57    They answered, "Let us call the girl and see what she herself has to say about it. "
 gn:24.58    So they called Rebekah and asked her, "Do you wish to go with this man?" She answered, "I do. "
 gn:24.59    At this they allowed their sister Rebekah and her nurse to take leave, along with Abraham's servant and his men.
 gn:24.60    Invoking a blessing on Rebekah, they said"Sister, may you grow into thousands of myriads; And may your descendants gain possession of the gates of their enemies!"
 gn:24.61    Then Rebekah and her maids started out; they mounted their camels and followed the man.  So the servant took Rebekah and went on his way.
 gn:24.62    Meanwhile Isaac had gone from Beer-lahai-roi and was living in the region of the Negeb.
 gn:24.63    One day toward evening he went out.  .  .  in the field, and as he looked around, he noticed that camels were approaching.
 gn:24.64    Rebekah, too, was looking about, and when she saw him, she alighted from her camel
 gn:24.65    and asked the servant, "Who is the man out there, walking through the fields toward us?" "That is my master," replied the servant.  Then she covered herself with her veil.
 gn:24.66    The servant recounted to Isaac all the things he had done.
 gn:24.67    Then Isaac took Rebekah into his tent; he married her, and thus she became his wife.  In his love for her Isaac found solace after the death of his mother Sarah.
  
 gn:25.1     Abraham married another wife, whose name was Keturah.
 gn:25.2     She bore him Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah.
 gn:25.3     Jokshan became the father of Sheba and Dedan.  The descendants of Dedan were the Asshurim, the Letushim, and the Leummim.
 gn:25.4     The descendants of Midian were Ephah, Epher, Hanoch, Abida, and Eldaah.  All of these were descendants of Keturah.
 gn:25.5     Abraham deeded everything that he owned to his son Isaac.
 gn:25.6     To his sons by concubinage, however, he made grants while he was still living, as he sent them away eastward, to the land of Kedem, away from his son Isaac.
 gn:25.7     The whole span of Abraham's life was one hundred and seventy-five years.
 gn:25.8     Then he breathed his last, dying at a ripe old age, grown old after a full life; and he was taken to his kinsmen.
 gn:25.9     His sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave of Machpelah, in the field of Ephron, son of Zohar the Hittite, which faces Mamre,
 gn:25.10    the field that Abraham had bought from the Hittites; there he was buried next to his wife Sarah.
 gn:25.11    After the death of Abraham, God blessed his son Isaac, who made his home near Beer-lahai-roi.
 gn:25.12    These are the descendants of Abraham's son Ishmael, whom Hagar the Egyptian, Sarah's slave, bore to Abraham.
 gn:25.13    These are the names of Ishmael's sons, listed in the order of their birthNebaioth (Ishmael's firstborn), Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam,
 gn:25.14    Mishma, Dumah, Massa,
 gn:25.15    Hadad, Tema, Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah.
 gn:25.16    These are the sons of Ishmael, their names by their villages and encampments; twelve chieftains of as many tribal groups.
 gn:25.17    The span of Ishmael's life was one hundred and thirty-seven years.  After he had breathed his last and died, he was taken to his kinsmen.
 gn:25.18    The Ishmaelites ranged from Havilah-by-Shur, which is on the border of Egypt, all the way to Asshur; and each of them pitched camp in opposition to his various kinsmen.
 gn:25.19    This is the family history of Isaac, son of Abraham; Abraham had begotten Isaac.
 gn:25.20    Isaac was forty years old when he married Rebekah, the daughter of Bethuel the Aramean of Paddan-aram and the sister of Laban the Aramean.
 gn:25.21    Isaac entreated the LORD on behalf of his wife, since she was sterile.  The LORD heard his entreaty, and Rebekah became pregnant.
 gn:25.22    But the children in her womb jostled each other so much that she exclaimed, "If this is to be so, what good will it do me!" She went to consult the LORD,
 gn:25.23    and he answered her"Two nations are in your womb, two peoples are quarreling while still within you; But one shall surpass the other, and the older shall serve the younger. "
 gn:25.24    When the time of her delivery came, there were twins in her womb.
 gn:25.25    The first to emerge was reddish, and his whole body was like a hairy mantle; so they named him Esau.
 gn:25.26    His brother came out next, gripping Esau's heel; so they named him Jacob.  Isaac was sixty years old when they were born.
 gn:25.27    As the boys grew up, Esau became a skillful hunter, a man who lived in the open; whereas Jacob was a simple man, who kept to his tents.
 gn:25.28    Isaac preferred Esau, because he was fond of game; but Rebekah preferred Jacob.
 gn:25.29    Once, when Jacob was cooking a stew, Esau came in from the open, famished.
 gn:25.30    He said to Jacob, "Let me gulp down some of that red stuff; I'm starving. " (That is why he was called Edom. )
 gn:25.31    But Jacob replied, "First give me your birthright in exchange for it. "
 gn:25.32    "Look," said Esau, "I'm on the point of dying.  What good will any birthright do me?"
 gn:25.33    But Jacob insisted, "Swear to me first!" So he sold Jacob his birthright under oath.
 gn:25.34    Jacob then gave him some bread and the lentil stew; and Esau ate, drank, got up, and went his way.  Esau cared little for his birthright.
  
 gn:26.1     There was a famine in the land (distinct from the earlier one that had occurred in the days of Abraham), and Isaac went down to Abimelech, king of the Philistines in Gerar.
 gn:26.2     The LORD appeared to him and said"Do not go down to Egypt, but continue to camp wherever in this land I tell you.
 gn:26.3     Stay in this land, and I will be with you and bless you; for to you and your descendants I will give all these lands, in fulfillment of the oath that I swore to your father Abraham.
 gn:26.4     I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and give them all these lands, and in your descendants all the nations of the earth shall find blessing--
 gn:26.5     this because Abraham obeyed me, keeping my mandate (my commandments, my ordinances, and my instructions). "
 gn:26.6     So Isaac settled in Gerar.
 gn:26.7     When the men of the place asked questions about his wife, he answered, "She is my sister. " He was afraid, if he called her his wife, the men of the place would kill him on account of Rebekah, since she was very beautiful.
 gn:26.8     But when he had been there for a long time, Abimelech, king of the Philistines, happened to look out of a window and was surprised to see Isaac fondling his wife Rebekah.
 gn:26.9     He called for Isaac and said"She must certainly be your wife! How could you have said, 'She is my sister'?" Isaac replied, "I thought I might lose my life on her account. "
 gn:26.10    "How could you do this to us!" exclaimed Abimelech.  "It would have taken very little for one of the men to lie with your wife, and you would have thus brought guilt upon us!"
 gn:26.11    Abimelech therefore gave this warning to all his men"Anyone who molests this man or his wife shall forthwith be put to death. "
 gn:26.12    Isaac sowed a crop in that region and reaped a hundredfold the same year.  Since the LORD blessed him,
 gn:26.13    he became richer and richer all the time, until he was very wealthy indeed.
 gn:26.14    He acquired such flocks and herds, and so many work animals, that the Philistines became envious of him.
 gn:26.15    (The Philistines had stopped up and filled with dirt all the wells that his father's servants had dug back in the days of his father Abraham. )
 gn:26.16    So Abimelech said to Isaac, "Go away from us; you have become far too numerous for us. "
 gn:26.17    Isaac left there and made the Wadi Gerar his regular campsite.
 gn:26.18    (Isaac reopened the wells which his father's servants had dug back in the days of his father Abraham and which the Philistines had stopped up after Abraham's death; he gave them the same names that his father had given them. )
 gn:26.19    But when Isaac's servants dug in the wadi and reached spring water in their well,
 gn:26.20    the shepherds of Gerar quarreled with Isaac's servants, saying, "The water belongs to us!" So the well was called Esek, because they had challenged him there.
 gn:26.21    Then they dug another well, and they quarreled over that one too; so it was called Sitnah.
 gn:26.22    When he had moved on from there, he dug still another well; but over this one they did not quarrel.  It was called Rehoboth, because he said, "The LORD has now given us ample room, and we shall flourish in the land. "
 gn:26.23    From there Isaac went up to Beer-sheba.
 gn:26.24    The same night the LORD appeared to him and said"I am the God of your father Abraham.  You have no need to fear, since I am with you.  I will bless you and multiply your descendants for the sake of my servant Abraham. "
 gn:26.25    So he built an altar there and invoked the LORD by name.  After he had pitched his tent there, his servants began to dig a well nearby.
 gn:26.26    Abimelech had meanwhile come to him from Gerar, accompanied by Ahuzzath, his councilor, and Phicol, the general of his army.
 gn:26.27    Isaac asked them, "Why have you come to me, seeing that you hate me and have driven me away from you?"
 gn:26.28    They answered"We are convinced that the LORD is with you, so we propose that there be a sworn agreement between our two sides--between you and us.  Let us make a pact with you:
 gn:26.29    you shall not act unkindly toward us, just as we have not molested you, but have always acted kindly toward you and have let you depart in peace.  Henceforth, 'The LORD'S blessing be upon you!'"
 gn:26.30    Isaac then made a feast for them, and they ate and drank.
 gn:26.31    Early the next morning they exchanged oaths.  Then Isaac bade them farewell, and they departed from him in peace.
 gn:26.32    That same day Isaac's servants came and brought him news about the well they had been digging; they told him, "We have reached water!"
 gn:26.33    He called it Shibah; hence the name of the city, Beer-sheba, to this day.
 gn:26.34    When Esau was forty years old, he married Judith, daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and Basemath, daughter of Elon the Hivite.
 gn:26.35    But they became a source of embitterment to Isaac and Rebekah.
  
 gn:27.1     When Isaac was so old that his eyesight had failed him, he called his older son Esau and said to him, "Son!" "Yes, father!" he replied.
 gn:27.2     Isaac then said, "As you can see, I am so old that I may now die at any time.
 gn:27.3     Take your gear, therefore--your quiver and bow--and go out into the country to hunt some game for me.
 gn:27.4     With your catch prepare an appetizing dish for me, such as I like, and bring it to me to eat, so that I may give you my special blessing before I die. "
 gn:27.5     Rebekah had been listening while Isaac was speaking to his son Esau.  So when Esau went out into the country to hunt some game for his father,
 gn:27.6     Rebekah said to her son Jacob, "Listen! I overheard your father tell your brother Esau,
 gn:27.7     'Bring me some game and with it prepare an appetizing dish for me to eat, that I may give you my blessing with the LORD'S approval before I die. '
 gn:27.8     Now, son, listen carefully to what I tell you.
 gn:27.9     Go to the flock and get me two choice kids.  With these I will prepare an appetizing dish for your father, such as he likes.
 gn:27.10    Then bring it to your father to eat, that he may bless you before he dies. "
 gn:27.11    "But my brother Esau is a hairy man," said Jacob to his mother Rebekah, "and I am smooth-skinned!
 gn:27.12    Suppose my father feels me? He will think I am making sport of him, and I shall bring on myself a curse instead of a blessing. "
 gn:27.13    His mother, however, replied"Let any curse against you, son, fall on me! Just do as I say.  Go and get me the kids. "
 gn:27.14    So Jacob went and got them and brought them to his mother; and with them she prepared an appetizing dish, such as his father liked.
 gn:27.15    Rebekah then took the best clothes of her older son Esau that she had in the house, and gave them to her younger son Jacob to wear;
 gn:27.16    and with the skins of the kids she covered up his hands and the hairless parts of his neck.
 gn:27.17    Then she handed her son Jacob the appetizing dish and the bread she had prepared.
 gn:27.18    Bringing them to his father, Jacob said, "Father!" "Yes?" replied Isaac.  "Which of my sons are you?"
 gn:27.19    Jacob answered his father"I am Esau, your first-born.  I did as you told me.  Please sit up and eat some of my game, so that you may give me your special blessing. "
 gn:27.20    But Isaac asked, "How did you succeed so quickly, son?" He answered, "The LORD, your God, let things turn out well with me. "
 gn:27.21    Isaac then said to Jacob, "Come closer, son, that I may feel you, to learn whether you really are my son Esau or not. "
 gn:27.22    So Jacob moved up closer to his father.  When Isaac felt him, he said, "Although the voice is Jacob's, the hands are Esau's. "
 gn:27.23    (He failed to identify him because his hands were hairy, like those of his brother Esau; so in the end he gave him his blessing. )
 gn:27.24    Again he asked him, "Are you really my son Esau?" "Certainly," he replied.
 gn:27.25    Then Isaac said, "Serve me your game, son, that I may eat of it and then give you my blessing. " Jacob served it to him, and Isaac ate; he brought him wine, and he drank.
 gn:27.26    Finally his father Isaac said to him, "Come closer, son, and kiss me. "
 gn:27.27    As Jacob went up and kissed him, Isaac smelled the fragrance of his clothes.  With that, he blessed him, saying, "Ah, the fragrance of my son is like the fragrance of a field that the LORD has blessed!
 gn:27.28    "May God give to you of the dew of the heavens And of the fertility of the earth abundance of grain and wine.
 gn:27.29    "Let peoples serve you, and nations pay you homage; Be master of your brothers, and may your mother's sons bow down to you.  Cursed be those who curse you, and blessed be those who bless you. "
 gn:27.30    Jacob had scarcely left his father, just after Isaac had finished blessing him, when his brother Esau came back from his hunt.
 gn:27.31    Then he too prepared an appetizing dish with his game, and bringing it to his father, he said, "Please, father, eat some of your son's game, that you may then give me your special blessing. "
 gn:27.32    "Who are you?" his father Isaac asked him.  "I am Esau," he replied, "your first-born son. "
 gn:27.33    With that, Isaac was seized with a fit of uncontrollable trembling.  "Who was it, then," he asked, "that hunted game and brought it to me? I finished eating it just before you came, and I blessed him.  Now he must remain blessed!"
 gn:27.34    On hearing his father's words, Esau burst into loud, bitter sobbing.  "Father, bless me too!" he begged.
 gn:27.35    When Isaac explained, "Your brother came here by a ruse and carried off your blessing,"
 gn:27.36    Esau exclaimed, "He has been well named Jacob! He has now supplanted me twice! First he took away my birthright, and now he has taken away my blessing. " Then he pleaded, "Haven't you saved a blessing for me?"
 gn:27.37    Isaac replied"I have already appointed him your master, and I have assigned to him all his kinsmen as his slaves; besides, I have enriched him with grain and wine.  What then can I do for you, son?"
 gn:27.38    But Esau urged his father, "Have you only that one blessing, father? Bless me too!" Isaac, however, made no reply; and Esau wept aloud.
 gn:27.39    Finally Isaac spoke again and said to him"Ah, far from the fertile earth shall be your dwelling; far from the dew of the heavens above!
 gn:27.40    "By your sword you shall live, and your brother you shall serve; But when you become restive, you shall throw off his yoke from your neck. "
 gn:27.41    Esau bore Jacob a grudge because of the blessing his father had given him.  He said to himself, "When the time of mourning for my father comes, I will kill my brother Jacob. "
 gn:27.42    When Rebekah got news of what her older son Esau had in mind, she called her younger son Jacob and said to him"Listen! Your brother Esau intends to settle accounts with you by killing you.
 gn:27.43    Therefore, son, do what I tell youflee at once to my brother Laban in Haran,
 gn:27.44    and stay with him a while until your brother's fury subsides
 gn:27.45    (until your brother's anger against you subsides) and he forgets what you did to him.  Then I will send for you and bring you back.  Must I lose both of you in a single day?"
 gn:27.46    Rebekah said to Isaac"I am disgusted with life because of the Hittite women.  If Jacob also should marry a Hittite woman, a native of the land, like these women, what good would life be to me?"
  
 gn:28.1     Isaac therefore called Jacob, greeted him with a blessing, and charged him"You shall not marry a Canaanite woman!
 gn:28.2     Go now to Paddan-aram, to the home of your mother's father Bethuel, and there choose a wife for yourself from among the daughters of your uncle Laban.
 gn:28.3     May God Almighty bless you and make you fertile, multiply you that you may become an assembly of peoples.
 gn:28.4     May he extend to you and your descendants the blessing he gave to Abraham, so that you may gain possession of the land where you are staying, which he assigned to Abraham. "
 gn:28.5     Then Isaac sent Jacob on his way; he went to Paddan-aram, to Laban, son of Bethuel the Aramean, and brother of Rebekah, the mother of Jacob and Esau.
 gn:28.6     Esau noted that Isaac had blessed Jacob when he sent him to Paddan-aram to get himself a wife there, charging him, as he gave him his blessing, not to marry a Canaanite woman,
 gn:28.7     and that Jacob had obeyed his father and mother and gone to Paddan-aram.
 gn:28.8     Esau realized how displeasing the Canaanite women were to his father Isaac,
 gn:28.9     so he went to Ishmael, and in addition to the wives he had, married Mahalath, the daughter of Abraham's son Ishmael and sister of Nebaioth.
 gn:28.10    Jacob departed from Beer-sheba and proceeded toward Haran.
 gn:28.11    When he came upon a certain shrine, as the sun had already set, he stopped there for the night.  Taking one of the stones at the shrine, he put it under his head and lay down to sleep at that spot.
 gn:28.12    Then he had a dreama stairway rested on the ground, with its top reaching to the heavens; and God's messengers were going up and down on it.
 gn:28.13    And there was the LORD standing beside him and saying"I, the LORD, am the God of your forefather Abraham and the God of Isaac; the land on which you are lying I will give to you and your descendants.
 gn:28.14    These shall be as plentiful as the dust of the earth, and through them you shall spread out east and west, north and south.  In you and your descendants all the nations of the earth shall find blessing.
 gn:28.15    Know that I am with you; I will protect you wherever you go, and bring you back to this land.  I will never leave you until I have done what I promised you. "
 gn:28.16    When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he exclaimed, "Truly, the LORD is in this spot, although I did not know it!"
 gn:28.17    In solemn wonder he cried out"How awesome is this shrine! This is nothing else but an abode of God, and that is the gateway to heaven!"
 gn:28.18    Early the next morning Jacob took the stone that he had put under his head, set it up as a memorial stone, and poured oil on top of it.
 gn:28.19    He called that site Bethel, whereas the former name of the town had been Luz.
 gn:28.20    Jacob then made this vow"If God remains with me, to protect me on this journey I am making and to give me enough bread to eat and clothing to wear,
 gn:28.21    and I come back safe to my father's house, the LORD shall be my God.
 gn:28.22    This stone that I have set up as a memorial stone shall be God's abode.  Of everything you give me, I will faithfully return a tenth part to you. "
  
 gn:29.1     After Jacob resumed his journey, he came to the land of the Easterners.
 gn:29.2     Looking about, he saw a well in the open country, with three droves of sheep huddled near it, for droves were watered from that well.  A large stone covered the mouth of the well.
 gn:29.3     Only when all the shepherds were assembled there could they roll the stone away from the mouth of the well and water the flocks.  Then they would put the stone back again over the mouth of the well.
 gn:29.4     Jacob said to them, "Friends, where are you from?" "We are from Haran," they replied.
 gn:29.5     Then he asked them, "Do you know Laban, son of Nahor?" "We do," they answered.
 gn:29.6     He inquired further, "Is he well?" "He is," they answered; "and here comes his daughter Rachel with his flock. "
 gn:29.7     Then he said"There is still much daylight left; it is hardly the time to bring the animals home.  Why don't you water the flocks now, and then continue pasturing them?"
 gn:29.8     "We cannot," they replied, "until all the shepherds are here to roll the stone away from the mouth of the well; only then can we water the flocks. "
 gn:29.9     While he was still talking with them, Rachel arrived with her father's sheep; she was the one who tended them.
 gn:29.10    As soon as Jacob saw Rachel, the daughter of his uncle Laban, with the sheep of his uncle Laban, he went up, rolled the stone away from the mouth of the well, and watered his uncle's sheep.
 gn:29.11    Then Jacob kissed Rachel and burst into tears.
 gn:29.12    He told her that he was her father's relative, Rebekah's son, and she ran to tell her father.
 gn:29.13    When Laban heard the news about his sister's son Jacob, he hurried out to meet him.  After embracing and kissing him, he brought him to his house.  Jacob then recounted to Laban all that had happened,
 gn:29.14    and Laban said to him, "You are indeed my flesh and blood. " After Jacob had stayed with him a full month,
 gn:29.15    Laban said to him"Should you serve me for nothing just because you are a relative of mine? Tell me what your wages should be. "
 gn:29.16    Now Laban had two daughters; the older was called Leah, the younger Rachel.
 gn:29.17    Leah had lovely eyes, but Rachel was well formed and beautiful.
 gn:29.18    Since Jacob had fallen in love with Rachel, he answered Laban, "I will serve you seven years for your younger daughter Rachel. "
 gn:29.19    Laban replied, "I prefer to give her to you rather than to an outsider.  Stay with me. "
 gn:29.20    So Jacob served seven years for Rachel, yet they seemed to him but a few days because of his love for her.
 gn:29.21    Then Jacob said to Laban, "Give me my wife, that I may consummate my marriage with her, for my term is now completed. "
 gn:29.22    So Laban invited all the local inhabitants and gave a feast.
 gn:29.23    At nightfall he took his daughter Leah and brought her to Jacob, and Jacob consummated the marriage with her.
 gn:29.24    (Laban assigned his slave girl Zilpah to his daughter Leah as her maidservant. )
 gn:29.25    In the morning Jacob was amazedit was Leah! So he cried out to Laban"How could you do this to me! Was it not for Rachel that I served you? Why did you dupe me?"
 gn:29.26    "It is not the custom in our country," Laban replied, "to marry off a younger daughter before an older one.
 gn:29.27    Finish the bridal week for this one, and then I will give you the other too, in return for another seven years of service with me. "
 gn:29.28    Jacob agreed.  He finished the bridal week for Leah, and then Laban gave him his daughter Rachel in marriage.
 gn:29.29    (Laban assigned his slave girl Bilhah to his daughter Rachel as her maidservant. )
 gn:29.30    Jacob then consummated his marriage with Rachel also, and he loved her more than Leah.  Thus he remained in Laban's service another seven years.
 gn:29.31    When the LORD saw that Leah was unloved, he made her fruitful, while Rachel remained barren.
 gn:29.32    Leah conceived and bore a son, and she named him Reuben; for she said, "It means, 'The LORD saw my misery; now my husband will love me. '"
 gn:29.33    She conceived again and bore a son, and said, "It means, 'The LORD heard that I was unloved,' and therefore he has given me this one also"; so she named him Simeon.
 gn:29.34    Again she conceived and bore a son, and she said, "Now at last my husband will become attached to me, since I have now borne him three sons"; that is why she named him Levi.
 gn:29.35    Once more she conceived and bore a son, and she said, "This time I will give grateful praise to the LORD"; therefore she named him Judah.  Then she stopped bearing children.
  
 gn:30.1     When Rachel saw that she failed to bear children to Jacob, she became envious of her sister.  She said to Jacob, "Give me children or I shall die!"
 gn:30.2     In anger Jacob retorted, "Can I take the place of God, who has denied you the fruit of the womb?"
 gn:30.3     She replied, "Here is my maidservant Bilhah.  Have intercourse with her, and let her give birth on my knees, so that I too may have offspring, at least through her. "
 gn:30.4     So she gave him her maidservant Bilhah as a consort, and Jacob had intercourse with her.
 gn:30.5     When Bilhah conceived and bore a son,
 gn:30.6     Rachel said, "God has vindicated me; indeed he has heeded my plea and given me a son. " Therefore she named him Dan.
 gn:30.7     Rachel's maidservant Bilhah conceived again and bore a second son,
 gn:30.8     and Rachel said, "I engaged in a fateful struggle with my sister, and I prevailed. " So she named him Naphtali.
 gn:30.9     When Leah saw that she had ceased to bear children, she gave her maidservant Zilpah to Jacob as a consort.
 gn:30.10    So Jacob had intercourse with Zilpah, and she conceived and bore a son.
 gn:30.11    Leah then said, "What good luck!" So she named him Gad.
 gn:30.12    Then Leah's maidservant Zilpah bore a second son to Jacob;
 gn:30.13    and Leah said, "What good fortune!"--meaning, "Women call me fortunate. " So she named him Asher.
 gn:30.14    One day, during the wheat harvest, when Reuben was out in the field, he came upon some mandrakes which he brought home to his mother Leah.  Rachel asked Leah, "Please let me have some of your son's mandrakes. "
 gn:30.15    Leah replied, "Was it not enough for you to take away my husband, that you must now take my son's mandrakes too?" "Very well, then!" Rachel answered.  "In exchange for your son's mandrakes, Jacob may lie with you tonight. "
 gn:30.16    That evening, when Jacob came home from the fields, Leah went out to meet him.  "You are now to come in with me," she told him, "because I have paid for you with my son's mandrakes. " So that night he slept with her,
 gn:30.17    and God heard her prayer; she conceived and bore a fifth son to Jacob.
 gn:30.18    Leah then said, "God has given me my reward for having let my husband have my maidservant"; so she named him Issachar.
 gn:30.19    Leah conceived again and bore a sixth son to Jacob;
 gn:30.20    and she said, "God has brought me a precious gift.  This time my husband will offer me presents, now that I have borne him six sons"; so she named him Zebulun.
 gn:30.21    Finally, she gave birth to a daughter, and she named her Dinah.
 gn:30.22    Then God remembered Rachel; he heard her prayer and made her fruitful.
 gn:30.23    She conceived and bore a son, and she said, "God has removed my disgrace. "
 gn:30.24    So she named him Joseph, meaning, "May the LORD add another son to this one for me!"
 gn:30.25    After Rachel gave birth to Joseph, Jacob said to Laban"Give me leave to go to my homeland.
 gn:30.26    Let me have my wives, for whom I served you, and my children, too, that I may depart.  You know very well the service that I have rendered you. "
 gn:30.27    Laban answered him"If you will please.  .  .  .  "I have learned through divination that it is because of you that God has blessed me.
 gn:30.28    So," he continued, "state what wages you want from me, and I will pay them. "
 gn:30.29    Jacob replied"You know what work I did for you and how well your livestock fared under my care;
 gn:30.30    the little you had before I came has grown into very much, since the LORD'S blessings came upon you in my company.  Therefore I should now do something for my own household as well. "
 gn:30.31    "What should I pay you?" Laban asked.  Jacob answered"You do not have to pay me anything outright.  I will again pasture and tend your flock, if you do this one thing for me:
 gn:30.32    go through your whole flock today and remove from it every dark animal among the sheep and every spotted or speckled one among the goats.  Only such animals shall be my wages.
 gn:30.33    In the future, whenever you check on these wages of mine, let my honesty testify against meany animal in my possession that is not a speckled or spotted goat, or a dark sheep, got there by theft!"
 gn:30.34    "Very well," agreed Laban.  "Let it be as you say. "
 gn:30.35    That same day Laban removed the streaked and spotted he-goats and all the speckled and spotted she-goats, all those with some white on them, as well as the fully dark-colored sheep; these he left.  .  .  in charge of his sons.
 gn:30.36    Then he put a three days' journey between himself and Jacob, while Jacob continued to pasture the rest of Laban's flock.
 gn:30.37    Jacob, however, got some fresh shoots of poplar, almond and plane trees, and he made white stripes in them by peeling off the bark down to the white core of the shoots.
 gn:30.38    The rods that he had thus peeled he then set upright in the watering troughs, so that they would be in front of the animals that drank from the troughs.  When the animals were in heat as they came to drink,
 gn:30.39    the goats mated by the rods, and so they brought forth streaked, speckled and spotted kids.
 gn:30.40    The sheep, on the other hand, Jacob kept apart, and he set these animals to face the streaked or fully dark-colored animals of Laban.  Thus he produced special flocks of his own, which he did not put with Laban's flock.
 gn:30.41    Moreover, whenever the hardier animals were in heat, Jacob would set the rods in the troughs in full view of these animals, so that they mated by the rods;
 gn:30.42    but with the weaker animals he would not put the rods there.  So the feeble animals would go to Laban, but the sturdy ones to Jacob.
 gn:30.43    Thus the man grew increasingly prosperous, and he came to own not only large flocks but also male and female servants and camels and asses.
  
 gn:31.1     Jacob learned that Laban's sons were saying, "Jacob has taken everything that belonged to our father, and he has accumulated all this wealth of his by using our father's property. "
 gn:31.2     Jacob perceived, too, that Laban's attitude toward him was not what it had previously been.
 gn:31.3     Then the LORD said to Jacob, "Return to the land of your fathers, where you were born, and I will be with you. "
 gn:31.4     So Jacob sent for Rachel and Leah to meet him where he was in the field with his flock.
 gn:31.5     There he said to them"I have noticed that your father's attitude toward me is not as it was in the past; but the God of my father has been with me.
 gn:31.6     You well know what effort I put into serving your father;
 gn:31.7     yet your father cheated me and changed my wages time after time.  God, however, did not let him do me any harm.
 gn:31.8     Whenever your father said, 'The speckled animals shall be your wages,' the entire flock would bear speckled young; whenever he said, 'The streaked animals shall be your wages,' the entire flock would bear streaked young.
 gn:31.9     Thus God reclaimed your father's livestock and gave it to me.
 gn:31.10    Once, in the breeding season, I had a dream in which I saw mating he-goats that were streaked, speckled and mottled.
 gn:31.11    In the dream God's messenger called to me, 'Jacob!' 'Here!' I replied.
 gn:31.12    Then he said'Note well.  All the he-goats in the flock, as they mate, are streaked, speckled and mottled, for I have seen all the things that Laban has been doing to you.
 gn:31.13    I am the God who appeared to you in Bethel, where you anointed a memorial stone and made a vow to me.  Up, then! Leave this land and return to the land of your birth. '"
 gn:31.14    Rachel and Leah answered him"Have we still an heir's portion in our father's house?
 gn:31.15    Are we not regarded by him as outsiders? He not only sold us; he has even used up the money that he got for us!
 gn:31.16    All the wealth that God reclaimed from our father really belongs to us and our children.  Therefore, do just as God has told you. "
 gn:31.17    Jacob proceeded to put his children and wives on camels,
 gn:31.18    and he drove off with all his livestock and all the property he had acquired in Paddan-aram, to go to his father Isaac in the land of Canaan.
 gn:31.19    Now Laban had gone away to shear his sheep, and Rachel had meanwhile appropriated her father's household idols.
 gn:31.20    Jacob had hoodwinked Laban the Aramean by not telling him of his intended flight.
 gn:31.21    Thus he made his escape with all that he had.  Once he was across the Euphrates, he headed for the highlands of Gilead.
 gn:31.22    On the third day, word came to Laban that Jacob had fled.
 gn:31.23    Taking his kinsmen with him, he pursued him for seven days until he caught up with him in the hill country of Gilead.
 gn:31.24    But that night God appeared to Laban the Aramean in a dream and warned him, "Take care not to threaten Jacob with any harm!"
 gn:31.25    When Laban overtook Jacob, Jacob's tents were pitched in the highlands; Laban also pitched his tents there, on Mount Gilead.
 gn:31.26    "What do you mean," Laban demanded of Jacob, "by hoodwinking me and carrying off my daughters like war captives?
 gn:31.27    Why did you dupe me by stealing away secretly? You should have told me, and I would have sent you off with merry singing to the sound of tambourines and harps.
 gn:31.28    You did not even allow me a parting kiss to my daughters and grandchildren! What you have now done is a senseless thing.
 gn:31.29    I have it in my power to harm all of you; but last night the God of your father said to me, 'Take care not to threaten Jacob with any harm!'
 gn:31.30    Granted that you had to leave because you were desperately homesick for your father's house, why did you steal my gods?"
 gn:31.31    "I was frightened," Jacob replied to Laban, "at the thought that you might take your daughters away from me by force.
 gn:31.32    But as for your gods, the one you find them with shall not remain alive! If, with my kinsmen looking on, you identify anything here as belonging to you, take it. " Jacob, of course, had no idea that Rachel had stolen the idols.
 gn:31.33    Laban then went in and searched Jacob's tent and Leah's tent, as well as the tents of the two maidservants; but he did not find the idols.  Leaving Leah's tent, he went into Rachel's.
 gn:31.34    Now Rachel had taken the idols, put them inside a camel cushion, and seated herself upon them.  When Laban had rummaged through the rest of her tent without finding them,
 gn:31.35    Rachel said to her father, "Let not my lord feel offended that I cannot rise in your presence; a woman's period is upon me. " So, despite his search, he did not find his idols.
 gn:31.36    Jacob, now enraged, upbraided Laban.  "What crime or offense have I committed," he demanded, "that you should hound me so fiercely?
 gn:31.37    Now that you have ransacked all my things, have you found a single object taken from your belongings? If so, produce it here before your kinsmen and mine, and let them decide between us two.
 gn:31.38    "In the twenty years that I was under you, no ewe or she-goat of yours ever miscarried, and I have never feasted on a ram of your flock.
 gn:31.39    I never brought you an animal torn by wild beasts; I made good the loss myself.  You held me responsible for anything stolen by day or night.
 gn:31.40    How often the scorching heat ravaged me by day, and the frost by night, while sleep fled from my eyes!
 gn:31.41    Of the twenty years that I have now spent in your household, I slaved fourteen years for your two daughters and six years for your flock, while you changed my wages time after time.
 gn:31.42    If my ancestral God, the God of Abraham and the Awesome One of Isaac, had not been on my side, you would now have sent me away empty-handed.  But God saw my plight and the fruits of my toil, and last night he gave judgment. "
 gn:31.43    Laban replied to Jacob"The women are mine, their children are mine, and the flocks are mine; everything you see belongs to me.  But since these women are my daughters, I will now do something for them and for the children they have borne.
 gn:31.44    Come, then, we will make a pact, you and I; the LORD shall be a witness between us. "
 gn:31.45    Then Jacob took a stone and set it up as a memorial stone.
 gn:31.46    Jacob said to his kinsmen, "Gather some stones. " So they got some stones and made a mound; and they had a meal there at the mound.
 gn:31.47    Laban called it Jegar-sahadutha, but Jacob named it Galeed.
 gn:31.48    "This mound," said Laban, "shall be a witness from now on between you and me. " That is why it was named Galeed--
 gn:31.49    and also Mizpah, for he said"May the LORD keep watch between you and me when we are out of each other's sight.
 gn:31.50    If you mistreat my daughters, or take other wives besides my daughters, remember that even though no one else is about, God will be witness between you and me. "
 gn:31.51    Laban said further to Jacob"Here is this mound, and here is the memorial stone that I have set up between you and me.
 gn:31.52    This mound shall be witness, and this memorial stone shall be witness, that, with hostile intent, neither may I pass beyond this mound into your territory, nor may you pass beyond it into mine.
 gn:31.53    He then offered a sacrifice on the mountain and invited his kinsmen to share in the meal.  When they had eaten, they passed the night on the mountain.
 gn:31.54    May the God of Abraham and the god of Nahor (their ancestral deities) maintain justice between us!" Jacob took the oath by the Awesome One of Isaac.
  
 gn:32.1     Early the next morning, Laban kissed his grandchildren and his daughters goodbye; then he set out on his journey back home,
 gn:32.2     while Jacob continued on his own way.  Then God's messengers encountered Jacob.
 gn:32.3     When he saw them he said, "This is God's encampment. " So he named that place Mahanaim.
 gn:32.4     Jacob sent messengers ahead to his brother Esau in the land of Seir, the country of Edom,
 gn:32.5     with this message"Thus shall you say to my lord Esau'Your servant Jacob speaks as followsI have been staying with Laban and have been detained there until now.
 gn:32.6     I own cattle, asses and sheep, as well as male and female servants.  I am sending my lord this information in the hope of gaining your favor. '"
 gn:32.7     When the messengers returned to Jacob, they said, "We reached your brother Esau.  He is now coming to meet you, accompanied by four hundred men. "
 gn:32.8     Jacob was very much frightened.  In his anxiety, he divided the people who were with him, as well as his flocks, herds and camels, into two camps.
 gn:32.9     "If Esau should attack and overwhelm one camp," he reasoned, "the remaining camp may still survive. "
 gn:32.10    Then he prayed"O God of my father Abraham and God of my father Isaac! You told me, O LORD, 'Go back to the land of your birth, and I will be good to you. '
 gn:32.11    I am unworthy of all the acts of kindness that you have loyally performed for your servantalthough I crossed the Jordan here with nothing but my staff, I have now grown into two companies.
 gn:32.12    Save me, I pray, from the hand of my brother Esau! Otherwise I fear that when he comes he will strike me down and slay the mothers and children.
 gn:32.13    You yourself said, 'I will be very good to you, and I will make your descendants like the sands of the sea, which are too numerous to count. '"
 gn:32.14    After passing the night there, Jacob selected from what he had with him the following presents for his brother Esau:
 gn:32.15    two hundred she-goats and twenty he-goats; two hundred ewes and twenty rams;
 gn:32.16    thirty milch camels and their young; forty cows and ten bulls; twenty she-asses and ten he-asses.
 gn:32.17    He put these animals in charge of his servants, in separate droves, and he told the servants, "Go on ahead of me, but keep a space between one drove and the next. "
 gn:32.18    To the servant in the lead he gave this instruction"When my brother Esau meets you, he may ask you, 'Whose man are you? Where are you going? To whom do these animals ahead of you belong?'
 gn:32.19    Then you shall answer, 'They belong to your brother Jacob, but they have been sent as a gift to my lord Esau; and Jacob himself is right behind us. '"
 gn:32.20    He gave similar instructions to the second servant and the third and to all the others who followed behind the droves, namely"Thus and thus shall you say to Esau, when you reach him;
 gn:32.21    and be sure to add, 'Your servant Jacob is right behind us. '" For Jacob reasoned, "If I first appease him with gifts that precede me, then later, when I face him, perhaps he will forgive me. "
 gn:32.22    So the gifts went on ahead of him, while he stayed that night in the camp.
 gn:32.23    In the course of that night, however, Jacob arose, took his two wives, with the two maidservants and his eleven children, and crossed the ford of the Jabbok.
 gn:32.24    After he had taken them across the stream and had brought over all his possessions,
 gn:32.25    Jacob was left there alone.  Then some man wrestled with him until the break of dawn.
 gn:32.26    When the man saw that he could not prevail over him, he struck Jacob's hip at its socket, so that the hip socket was wrenched as they wrestled.
 gn:32.27    The man then said, "Let me go, for it is daybreak. " But Jacob said, "I will not let you go until you bless me. "
 gn:32.28    "What is your name?" the man asked.  He answered, "Jacob. "
 gn:32.29    Then the man said, "You shall no longer be spoken of as Jacob, but as Israel, because you have contended with divine and human beings and have prevailed. "
 gn:32.30    Jacob then asked him, "Do tell me your name, please. " He answered, "Why should you want to know my name?" With that, he bade him farewell.
 gn:32.31    Jacob named the place Peniel, "Because I have seen God face to face," he said, "yet my life has been spared. "
 gn:32.32    At sunrise, as he left Penuel, Jacob limped along because of his hip.
 gn:32.33    That is why, to this day, the Israelites do not eat the sciatic muscle that is on the hip socket, inasmuch as Jacob's hip socket was struck at the sciatic muscle.
  
 gn:33.1     Jacob looked up and saw Esau coming, accompanied by four hundred men.  So he divided his children among Leah, Rachel and the two maidservants,
 gn:33.2     putting the maids and their children first, Leah and her children next, and Rachel and Joseph last.
 gn:33.3     He himself went on ahead of them, bowing to the ground seven times, until he reached his brother.
 gn:33.4     Esau ran to meet him, embraced him, and flinging himself on his neck, kissed him as he wept.
 gn:33.5     When Esau looked about, he saw the women and children.  "Who are these with you?" he asked.  Jacob answered, "They are the children whom God has graciously bestowed on your servant. "
 gn:33.6     Then the maidservants and their children came forward and bowed low;
 gn:33.7     next, Leah and her children came forward and bowed low; lastly, Rachel and her children came forward and bowed low.
 gn:33.8     Then Esau asked, "What did you intend with all those droves that I encountered?" Jacob answered, "It was to gain my lord's favor. "
 gn:33.9     "I have plenty," replied Esau; "you should keep what is yours, brother. "
 gn:33.10    "No, I beg you!" said Jacob.  "If you will do me the favor, please accept this gift from me, since to come into your presence is for me like coming into the presence of God, now that you have received me so kindly.
 gn:33.11    Do accept the present I have brought you; God has been generous toward me, and I have an abundance. " Since he so urged him, Esau accepted.
 gn:33.12    Then Esau said, "Let us break camp and be on our way; I will travel alongside you. "
 gn:33.13    But Jacob replied"As my lord can see, the children are frail.  Besides, I am encumbered with the flocks and herds, which now have sucklings; if overdriven for a single day, the whole flock will die.
 gn:33.14    Let my lord, then, go on ahead of me, while I proceed more slowly at the pace of the livestock before me and at the pace of my children, until I join my lord in Seir. "
 gn:33.15    Esau replied, "Let me at least put at your disposal some of the men who are with me. " But Jacob said, "For what reason? Please indulge me in this, my lord. "
 gn:33.16    So on the same day that Esau began his journey back to Seir,
 gn:33.17    Jacob journeyed to Succoth.  There he built a home for himself and made booths for his livestock.  That is why the place was called Succoth.
 gn:33.18    Having thus come from Paddan-aram, Jacob arrived safely at the city of Shechem, which is in the land of Canaan, and he encamped in sight of the city.
 gn:33.19    The plot of ground on which he had pitched his tent he bought for a hundred pieces of bullion from the descendants of Hamor, the founder of Shechem.
 gn:33.20    He set up a memorial stone there and invoked "El, the God of Israel. "
  
 gn:34.1     Dinah, the daughter whom Leah had borne to Jacob, went out to visit some of the women of the land.
 gn:34.2     When Shechem, son of Hamor the Hivite, who was chief of the region, saw her, he seized her and lay with her by force.
 gn:34.3     Since he was strongly attracted to Dinah, daughter of Jacob, indeed was really in love with the girl, he endeavored to win her affection.
 gn:34.4     Shechem also asked his father Hamor, "Get me this girl for a wife. "
 gn:34.5     Meanwhile, Jacob heard that Shechem had defiled his daughter Dinah; but since his sons were out in the fields with his livestock, he held his peace until they came home.
 gn:34.6     Now Hamor, the father of Shechem, went out to discuss the matter with Jacob,
 gn:34.7     just as Jacob's sons were coming in from the fields.  When they heard the news, the men were shocked and seethed with indignation.  What Shechem had done was an outrage in Israel; such a thing could not be tolerated.
 gn:34.8     Hamor appealed to them, saying"My son Shechem has his heart set on your daughter.  Please give her to him in marriage.
 gn:34.9     Intermarry with us; give your daughters to us, and take our daughters for yourselves.
 gn:34.10    Thus you can live among us.  The land is open before you; you can settle and move about freely in it, and acquire landed property here. "
 gn:34.11    Then Shechem, too, appealed to Dinah's father and brothers"Do me this favor, and I will pay whatever you demand of me.
 gn:34.12    No matter how high you set the bridal price, I will pay you whatever you ask; only give me the maiden in marriage. "
 gn:34.13    Jacob's sons replied to Shechem and his father Hamor with guile, speaking as they did because their sister Dinah had been defiled.
 gn:34.14    "We could not do such a thing," they said, "as to give our sister to an uncircumcised man; that would be a disgrace for us.
 gn:34.15    We will agree with you only on this condition, that you become like us by having every male among you circumcised.
 gn:34.16    Then we will give you our daughters and take yours in marriage; we will settle among you and become one kindred people with you.
 gn:34.17    But if you do not comply with our terms regarding circumcision, we will take our daughter and go away. "
 gn:34.18    Their proposal seemed fair to Hamor and his son Shechem.
 gn:34.19    The young man lost no time in acting in the matter, since he was deeply in love with Jacob's daughter.  Moreover he was more highly respected than anyone else in his clan.
 gn:34.20    So Hamor and his son Shechem went to their town council and thus presented the matter to their fellow townsmen:
 gn:34.21    "These men are friendly toward us.  Let them settle in the land and move about in it freely; there is ample room in the country for them.  We can marry their daughters and give our daughters to them in marriage.
 gn:34.22    But the men will agree to live with us and form one kindred people with us only on this condition, that every male among us be circumcised as they themselves are.
 gn:34.23    Would not the livestock they have acquired--all their animals--then be ours? Let us, therefore, give in to them, so that they may settle among us. "
 gn:34.24    All the able-bodied men of the town agreed with Hamor and his son Shechem, and all the males, including every able-bodied man in the community, were circumcised.
 gn:34.25    On the third day, while they were still in pain, Dinah's full brothers Simeon and Levi, two of Jacob's sons, took their swords, advanced against the city without any trouble, and massacred all the males.
 gn:34.26    After they had put Hamor and his son Shechem to the sword, they took Dinah from Shechem's house and left.
 gn:34.27    Then the other sons of Jacob followed up the slaughter and sacked the city in reprisal for their sister Dinah's defilement.
 gn:34.28    They seized their flocks, herds and asses, whatever was in the city and in the country around.
 gn:34.29    They carried off all their wealth, their women, and their children, and took for loot whatever was in the houses.
 gn:34.30    Jacob said to Simeon and Levi"You have brought trouble upon me by making me loathsome to the inhabitants of the land, the Canaanites and the Perizzites.  I have so few men that, if these people unite against me and attack me, I and my family will be wiped out. "
 gn:34.31    But they retorted, "Should our sister have been treated like a harlot?"
  
 gn:35.1     God said to Jacob"Go up now to Bethel.  Settle there and build an altar there to the God who appeared to you while you were fleeing from your brother Esau. "
 gn:35.2     So Jacob told his family and all the others who were with him"Get rid of the foreign gods that you have among you; then purify yourselves and put on fresh clothes.
 gn:35.3     We are now to go up to Bethel, and I will build an altar there to the God who answered me in my hour of distress and who has been with me wherever I have gone. "
 gn:35.4     They therefore handed over to Jacob all the foreign gods in their possession and also the rings they had in their ears.
 gn:35.5     Then, as they set out, a terror from God fell upon the towns round about, so that no one pursued the sons of Jacob.
 gn:35.6     Thus Jacob and all the people who were with him arrived in Luz (that is, Bethel) in the land of Canaan.
 gn:35.7     There he built an altar and named the place Bethel, for it was there that God had revealed himself to him when he was fleeing from his brother.
 gn:35.8     Death came to Rebekah's nurse Deborah; she was buried under the oak below Bethel, and so it was called Allonbacuth.
 gn:35.9     On Jacob's arrival from Paddan-aram, God appeared to him again and blessed him.
 gn:35.10    God said to him"You whose name is Jacob shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel shall be your name. " Thus he was named Israel.
 gn:35.11    God also said to him"I am God Almighty; be fruitful and multiply.  A nation, indeed an assembly of nations, shall stem from you, and kings shall issue from your loins.
 gn:35.12    The land I once gave to Abraham and Isaac I now give to you; And to your descendants after you will I give this land. "
 gn:35.13    Then God departed from him.
 gn:35.14    On the site where God had spoken with him, Jacob set up a memorial stone, and upon it he made a libation and poured out oil.
 gn:35.15    Jacob named the site Bethel, because God had spoken with him there.
 gn:35.16    Then they departed from Bethel; but while they still had some distance to go on the way to Ephrath, Rachel began to be in labor and to suffer great distress.
 gn:35.17    When her pangs were most severe, her midwife said to her, "Have no fear! This time, too, you have a son. "
 gn:35.18    With her last breath--for she was at the point of death-she called him Ben-oni; his father, however, named him Benjamin.
 gn:35.19    Thus Rachel died; and she was buried on the road to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem).
 gn:35.20    Jacob set up a memorial stone on her grave, and the same monument marks Rachel's grave to this day.
 gn:35.21    Israel moved on and pitched his tent beyond Migdal-eder.
 gn:35.22    While Israel was encamped in that region, Reuben went and lay with Bilhah, his father's concubine.  When Israel heard of it, he was greatly offended.  The sons of Jacob were now twelve.
 gn:35.23    The sons of LeahReuben, Jacob's first-born, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun;
 gn:35.24    the sons of RachelJoseph and Benjamin;
 gn:35.25    the sons of Rachel's maid BilhahDan and Naphtali;
 gn:35.26    the sons of Leah's maid ZilpahGad and Asher.  These are the sons of Jacob who were born to him in Paddan-aram.
 gn:35.27    Jacob went home to his father Isaac at Mamre, in Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron), where Abraham and Isaac had stayed.
 gn:35.28    The lifetime of Isaac was one hundred and eighty years;
 gn:35.29    then he breathed his last.  After a full life, he died as an old man and was taken to his kinsmen.  His sons Esau and Jacob buried him.
  
 gn:36.1     These are the descendants of Esau (that is, Edom).
 gn:36.2     Esau took his wives from among the Canaanite womenAdah, daughter of Elon the Hittite; Oholibamah, granddaughter through Anah of Zibeon the Hivite;
 gn:36.3     and Basemath, daughter of Ishmael and sister of Nebaioth.
 gn:36.4     Adah bore Eliphaz to Esau; Basemath bore Reuel;
 gn:36.5     and Oholibamah bore Jeush, Jalam and Korah.  These are the sons of Esau who were born to him in the land of Canaan.
 gn:36.6     Esau took his wives, his sons, his daughters, and all the members of his household, as well as his livestock comprising various animals and all the property he had acquired in the land of Canaan, and went to the land of Seir, out of the way of his brother Jacob.
 gn:36.7     Their possessions had become too great for them to dwell together, and the land in which they were staying could not support them because of their livestock.
 gn:36.8     So Esau settled in the highlands of Seir.  (Esau is Edom. )
 gn:36.9     These are the descendants of Esau, ancestor of the Edomites, in the highlands of Seir.
 gn:36.10    These are the names of Esau's sonsEliphaz, son of Esau's wife Adah; and Reuel, son of Esau's wife Basemath.
 gn:36.11    The sons of Eliphaz were Teman, Omar, Zepho, Gatam, and Kenaz.
 gn:36.12    (Esau's son Eliphaz had a concubine Timna, and she bore Amalek to Eliphaz. ) These are the descendants of Esau's wife Adah.
 gn:36.13    The sons of Reuel were Nahath, Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah.  These are the descendants of Esau's wife Basemath.
 gn:36.14    The descendants of Esau's wife Oholibamah--granddaughter through Anah of Zibeon--whom she bore to Esau were Jeush, Jalam, and Korah.
 gn:36.15    The following are the clans of Esau's descendants.  The descendants of Eliphaz, Esau's first-bornthe clans of Teman, Omar, Zepho, Kenaz,
 gn:36.16    Korah, Gatam, and Amalek.  These are the clans of Eliphaz in the land of Edom; they are descended from Adah.
 gn:36.17    The descendants of Esau's son Reuelthe clans of Nahath, Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah.  These are the clans of Reuel in the land of Edom; they are descended from Esau's wife Basemath.
 gn:36.18    The descendants of Esau's wife Oholibamahthe clans of Jeush, Jalam, and Korah.  These are the clans of Esau's wife Oholibamah, daughter of Anah.
 gn:36.19    Such are the descendants of Esau (that is, Edom) according to their clans.
 gn:36.20    The following are the descendants of Seir the Horite, the original settlers in the landLotan, Shobal, Zibeon, Anah,
 gn:36.21    Dishon, Ezer, and Dishan; they are the Horite clans descended from Seir, in the land of Edom.
 gn:36.22    Lotan's descendants were Hori and Hemam, and Lotan's sister was Timna.
 gn:36.23    Shobal's descendants were Alvan, Mahanath, Ebal, Shepho, and Onam.
 gn:36.24    Zibeon's descendants were Aiah and Anah.  (He is the Anah who found water in the desert while he was pasturing the asses of his father Zibeon. )
 gn:36.25    The descendants of Anah were Dishon and Oholibamah, daughter of Anah.
 gn:36.26    The descendants of Dishon were Hemdan, Eshban, Ithran, and Cheran.
 gn:36.27    The descendants of Ezer were Bilhan, Zaavan, and Akan.
 gn:36.28    The descendants of Dishan were Uz and Aran.
 gn:36.29    These are the Horite clansthe clans of Lotan, Shobal, Zibeon, Anah,
 gn:36.30    Dishon, Ezer, and Dishan; they were the clans of the Horites, clan by clan, in the land of Seir.
 gn:36.31    The following are the kings who reigned in the land of Edom before any king reigned over the Israelites.
 gn:36.32    Bela, son of Beor, became king in Edom; the name of his city was Dinhabah.
 gn:36.33    When Bela died, Jobab, son of Zerah, from Bozrah, succeeded him as king.
 gn:36.34    When Jobab died, Husham, from the land of the Temanites, succeeded him as king.  He defeated the Midianites in the country of Moab; the name of his city was Avith.
 gn:36.35    When Husham died, Hadad, son of Bedad, succeeded him as king.
 gn:36.36    When Hadad died, Samlah, from Masrekah, succeeded him as king.
 gn:36.37    When Samlah died, Shaul, from Rehoboth-on-the-River, succeeded him as king.
 gn:36.38    When Shaul died, Baal-hanan, son of Achbor, succeeded him as king.
 gn:36.39    When Baal-hanan died, Hadar succeeded him as king; the name of his city was Pau.  (His wife's name was Mehetabel; she was the daughter of Matred, son of Mezahab. )
 gn:36.40    The following are the names of the clans of Esau individually according to their subdivisions and localitiesthe clans of Timna, Alvah, Jetheth,
 gn:36.41    Oholibamah, Elah, Pinon,
 gn:36.42    Kenaz, Teman, Mibzar,
 gn:36.43    Magdiel, and Iram.  These are the clans of the Edomites, according to their settlements in their territorial holdings.  (Esau was the father of the Edomites. )
  
 gn:37.1     Jacob settled in the land where his father had stayed, the land of Canaan.
 gn:37.2     This is his family history.  When Joseph was seventeen years old, he was tending the flocks with his brothers; he was an assistant to the sons of his father's wives Bilhah and Zilpah, and he brought his father bad reports about them.
 gn:37.3     Israel loved Joseph best of all his sons, for he was the child of his old age; and he had made him a long tunic.
 gn:37.4     When his brothers saw that their father loved him best of all his sons, they hated him so much that they would not even greet him.
 gn:37.5     Once Joseph had a dream, which he told to his brothers:
 gn:37.6     "Listen to this dream I had.
 gn:37.7     There we were, binding sheaves in the field, when suddenly my sheaf rose to an upright position, and your sheaves formed a ring around my sheaf and bowed down to it. "
 gn:37.8     "Are you really going to make yourself king over us?" his brothers asked him.  "Or impose your rule on us?" So they hated him all the more because of his talk about his dreams.
 gn:37.9     Then he had another dream, and this one, too, he told to his brothers.  "I had another dream," he said; "this time, the sun and the moon and eleven stars were bowing down to me. "
 gn:37.10    When he also told it to his father, his father reproved him.  "What is the meaning of this dream of yours?" he asked.  "Can it be that I and your mother and your brothers are to come and bow to the ground before you?"
 gn:37.11    So his brothers were wrought up against him but his father pondered the matter.
 gn:37.12    One day, when his brothers had gone to pasture their father's flocks at Shechem,
 gn:37.13    Israel said to Joseph, "Your brothers, you know, are tending our flocks at Shechem.  Get ready; I will send you to them. " "I am ready," Joseph answered.
 gn:37.14    "Go then," he replied; "see if all is well with your brothers and the flocks, and bring back word. " So he sent him off from the valley of Hebron.  When Joseph reached Shechem,
 gn:37.15    a man met him as he was wandering about in the fields.  "What are you looking for?" the man asked him.
 gn:37.16    "I am looking for my brothers," he answered.  "Could you please tell me where they are tending the flocks?"
 gn:37.17    The man told him, "They have moved on from here; in fact, I heard them say, 'Let us go on to Dothan. '" So Joseph went after his brothers and caught up with them in Dothan.
 gn:37.18    They noticed him from a distance, and before he came up to them, they plotted to kill him.
 gn:37.19    They said to one another"Here comes that master dreamer!
 gn:37.20    Come on, let us kill him and throw him into one of the cisterns here; we could say that a wild beast devoured him.  We shall then see what comes of his dreams. "
 gn:37.21    When Reuben heard this, he tried to save him from their hands, saying"We must not take his life.
 gn:37.22    Instead of shedding blood," he continued, "just throw him into that cistern there in the desert; but don't kill him outright. " His purpose was to rescue him from their hands and restore him to his father.
 gn:37.23    So when Joseph came up to them, they stripped him of the long tunic he had on;
 gn:37.24    then they took him and threw him into the cistern, which was empty and dry.
 gn:37.25    They then sat down to their meal.  Looking up, they saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead, their camels laden with gum, balm and resin to be taken down to Egypt.
 gn:37.26    Judah said to his brothers"What is to be gained by killing our brother and concealing his blood?
 gn:37.27    Rather, let us sell him to these Ishmaelites, instead of doing away with him ourselves.  After all, he is our brother, our own flesh. " His brothers agreed.
 gn:37.28    They sold Joseph to the Ishmaelites for twenty pieces of silver.  Some Midianite traders passed by, and they pulled Joseph up out of the cistern and took him to Egypt.
 gn:37.29    When Reuben went back to the cistern and saw that Joseph was not in it, he tore his clothes,
 gn:37.30    and returning to his brothers, he exclaimed"The boy is gone! And I--where can I turn?"
 gn:37.31    They took Joseph's tunic, and after slaughtering a goat, dipped the tunic in its blood.
 gn:37.32    Then they sent someone to bring the long tunic to their father, with the message"We found this.  See whether it is your son's tunic or not. "
 gn:37.33    He recognized it and exclaimed"My son's tunic! A wild beast has devoured him! Joseph has been torn to pieces!"
 gn:37.34    Then Jacob rent his clothes, put sackcloth on his loins, and mourned his son many days.
 gn:37.35    Though his sons and daughters tried to console him, he refused all consolation, saying, "No, I will go down mourning to my son in the nether world. " Thus did his father lament him.
 gn:37.36    The Midianites, meanwhile, sold Joseph in Egypt to Potiphar, a courtier of Pharaoh and his chief steward.
  
 gn:38.1     About that time Judah parted from his brothers and pitched his tent near a certain Adullamite named Hirah.
 gn:38.2     There he met the daughter of a Canaanite named Shua, married her, and had relations with her.
 gn:38.3     She conceived and bore a son, whom she named Er.
 gn:38.4     Again she conceived and bore a son, whom she named Onan.
 gn:38.5     Then she bore still another son, whom she named Shelah.  They were in Chezib when he was born.
 gn:38.6     Judah got a wife named Tamar for his first-born, Er.
 gn:38.7     But Er, Judah's first-born, greatly offended the LORD; so the LORD took his life.
 gn:38.8     Then Judah said to Onan, "Unite with your brother's widow, in fulfillment of your duty as brother-in-law, and thus preserve your brother's line. "
 gn:38.9     Onan, however, knew that the descendants would not be counted as his; so whenever he had relations with his brother's widow, he wasted his seed on the ground, to avoid contributing offspring for his brother.
 gn:38.10    What he did greatly offended the LORD, and the LORD took his life too.
 gn:38.11    Thereupon Judah said to his daughter-in-law Tamar, "Stay as a widow in your father's house until my son Shelah grows up"--for he feared that Shelah also might die like his brothers.  So Tamar went to live in her father's house.
 gn:38.12    Years passed, and Judah's wife, the daughter of Shua, died.  After Judah completed the period of mourning, he went up to Timnah for the shearing of his sheep, in company with his friend Hirah the Adullamite.
 gn:38.13    When Tamar was told that her father-in-law was on his way up to Timnah to shear his sheep,
 gn:38.14    she took off her widow's garb, veiled her face by covering herself with a shawl, and sat down at the entrance to Enaim, which is on the way to Timnah; for she was aware that, although Shelah was now grown up, she had not been given to him in marriage.
 gn:38.15    When Judah saw her, he mistook her for a harlot, since she had covered her face.
 gn:38.16    So he went over to her at the roadside, and not realizing that she was his daughter-in-law, he said, "Come, let me have intercourse with you. " She replied, "What will you pay me for letting you have intercourse with me?"
 gn:38.17    He answered, "I will send you a kid from the flock. " "Very well," she said, "provided you leave a pledge until you send it. "
 gn:38.18    Judah asked, "What pledge am I to give to you?" She answered, "Your seal and cord, and the staff you carry. " So he gave them to her and had intercourse with her, and she conceived by him.
 gn:38.19    When she went away, she took off her shawl and put on her widow's garb again.
 gn:38.20    Judah sent the kid by his friend the Adullamite to recover the pledge from the woman; but he could not find her.
 gn:38.21    So he asked the men of the place, "Where is the temple prostitute, the one by the roadside in Enaim?" But they answered, "There has never been a temple prostitute here. "
 gn:38.22    He went back to Judah and told him, "I could not find her; and besides, the men of the place said there was no temple prostitute there. "
 gn:38.23    "Let her keep the things," Judah replied; "otherwise we shall become a laughingstock.  After all, I did send her the kid, even though you were unable to find her. "
 gn:38.24    About three months later, Judah was told that his daughter-in-law Tamar had played the harlot and was then with child from her harlotry.  "Bring her out," cried Judah; "she shall be burned. "
 gn:38.25    But as they were bringing her out, she sent word to her father-in-law, "It is by the man to whom these things belong that I am with child.  Please verify," she added, "whose seal and cord and whose staff these are. "
 gn:38.26    Judah recognized them and said, "She is more in the right than I am, since I did not give her to my son Shelah. " But he had no further relations with her.
 gn:38.27    When the time of her delivery came, she was found to have twins in her womb.
 gn:38.28     While she was giving birth, one infant put out his hand; and the midwife, taking a crimson thread, tied it on his hand, to note that this one came out first.
 gn:38.29    But as he withdrew his hand, his brother came out; and she said, "What a breach you have made for yourself!" So he was called Perez.
 gn:38.30    Afterward his brother came out; he was called Zerah.
  
 gn:39.1     When Joseph was taken down to Egypt, a certain Egyptian (Potiphar, a courtier of Pharaoh and his chief steward) bought him from the Ishmaelites who had brought him there.
 gn:39.2     But since the LORD was with him, Joseph got on very well and was assigned to the household of his Egyptian master.
 gn:39.3     When his master saw that the LORD was with him and brought him success in whatever he did,
 gn:39.4     he took a liking to Joseph and made him his personal attendant; he put him in charge of his household and entrusted to him all his possessions.
 gn:39.5     From the moment that he put him in charge of his household and all his possessions, the LORD blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake; in fact, the LORD'S blessing was on everything he owned, both inside the house and out.
 gn:39.6     Having left everything he owned in Joseph's charge, he gave no thought, with Joseph there, to anything but the food he ate.  Now Joseph was strikingly handsome in countenance and body.
 gn:39.7     After a time, his master's wife began to look fondly at him and said, "Lie with me. "
 gn:39.8     But he refused.  "As long as I am here," he told her, "my master does not concern himself with anything in the house, but has entrusted to me all he owns.
 gn:39.9     He wields no more authority in this house than I do, and he has withheld from me nothing but yourself, since you are his wife.  How, then, could I commit so great a wrong and thus stand condemned before God?"
 gn:39.10    Although she tried to entice him day after day, he would not agree to lie beside her, or even stay near her.
 gn:39.11    One such day, when Joseph came into the house to do his work, and none of the household servants were then in the house,
 gn:39.12    she laid hold of him by his cloak, saying, "Lie with me!" But leaving the cloak in her hand, he got away from her and ran outside.
 gn:39.13    When she saw that he had left his cloak in her hand as he fled outside,
 gn:39.14    she screamed for her household servants and told them, "Look! my husband has brought in a Hebrew slave to make sport of us! He came in here to lie with me, but I cried out as loud as I could.
 gn:39.15    When he heard me scream for help, he left his cloak beside me and ran away outside. "
 gn:39.16    She kept the cloak with her until his master came home.
 gn:39.17    Then she told him the same story"The Hebrew slave whom you brought here broke in on me, to make sport of me.
 gn:39.18    But when I screamed for help, he left his cloak beside me and fled outside. "
 gn:39.19    As soon as the master heard his wife's story about how his slave had treated her, he became enraged.
 gn:39.20    He seized Joseph and threw him into the jail where the royal prisoners were confined.  But even while he was in prison,
 gn:39.21    the LORD remained with Joseph; he showed him kindness by making the chief jailer well-disposed toward him.
 gn:39.22    The chief jailer put Joseph in charge of all the prisoners in the jail, and everything that had to be done there was done under his management.
 gn:39.23    The chief jailer did not concern himself with anything at all that was in Joseph's charge, since the LORD was with him and brought success to all he did.
  
 gn:40.1     Some time afterward, the royal cupbearer and baker gave offense to their lord, the king of Egypt.
 gn:40.2     Pharaoh was angry with his two courtiers, the chief cupbearer and the chief baker,
 gn:40.3     and he put them in custody in the house of the chief steward (the same jail where Joseph was confined).
 gn:40.4     The chief steward assigned Joseph to them, and he became their attendant.  After they had been in custody for some time,
 gn:40.5     the cupbearer and the baker of the king of Egypt who were confined in the jail both had dreams on the same night, each dream with its own meaning.
 gn:40.6     When Joseph came to them in the morning, he noticed that they looked disturbed.
 gn:40.7     So he asked Pharaoh's courtiers who were with him in custody in his master's house, "Why do you look so sad today?"
 gn:40.8     They answered him, "We have had dreams, but there is no one to interpret them for us. " Joseph said to them, "Surely, interpretations come from God.  Please tell the dreams to me. "
 gn:40.9     Then the chief cupbearer told Joseph his dream.  "In my dream," he said, "I saw a vine in front of me,
 gn:40.10    and on the vine were three branches.  It had barely budded when its blossoms came out, and its clusters ripened into grapes.
 gn:40.11    Pharaoh's cup was in my hand; so I took the grapes, pressed them out into his cup, and put it in Pharaoh's hand. "
 gn:40.12    Joseph said to him"This is what it means.  The three branches are three days;
 gn:40.13    within three days Pharaoh will lift up your head and restore you to your post.  You will be handing Pharaoh his cup as you formerly used to do when you were his cupbearer.
 gn:40.14    So if you will still remember, when all is well with you, that I was here with you, please do me the favor of mentioning me to Pharaoh, to get me out of this place.
 gn:40.15    The truth is that I was kidnaped from the land of the Hebrews, and here I have not done anything for which I should have been put into a dungeon. "
 gn:40.16    When the chief baker saw that Joseph had given this favorable interpretation, he said to him"I too had a dream.  In it I had three wicker baskets on my head;
 gn:40.17    in the top one were all kinds of bakery products for Pharaoh, but the birds were pecking at them out of the basket on my head. "
 gn:40.18    Joseph said to him in reply"This is what it means.  The three baskets are three days;
 gn:40.19    within three days Pharaoh will lift up your head and have you impaled on a stake, and the birds will be pecking the flesh from your body. "
 gn:40.20    And in fact, on the third day, which was Pharaoh's birthday, when he gave a banquet to all his staff, with his courtiers around him, he lifted up the heads of the chief cupbearer and chief baker.
 gn:40.21    He restored the chief cupbearer to his office, so that he again handed the cup to Pharaoh;
 gn:40.22    but the chief baker he impaled-just as Joseph had told them in his interpretation.
 gn:40.23    Yet the chief cupbearer gave no thought to Joseph; he had forgotten him.
  
 gn:41.1     After a lapse of two years, Pharaoh had a dream.  He saw himself standing by the Nile,
 gn:41.2     when up out of the Nile came seven cows, handsome and fat; they grazed in the reed grass.
 gn:41.3     Behind them seven other cows, ugly and gaunt, came up out of the Nile; and standing on the bank of the Nile beside the others,
 gn:41.4     the ugly, gaunt cows ate up the seven handsome, fat cows.  Then Pharaoh woke up.
 gn:41.5     He fell asleep again and had another dream.  He saw seven ears of grain, fat and healthy, growing on a single stalk.
 gn:41.6     Behind them sprouted seven ears of grain, thin and blasted by the east wind;
 gn:41.7     and the seven thin ears swallowed up the seven fat, healthy ears.  Then Pharaoh woke up, to find it was only a dream.
 gn:41.8     Next morning his spirit was agitated.  So he summoned all the magicians and sages of Egypt and recounted his dreams to them; but no one could interpret his dreams for him.
 gn:41.9     Then the chief cupbearer spoke up and said to Pharaoh"On this occasion I am reminded of my negligence.
 gn:41.10    Once, when Pharaoh was angry, he put me and the chief baker in custody in the house of the chief steward.
 gn:41.11    Later, we both had dreams on the same night, and each of our dreams had its own meaning.
 gn:41.12    There with us was a Hebrew youth, a slave of the chief steward; and when we told him our dreams, he interpreted them for us and explained for each of us the meaning of his dream.
 gn:41.13    And it turned out just as he had told usI was restored to my post, but the other man was impaled. "
 gn:41.14    Pharaoh therefore had Joseph summoned, and they hurriedly brought him from the dungeon.  After he shaved and changed his clothes, he came into Pharaoh's presence.
 gn:41.15    Pharaoh then said to him"I had certain dreams that no one can interpret.  But I hear it said of you that the moment you are told a dream you can interpret it. "
 gn:41.16    "It is not I," Joseph replied to Pharaoh, "but God who will give Pharaoh the right answer. "
 gn:41.17    Then Pharaoh said to Joseph"In my dream, I was standing on the bank of the Nile,
 gn:41.18    when up from the Nile came seven cows, fat and well-formed; they grazed in the reed grass.
 gn:41.19    Behind them came seven other cows, scrawny, most ill-formed and gaunt.  Never have I seen such ugly specimens as these in all the land of Egypt!
 gn:41.20    The gaunt, ugly cows ate up the first seven fat cows.
 gn:41.21    But when they had consumed them, no one could tell that they had done so, because they looked as ugly as before.  Then I woke up.
 gn:41.22    In another dream I saw seven ears of grain, fat and healthy, growing on a single stalk.
 gn:41.23    Behind them sprouted seven ears of grain, shriveled and thin and blasted by the east wind;
 gn:41.24    and the seven thin ears swallowed up the seven healthy ears.  I have spoken to the magicians, but none of them can give me an explanation. "
 gn:41.25    Joseph said to Pharaoh"Both of Pharaoh's dreams have the same meaning.  God has thus foretold to Pharaoh what he is about to do.
 gn:41.26    The seven healthy cows are seven years, and the seven healthy ears are seven years--the same in each dream.
 gn:41.27    So also, the seven thin, ugly cows that came up after them are seven years, as are the seven thin, wind-blasted ears; they are seven years of famine.
 gn:41.28    It is just as I told PharaohGod has revealed to Pharaoh what he is about to do.
 gn:41.29    Seven years of great abundance are now coming throughout the land of Egypt;
 gn:41.30    but these will be followed by seven years of famine, when all the abundance in the land of Egypt will be forgotten.  When the famine has ravaged the land,
 gn:41.31    no trace of the abundance will be found in the land because of the famine that follows it--so utterly severe will that famine be.
 gn:41.32    That Pharaoh had the same dream twice means that the matter has been reaffirmed by God and that God will soon bring it about.
 gn:41.33    "Therefore, let Pharaoh seek out a wise and discerning man and put him in charge of the land of Egypt.
 gn:41.34    Pharaoh should also take action to appoint overseers, so as to regiment the land during the seven years of abundance.
 gn:41.35    They should husband all the food of the coming good years, collecting the grain under Pharaoh's authority, to be stored in the towns for food.
 gn:41.36    This food will serve as a reserve for the country against the seven years of famine that are to follow in the land of Egypt, so that the land may not perish in the famine. "
 gn:41.37    This advice pleased Pharaoh and all his officials.
 gn:41.38    "Could we find another like him," Pharaoh asked his officials, "a man so endowed with the spirit of God?"
 gn:41.39    So Pharaoh said to Joseph"Since God has made all this known to you, no one can be as wise and discerning as you are.
 gn:41.40    You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people shall dart at your command.  Only in respect to the throne shall I outrank you.
 gn:41.41    Herewith," Pharaoh told Joseph, "I place you in charge of the whole land of Egypt. "
 gn:41.42    With that, Pharaoh took off his signet ring and put it on Joseph's finger.  He had him dressed in robes of fine linen and put a gold chain about his neck.
 gn:41.43    He then had him ride in the chariot of his vizier, and they shouted "Abrek!" before him.  Thus was Joseph installed over the whole land of Egypt.
 gn:41.44    "I, Pharaoh, proclaim," he told Joseph, "that without your approval no one shall move hand or foot in all the land of Egypt. "
 gn:41.45    Pharaoh also bestowed the name of Zaphnath-paneah on Joseph, and he gave him in marriage Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera, priest of Heliopolis.
 gn:41.46    Joseph was thirty years old when he entered the service of Pharaoh, king of Egypt.  After Joseph left Pharaoh's presence, he traveled throughout the land of Egypt.
 gn:41.47    During the seven years of plenty, when the land produced abundant crops,
 gn:41.48    he husbanded all the food of these years of plenty that the land of Egypt was enjoying and stored it in the towns, placing in each town the crops of the fields around it.
 gn:41.49    Joseph garnered grain in quantities like the sands of the sea, so vast that at last he stopped measuring it, for it was beyond measure.
 gn:41.50    Before the famine years set in, Joseph became the father of two sons, borne to him by Asenath, daughter of Potiphera, priest of Heliopolis.
 gn:41.51    He named his first-born Manasseh, meaning, "God has made me forget entirely the sufferings I endured at the hands of my family";
 gn:41.52    and the second he named Ephraim, meaning, "God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction. "
 gn:41.53    When the seven years of abundance enjoyed by the land of Egypt came to an end,
 gn:41.54    the seven years of famine set in, just as Joseph had predicted.  Although there was famine in all the other countries, food was available throughout the land of Egypt.
 gn:41.55    When hunger came to be felt throughout the land of Egypt and the people cried to Pharaoh for bread, Pharaoh directed all the Egyptians to go to Joseph and do whatever he told them.
 gn:41.56    When the famine had spread throughout the land, Joseph opened all the cities that had grain and rationed it to the Egyptians, since the famine had gripped the land of Egypt.
 gn:41.57    In fact, all the world came to Joseph to obtain rations of grain, for famine had gripped the whole world.
  
 gn:42.1     When Jacob learned that grain rations were available in Egypt, he said to his sons"Why do you keep gaping at one another?
 gn:42.2     I hear," he went on, "that rations of grain are available in Egypt.  Go down there and buy some for us, that we may stay alive rather than die of hunger. "
 gn:42.3     So ten of Joseph's brothers went down to buy an emergency supply of grain from Egypt.
 gn:42.4     It was only Joseph's full brother Benjamin that Jacob did not send with the rest, for he thought some disaster might befall him.
 gn:42.5     Thus, since there was famine in the land of Canaan also, the sons of Israel were among those who came to procure rations.
 gn:42.6     It was Joseph, as governor of the country, who dispensed the rations to all the people.  When Joseph's brothers came and knelt down before him with their faces to the ground,
 gn:42.7     he recognized them as soon as he saw them.  But he concealed his own identity from them and spoke sternly to them.  "Where do you come from?" he asked them.  They answered, "From the land of Canaan, to procure food. "
 gn:42.8     When Joseph recognized his brothers, although they did not recognize him,
 gn:42.9     he was reminded of the dreams he had about them.  He said to them"You are spies.  You have come to see the nakedness of the land. "
 gn:42.10    "No, my lord," they replied.  "On the contrary, your servants have come to procure food.
 gn:42.11    All of us are sons of the same man.  We are honest men; your servants have never been spies. "
 gn:42.12    But he answered them"Not so! You have come to see the nakedness of the land. "
 gn:42.13    "We your servants," they said, "were twelve brothers, sons of a certain man in Canaan; but the youngest one is at present with our father, and the other one is gone. "
 gn:42.14    "It is just as I said," Joseph persisted; "you are spies.
 gn:42.15    This is how you shall be testedunless your youngest brother comes here, I swear by the life of Pharaoh that you shall not leave here.
 gn:42.16    So send one of your number to get your brother, while the rest of you stay here under arrest.  Thus shall your words be tested for their truth; if they are untrue, as Pharaoh lives, you are spies!"
 gn:42.17    With that, he locked them up in the guardhouse for three days.
 gn:42.18    On the third day Joseph said to them"Do this, and you shall live; for I am a God-fearing man.
 gn:42.19    If you have been honest, only one of your brothers need be confined in this prison, while the rest of you may go and take home provisions for your starving families.
 gn:42.20    But you must come back to me with your youngest brother.  Your words will thus be verified, and you will not die. " To this they agreed.
 gn:42.21    To one another, however, they said"Alas, we are being punished because of our brother.  We saw the anguish of his heart when he pleaded with us, yet we paid no heed; that is why this anguish has now come upon us. "
 gn:42.22    "Didn't I tell you," broke in Reuben, "not to do wrong to the boy? But you wouldn't listen! Now comes the reckoning for his blood. "
 gn:42.23    They did not know, of course, that Joseph understood what they said, since he spoke with them through an interpreter.
 gn:42.24    But turning away from them, he wept.  When he was able to speak to them again, he had Simeon taken from them and bound before their eyes.
 gn:42.25    Then Joseph gave orders to have their containers filled with grain, their money replaced in each one's sack, and provisions given them for their journey.  After this had been done for them,
 gn:42.26    they loaded their donkeys with the rations and departed.
 gn:42.27    At the night encampment, when one of them opened his bag to give his donkey some fodder, he was surprised to see his money in the mouth of his bag.
 gn:42.28    "My money has been returned!" he cried out to his brothers.  "Here it is in my bag!" At that their hearts sank.  Trembling, they asked one another, "What is this that God has done to us?"
 gn:42.29    When they got back to their father Jacob in the land of Canaan, they told him all that had happened to them.
 gn:42.30    "The man who is lord of the country," they said, "spoke to us sternly and put us in custody as if we were spying on the land.
 gn:42.31    But we said to him'We are honest men; we have never been spies.
 gn:42.32    There were twelve of us brothers, sons of the same father; but one is gone, and the youngest one is at present with our father in the land of Canaan. '
 gn:42.33    Then the man who is lord of the country said to us'This is how I shall know if you are honest menleave one of your brothers with me, while the rest of you go home with rations for your starving families.
 gn:42.34    When you come back to me with your youngest brother, and I know that you are honest men and not spies, I will restore your brother to you, and you may move about freely in the land. '"
 gn:42.35    When they were emptying their sacks, there in each one's sack was his moneybag! At the sight of their moneybags, they and their father were dismayed.
 gn:42.36    Their father Jacob said to them"Must you make me childless? Joseph is gone, and Simeon is gone, and now you would take away Benjamin! Why must such things always happen to me?"
 gn:42.37    Then Reuben told his father"Put him in my care, and I will bring him back to you.  You may kill my own two sons if I do not return him to you. "
 gn:42.38    But Jacob replied"My son shall not go down with you.  Now that his full brother is dead, he is the only one left.  If some disaster should befall him on the journey you must make, you would send my white head down to the nether world in grief. "
  
 gn:43.1     Now the famine in the land grew more severe.
 gn:43.2     So when they had used up all the rations they had brought from Egypt, their father said to them, "Go back and procure us a little more food. "
 gn:43.3     But Judah replied"The man strictly warned us, 'You shall not appear in my presence unless your brother is with you. '
 gn:43.4     If you are willing to let our brother go with us, we will go down to procure food for you.
 gn:43.5     But if you are not willing, we will not go down, because the man told us, 'You shall not appear in my presence unless your brother is with you. '"
 gn:43.6     Israel demanded, "Why did you bring this trouble on me by telling the man that you had another brother?"
 gn:43.7     They answered"The man kept asking about ourselves and our family'Is your father still living? Do you have another brother?' We had to answer his questions.  How could we know that he would say, 'Bring your brother down here'?"
 gn:43.8     Then Judah urged his father Israel"Let the boy go with me, that we may be off and on our way if you and we and our children are to keep from starving to death.
 gn:43.9     I myself will stand surety for him.  You can hold me responsible for him.  If I fail to bring him back, to set him in your presence, you can hold it against me forever.
 gn:43.10    Had we not dilly-dallied, we could have been there and back twice by now!"
 gn:43.11    Their father Israel then told them"If it must be so, then do thisPut some of the land's best products in your baggage and take them down to the man as giftssome balm and honey, gum and resin, and pistachios and almonds.
 gn:43.12    Also take extra money along, for you must return the amount that was put back in the mouths of your bags; it may have been a mistake.
 gn:43.13    Take your brother, too, and be off on your way back to the man.
 gn:43.14    May God Almighty dispose the man to be merciful toward you, so that he may let your other brother go, as well as Benjamin.  As for me, if I am to suffer bereavement, I shall suffer it. "
 gn:43.15    So the men got the gifts, took double the amount of money with them, and, accompanied by Benjamin, were off on their way down to Egypt to present themselves to Joseph.
 gn:43.16    When Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he told his head steward, "Take these men into the house, and have an animal slaughtered and prepared, for they are to dine with me at noon. "
 gn:43.17    Doing as Joseph had ordered, the steward conducted the men to Joseph's house.
 gn:43.18    But on being led to his house, they became apprehensive.  "It must be," they thought, "on account of the money put back in our bags the first time, that we are taken inside; they want to use it as a pretext to attack us and take our donkeys and seize us as slaves. "
 gn:43.19    So they went up to Joseph's head steward and talked to him at the entrance of the house.
 gn:43.20    "If you please, sir," they said, "we came down here once before to procure food.
 gn:43.21    But when we arrived at a night's encampment and opened our bags, there was each man's money in the mouth of his bag--our money in the full amount! We have now brought it back.
 gn:43.22    We have brought other money to procure food with.  We do not know who put the first money in our bags. "
 gn:43.23    "Be at ease," he replied; "you have no need to fear.  Your God and the God of your father must have put treasures in your bags for you.  As for your money, I received it. " With that, he led Simeon out to them.
 gn:43.24    The steward then brought the men inside Joseph's house.  He gave them water to bathe their feet, and got fodder for their donkeys.
 gn:43.25    Then they set out their gifts to await Joseph's arrival at noon, for they had heard that they were to dine there.
 gn:43.26    When Joseph came home, they presented him with the gifts they had brought inside, while they bowed down before him to the ground.
 gn:43.27    After inquiring how they were, he asked them, "And how is your aged father, of whom you spoke? Is he still in good health?"
 gn:43.28    "Your servant our father is thriving and still in good health," they said, as they bowed respectfully.
 gn:43.29    When Joseph's eye fell on his full brother Benjamin, he asked, "Is this your youngest brother, of whom you told me?" Then he said to him, "May God be gracious to you, my boy!"
 gn:43.30    With that, Joseph had to hurry out, for he was so overcome with affection for his brother that he was on the verge of tears.  He went into a private room and wept there.
 gn:43.31    After washing his face, he reappeared and, now in control of himself, gave the order, "Serve the meal. "
 gn:43.32    It was served separately to him, to the brothers, and to the Egyptians who partook of his board.  (Egyptians may not eat with Hebrews; that is abhorrent to them. )
 gn:43.33    When they were seated by his directions according to their age, from the oldest to the youngest, they looked at one another in amazement;
 gn:43.34    and as portions were brought to them from Joseph's table, Benjamin's portion was five times as large as anyone else's.  So they drank freely and made merry with him.
  
 gn:44.1     Then Joseph gave his head steward these instructions"Fill the men's bags with as much food as they can carry, and put each man's money in the mouth of his bag.
 gn:44.2     In the mouth of the youngest one's bag put also my silver goblet, together with the money for his rations. " The steward carried out Joseph's instructions.
 gn:44.3     At daybreak the men and their donkeys were sent off.
 gn:44.4     They had not gone far out of the city when Joseph said to his head steward"Go at once after the men! When you overtake them, say to them, 'Why did you repay good with evil? Why did you steal the silver goblet from me?
 gn:44.5     It is the very one from which my master drinks and which he uses for divination.  What you have done is wrong. '"
 gn:44.6     When the steward overtook them and repeated these words to them,
 gn:44.7     they remonstrated with him"How can my lord say such things? Far be it from your servants to do such a thing!
 gn:44.8     We even brought back to you from the land of Canaan the money that we found in the mouths of our bags.  Why, then, would we steal silver or gold from your master's house?
 gn:44.9     If any of your servants is found to have the goblet, he shall die, and as for the rest of us, we shall become my lord's slaves. "
 gn:44.10    But he replied, "Even though it ought to be as you propose, only the one who is found to have it shall become my slave, and the rest of you shall be exonerated. "
 gn:44.11    Then each of them eagerly lowered his bag to the ground and opened it;
 gn:44.12    and when a search was made, starting with the oldest and ending with the youngest, the goblet turned up in Benjamin's bag.
 gn:44.13    At this, they tore their clothes.  Then, when each man had reloaded his donkey, they returned to the city.
 gn:44.14    As Judah and his brothers reentered Joseph's house, he was still there; so they flung themselves on the ground before him.
 gn:44.15    "How could you do such a thing?" Joseph asked them.  "You should have known that such a man as I could discover by divination what happened. "
 gn:44.16    Judah replied"What can we say to my lord? How can we plead or how try to prove our innocence? God has uncovered your servants' guilt.  Here we are, then, the slaves of my lord--the rest of us no less than the one in whose possession the goblet was found. "
 gn:44.17    "Far be it from me to act thus!" said Joseph.  "Only the one in whose possession the goblet was found shall become my slave; the rest of you may go back safe and sound to your father. "
 gn:44.18    Judah then stepped up to him and said"I beg you, my lord, let your servant speak earnestly to my lord, and do not become angry with your servant, for you are the equal of Pharaoh.
 gn:44.19    My lord asked your servants, 'Have you a father, or another brother?'
 gn:44.20    So we said to my lord, 'We have an aged father, and a young brother, the child of his old age.  This one's full brother is dead, and since he is the only one by that mother who is left, his father dotes on him. '
 gn:44.21    Then you told your servants, 'Bring him down to me that my eyes may look on him. '
 gn:44.22    We replied to my lord, 'The boy cannot leave his father; his father would die if he were to leave him. '
 gn:44.23    But you told your servants, 'Unless your youngest brother comes back with you, you shall not come into my presence again. '
 gn:44.24    When we returned to your servant our father, we reported to him the words of my lord.
 gn:44.25    "Later, our father told us to come back and buy some food for the family.
 gn:44.26    So we reminded him, 'We cannot go down there; only if our youngest brother is with us can we go, for we may not see the man if our youngest brother is not with us. '
 gn:44.27    Then your servant our father said to us, 'As you know, my wife bore me two sons.
 gn:44.28    One of them, however, disappeared, and I had to conclude that he must have been torn to pieces by wild beasts; I have not seen him since.
 gn:44.29    If you now take this one away from me too, and some disaster befalls him, you will send my white head down to the nether world in grief. '
 gn:44.30    "If then the boy is not with us when I go back to your servant my father, whose very life is bound up with his, he will die as soon as he sees that the boy is missing;
 gn:44.31    and your servants will thus send the white head of our father down to the nether world in grief.
 gn:44.32    Besides, I, your servant, got the boy from his father by going surety for him, saying, 'If I fail to bring him back to you, father, you can hold it against me forever. '
 gn:44.33    Let me, your servant, therefore, remain in place of the boy as the slave of my lord, and let the boy go back with his brothers.
 gn:44.34    How could I go back to my father if the boy were not with me? I could not bear to see the anguish that would overcome my father. "
  
 gn:45.1     Joseph could no longer control himself in the presence of all his attendants, so he cried out, "Have everyone withdraw from me!" Thus no one else was about when he made himself known to his brothers.
 gn:45.2     But his sobs were so loud that the Egyptians heard him, and so the news reached Pharaoh's palace.
 gn:45.3     "I am Joseph," he said to his brothers.  "Is my father still in good health?" But his brothers could give him no answer, so dumbfounded were they at him.
 gn:45.4     "Come closer to me," he told his brothers.  When they had done so, he said"I am your brother Joseph, whom you once sold into Egypt.
 gn:45.5     But now do not be distressed, and do not reproach yourselves for having sold me here.  It was really for the sake of saving lives that God sent me here ahead of you.
 gn:45.6     For two years now the famine has been in the land, and for five more years tillage will yield no harvest.
 gn:45.7     God, therefore, sent me on ahead of you to ensure for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives in an extraordinary deliverance.
 gn:45.8     So it was not really you but God who had me come here; and he has made of me a father to Pharaoh, lord of all his household, and ruler over the whole land of Egypt.
 gn:45.9     "Hurry back, then, to my father and tell him'Thus says your son JosephGod has made me lord of all Egypt; come to me without delay.
 gn:45.10    You will settle in the region of Goshen, where you will be near me--you and your children and grandchildren, your flocks and herds, and everything that you own.
 gn:45.11    Since five years of famine still lie ahead, I will provide for you there, so that you and your family and all that are yours may not suffer want. '
 gn:45.12    Surely, you can see for yourselves, and Benjamin can see for himself, that it is I, Joseph, who am speaking to you.
 gn:45.13    Tell my father all about my high position in Egypt and what you have seen.  But hurry and bring my father down here. "
 gn:45.14    Thereupon he flung himself on the neck of his brother Benjamin and wept, and Benjamin wept in his arms.
 gn:45.15    Joseph then kissed all his brothers, crying over each of them; and only then were his brothers able to talk with him.
 gn:45.16    When the news reached Pharaoh's palace that Joseph's brothers had come, Pharaoh and his courtiers were pleased.
 gn:45.17    So Pharaoh told Joseph"Say to your brothers'This is what you shall doLoad up your animals and go without delay to the land of Canaan.
 gn:45.18    There get your father and your families, and then come back here to me; I will assign you the best land in Egypt, where you will live off the fat of the land. '
 gn:45.19    Instruct them further'Do this.  Take wagons from the land of Egypt for your children and your wives and to transport your father on your way back here.
 gn:45.20    Do not be concerned about your belongings, for the best in the whole land of Egypt shall be yours. '"
 gn:45.21    The sons of Israel acted accordingly.  Joseph gave them the wagons, as Pharaoh had ordered, and he supplied them with provisions for the journey.
 gn:45.22    He also gave to each of them fresh clothing, but to Benjamin he gave three hundred shekels of silver and five sets of garments.
 gn:45.23    Moreover, what he sent to his father was ten jackasses loaded with the finest products of Egypt and ten jennies loaded with grain and bread and other provisions for his journey.
 gn:45.24    As he sent his brothers on their way, he told them, "Let there be no recriminations on the way. "
 gn:45.25    So they left Egypt and made their way to their father Jacob in the land of Canaan.
 gn:45.26    When they told him, "Joseph is still alive--in fact, it is he who is ruler of all the land of Egypt," he was dumbfounded; he could not believe them.
 gn:45.27    But when they recounted to him all that Joseph had told them, and when he saw the wagons that Joseph had sent for his transport, the spirit of their father Jacob revived.
 gn:45.28    "It is enough," said Israel.  "My son Joseph is still alive! I must go and see him before I die. "
  
 gn:46.1     Israel set out with all that was his.  When he arrived at Beer-sheba, he offered sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac.
 gn:46.2     There God, speaking to Israel in a vision by night, called, "Jacob! Jacob!" "Here I am," he answered.
 gn:46.3     Then he said"I am God, the God of your father.  Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for there I will make you a great nation.
 gn:46.4     Not only will I go down to Egypt with you; I will also bring you back here, after Joseph has closed your eyes. "
 gn:46.5     So Jacob departed from Beer-sheba, and the sons of Israel put their father and their wives and children on the wagons that Pharaoh had sent for his transport.
 gn:46.6     They took with them their livestock and the possessions they had acquired in the land of Canaan.  Thus Jacob and all his descendants migrated to Egypt.
 gn:46.7     His sons and his grandsons, his daughters and his granddaughters--all his descendants--he took with him to Egypt.
 gn:46.8     These are the names of the Israelites, Jacob and his descendants, who migrated to Egypt.  Reuben, Jacob's first-born,
 gn:46.9     and the sons of ReubenHanoch, Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi.
 gn:46.10    The sons of SimeonNemuel, Jamin, Ohad, Jachin, Zohar, and Shaul, son of a Canaanite woman.
 gn:46.11    The sons of LeviGershon, Kohath, and Merari.
 gn:46.12    The sons of JudahEr, Onan, Shelah, Perez, and Zerah--but Er and Onan had died in the land of Canaan; and the sons of Perez were Hezron and Hamul.
 gn:46.13    The sons of IssacharTola, Puah, Jashub, and Shimron.
 gn:46.14    The sons of ZebulunSered, Elon, and Jahleel.
 gn:46.15    These were the sons whom Leah bore to Jacob in Paddan-aram, along with his daughter Dinah--thirty-three persons in all, male and female.
 gn:46.16    The sons of GadZephon, Haggi, Shuni, Ezbon, Eri, Arod, and Areli.
 gn:46.17    The sons of AsherImnah, Ishvah, Ishvi, and Beriah, with their sister Serah; and the sons of BeriahHeber and Malchiel.
 gn:46.18    These were the descendants of Zilpah, whom Laban had given to his daughter Leah; these she bore to Jacob--sixteen persons in all.
 gn:46.19    The sons of Jacob's wife RachelJoseph and Benjamin.
 gn:46.20    In the land of Egypt Joseph became the father of Manasseh and Ephraim, whom Asenath, daughter of Potiphera, priest of Heliopolis, bore to him.
 gn:46.21    The sons of BenjaminBela, Becher, Ashbel, Gera, Naaman, Ahiram, Shupham, Hupham, and Ard.
 gn:46.22    These were the sons whom Rachel bore to Jacob--fourteen persons in all.
 gn:46.23    The sons of DanHushim.
 gn:46.24    The sons of NaphtaliJahzeel, Guni, Jezer, and Shillem.
 gn:46.25    These were the sons of Bilhah, whom Laban had given to his daughter Rachel; these she bore to Jacob--seven persons in all.
 gn:46.26    Jacob's people who migrated to Egypt--his direct descendants, not counting the wives of Jacob's sons--numbered sixty-six persons in all.
 gn:46.27    Together with Joseph's sons who were born to him in Egypt--two persons--all the people comprising Jacob's family who had come to Egypt amounted to seventy persons in all.
 gn:46.28    Israel had sent Judah ahead to Joseph, so that he might meet him in Goshen.  On his arrival in the region of Goshen,
 gn:46.29    Joseph hitched the horses to his chariot and rode to meet his father Israel in Goshen.  As soon as he saw him, he flung himself on his neck and wept a long time in his arms.
 gn:46.30    And Israel said to Joseph, "At last I can die, now that I have seen for myself that Joseph is still alive. "
 gn:46.31    Joseph then said to his brothers and his father's household"I will go and inform Pharaoh, telling him'My brothers and my father's household, whose home is in the land of Canaan, have come to me.
 gn:46.32    The men are shepherds, having long been keepers of livestock; and they have brought with them their flocks and herds, as well as everything else they own. '
 gn:46.33    So when Pharaoh summons you and asks what your occupation is,
 gn:46.34    you must answer, 'We your servants, like our ancestors, have been keepers of livestock from the beginning until now,' in order that you may stay in the region of Goshen, since all shepherds are abhorrent to the Egyptians. "
  
 gn:47.1     Joseph went and told Pharaoh, "My father and my brothers have come from the land of Canaan, with their flocks and herds and everything else they own; and they are now in the region of Goshen. "
 gn:47.2     He then presented to Pharaoh five of his brothers whom he had selected from their full number.
 gn:47.3     When Pharaoh asked them what their occupation was, they answered, "We, your servants, like our ancestors, are shepherds.
 gn:47.4     We have come," they continued, "in order to stay in this country, for there is no pasture for your servants' flocks in the land of Canaan, so severe has the famine been there.  Please, therefore, let your servants settle in the region of Goshen. "
 gn:47.5     Pharaoh said to Joseph, "They may settle in the region of Goshen; and if you know any of them to be qualified, you may put them in charge of my own livestock. " Thus, when Jacob and his sons came to Joseph in Egypt, and Pharaoh, king of Egypt, heard about it, Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Now that your father and brothers have come to you,
 gn:47.6     the land of Egypt is at your disposal; settle your father and brothers in the pick of the land. "
 gn:47.7     Then Joseph brought his father Jacob and presented him to Pharaoh.  After Jacob had paid his respects to Pharaoh,
 gn:47.8     Pharaoh asked him, "How many years have you lived?"
 gn:47.9     Jacob replied"The years I have lived as a wayfarer amount to a hundred and thirty.  Few and hard have been these years of my life, and they do not compare with the years that my ancestors lived as wayfarers. "
 gn:47.10    Then Jacob bade Pharaoh farewell and withdrew from his presence.
 gn:47.11    As Pharaoh had ordered, Joseph settled his father and brothers and gave them holdings in Egypt on the pick of the land, in the region of Rameses.
 gn:47.12    And Joseph sustained his father and brothers and his father's whole household, down to the youngest, with food.
 gn:47.13    Since there was no food in any country because of the extreme severity of the famine, and the lands of Egypt and Canaan were languishing from hunger,
 gn:47.14    Joseph gathered in, as payment for the rations that were being dispensed, all the money that was to be found in Egypt and Canaan, and he put it in Pharaoh's palace.
 gn:47.15    When all the money in Egypt and Canaan was spent, all the Egyptians came to Joseph, pleading, "Give us food or we shall perish under your eyes; for our money is gone. "
 gn:47.16    "Since your money is gone," replied Joseph, "give me your livestock, and I will sell you bread in return for your livestock. "
 gn:47.17    So they brought their livestock to Joseph, and he sold them food in return for their horses, their flocks of sheep and herds of cattle, and their donkeys.  Thus he got them through that year with bread in exchange for all their livestock.
 gn:47.18    When that year ended, they came to him in the following one and said"We cannot hide from my lord that, with our money spent and our livestock made over to my lord, there is nothing left to put at my lord's disposal except our bodies and our farm land.
 gn:47.19    Why should we and our land perish before your very eyes? Take us and our land in exchange for food, and we will become Pharaoh's slaves and our land his property; only give us seed, that we may survive and not perish, and that our land may not turn into a waste. "
 gn:47.20    Thus Joseph acquired all the farm land of Egypt for Pharaoh, since with the famine too much for them to bear, every Egyptian sold his field; so the land passed over to Pharaoh,
 gn:47.21    and the people were reduced to slavery, from one end of Egypt's territory to the other.
 gn:47.22    Only the priests' lands Joseph did not take over.  Since the priests had a fixed allowance from Pharaoh and lived off the allowance Pharaoh had granted them, they did not have to sell their land.
 gn:47.23    Joseph told the people"Now that I have acquired you and your land for Pharaoh, here is your seed for sowing the land.
 gn:47.24    But when the harvest is in, you must give a fifth of it to Pharaoh, while you keep four-fifths as seed for your fields and as food for yourselves and your families (and as food for your children). "
 gn:47.25    "You have saved our lives!" they answered.  "We are grateful to my lord that we can be Pharaoh's slaves. "
 gn:47.26    Thus Joseph made it a law for the land in Egypt, which is still in force, that a fifth of its produce should go to Pharaoh.  Only the land of the priests did not pass over to Pharaoh.
 gn:47.27    Thus Israel settled in the land of Egypt, in the region of Goshen.  There they acquired property, were fertile, and increased greatly.
 gn:47.28    Jacob lived in the land of Egypt for seventeen years; the span of his life came to a hundred and forty-seven years.
 gn:47.29    When the time approached for Israel to die, he called his son Joseph and said to him"If you really wish to please me, put your hand under my thigh as a sign of your constant loyalty to me; do not let me be buried in Egypt.
 gn:47.30    When I lie down with my ancestors, have me taken out of Egypt and buried in their burial place. "
 gn:47.31    "I will do as you say," he replied.  But his father demanded, "Swear it to me!" So Joseph swore to him.  Then Israel bowed at the head of the bed.

 gn:48.1     Some time afterward, Joseph was informed, "Your father is failing. " So he took along with him his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim.
 gn:48.2     When Jacob was told, "Your son Joseph has come to you," he rallied his strength and sat up in bed.
 gn:48.3     Jacob then said to Joseph"God Almighty appeared to me at Luz in the land of Canaan, and blessing me,
 gn:48.4     he said, 'I will make you fertile and numerous and raise you into an assembly of tribes, and I will give this land to your descendants after you as a permanent possession. '
 gn:48.5     Your two sons, therefore, who were born to you in the land of Egypt before I joined you here, shall be mine; Ephraim and Manasseh shall be mine as much as Reuben and Simeon are mine.
 gn:48.6     Progeny born to you after them shall remain yours; but their heritage shall be recorded in the names of their two brothers.
 gn:48.7     I do this because, when I was returning from Paddan, your mother Rachel died, to my sorrow, during the journey in Canaan, while we were still a short distance from Ephrath; and I buried her there on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem). "
 gn:48.8     When Israel saw Joseph's sons, he asked, "Who are these?"
 gn:48.9     "They are my sons," Joseph answered his father, "whom God has given me here. " "Bring them to me," said his father, "that I may bless them. "
 gn:48.10    (Now Israel's eyes were dim from age, and he could not see well. ) When Joseph brought his sons close to him, he kissed and embraced them.
 gn:48.11    Then Israel said to Joseph, "I never expected to see your face again, and now God has allowed me to see your descendants as well!"
 gn:48.12    Joseph removed them from his father's knees and bowed down before him with his face to the ground.
 gn:48.13    Then Joseph took the two, Ephraim with his right hand, to Israel's left, and Manasseh with his left hand, to Israel's right, and led them to him.
 gn:48.14    But Israel, crossing his hands, put out his right hand and laid it on the head of Ephraim, although he was the younger, and his left hand on the head of Manasseh, although he was the first-born.
 gn:48.15    Then he blessed them with these words"May the God in whose ways my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, The God who has been my shepherd from my birth to this day,
 gn:48.16    The Angel who has delivered me from all harm, bless these boys That in them my name be recalled, and the names of my fathers, Abraham and Isaac, And they may become teeming multitudes upon the earth!"
 gn:48.17    When Joseph saw that his father had laid his right hand on Ephraim's head, this seemed wrong to him; so he took hold of his father's hand, to remove it from Ephraim's head to Manasseh's,
 gn:48.18    saying, "That is not right, father; the other one is the first-born; lay your right hand on his head!"
 gn:48.19    But his father resisted.  "I know it, son," he said, "I know.  That one too shall become a tribe, and he too shall be great.  Nevertheless, his younger brother shall surpass him, and his descendants shall become a multitude of nations. "
 gn:48.20    So when he blessed them that day and said, "By you shall the people of Israel pronounce blessings; may they say, 'God make you like Ephraim and Manasseh,'" he placed Ephraim before Manasseh.
 gn:48.21    Then Israel said to Joseph"I am about to die.  But God will be with you and will restore you to the land of your fathers.
 gn:48.22    As for me, I give to you, as to the one above his brothers, Shechem, which I captured from the Amorites with my sword and bow. "
 gn:49.1      Jacob called his sons and said"Gather around, that I may tell you what is to happen to you in days to come.
 gn:49.2     "Assemble and listen, sons of Jacob, listen to Israel, your father.
 gn:49.3     "You, Reuben, my first-born, my strength and the first fruit of my manhood, excelling in rank and excelling in power!
 gn:49.4     Unruly as water, you shall no longer excel, for you climbed into your father's bed and defiled my couch to my sorrow.
 gn:49.5     "Simeon and Levi, brothers indeed, weapons of violence are their knives.
 gn:49.6     Let not my soul enter their council, or my spirit be joined with their company; For in their fury they slew men, in their willfulness they maimed oxen.
 gn:49.7     Cursed be their fury so fierce, and their rage so cruel! I will scatter them in Jacob, disperse them throughout Israel.
 gn:49.8     "You, Judah, shall your brothers praise --your hand on the neck of your enemies; the sons of your father shall bow down to you.
 gn:49.9     Judah, like a lion's whelp, you have grown up on prey, my son.  He crouches like a lion recumbent, the king of beasts--who would dare rouse him?
 gn:49.10    The scepter shall never depart from Judah, or the mace from between his legs, While tribute is brought to him, and he receives the people's homage.
 gn:49.11    He tethers his donkey to the vine, his purebred ass to the choicest stem.  In wine he washes his garments his robe in the blood of grapes.
 gn:49.12    His eyes are darker than wine, and his teeth are whiter than milk.
 gn:49.13    "Zebulun shall dwell by the seashore (This means a shore for ships), and his flank shall be based on Sidon.
 gn:49.14    "Issachar is a rawboned ass, crouching between the saddlebags.
 gn:49.15    When he saw how good a settled life was, and how pleasant the country, He bent his shoulder to the burden and became a toiling serf.
 gn:49.16    "Dan shall achieve justice for his kindred like any other tribe of Israel.
 gn:49.17    Let Dan be a serpent by the roadside, a horned viper by the path, That bites the horse's heel, so that the rider tumbles backward.
 gn:49.18    "(I long for your deliverance, O LORD!)
 gn:49.19    "Gad shall be raided by raiders, but he shall raid at their heels.
 gn:49.20    "Asher's produce is rich, and he shall furnish dainties for kings.
 gn:49.21    "Naphtali is a hind let loose which brings forth lovely fawns.
 gn:49.22    "Joseph is a wild colt ,a wild colt by a spring, a wild ass on a hillside.
 gn:49.23    Harrying and attacking, the archers opposed him;
 gn:49.24    But each one's bow remained stiff, as their arms were unsteady, By the power of the Mighty One of Jacob, because of the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel,
 gn:49.25    The God of your father, who helps you, God Almighty, who blesses you, With the blessings of the heavens above, the blessings of the abyss that crouches below, The blessings of breasts and womb,
 gn:49.26    the blessings of fresh grain and blossoms, The blessings of the everlasting mountains, the delights of the eternal hills.  May they rest on the head of Joseph, on the brow of the prince among his brothers.
 gn:49.27    "Benjamin is a ravenous wolf; mornings he devours the prey, and evenings he distributes the spoils. "
 gn:49.28    All these are the twelve tribes of Israel, and this is what their father said about them, as he bade them farewell and gave to each of them an appropriate message.
 gn:49.29    Then he gave them this charge"Since I am about to be taken to my kindred, bury me with my fathers in the cave that lies in the field of Ephron the Hittite,
 gn:49.30    the cave in the field of Machpelah, facing on Mamre, in the land of Canaan, the field that Abraham bought from Ephron the Hittite for a burial ground.
 gn:49.31    There Abraham and his wife Sarah are buried, and so are Isaac and his wife Rebekah, and there, too, I buried Leah--
 gn:49.32    the field and the cave in it that had been purchased from the Hittites. "
 gn:49.33    When Jacob had finished giving these instructions to his sons, he drew his feet into the bed, breathed his last, and was taken to his kindred.

 gn:50.1     Joseph threw himself on his father's face and wept over him as he kissed him.
 gn:50.2     Then he ordered the physicians in his service to embalm his father.  When they embalmed Israel,
 gn:50.3     they spent forty days at it, for that is the full period of embalming; and the Egyptians mourned him for seventy days.
 gn:50.4     When that period of mourning was over, Joseph spoke to Pharaoh's courtiers.  "Please do me this favor," he said, "and convey to Pharaoh this request of mine.
 gn:50.5     Since my father, at the point of death, made me promise on oath to bury him in the tomb that he had prepared for himself in the land of Canaan, may I go up there to bury my father and then come back?"
 gn:50.6     Pharaoh replied, "Go and bury your father, as he made you promise on oath. "
 gn:50.7     So Joseph left to bury his father; and with him went all of Pharaoh's officials who were senior members of his court and all the other dignitaries of Egypt,
 gn:50.8     as well as Joseph's whole household, his brothers, and his father's household; only their children and their flocks and herds were left in the region of Goshen.
 gn:50.9     Chariots, too, and charioteers went up with him; it was a very large retinue.
 gn:50.10    When they arrived at Goren-ha-atad, which is beyond the Jordan, they held there a very great and solemn memorial service; and Joseph observed seven days of mourning for his father.
 gn:50.11    When the Canaanites who inhabited the land saw the mourning at Goren-ha-atad, they said, "This is a solemn funeral the Egyptians are having. " That is why the place was named Abel-mizraim.  It is beyond the Jordan.
 gn:50.12    Thus Jacob's sons did for him as he had instructed them.
 gn:50.13    They carried him to the land of Canaan and buried him in the cave in the field of Machpelah, facing on Mamre, the field that Abraham had bought for a burial ground from Ephron the Hittite.
 gn:50.14    After Joseph had buried his father he returned to Egypt, together with his brothers and all who had gone up with him for the burial of his father.
 gn:50.15    Now that their father was dead, Joseph's brothers became fearful and thought, "Suppose Joseph has been nursing a grudge against us and now plans to pay us back in full for all the wrong we did him!"
 gn:50.16    So they approached Joseph and said"Before your father died, he gave us these instructions:
 gn:50.17    'You shall say to Joseph, Jacob begs you to forgive the criminal wrongdoing of your brothers, who treated you so cruelly. ' Please, therefore, forgive the crime that we, the servants of your father's God, committed. " When they spoke these words to him, Joseph broke into tears.
 gn:50.18    Then his brothers proceeded to fling themselves down before him and said, "Let us be your slaves!"
 gn:50.19    But Joseph replied to them"Have no fear.  Can I take the place of God?
 gn:50.20    Even though you meant harm to me, God meant it for good, to achieve his present end, the survival of many people.
 gn:50.21    Therefore have no fear.  I will provide for you and for your children. " By thus speaking kindly to them, he reassured them.
 gn:50.22    Joseph remained in Egypt, together with his father's family.  He lived a hundred and ten years.
 gn:50.23    He saw Ephraim's children to the third generation, and the children of Manasseh's son Machir were also born on Joseph's knees.
 gn:50.24    Joseph said to his brothers"I am about to die.  God will surely take care of you and lead you out of this land to the land that he promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. "
 gn:50.25    Then, putting the sons of Israel under oath, he continued, "When God thus takes care of you, you must bring my bones up with you from this place. "
 gn:50.26    Joseph died at the age of a hundred and ten.  He was embalmed and laid to rest in a coffin in Egypt.  [end of Genesis]

