CHAPTER1
Judah,thefourthsonofJacobandLeah.Heisthegiant, athlete,warrior;herecountsheroicdeedsHerunssofast thathecanoutstripahind
1ThecopyofthewordsofJudah,whatthingshespaketo hissonsbeforehedied
2Theygatheredthemselvestogether,therefore,andcame tohim,andhesaidtothem:Hearken,mychildren,to Judahyourfather
3IwasthefourthsonborntomyfatherJacob;andLeah mymothernamedmeJudah,saying,Igivethankstothe Lord,becauseHehathgivenmeafourthsonalso 4Iwasswiftinmyyouth,andobedienttomyfatherin everything
5AndIhonouredmymotherandmymother'ssister
6Anditcametopass,whenIbecameaman,thatmy fatherblessedme,saying,Thoushaltbeaking,prospering inallthings
7AndtheLordshowedmefavourinallmyworksbothin thefieldandinthehouse
8IknowthatIracedahind,andcaughtit,andpreparedthe meatformyfather,andhedideat.
9AndtheroesIusedtomasterinthechase,andovertake allthatwasintheplains
10AwildmareIovertook,andcaughtitandtamedit.
11Islewalionandpluckedakidoutofitsmouth
12Itookabearbyitspawandhurleditdownthecliff,and itwascrushed
13Ioutranthewildboar,andseizingitasIran,Itoreitin sunder.
14AleopardinHebronleapeduponmydog,andIcaught itbythetail,andhurleditontherocks,anditwasbroken intwain
15Ifoundawildoxfeedinginthefields,andseizingitby thehorns,andwhirlingitroundandstunningit,Icastit frommeandslewit.
16AndwhenthetwokingsoftheCanaanitescame sheathed,inarmouragainstourflocks,andmuchpeople withthem,singlehandedIrusheduponthekingofHazor, andsmotehimonthegreivesanddraggedhimdown,and soIslewhim
17Andtheother,thekingofTappuah,ashesatuponhis horse,Islew,andsoIscatteredallhispeople
18Achor,theking,amanofgiantstature,Ifound,hurling javelinsbeforeandbehindashesatonhorseback,andI tookupastoneofsixtypoundsweight,andhurleditand smotehishorse,andkilledit
19AndIfoughtwiththisotherfortwohours;andIclave hisshieldintwain,andIchoppedoffhisfeet,andkilled him
20AndasIwasstrippingoffhisbreastplate,beholdnine menhiscompanionsbegantofightwithme, 21AndIwoundmygarmentonmyhand;andIslung stonesatthem,andkilledfourofthem,andtherestfled.
22AndJacobmyfatherslewBeelesath,kingofallthe kings,agiantinstrength,twelvecubitshigh
23Andfearfelluponthem,andtheyceasedwarring againstus
24Thereforemyfatherwasfreefromanxietyinthewars whenIwaswithmybrethren.
25Forhesawinavisionconcerningmethatanangelof mightfollowedmeeverywhere,thatIshouldnotbe overcome.
26Andinthesouththerecameuponusagreaterwarthan thatinShechem;andIjoinedinbattlearraywithmy brethren,andpursuedathousandmen,andslewofthem twohundredmenandfourkings
27AndIwentupuponthewall,andIslewfourmighty men.
28AndsowecapturedHazor,andtookallthespoil
29AndthenextdaywedepartedtoAretan,acitystrong andwalledandinaccessible,threateninguswithdeath.
30ButIandGadapproachedontheeastsideofthecity, andReubenandLevionthewest
31Andtheythatwereuponthewall,thinkingthatwewere alone,weredrawndownagainstus
32Andsomybrotherssecretlyclimbedupthewallon bothsidesbystakes,andenteredthecity,whilethemen knewitnot
33Andwetookitwiththeedgeofthesword
34Andasforthosewhohadtakenrefugeinthetower,we setfiretothetowerandtookbothitand,them
35AndasweweredepartingthemenofTappuahseized ourspoil,andseeingthiswefoughtwiththem.
36Andweslewthemallandrecoveredourspoil
37AndwhenIwasatthewatersofKozeba,themenof Jobelcameagainstustobattle.
38Andwefoughtwiththemandroutedthem;andtheir alliesfromShilohweslew,andwedidnotleavethem powertocomeinagainstus
39AndthemenofMakircameuponusthefifthday,to seizeourspoil;andweattackedthemandovercamethem infiercebattle:fortherewasahostofmightymen amongstthem,andweslewthembeforetheyhadgoneup theascent.
40Andwhenwecametotheircitytheirwomenrolled uponusstonesfromthebrowofthehillonwhichthecity stood.
41AndIandSimeonhadourselvesbehindthetown,and seizedupontheheights,anddestroyedthiscityalso
42Andthenextdayitwastoldusthatthekingofthecity ofGaashwithamightyhostwascomingagainstus 43I,therefore,andDanfeignedourselvestobeAmorites, andasallieswentintotheircity.
44Andinthedepthofnightourbrethrencameandwe openedtothemthegates;andwedestroyedallthemenand theirsubstance,andwetookforapreyallthatwastheirs, andtheirthreewallswecastdown
45AndwedrewneartoThamna,wherewasallthe substanceofthehostilekings.
46Thenbeinginsultedbythem,Iwasthereforewroth,and rushedagainstthemtothesummit;andtheykeptslinging againstmestonesanddarts.
47AndhadnotDanmybrotheraidedme,theywouldhave slainme
48Wecameuponthem,therefore,withwrath,andtheyall fled;andpassingbyanotherway,theyfoughtmyfather, andhemadepeacewiththem
49Andwedidtothemnohurt,andtheybecametributary tous,andwerestoredtothemtheirspoil
50AndIbuiltThamna,andmyfatherbuiltPabael 51Iwastwentyyearsoldwhenthiswarbefell.Andthe Canaanitesfearedmeandmybrethren
52AndIhadmuchcattle,andIhadforchiefherdsman IramtheAdullamite
53AndwhenIwenttohimIsawParsaba,kingofAdullam; andhespakeuntous,andhemadeusafeast;andwhenI washeatedhegavemehisdaughterBathshuatowife
54ShebaremeEr,andOnanandShelah;andtwoofthem theLordsmote:forShelahlived,andhischildrenareye
CHAPTER2
Judahdescribessomearcheologicalfindings,acitywith wallsofIronandgatesofbrassHehasanencounterwith anadventuress
1Andeighteenyearsmyfatherabodeinpeacewithhis brotherEsau,andhissonswithus,afterthatwecamefrom Mesopotamia,fromLaban.
2Andwheneighteenyearswerefulfilled,inthefortieth yearofmylife,Esau,thebrotherofmyfather,cameupon uswithamightyandstrongpeople.
3AndJacobsmoteEsauwithanarrow,andhewastaken upwoundedonMountSeir,andashewenthediedat Anoniram.
4AndwepursuedafterthesonsofEsau
5Nowtheyhadacitywithwallsofironandgatesofbrass; andwecouldnotenterintoit,andweencampedaround, andbesiegedit
6Andwhentheyopenednottousintwentydays,Isetup aladderinthesightofallandwithmyshielduponmy headIwentup,sustainingtheassaultofstones,upwardsof threetalentsweight;andIslewfouroftheirmightymen
7AndReubenandGadslewsixothers.
8Thentheyaskedfromustermsofpeace;andhaving takencounselwithourfather,wereceivedthemas tributaries.
9Andtheygaveusfivehundredcorsofwheat,five hundredbathsofoil,fivehundredmeasuresofwine,until thefamine,whenwewentdownintoEgypt
10AndafterthesethingsmysonErtooktowifeTamar, fromMesopotamia,adaughterofAram.
11NowErwaswicked,andhewasinneedconcerning Tamar,becauseshewasnotofthelandofCanaan
12AndonthethirdnightanangeloftheLordsmotehim.
13Andhehadnotknownheraccordingtotheevil craftinessofhismother,forhedidnotwishtohave childrenbyher
14InthedaysoftheweddingfeastIgaveOnantoherin marriage;andhealsoinwickednessknewhernot,though hespentwithherayear.
15AndwhenIthreatenedhimhewentinuntoher,buthe spilledtheseedontheground,accordingtothecommand ofhismother,andhealsodiedthroughwickedness.
16AndIwishedtogiveShelahalsotoher,buthismother didnotpermitit;forshewroughtevilagainstTamar, becauseshewasnotthedaughtersofCanaan,asshealso herselfwas
17AndIknewthattheraceoftheCanaaniteswaswicked, buttheimpulseofyouthblindedmymind.
18AndwhenIsawherpouringoutwine,owingtothe intoxicationofwineIwasdeceived,andtookheralthough myfatherhadnotcounselledit.
19AndwhileIwasawayshewentandtookforShelaha wifefromCanaan
20AndwhenIknewwhatshehaddone,Icursedherinthe anguishofmysoul
21Andshealsodiedthroughherwickednesstogetherwith hersons.
22Andafterthesethings,whileTamarwasawidow,she heardaftertwoyearsthatIwasgoingup,toshearmy sheep,andadornedherselfinbridalarray,andsatinthe cityEnaimbythegate
23ForitwasalawoftheAmorites,thatshewhowas abouttomarryshouldsitinfornicationsevendaysbythe gate
24Thereforebeingdrunkwithwine,Ididnotrecognize her;andherbeautydeceivedme,throughthefashionofher adorning
25AndIturnedasidetoher,andsaid:Letmegoinunto thee.
26Andshesaid:Whatwiltthougiveme?AndIgaveher mystaff,andmygirdle,andthediademofmykingdomin pledge.
27AndIwentinuntoher,andsheconceived
28AndnotknowingwhatIhaddone,Iwishedtoslayher; butsheprivilysentmypledges,andputmetoshame.
29AndwhenIcalledher,Iheardalsothesecretwords whichIspokewhenlyingwithherinmydrunkenness;and Icouldnotslayher,becauseitwasfromtheLord.
30ForIsaid,Lesthaplyshediditinsubtlety,having receivedthepledgefromanotherwoman
31ButIcamenotagainnearherwhileIlived,becauseI haddonethisabominationinallIsrael
32Moreover,theywhowereinthecitysaidtherewasno harlotinthegate,becauseshecamefromanotherplace, andsatforawhileinthegate
33AndIthoughtthatnooneknewthatIhadgoneintoher. 34AndafterthiswecameintoEgypttoJoseph,becauseof thefamine
35AndIwasfortyandsixyearsold,andseventyandthree yearslivedIinEgypt
CHAPTER3
Hecounselsagainstwineandlustastwinevils."Forhe whoisdrunkenreverencethnoman"(Verse13).
1AndnowIcommandyou,mychildren,hearkentoJudah yourfather,andkeepmysayingstoperformallthe ordinancesoftheLord,andtoobeythecommandsofGod 2Andwalknotafteryourlusts,norintheimaginationsof yourthoughtsinhaughtinessofheart;andglorynotinthe deedsandstrengthofyouryouth,forthisalsoisevilinthe eyesoftheLord.
3SinceIalsogloriedthatinwarsnocomelywoman'sface everenticedme,andreprovedReubenmybrother concerningBilhah,thewifeofmyfather,thespiritsof jealousyandoffornicationarrayedthemselvesagainstme, untilIlaywithBathshuatheCanaanite,andTamar,who wasespousedtomysons.
4ForIsaidtomyfather-in-law:Iwilltakecounselwith myfather,andsowillItakethydaughter
5Andhewasunwillingbutheshowedmeaboundless storeofgoldinhisdaughter'sbehalf;forbewasaking
6Andheadornedherwithgoldandpearls,andcausedher topouroutwineforusatthefeastwiththebeautyof women.
7Andthewineturnedasidemyeyes,andpleasureblinded myheart
8AndIbecameenamouredofandIlaywithher,and transgressedthecommandmentoftheLordandthe commandmentofmyfathers,andItookhertowife
9AndtheLordrewardedmeaccordingtotheimagination ofmyheart,inasmuchasIhadnojoyinherchildren
10Andnow,mychildren,Isayuntoyou,benotdrunk withwine;forwineturneththemindawayfrom,thetruth, andinspiresthepassionoflust,andleadeththeeyesinto error
11Forthespiritoffornicationhathwineasaministerto givepleasuretothemind;forthesetwoalsotakeawaythe mindofman
12Forifamandrinkwinetodrunkenness,itdisturbeththe mindwithfilthythoughtsleadingtofornication,and heateththebodytocarnalunion;andiftheoccasionofthe lustbepresent,heworkeththesin,andisnotashamed.
13Suchistheinebriatedman,mychildren;forhewhois drunkenreverencethnoman.
14For,lo,itmademealsotoerr,sothatIwasnot ashamedofthemultitudeinthecity,inthatbeforetheeyes ofallIturnedasideuntoTamar,andIwroughtagreatsin, andIuncoveredthecoveringofmysons'shame.
15AfterIhaddrunkwineIreverencednotthe commandmentofGod,andItookawomanofCanaanto wife
16Formuchdiscretionneedeththemanwhodrinkethwine, mychildren;andhereinisdiscretionindrinkingwine,a manmaydrinksolongashepreservethmodesty
17Butifhegobeyondthislimitthespiritofdeceit attackethhismind,anditmakeththedrunkardtotalk filthily,andtotransgressandnottobeashamed,buteven togloryinhisshame,andtoaccounthimselfhonourable
18Hethatcommittethfornicationisnotawarewhenhe suffersloss,andisnotashamedwhenputtodishonour
19Foreventhoughamanbeakingandcommit fornication,heisstrippedofhiskingshipbybecomingthe slaveoffornication,asImyselfalsosuffered
20ForIgavemystaff,thatis,thestayofmytribe;andmy girdle,thatis,mypower;andmydiadem,thatis,theglory ofmykingdom
21AndindeedIrepentedofthesethings;wineandfleshI eatnotuntilmyoldage,nordidIbeholdanyjoy.
22AndtheangelofGodshowedmethatforeverdo womenbearruleoverkingandbeggaralike
23Andfromthekingtheytakeawayhisglory,andfrom thevaliantmanhismight,andfromthebeggareventhat littlewhichisthestayofhispoverty
24Observe,therefore,mychildren,therightlimitinwine; forthereareinitfourevilspirits--oflust,ofhotdesire,of profligacy,offilthylucre
25Ifyedrinkwineingladness,beyemodestinthefearof God
26ForifinyourgladnessthefearofGoddeparteth,then drunkennessarisethandshamelessnessstealethin.
27Butifyewouldlivesoberlydonottouchwineatall, lestyesininwordsofoutrage,andinfightingsand slanders,andtransgressionsofthecommandmentsofGod, andyeperishbeforeyourtime
28Moreover,winerevealeththemysteriesofGodandmen, evenasIalsorevealedthecommandmentsofGodandthe mysteriesofJacobmyfathertotheCanaanitishwoman Bathshua,whichGodbademenottoreveal
29Andwineisacausebothofwarandconfusion
30Andnow,Icommandyou,mychildren,nottolove money,nortogazeuponthebeautyofwomen;becausefor thesakeofmoneyandbeautyIwasledastraytoBathshua theCanaanite.
31ForIknowthatbecauseofthesetwothingsshallmy racefallintowickedness
32Forevenwisemenamongmysonsshalltheymar,and shallcausethekingdomofJudahtobediminished,which theLordgavemebecauseofmyobediencetomyfather
33ForInevercausedgrieftoJacob,myfather;forall thingswhatsoeverhecommandedIdid
34AndIsaac,thefatherofmyfather,blessedmetobe kinginIsrael,andJacobfurtherblessedmeinlikemanner.
35AndIknowthatfrommeshallthekingdombe established
36AndIknowwhatevilsyewilldointhelastdays.
37Beware,therefore,mychildren,offornication,andthe loveofmoney,andhearkentoJudahyourfather.
38ForthesethingswithdrawaufromthelawofGod,and blindtheinclinationofthesoul,andteacharrogance,and suffernotamantohavecompassionuponhisneighbour 39Theyrobhissoulofallgoodness,andoppresshimwith toilsandtroubles,anddriveawaysleepfromhim,and devourhisflesh
40AndhehindereththesacrificesofGod;andhe rememberethnottheblessingofGod,hehearkenethnotto aprophetwhenhespeaketh,andresenteththewordsof godliness
41Forheisaslavetotwocontrarypassions,andcannot obeyGod,becausetheyhaveblindedhissoul,andhe walkethinthedayasinthenight.
42Mychildren,theloveofmoneyleadethtoidolatry; because,whenledastraythroughmoney,mennameas godsthosewhoarenotgods,anditcausethhimwhohath ittofallintomadness
43ForthesakeofmoneyIlostmychildren,andhadnot myrepentance,andmyhumiliation,andtheprayersofmy fatherbeenaccepted,Ishouldhavediedchildless 44ButtheGodofmyfathershadmercyonme,becauseI diditinignorance
45Andtheprinceofdeceitblindedme,andIsinnedasa manandasflesh,beingcorruptedthroughsins;andIlearnt myownweaknesswhilethinkingmyselfinvincible 46Know,therefore,mychildren,thattwospiritswaitupon man-thespiritoftruthandthespiritofdeceit.
47Andinthemidstisthespiritofunderstandingofthe mind,towhichitbelongethtoturnwhithersoeveritwill Andtheworksoftruthandtheworksofdeceitarewritten upontheheartsofmen,andeachoneofthemtheLord knoweth
49Andthereisnotimeatwhichtheworksofmencanbe hid;forontheheartitselfhavetheybeenwrittendown beforetheLord
50Andthespiritoftruthtestifiethallthings,andaccuseth all;andthesinnerisburntupbyhisownheart,andcannot raisehisfacetothejudge
CHAPTER4
Judahmakesavividsimileconcerningtyrannyandadire prophecyconcerningthemoralsofhislisteners
1Andnow,mychildren,Icommandyou,loveLevi,that yemayabide,andexaltnotyourselvesagainsthim,lestye beutterlydestroyed
2FortometheLordgavethekingdom,andtohimthe priesthood,andHesetthekingdombeneaththepriesthood
3TomeHegavethethingsupontheearth;tohimthe thingsintheheavens.
4Astheheavenishigherthantheearth,soisthe priesthoodofGodhigherthantheearthlykingdom,unless itfallsawaythroughsinfromtheLordandisdominatedby theearthlykingdom
5FortheangeloftheLordsaiduntome:TheLordchose himratherthanthee,todrawneartoHim,andtoeatofHis tableandtoofferHimthefirst-fruitsofthechoicethingsof thesonsofIsrael;butthoushaltbekingofJacob
6Andthoushaltbeamongstthemasthesea.
7Foras,onthesea,justandunjustaretossedabout,some takenintocaptivitywhilesomeareenriched,soalsoshall everyraceofmenbeinthee:someshallbeimpoverished, beingtakencaptive,andothersgrowrichbyplunderingthe possessionsofothers
8Forthekingsshallbeassea-monsters.
9Theyshallswallowmenlikefishes:thesonsand daughtersoffreemenshalltheyenslave;houses,lands, flocks,moneyshalltheyplunder:
10Andwiththefleshofmanyshalltheywrongfullyfeed theravensandthecranes;andtheyshalladvanceinevilin covetousnessuplifted,andthereshallbefalseprophetslike tempest,andtheyshallpersecuteallrighteousmen
11AndtheLordshallbringuponthemdivisionsone againstanother.
12AndthereshallbecontinualwarsinIsrael;andamong menofanotherraceshallmykingdombebroughttoan end,untilthesalvationofIsraelshallcome
13UntiltheappearingoftheGodofrighteousness,that Jacob,andalltheGentilesmayrestinpeace.
14AndHeshallguardthemightofmykingdomforever; fortheLordawaretomewithanoaththatHewouldnot destroythekingdomfrommyseedforever.
15NowIhavemuchgrief,mychildren,becauseofyour lewdnessandwitchcrafts,andidolatrieswhichyeshall practiseagainstthekingdom,followingthemthathave familiarspirits,diviners,anddemonsoferror
16Yeshallmakeyourdaughterssinginggirlsandharlots, andyeshallmingleintheabominationsoftheGentiles.
17Forwhichthings'saketheLordshallbringuponyou famineandpestilence,deathandthesword,beleaguering byenemies,andrevilingsoffriends,theslaughterof children,therapeofwives,theplunderingofpossessions, theburningofthetempleofGod,thelayingwasteofthe land,theenslavementofyourselvesamongtheGentiles.
18Andtheyshallmakesomeofyoueunuchsfortheir wives
19UntiltheLordvisityou,whenwithperfectheartye repentandwalkinallHiscommandments,andHebring youupfromcaptivityamongtheGentiles
20Andafterthesethingsshallastararisetoyoufrom Jacobinpeace,
21Andamanshallarisefrommyseed,likethesunof righteousness, 22Walkingwiththesonsofmeninmeeknessand righteousness;
23Andnosinshallbefoundinhim
24Andtheheavensshallbeopeneduntohim,topourout thespirit,eventheblessingoftheHolyFather;andHe shallpouroutthespiritofgraceuponyou;
25AndyeshallbeuntoHimsonsintruth,andyeshall walkinHiscommandmentsfirstandlast
26Thenshallthesceptreofmykingdomshineforth;and fromyourrootshallariseastem;andfromitshallgrowa rodofrighteousnesstotheGentiles,tojudgeandtosave allthatcallupontheLord
27AndafterthesethingsshallAbrahamandIsaacand Jacobariseuntolife;andIandmybrethrenshallbechiefs ofthetribesofIsrael:
28Levifirst,Ithesecond,Josephthird,Benjaminfourth, Simeonfifth,Issacharsixth,andsoallinorder
29AndtheLordblessedLevi,andtheAngelofthe Presence,me;thepowersofglory,Simeon;theheaven, Reuben;theearth,Issachar;thesea,Zebulun;the mountains,Joseph;thetabernacle,Benjamin;the luminaries,Dan;Eden,Naphtali;thesun,Gad;themoon, Asher
30AndyeshallbethepeopleoftheLord,andhaveone tongue;andthereshallbetherenospiritofdeceitofBeliar, forheshallbecastintothefireforever
31Andtheywhohavediedingriefshallariseinjoy,and theywhowerepoorfortheLord'ssakeshallbemaderich, andtheywhoareputtodeathfortheLord'ssakeshall awaketolife.
32AndthehartsofJacobshallruninjoyfulness,andthe eaglesofIsraelshallflyingladness;andallthepeople shallglorifytheLordforever.
33Observe,therefore,mychildren,allthelawoftheLord, forthereishopeforallthemwhoholdfastunto,Hisways 34Andhesaidtothem:Behold,Idiebeforeyoureyesthis day,ahundredandnineteenyearsold
35Letnooneburymeincostlyapparel,nortearopenmy bowels,forthisshalltheywhoarekingsdo;andcarryme uptoHebronwithyou
36AndJudah,whenhehadsaidthesethings,fellasleep; andhissonsdidaccordingtoallwhatsoeverhe commandedthem,andtheyburiedhiminHebron,withhis fathers