Douay Genesis 38

Book Of Genesis  Chapter 38
The sons of Juda: the death of Her and Onan: the birth of Phares and Zara.

[1] At that time Juda went down from his brethren, and turned in to a certain Odollamite, named Hiras. [2] And he saw there the daughter of a man of Chanaan, called Sue: and taking her to wife, he went in unto her. [3] And she conceived, and bore a son, and called his name Her. [4] And conceiving again, she bore a son, and called him Onan. [5] She bore also a third: whom she called Sela. After whose birth, she ceased to bear any more.

[6] And Juda took a wife for Her his firstborn, whose name was Thamar. [7] And Her, the firstborn of Juda, was wicked in the sight of the Lord: and was slain by him. [8] Juda, therefore said to Onan his son: Go in to thy brother' s wife and marry her, that thou mayst raise seed to thy brother. [9] He knowing that the children should not be his, when he went in to his brother' s wife, spilled his seed upon the ground, lest children should be born in his brother' s name. [10] And therefore the Lord slew him, because he did a detestable thing.

[11] Wherefore Juda said to Thamar his daughter in law: Remain a widow in thy father' s house, till Sela my son grow up: for he was afraid lest he also might die, as his brethren did. She went her way and dwelt in her father' s house. [12] And after many days were past, the daughter of Sue the wife of Juda died: and when he had taken comfort after his mourning, he went up to Thamnas, to the shearers of his sheep, he and Hiras the Odollamite the shepherd of his flock. [13] And it was told Thamar that her father in law was come up to Thamnas to shear his sheep. [14] And she put off the garments of her widowhood, and took a veil: and changing her dress, sat in the cross way, that leadeth to Thamnas: because Sela was grown up, and she had not been married to him. [15] When Juda saw her, he thought she was a harlot: for she had covered her face, lest she should be known.

[16] And going to her, he said: Suffer me to lie with thee: for he knew her not to be his daughter in law. And she answered: What wilt thou give me to enjoy my company? [17] He said: I will send thee a kid out of the flock. And when she said again: I will suffer what thou wilt, if thou give a pledge, till thou send what thou promisest, [18] Juda said: What wilt thou have for a pledge? She answered: Thy ring and bracelet, and the staff which thou holdest in thy hand. The woman therefore at one copulation conceived. [19] And she arose and went her way: and putting off the apparel which she had taken, put on the garments of her widowhood. [20] And Juda sent a kid by his shepherd, the Odollamite, that he might receive the pledge again, which he had given to the woman: but he, not finding her,

[21] Asked the men of that place: Where is the woman that sat in the cross way? And when they all made answer: There was no harlot in this place, [22] He returned to Juda, and said to him: I have not found her; moreover the men of that place said to me, that there never sat a harlot there. [23] Juda said: Let her take it to herself; surely she cannot charge us with a, lie: I sent the kid which I promised: and thou didst not find her. [24] And behold after three months they told Juda, saying: Thamar, thy daughter in law hath played the harlot, and she appeareth to have a big belly. And Juda said: Bring her out that she may be burnt. [25] But when she was led to execution, she sent to her father in law, saying: By the man, to whom these things belong, I am with child. See whose ring, and bracelet, and staff this is.

[26] But he acknowledging the gifts, said: She is juster than I: because I did not give her to Sela, my son. However, he knew her no more. [27] And when she was ready to be brought to bed, there appeared twins in her womb: and in the very delivery of the infants, one put forth a hand, whereon the midwife tied a scarlet thread, saying: [28] This shall come forth the first. [29] But he drawing back his hand, the other came forth: and the woman said: Why is the partition divided for thee? and therefore called his name Phares. [30] Afterwards his brother came out, on whose hand was the scarlet thread: and she called him Zara.