Genesis 38

1 And it came to pass at that time, that Judah went down from his brethren, and turned in to a certain Adullamite, whose name was Hirah.WBS — Genesis 38:1

2 And Judah saw there a daughter of a certain Canaanite, whose name was Shuah; and he took her, and went in to her.WBS — Genesis 38:2

3 And she conceived, and bore a son; and he called his name Er.WBS — Genesis 38:3

4 And she conceived again, and bore a son; and she called his name Onan.WBS — Genesis 38:4

5 And she yet again conceived, and bore a son; and called his name Shelah: and he was at Chezib, when she bore him.WBS — Genesis 38:5

6 And Judah took a wife for Er his first-born, whose name was Tamar.WBS — Genesis 38:6

7 And Er, Judah’s first-born, was wicked in the sight of the LORD; and the LORD slew him.WBS — Genesis 38:7

8 And Judah said to Onan, Go in to thy brother’s wife, and marry her, and raise up seed to thy brother.WBS — Genesis 38:8

9 And Onan knew that the seed would not be his: and it came to pass, when he went in to his brother’s wife, that he frustrated the purpose, lest he should give seed to his brother.WBS — Genesis 38:9

10 And the thing which he did displeased the LORD: wherefore he slew him also.WBS — Genesis 38:10

11 Then said Judah to Tamar his daughter-in-law, Remain a widow at thy father’s house, till Shelah my son shall be grown; (for he said, Lest perhaps he die also as his brethren did:) and Tamar went and dwelt in her father’s house.WBS — Genesis 38:11

12 And in process of time, the daughter of Shuah Judah’s wife died: and Judah was comforted, and went up to his sheep-shearers to Timnath, he and his friend Hirah the Adullamite.WBS — Genesis 38:12

13 And it was told to Tamar, saying, Behold, thy father-in-law goeth up to Timnath, to shear his sheep.WBS — Genesis 38:13

14 And she put off from her, her widow’s garments, and covered her with a vail, and wrapped herself, and sat in an open place, which is by the way to Timnath: for she saw that Shelah was grown, and she was not given to him for a wife.WBS — Genesis 38:14

15 When Judah saw her, he thought her to be a harlot; because she had covered her face.WBS — Genesis 38:15

16 And he turned to her by the way, and said, Come, I pray thee, let me have access to thee; (for he knew not that she was his daughter-in-law:) and she said, What wilt thou give me, that thou mayst have access to me?WBS — Genesis 38:16

17 And he said, I will send thee a kid from the flock: and she said, Wilt thou give me a pledge, till thou sendest it?WBS — Genesis 38:17

18 And he said, What pledge shall I give thee? and she said, Thy signet, and thy bracelets, and thy staff that is in thy hand: and he gave them to her, and came in to her, and she conceived by him.WBS — Genesis 38:18

19 And she arose and went her way and laid by her vail from her, and put on the garments of her widowhood.WBS — Genesis 38:19

20 And Judah sent the kid by the hand of his friend the Adullamite, to receive his pledge from the woman’s hand: but he found her not.WBS — Genesis 38:20

21 Then he asked the men of that place, saying, where is the harlot that was openly by the way-side? and they said, There was no harlot in this place.WBS — Genesis 38:21

22 And he returned to Judah, and said, I cannot find her; and also the men of the place said, that there was no harlot in this place.WBS — Genesis 38:22

23 And Judah said, Let her take it to her, lest we be shamed: behold, I sent this kid, and thou hast not found her.WBS — Genesis 38:23

24 And it came to pass about three months after, that it was told to Judah, saying, Tamar thy daughter-in-law hath played the harlot; and also, behold she is with child by lewdness: and Judah said, Bring her forth, and let her be burnt.WBS — Genesis 38:24

25 When she was brought forth, she sent to her father-in-law, saying, By the man whose these are, am I with child: and she said, Discern, I pray thee, whose are these, the signet, and bracelets, and staff.WBS — Genesis 38:25

26 And Judah acknowledged them, and said She hath been more righteous than I; because that I gave her not to Shelah my son: and he knew her again no more.WBS — Genesis 38:26

27 And it came to pass in the time of her travail, that behold, twins were in her womb.WBS — Genesis 38:27

28 And it came to pass when she travailed, that the one put out his hand; and the midwife took and bound upon his hand a scarlet thread, saying, This came out first.WBS — Genesis 38:28

29 And it came to pass as he drew back his hand, that behold, his brother came out; and she said, How hast thou broken forth? this breach be upon thee: therefore his name was called Pharez.WBS — Genesis 38:29

30 And afterwards came out his brother that had the scarlet thread upon his hand; and his name was called Zarah.WBS — Genesis 38:30