[STORY OF CREATION (1:1–2:25)]
40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80 85 90 95 100 105 110 115 120 125 130 135 140 145 150 155 160 165	4. In this begynnyng God uus wysch    well for werke with wyll and toyght. In this boke that cald is Genesis    ther may men see the soth unsoght How God, that beldes in endlese blyse,    all only with Hys Word hath wroght Hevyn on heght for Hym and Hys,    this erth and all that ever is oght. This erth was wyde and wast    and no gud on yt grovyd; On the heght the Holi Gast    abown the waters movyd. 5. Hell He mad marke thrugh Hys myght    so that no medcyn mend yt may; God bad that in the hevyns on hyght    suld be mad lyght forever and ay, And therin mad He angels bryght    to serve Hymself evermoyr to pay. The merknes namyd he to be Nyght,    and the lyghtnes to be Day. Of angels on was schefe,    and hys name Lucyfer, Unto his Lord most lefe,    in Ynglysch “Lyght-beyrer.” 6. And for he was so fayr that tyd,    angels in hest sone can he hent, And sayd he suld be glorefyd    lyke to Hym that hys lyfe had lent. Then in this blyse myght he not byd    bott hastely to Hell he wentt, For syn in Hevyn is non to hyde,    all dyd the same of hys assent. The tend ordyr of angell    thurgh prid, os kend our clerkes, Unto fowle fendes fell.    Ther wer the fyrst day werkes. 7. When God that semly syght con see,    Hym toyght yt well withoutyn were. A firmament then bad He be    to part the waters in sonder seyre. The watur abown than ordand He    to wend abowt with wyndes clere, That other byneth in law degré    To moyst the erth in his manere. The firmament namyd He Hevyn,    to lend lastand for ay. Ther ys no moyr to nevyn.    So sessyd the secund day. 8. The waters that wer on erth ordand    God hath them geddyrd all in a sted, And the sted that thei suld in stand    ys callyd the Se by ryghwyse rede; And the dry erth namyd He the Land,    He bad that yt suld spryng and sprede Herbys and treyse with wod and wand    and sed to saw when thei wer dede, So that new suld up spryng    there sted forto restoyre And flours and frutt forto furth bryng.    The thryd endyd thore. 9. God ordand then grett lyghtys two    to moyv apon the firmament To parte the days and the nyghtys fro,    and yer fro yer be sesons sent, The moyr befor the day to go    and the lesse to the nyght at attent. The Sun and the Moyn namyd He them,    by them on erthe the lyght is lent. Sternys on hevyn He sett    with bemys schynand for bryght By certan mesurs mett.    Thus was the faurt day dyght. 10. God bad that in the see suld brede    dyverse fysches to flett with fyn, And of themselfe thei sall have sede    allway to wax waters within; And fowls He ordand fayr forto fede    with wynges and wynd ther way to wynd, By erth and ayer ther lyfes to lede    and same won withoutyn fynd. He blessyd thos werkes fayr    that thei no myrth suld myse, Bot fyll both watur and ayer.    The fyft day werke was this. 11. Then bad God ther suld bestes bee    on dyverse kynd os thei ar kend On ylka syd in seyre cuntré,    and wormes on the wome to wende. Then sayd He to Hymself: “Make We    a man that may bestes mys amend, For have power and pausté    on bestes and fowls withoutyn end. And that man wyll We geyse    aftur Our awn ymage ay And like to Our awn liknes.”    So was don the sext day. 12. God toght the consell was not clere    a man alon hys lyf to led; Som other suld be unto hym nere    hym forto helpe yf he had nede. Owt of hys syde Hee sonderd seyre    a crokyd rybe, os clerkes can rede, And therof formyd He hym a fere,    a female, frutt furth to bred. He gafe them power playn    abuf all erthly thynge, With all gudes that myght gayn    tyll thei breke Hys bydyng. 13. God gaf man fre wyll to be wyse,    and in certan He sett hys name; Then plantyd He Erthly Paradyse,    and in that place He putt Adam. He fyllyd yt full of all delyce    and made hym suferan of the same, Wyls he wold wone withoutyn vyce,    ther forto byd withoutyn blame. Ther wer all erbys and tresses    with flours and frutt gud woyn; God bad Adam go chese,    and ette of all bot on. 14. In myddes of Paradyse yt stud    with frut fayr to fede and fyll; Who of that frutt myght fang ther fude    suld clerly knaw both gud and yll. Therfor God wernyd hym for hys gud,    and bad hym lett that frutt be styll, “Yf thou yt ethe, with wordes wode    soyn to be wast owt of thy wyll.” Of all other that ther wer    He gaf hym largely lefe; That bad He hym forbeyr    for dowt of moyr myschefe.	guide us thought book that is called; (t-note) see the truth readily; (t-note) who dwells; (see note) created; (t-note) high ever has been wide and empty nothing good on it grew On high; Holy Ghost above; moved dark (murky); (see note); (t-note) medicine forever and always; (t-note) (see note) satisfaction darkness one was chief; (t-note) Lucifer dear fair [in] that time haste soon; summon; (t-note) lent (endowed) remain Because; not able to be hidden; (t-note) all who followed him did the same tenth order of angels pride; teach; (t-note) foul fiends These; (t-note) did see thought; doubt; (t-note) into two parts above move beneath in lower degree (i.e., below the firmament) moisten Heaven enduring forever mention ceased one place proper reckoning spring [forth] and spread Herbs; trees; wood; branches seed to sow; dead their place to restore flowers; fruit; (t-note) third [day] move; (t-note) divide; (t-note) year from year by seasons designated greater [light] lesser to attend to the night Stars beams shining certain proper measures fourth day ended breed float (swim) with fins; (see note) offspring grow within [the] waters birds; feed; (t-note) to go their way air their lives; (see note) together dwell; end; (t-note) joy should miss; (t-note) air fifth day’s work known every place; diverse (all) snakes; belly to go; (see note) beasts’ wrongs repair authority create always sixth thought; scheme; perspicacious lead sundered apart crooked rib; (see note) companion to breed forth children unlimited; (see note) all goods until they broke His bidding free will (t-note) delights sovereign While he would live abide herbs; trees; (t-note) easily obtained bade; [to] go choose eat; one [the] midst; (see note) consume; (t-note) take their food; (t-note) warned If you eat it, with furious words at once [you will] be deprived of your desire; (t-note) free access That one commanded; forbear; (t-note) fear
[FALL OF ADAM AND EVE (3:1–14)]
170 175 180 185 190 195 200 205 210 215 220 225	15. Bot then the Fend, our fellyst foe,    that fallyn was not fer before, For that werkyng he was full wo    that tho wyghys so worthy were; Within hymselfe persavyd he soe    that thei the same sted suld restore That he and hys felows fell fro;    that mad hym mornyng mekyll more. He toyght yt so suld not be;    therfor in schort qwylle He soyght up sotelté    them both forto gyle. 16. He wyst full well withoutyn wene    how God had demyd in all degré. As a serpent soyn was he sen,    with woman face full fayr and free. To Eve he sayd, “What may yt meyn    That ye tent noyght to this tree?” Scho sayd, “That wold turne us te tene;    God bad that we suld lett yt be.” The Fend sayd, “Foyles the more,    by that skyll scornyd ar ye; God wold not that ye wer    alway so wyse os He. 17. “This frutt may gyf wysdom and wytt;    als godes so sall ye both begyn.” Scho saw that frutt so fayr and fytt,    and eth ther of this welth to wyn. Scho bad Adam to ette of yt,    to bytt theron he wold noght blyne. Hys boldnes and that balfull bytt    cast hym in care and all hys kyne. When thei this frutt had takyd,    qwerfor thei wer both blamyd, Thei saw then thei wer nakyd;    full yll thei wer aschamyd. 18. With lefys ther privates can thei hyd,    and playnly durst thei not apeyre. God callyd on Adam in that tyd,    and he sayd, “Lord, I hyd me heyre. I hath so doyn, I der not byd.”    God askyd why and in what manere. “Lord, yf I wer yll ocupyd    yt was thrugh fandyng of my fere.” God askyd why that schoe went    that forbeyd frutt forto fele. Scho sayd, “Lord, the serpent    gart me do ylka deyle.” 19. God told then unto all thre    what thei suld feyle for ther forfeytt. To the worme He sayd, “Waryd thou be,    wend on thy wome, ay erth forto eytte; And, woman, frutt that comys on thee    sall be broyght furth with paynys grett; And, Adam, for thou trowd not me,    wyn thou thy foyd with swynke and swett; So sall all thyn ofspryng    unto the uttmast ende.” To manys kynd com this thyng    thrugh falssyng of the Fend.	Fiend (i.e., Satan); darkest; (t-note) fallen; long before; (see note) creation; very angry those people perceived place should take much more angry thought; (t-note) a short time sought out subtleties to deceive; (see note) knew quite well without doubt made determination (discerned) soon; (t-note) [a] woman’s face; (see note); (t-note) attend not to sorrow; (t-note) Fools ordinance (ruse) are you scorned; (see note) forever as wise gods; become eats eat bite; tarry baleful bite into sorrow; kind (humanity); (t-note) partaken completely leaves openly at that time hide myself here dare not pray for anything scheming; spouse she taste; (t-note) made me to do every bit [of it] feel (receive) Cursed go; belly, ever earth to eat; (t-note) fruit (children) trusted obtain; food; labor; sweat; (see note) offspring uttermost end [of time] man’s nature came; (see note) deception
[CAIN AND ABEL (4:1–17)]
230 235 240	20. Fro Paradyse thei wer exilyd    withoutyn grace agayn to passe. So went thei both os bestes wyld,    thei cowd no lovyng. Bot, alase, Soyn Eve consavyd and bare a chyld,    Cayn, that sythyn so cursyd was Because of Abell meke and myld    that he slow with a cheke of an ase; For the offerand of Abell    was accepte in Goddes syght. And Caymys went down to Hell    and to God gaf noe lyght.	(t-note) permission to return beasts [do] nothing praiseworthy Cain; then Abel meek jawbone of an ass Because the offering accepted/acceptable Cain; (see note) no light
[DESCENDANTS OF ADAM (4:17–5:32)]
245 250 255 260 265 270 275	21. When Adam wyst withoutyn wer    this wekyd werk, he was full wo; He morned ever and mad yll cher    for meke Abell was murtherd so. Bot aftur that full mony a yer,    when he tyll Eve agan can go, Then bare scho suns and doyghters sere,    the story says sexty and moe; Then ylke on other toke    and lyfyd be law of kynd, Als whoso likes to loke    may seke and forther fynd. 22. Of Caymys kynd come Tubulcan,    of metall mellyd he amang, And diverse thynges to helpe of man    ordand he both schort and lang. Hys brothyr Juball he began    musyke, ose mynstralsy and sang. The harpe by hym was ordand then    and other myrth qwer men suld gang. Of Adam suns the thryd    hyght Seth, man myld of mode. He wrott what dedes thei dyd    that last aftur the flode. 23. Of Seth then com Matussile,    lyfyd he neyn hunderth sexty and neyn yere, Of hym com Lameth, of hym Noe    that unto God wer gud and dere. And Noe had suns fully thre,    Sem, Cham, Jafeth in fere. Then was the werld gone in degree    thre thowssand yere for neven by nere. No rayn on erth then fell    to gayr the gresse up ryse, Bot faur fludes of a well    that went from Paradyce.	knew without doubt wicked mourned murdered (see note) again can have intercourse she bore many sons and daughters each one another took [as spouse] nature; (see note) (t-note) Cain’s kind (family) came Tubal-cain; (see note) mettled Jubal; invented; (see note) song created; (t-note) wherever men should go Seth; mood (see note) (t-note) Methuselah 969 years; (t-note) Lamech; Noah Shem, Ham, Japheth together to figure it closely; (see note); (t-note) (see note) make four rivers from; (see note)
[NOAH AND THE GREAT FLOOD (6:1–9:28)]
280 285 290 295 300 305 310 315 320 325 330 335 340 345	24. Then was no lernyng of no law;    thei lyfyd in lust evyn at ther lyst. Ther Creatur thei cowde noyght knaw,    the wenyd that non ther werkes wyst. Forto greyfe God thei had non aw,    therfor all myrthes son thei myst. God spake to Noye and sayd this saw:    “Thou and thy chylder sall be blest; All folke so fowll I fynd    coruppyd and soyllyd with syn; Me rewthes I made mankynd    to wond thys werld within. 25. “And sen I se them so mysegone    and in hert hath no mynd of me, I sall dystroy them every ylkon.    Over all this werld sall wax a see So that on lyve sall lefe ryght none    bot thou, thi wyf, thi suns thre, And thair thre wyfes, ye aght alon    in land to lyf sall levyd be. Bestes and fowles in flygh    non beys for ruth refusyd, Or all to ded be dyght    for syn ye folke hath usyd. 26. “To make an erke of tymber strang    thou and thi meneye in to abyd, Thre hunderth cubbettes loke yt be lang,    and fyfty cubbeyttes it sall be wyd, And thryty cubbeyttes the heght sall gang;    and sett a wyndow in the syde, And cloyse yt well, elles dows thou wrang,    to turne the watur in ylka tyde. And stages grett plenty    bus thee make, mony and fayre, Wher bestes and fowles may be,    of ylka kynd a payre.” 27. When all was wroygh in hys kynd wyse,    yt raynnyd, als then was Goddes wyll, Faurty days be full asysse    and faurty nyghtys to tell thertyll. The watur over the werld can ryse,    fyfty cubbeyttes over the heghest hyll; Yt drownyd the pepyll in all partyse    bot aght that in the arch wer styll. Then monethes yt encressyd,    and in Armynie that tyd, When the watur sessyd,    the arch began to abyd. 28. And therby Noe can understand    that thei wer sett apon som playn. A rayven he sent furth to seke the land,    bot that fowlle com not agayn Then to a dowfe he hath commawnd    to seke hym sum thyng for certan. An olyve branche full soyn he fand    and broyght to schep — then wer thei fayn. Soyne thei saw then drye    apeyr in dyverse place. To land thei hast in hye    and lovyd God on Hys grace. 29. The bestes in ther kyndes knew    unto what party thei suld repayre To hold them hole of hyd and hew,    and fowles flow furth in the ayre. And Noye suns then satt and sew,    and soyn thei broyght furth frutt full fayre. And so the werld then wex all new;    thei multiplyd with mony an heyre. God gafe a sygne to Noye    of the raynbow ryght thore, That He suld never dystroye    the werld with watur moyre.	pleasure according to their desire thought; no one knew their deeds grieve; fear; (t-note) happiness soon they lost Noah; made this declaration (t-note) corrupt and soiled I regret dwell since; misbehaved (mis-gone) (t-note) every one rise a sea alive shall live sons; (t-note) eight left flight none should be, for pity, excepted; (t-note) ark (boat); strong; (see note) your companions to dwell in 300 cubits; long; (t-note) fifty thirty; shall go place or else you do wrong turn [back]; at that time cages must you make each kind a pair; (t-note) wrought rained; (t-note) 40; count (see note) people; parts except [for the] eight months; (see note); (t-note) Armenia; (see note) ceased rest ground raven bird dove; (see note) olive branch ship; happy dry [land] praised by their natures area they should go maintain themselves altogether air sowed [crops] fruit (offspring); (see note); (t-note) sign rainbow again; (t-note)
[NOAH’S CURSE UPON CANAAN (9:18–27)]
350 355 360	30. Noye was the fyrst that vynes sett    wych bare of grapes full grett plenté. Of them so sadly can he eytt    that of the wyn dronkyn was he; He fell on slepe down on hys flett.    Cham com and scornyd hys prevyty; His brethyr duly dyde ther dette    and hyd hym agayn in god degree. When Noye his werkyng wyst    he werryd hym forthi; His brethyr both wer blest    als ther werke was worthy.	vines which bore; (t-note) steadily; eat drunk in his tent Ham; nakedness; (t-note) brothers; duty covered; (see note) his (Ham’s) doings knew; (t-note) cursed him therefore; (see note) brothers
[TOWER OF BABEL (11:1–9)]
365 370	31. The pepyll fast then multiplied    tho thowssandes moe, or sex, or seven. Thei fand a feld was lang and wyde,    and thor in hand thei ordand evyn And began a grett towr in that tyd    wych thei sayd suld rech unto Heven. When God saw them sett so in prid,    He kast forto dystroy ther steven. Noyne wyst what other wald,    bot evyn ose foylles thei foyn. Wherfor that place is callyd    this day Bablion.	3,000 more, or 6,000, or 7,000 found there by hand; made it level time pride determined to destroy their communication None knew; meant fools they acted; (t-note) Babel; (see note)
[DESCENDANTS OF NOAH (9:28–10:32, 11:10–32)]
375 380 385 390 395 400 405	32. Sythyn Noe persavyd by knawyng clere    that day was comyn that hym bod dy; Then had he lyfyd in landes here    neyn hunderth wynters and als fyfty. Yf we suld say hys suns all sere    and then depart ther progenité Thatt lesson wer full long to leere.    Therfor we lefe them mor lyghtly And neven bot that nedes,    and evyn unto understand, And that most lely ledes    to lere our law in land. 33. Of Seme come Phaloge forther than,    and of Phaloge come Tharé, Abraham, Nacor, and Aran;    thare suns wer all thos thre. Of Aran com Loth, that lele man,    that honerd God in gud degree. Unto this pepyll God began    to multiplye and make them free. Then wer ther systers tway,    Abram toke Saray, And Nacor toke Melkala:    thei wer ther wyfes worthay. 34. Ther was ay wunt to wun    In Urry, whar Caldeis wonnand were. Ther dyed Aran yongest son,    was Loth fader, os we herd here. And Loth with Abraham furth was fun    as with hys eme and man most nere. Then Tharé so with yll was bown,    to lyf he myght not langer here. He died when he was old    twa hunderth yer, men wott. Then is her no ferthermer told    bot of Abram and Loth.	Afterwards Noah the time had; he must die; (t-note) nine hundred fifty years assay; separately; (see note) list their learn; (t-note) briefly mention only what is needed applies to our understanding faithfully leads teach; (see note) Shem; Peleg Terah Abram, Nahor; Haran these [latter ones] were sons Lot; noble who two Sarai Milcah (t-note) These were ever accustomed to dwell Ur; Chaldeans dwelling; (t-note) died Haran [who was the] youngest [he] was Lot’s father henceforth was [to be] found uncle; kinsman sickness was taken 200 years old, people reckon; (see note) there no more further except
[GOD’S CALL OF ABRAHAM (12:1–7)]
410 415 420	35. God spake to Abraham for his sped:    “On this fold may thou not be fune, Bot take thy wyfe and with thee lede,    I sall thee wysch wher thou sall wune To have enogh and never nede,    with Loth also, thi brothyr sune. Thor sall I multiplye thi sed    and helpe thee os I hath begune.” To the land of Canan    so sent he furth thos thre. God sayd to Abraham then,    “This land gyf I to thee.”	advantage In this place; [adequately] supported; (t-note) guide; journey There; your seed Canaan (t-note)
[ABRAHAM AND LOT (13:1–13)]
425 430	36. Abraham and Loth can same dwell    with mekyll myrth full mony a yere; Thei wex so rych that ther catell    coverd the cuntré fer and nere. Then mad thei covnand them amell    that thei suld make ther wonnyng sere, For grett debatt that oft fell    amang them that ther hyrdmen were. Abraham wonnyd styll at home    wher God had byddyn hym come, And Loth wentt to Sodome,    a cyté besyd the flume.	did dwell together much happiness grew; livestock (i.e., property) an agreement amongst themselves dwellings separately; (t-note) those who were their herdsmen dwelled (t-note) Sodom river
[LOT’S CAPTIVITY AND RESCUE (14:1–16)]
435 440 445 450 455 460 465	37. Sodome was a grett cety,    Gommer another nere therby, And next them was ther other thre,    The wych wer fyllyd with syn fouly. Thei drede not God in no degré,    bot lyfyd in lust and lecheré — And that thei schewyd in syght to see —    and agaynst kynd most oncumly. Foule is to declare    how ther werkyns was. No syb ne spoussyd thai spare,    ne nowther lad ne las. 38. Long aftur that this grett warre con spryng    amang kynges of that cuntré. For God sayd thei sall sese for nothyng,    or tho fyve cytes conquerd be. Baram was of Sodam kyng,    and Gomer also governd he. When he herd tell of this tythyng,    he semyld pepyll full grett plenté, Agayns his enmys to go    with schott, scheld, and spere; And Loth was on of tho,    a full wys man of were. 39. Sone wer thai semyld ylkon    and bett on fast with burnyscht brandes. The Sodomites wer soyn sloyn;    thei myght not flee, thei lefyd ther landes. And in that batell Loth was tane    and holdyn in hys enmys handes. Abraham, hys eme, was wyll of wone    when he herd tell of thos tythandes. He wold not byd ne blyne,    bott went with power playne, And rescuyd hys cosyn,    and broyght hym home agayn.	(see note) Gomorrah; (t-note) filled; foully feared lived; lechery nature [behaved] most indecently sibling nor espoused [did] they nor neither; nor lass five cities Bera news assembled; (t-note) missile, shield, and spear one of those very good man at war assembled everyone beat; burnished swords soon slain left; (t-note) taken held uncle, was distraught tidings; (t-note) wait nor tarry; (see note); (t-note) full kinsman
[ABRAHAM BLESSED BY MELCHIZEDEK (14:17–24)]
470 475 480	40. Thus savyd he all thies folkes in fere    that presond war and putt to pyn. Melchesedeke when he can here    how Abraham had savyd hys cosyn, Agayns hym wentt he with gud chere,    and present hym with bred and wyne. He sayd, “I wott withoutyn were    God is thy frend full fast and fyne.” He was both prest and kyng,    and keper of the lay; He wyst well that this thyng    was gretly God to pay.	together were made prisoner; (t-note) Melchizedek; (see note) To meet him know without doubt (Melchizedek) law; (t-note) (Lot’s rescue) satisfy
[GOD’S COVENANT WITH ABRAHAM (15:1–21)]
485 490 495 500	41. The thryd day Abraham was comyn hame    to se his servandes old and yonge. God come to hym and callyd by name:    “Abraham, I thanke thee of this thyng. Als I desyrre, thou doys the same;    therfor thi frutt sall spred and spryng. Thou sall have welth of wyld and tame    and myght without more mournyng.” He sayd, “What myrt emong    I have of tame and wyld, Forto lyfe her thus lang    And dye withoutyn chyld?” 42. God kend hym comforth in that tyd;    furth of hys hows He can hym lede, And bad hym see on ylka syde    over all the land in lengh and brede. “All sall be thyne and with thee abyd    and to thyn heyrs ay furth to fede. Ose gravell in the se is multyplyd,    so sall I multiplye thi sede. Whoso may tell be tale    the stern apon hevyn, Als essely thei sall    thi sed nowmer and nevyn.”	(t-note) servants Whatever I desire, you do just that happiness among; (t-note) (t-note) here so long die gave him comfort at that time did lead him every direction heirs always As gravel; (see note); (t-note) seed Whoever may number stars in [the] heavens; (t-note) As easily seed number and name
[BIRTH OF ISHMAEL (16:1–5)]
505 510 515 520 525	43. Abraham was all merveld then    that ever hys sede suld sogattes yelde Bycause that his wyfe was baran,    and thei wer both in grett eld. The wyf wroyght ose a gud woman    to geyt a barne to be ther beld; Hyr servant prevely scho wan    tyl Abraham at hys wyll to weld. Therfor so yt befell:    scho beldyd by hym all nyght And consavyd Ysmaell,    that afterward was full wyght. 44. When Agar wyst scho was with chyld,    hyr hert in pride begane to ryse; Hyr maystrys that was meke and myld    in all hyr dedes scho can dyspyse. Then Sarai wyst scho was begylyd,    bot ever scho wrogh os woman wyse. Hyr and hyr barn both can scho bylde,    and prayd ever God for bettur gyse To send them sum ryght ayre    that myght ther welthes weld. Bot scho was in dyspayr    any barn to beyre for eld.	amazed; (see note) his seed should yield so much barren age worked as child; comfort gave; (see note) to Abram; to use comforted; (see note); (t-note) Ishmael; (see note) strong Hagar mistress who knew behaved; (see note) protect guise true heir who; wield bear because of age
[SIGN OF THE COVENANT (17:1–27)]
530 535 540 545 550	45. Aftur, qwen Abraham was old    a hunderth wynters, then wex he tame, And in that tyme God to hym told    wher he wonnyd in his hows at hame, “To have a son thou sall be bold,    and Ysac sall be his name; He sall have frutt full mony fold.”    Abraham toke tent and trowd that same. God commaund in that tyd    that Abraham and all his Suld all be circumscisyd,    so to amend ther mys. 46. So dyd thei sone and hyght in hy    the law of God hertly to hold. For Abraham it is sayd schortly    that Abraham then he suld be cald, And hys wyf, that hygh Sarai,    full Sare suld hyr name be tald. Ther kynredyn and ther cumpany    wer circumsysed so yong and old. For Abraham trowd that thyng,    ose clerkes declare it can; The trowth and the begynnyng    of our fayth ther begane.	Later, when one hundred years; spiritless; (see note) dwelt Isaac; (see note) took heed; believed (t-note) make atonement promised readily Abram; (see note); (t-note) Abraham; (t-note) (t-note) Sarah kinsfolk; households (t-note) Because; believed (see note) (see note)
[A SON PROMISED TO ABRAHAM AND SARAH (18:1–15)]
555 560 565 570 575	47. Fell aftur long apon a day    Abraham was tyllyd under a tre In hy seson hym to play    bysyd a hyll that heght Mambré. Thre chylder com thor in the way    als comly ose ever men myght see. And cled in honest wed wer thai,    all semand on eld to be. For thei wer fayr to syght,    he helsyd them os hende, And herberd them all nyght,    and askyd whedder thei wende. 48. Unto hym answerd on of thai    and sayd, “We ar Goddes messynger. I am sent unto Sara,    scho sall have a son this same yere, And to morn wendes my felows twa    to do Goddes bedyng, both in fere; To Sodom and Gomor thei go    to synke them down for syns sere.” Tokyn of the Trinité    to Abraham ther was tone. All yf he saw ther thre,    all he honerde os one.	It happened long afterwards stretched out; (see note) high (hot); relax; (t-note) Mamre Three young men; (see note) as far as simple clothes; (t-note) in flames; (see note) Because welcomed them as [was] proper harbored where they went (t-note) (t-note) tomorrow go together destroy; many sins; (t-note) taken (t-note)
[JUDGMENT PRONOUNCED ON SODOM (18:16–33)]
580 585	49. Abraham had care then for hys kyne    and for hys frendes that ill suld fare. He prayd God forto abyd and blyn    and gud folke fro the yll to spare. God sayd ther was non gud therin    bot Loth and tho that with hym ware; And fro that wo well suld thei wyn.    So was he comforth of his care. Tway chylder wentt at morn    to Sodom the gaynyst gate. Thei fand Loth them beforne    when thei enterd the gatte.	kin wait and refrain (t-note) (see note) were they escape [by] the quickest way before them gate
[DEPRAVITY OF SODOM (19:1–11)]
590 595 600	50. Unto hys hows with them he hyed    and ordand mett for them and mo. Hys ennemys com on ylka syd    and bad furth tho chylder two. Hys doyghturs proferd he that tyd,    bot thei sayd nay, thei wold non of tho. Then unto God he cald and cryde    thos byttur folkes to scheld hym fro. God mad them blynd to be    so that thei toke no tent, Tyll Loth with hys meneye    and tho chylder wer went.	went food every side summoned forth those two young men; (see note) he offered at that time wicked people; shield; (t-note) blind; (see note) paid no attention Until; household got away
[SODOM AND GOMORRAH DESTROYED (19:12–29)]
605 610	51. When Loth was passyd the cyté playn    with hys wyfe and two doghturs dere, God bad thei suld not go agayn,    ne of that fayr forther inquere. Thos cytes sanke ther certan,    and the sownd was herd, a hydwyse bere. The wyf then wyst hyr frendes wer slayn    and lokyd agayn with sympyll chere. For scho dyd that owtrage    that God bad dame do never, Scho wurthyd to an ymag    of salt and sall be evere.	had fully escaped return [there] again; (t-note) nor of that affair hideous noise knew; (t-note) sad mood; (see note) Because; trespass changed; statue; (see note) shall; (t-note)
[ORIGIN OF MOAB AND AMMON (19:30–38)]
615 620 625 630 635	52. When Loth saw how scho was dyght    ther styll to stand in a salt stone, To a hyllsyd, that Sogor hyght,    hys way full wysly he hath tane. Thor dwellyd thei fere from all men syght,    for cyty neyr them was none. The wemen wenyd no werly wyght    wer levyd on lyfe bot them allon. Therfor, or ever the fyne    the werld to fulfyll, Thei gafe ther fadyr wyne    and made hym slepe full styll. 53. The eldyr systur by hym lay,    the werld to maynten at hyr myght. He delt with hyr or yt was day,    and gatt a son that sythyn Moab hyght. The yonger systur then wold asay    to fob hyr fader anoder nyght. Scho consavyd by ther prevay play    a man that semly was to syght. Loth leve we her at home wonnand    in wastes that wer wyld And tell of Abraham and Sara and    of Ysaac that was hys chyld.	made hillside, that was called Zoar; (see note) taken There; far near knew no worldly man remained alive before the end [of]; (see note); (t-note) might occur slept subsequently Moab was called attempt trick conceived; private seemly dwelling; (t-note) (see note) (see note); (t-note)
[BIRTH OF ISAAC (21:1–12)]
640 645	54. Thei wentt wher thei had wonnyd beforne,    and in grett lykkyng can thei lend. Sara was mery evyn and morne,    forto be comford well scho kend. Bott aftur, when hyr sone was borne,    then was hyr myrth mekyll amend. For Agar that was wontt hyr to scorn    than had no fors hyr to defend. Sara, that worthy wyve,    when Ysac myght oght mell, Agar owt can scho dryfe    with hyr sun Ysmaell.	dwelled before pleasure; remain; (t-note) happy evening and morning mirth much subdued; (t-note) wont no strength (privileged position) herself to anything speak she did drive out Ishmael
[HAGAR AND ISHMAEL (16:6–15, 21:14–20)]
650 655 660	55. To flee then was scho ferly fayn;    with Saray durst scho not be sene. In wyldernes scho wonnyd with payn,    cared from all comforth clene. An angell gart hyr turn agayn,    and bad that scho suld bowsom bene. And Abraham dyd all hys mayn    and mad acord them two betwene. Togedder then thei dwell    in feleschep full fayre; Grett myrth thei mad them amell    for Ysaac theyr ayre.	(see note) dared lived deprived did return her obedient; (t-note) (t-note) together their heir
[TESTING OF ABRAHAM (22:1–12)]
665 670 675 680 685 690 695 700 705 710 715 720	56. Sythyn God Hys servand wold asay    yf he to Hym bowsom wold be. Hee spake to Abraham on a day    and sayd, “Thi sadnes wyll I se; Take thi sun that thou lufes well ay    and make hym sacrafyce to Mee. In wyldernes bysyde the way    a certan hyll schew sall I thee. An awter theron thou rays    and offer hym Me untyll.” Abraham heyrs how He says    and grauntt yt with full gud wyll. 57. Abraham unto hys son beheld,    a bold man both in bone and lyre. He wenyd that he suld have beyn hys beld    when he was old and weke o swyre; Bot unto God he can hym yeld,    ay redy to do Hys desyre. Hys asse he fand furth in the feld    And chargeyd hym with wud and fyre. [ . . . ]    [ . . . ] So went thei furth in fere,    qwer God bad thei suld goe. 58. Ysaac saw in hys fader hand    a sword and askyd hym what yt ment. He sayd, “Sun, we sall make offerand    to God; so hath Hymselfe asent.” “Fader,” he says, “fyr soyne we fand,    bott wher ar bestes that suld be brentt?” He says, “Sun, that God hath ordand,    for to Hys frendes ay takes He tent.” So wentt thei furth ther ways;    [ . . . ] [ . . . ]    os God wold deme thei dyd. 59. When Abbraham was werre of the hyll,    qwych God to hym had told before, The wud he tok hys sun untyll    and bad hym beyre to thei come thore. Hys fader forwerd to fulfyll    [ . . . ] [ . . . ]    was he wyse, os God wold yt were. Apon that hyll on heght,    os God Hymself had sayd, An auter ther on thei dyght    and wud and fyre on layd. 60. When the fyre was brynnand bryght,    than Abraham unto God con see, And to hys sun thus sayd he ryght,    “Sun, I sall make offerand of thee.” Ysaac sayd with semland lyght,    “Fader, os God wyll, behoveyse yt to be. What hest to Hym that ye hath heght    leffe yt noght for luf of me.” Hys sword in hand he hent    so forto make offerand, Bot God His angell sent    from Hevyn and held his hand.	make trial (assay); (t-note) loyal; (t-note) steadfastness; investigate; (see note) ever a sacrifice (t-note) altar; make (raise); (t-note) unto; (t-note) (see note) bone and flesh knew; should; been his comfort weak of neck yielded himself ever loaded (t-note) together where Son summoned burned arranged always He takes care; (t-note) (t-note) aware which carry [it] until they came there father’s wishes (t-note) altar burning; (see note) [an] offering as God wills, so it should be (t-note)
[SACRIFICIAL RAM (22:13–19); SARAH’S DEATH AND BURIAL (23:1–20)]
725 730	61. Hys sun he suld have sacrifysyd,    bot then he wyst God wold yt noght. A wedder he saw hym besyd    that God had sent hym all unsoght. Therof he made offerand that tyd,    and when thei had ther wrschyp wroyght, Hom agayn hely thei hyed    and thankes God with wyll and toyght. Soyne aftur Sara was dede    and put unto sepulcure. Abraham toke in hyr sted    a wyf that heght Sethure.	(t-note) knew God wanted; (t-note) ram; (see note); (t-note) at that time; (t-note) (t-note) place Keturah
[ABRAHAM MARRIES KETURAH (25:1–6); MARRIAGE OF ISAAC AND REBEKAH (24:1–67)]
735 740 745 750 755	62. Scho was woman wynsom to weld,    non heynder haldyn under Hevyn, And wyls scho bode under hys beld,    scho bayr hym sonys sevyn. Aftur when Ysac wex on eld,    a stalworthy man of state and stevyn, Hys fader, for hys sed suld yeld,    a gud wyfe to hym can he nevyn: Rebecca, a damisell —    hyr fayrer is not fon — The doyghtur of Batuell;    Nacor is his brothur son. 63. Full sun he sent his chefe servant    for this mareyg to make yt clere. He wentt hym furth, and soyn he fand    the maydyn at a well thor nere. Hee told hyr fader of this tythand    fro Abraham, his eme full dere, How his son suld be hyr husband.    therfor thei wer full fayn in fere; Wyghtly thei wer acord.    The servand soyn hyr lede Unto Abraham, hys lord,    and Ysac with wyne hyr forto wede.	pleasant to possess; (see note) fairer while she lived; roof bore grew in age speech seed should yield [fruit] call; (see note); (t-note) Rebekah; (see note); (t-note) [one] fairer [than] her; found; (t-note) Bethuel Nahor soon; (see note) marriage news uncle happy together Quickly they were agreed joy; wed
[DEATH OF ABRAHAM (25:7–11)]
760 765	64. What worthed qwen thei wedded were    soyn aftur sall be told uus tyll. Bot of Abraham now lefe we heyre,    and all his story steke we styll. When he had lyfyd a hunderth yere    and sexty and fyve to fulfyll, Then dyed hee soyn with seknes sere    and went full well with Goddes wyll. Ay whyls he lyfyd in lede,    ever trew was his entent, And therfor his word and dede    mun evermoyr be on ment.	happened when conclude lived 165 years; (see note) diverse illnesses; (t-note) Ever while; among his people must; in remembrance; (t-note)
[BIRTH OF ESAU AND JACOB (25:19–26)]
770 775 780 785 790	65. Ysaac lelly led his lyve    in the law of God with gud entent. And Rebecca, his worthy wyfe,    consavyd two suns so God hir sent. Betwyx them two began grett stryfe    within hyr wom, or thei furth went, Qwerfor hyr care was kene os knyfe.    Scho askyd of God what yt ment. He sayd, “Thou sall furth bryng    two maners of pepyl expresse, And the more in all thyng    sall serve unto the lesse.” 66. And so yt was, os clerkes wott,    the lesse was mayster of the more: For at ther byrth was grett debat    whedder of them suld go furth before. Bot Esau was mor strang of state,    and the fyrst sted he cane restore; And Jacob than wentt aftyr latt;    ther moyder was all marryd thore. Esau, the alder chyld,    was all over hyllyd with here; And Jacob was mor myld    and soft on body and bayre.	loyally womb, before they came forth Wherefore; pain; sharp as knife[wounds] (see note) stronger lesser; (t-note) know; (see note) their; struggle which; (t-note) strong of body place came last; (see note) injured then; (see note) elder covered over with hair bare (lacking hair)
[YOUTH OF ESAU AND JACOB (25:27–28); ESAU SELLS HIS BIRTHRIGHT (25:29–34)]
795 800 805 810 815	67. Isaac had both by est and west    mo catell then men myght nevyn by name. His luf on Esaw he kast    and mad hym hyrd of wyld and tame. He sett his hert on hym to rest,    for he suld be heyr of the same. Bot Rebecca lufyd Jacob best,    for he wonnyd ay at hame. Als he satt under hir beld,    hys dyner was well grayd. His brothyr com from the feld,    and of sum part he hym prayd. 68. Bot Jacob sayd he suld have none,    oles then he wold to hym sell Hys heritage and thynges ylkon    that aftur hys fader unto hym fell. Then Esau wyst no bettur wone    but grauntt this connand them amell. With honger so he was overgone,    he tent non other tales to tell. When Ysaac was on eld    a hunderth yere, we fynd, Then wex hee all unweld,    and both his eyne wer blynd.	more; call love; gave shepherd both heir; same (his full estate) lived always tent; (t-note) prepared (see note) asked him for some part [of the meal] unless he would each one had no better hope covenant between them cared advanced in age; (see note) he grew all feeble eyes
[ISAAC BLESSES JACOB (27:1–29)]
820 825 830 835 840 845 850 855 860	69. He callyd Esau, hys elder son,    and sayd, “I wold thou went in hye Unto the wud, os thou was wun,    and take with thee thyn archerye And fand to geytt me veneson,    for wyld flesch ette wold I. Then sall thou have my beneson    and my blessyng befor I dy.” “Fader,” he sayd, “full fayn.”    Therwith he went his way. The moyder with all hyr mayn    wyll mar hym and scho may. 70. For Jacob that was hyr yonger son    hath scho soght a sotell gyn: “Thy brothyr is furth for venyson,    his fader blessyng forto wyn. Go to the feld; ther sall thou fon    two fatt kyddes; bryng them or thou blyn, And in hys wedes thou sall be wonn,    and so be blessyd or he com in.” “Moder,” he sayd, “nay mare    thus to tell in this tyd. My brothyr is hyllyd with hayre,    and I am soft of hyd. 71. “All yf my fader be blynd in bed,    he wyll feyle that I be noght trew.” “Deyre son,” scho sayd, “be not adrede;    myself therfor sall schape and sew.” In kyddes skyns hys handes scho hym cled    and mad a broth full gud and new. “Goe fast at thy fader wer fede    and say that thou is Esau!” He dyde als scho hym bad.    unto Ysaac hee wentt. “Fader, be ye glad;    heyr is mett that ye of ment.” 72. “A, sun,” he sayd, “well hath thou wroyght;    thi wysdom now hath thou wun.” Bot by the voce ay well hym toght    yt was Jacob, his yonger sun. He gropyd hym fast bot all for noyght,    be felyn was the falshed fun. He ette of all that he had broght;    to blese hym then was he begun. He mad hym over all other    lord, both lowd and styll. Thus begylyd he his brothyr,    bot all was Goddes wyll.	(t-note) quickly wood, as you usually do; (t-note) work; venison; (see note) I would eat blessing at once (full gladly) power stop him (Isaac) if she can she has crafted a subtle ruse find; (t-note) fat lambs; before you cease clothes; dressed before he (Esau) comes in no more way covered with hair Even if; (t-note) feel don’t be afraid lambskins; clad; (t-note) broth [of the lambs]; fresh [now] that; fed here; meat; requested hope voice still he thought surely gripped; naught by trickery; falsehood managed; (t-note) ate in all circumstances
[ESAU’S LOST BLESSING (27:30–45)]
865 870 875 880 885 890 895 900 905 910	73. Esau veneson hath tone    and broyght his fader for his beld. “Who is thou?” He askyd on one.    “Ser, Esau, your eldyst chyld.” “A, son,” he sayd, “her hath ben on    and brogh me flesch, full fayr and wyld. I hath hym blest, and he is gone.”    Then wyst he well he was begyld. “Myn heritage he hath    and power over all oyder. Now wott I well yt was    Jacob, thy yonger brothyr.” 74. Esau then with sore syghyng sayd,    “That ye ar blynd, I by with wo. For now is the secund brayd    that he hath me dyssavyd so. Fyrst for mett when I hym prayd,    myn heritage he toke me fro, And now this tym hath me betrayd,    wyls ye bad me your arand go. Well was he namyd for thy    Jacob, for so he hyght That wyll geytt with gyllery    that hee geyttes not with ryght. 75. “Bot fader,” he sayd, “I pray yow now    yf any blessyng be laft for me.” “Son, I hath gyfyn to hys behofe    wytt, wyn, and oyle, all thre. And in all maters that may move    over all my howshald hed is he. Bot in the dew of Hevyn above    and in erth sall thi blessyng be.” The fader fulfyllyd his toyght;    the son was fayn therfor. Thus all this werld was wroght,    evyn os God wold yt wer. 76. When Esau wyst this wytterly    how he hys heritag had lorne, Unto hys brothyr he had envy    and grett malyce myde day and morn. Rebecca send Jacob forthy    into Aran, wher scho was borne, And als scho wold, hee wentt in hye.    bot seyre ferlys he fand beforne. Als he lay on a land,    sclepand abowtt mydnyght, A stegh he saw up stand    from erthe to Hevyn on hyght.	taken at once here has been one brought me meat (t-note) others (t-note) bought time deceived meat (t-note) errand (see note) promised trickery (t-note) control wheat, wine, and oils household; (t-note) glad (see note) [that] it were knew this clearly lost between; (t-note) Haran haste many wonders he found (t-note) ladder (t-note)
[JACOB’S DREAM AT BETHEL (JACOB’S LADDER) (28:10–22)]
915 920 925 930 935	77. That stegh began evuynly at his crown;    unto his syght yt semyd so Als angels wentt evyn up and down    full mony tym both to and fro. God told to hym in that seson    how that he suld wede wyfes two, And how his generacion    over all the werld suld grathly go. Hee sayd, “For Abraham sake    that was thi fader free, Whedder thou slepe or wake,    thy beld ay sall I be.” 78. Than Jacob of ther maters mels    and says he saw God in gud astate. And in his tale this furth he tels    and says, “By this werke well I watt That in this sted is nothyng els    bot Goddes awn howse and Hevyn gate And dredfull to them that heyr dwels,    bot yf thei flee fro all debate.” A stone lay at his hede;    that rayssyd hee up on end, In a tokynyng yt levyd    how God hys myrth thore mend.	ladder; the top of his head; (see note) (t-note) wed two wives children subsequently comfort always shall these matters speaks (t-note) know place is nothing less than; (see note) strife beneath his head As an indication; left; (see note)
[JACOB’S SUCCESS IN HARAN (29:1–30:24)]
940 945 950 955 960	79. So went he furth, and sone he fand    Laban and his two doghturs dere. For Rachell was then his connand1    forto be servand sevyn yere. And at the end, to understand,    when Rachell suld have neghyd nere, Then was Lya by hym ligand:    no wounder yf he schawyd no chere. Jacob was full evyll payd,    for he had noygh his awne. Bot Laban to hym sayd,    this custom thor was knawne: 80. The elder systur to sett before    in wrschype that to wemen fell. A new forward the festyd thore:    oyder sevyn yere that he suld dwell To be most maystur of ther store,    and then he suld resave Rachell. And forto make hym myght more,    this connand mad thei amell: To have yf ther fell any    bestes of colours sere. Swylke mad Jacob mony.    How, that ye sall heyre.	come to him [as wife]; (see note) Leah showed no happiness; (t-note) ill paid [for his seven years of service] nothing to call his own there was established to wed; (t-note) agreement another receive further incentive; (t-note) contract they made between them [For Jacob] to have; (see note) livestock of diverse colors (i.e., not unicolor) much wealth; (t-note) hear
[JACOB PROSPERS AT LABAN’S EXPENSE (30:25–43)]
965 970	81. When bellyng tym of bestes begane,    os men by course of kynd may nevyn, Unto the wud he wendes then    and gat hym wandes mony and evyn. The barke warly away he wan    in sonder places, sex or seven, And sett them wher the bestes rane.    And so thrugh grace of God of Heven, On the wandes ose thei lokyd    and toke to them reward, Som bar blake and som brokyd,    sum skellyd and sum garde.	breeding; (t-note) mention wood he goes gathered to himself rods carefully he peeled (t-note) passed as they looked took regard to them Some bore black; variegated speckled; spotted
[JACOB FLEES WITH FAMILY AND FLOCKS (31:1–21)]
975 980	82. By the faurt yere were fully gone,    Jacob had catell grett plenté. He toke his wyfes and welth gud on,    and karyd unto his awn cuntré. Hys wyfes had servandes, ayther on,    that servyd them in seyre degree. Jacob fro spoushed sparyd none,    bot made them all berand to be, So that he had hymself,    to rekyn old and yonge, Of suns full semly twelfe;    of them grett sede myght spryng.	By [the time] the fourth year was in abundance carried [them] either one various wedlock; (t-note) pregnant; (t-note) twelve fine sons
[JACOB’S CHILDREN (29:31–30:24; 35:23–26)]
985 990 995	83. Sex of the suns com of Lya:    Judas, Semeon, and Levi, Ighachar, Zabulon, Ruben. All tha    war born of hyr body With a doghtur that heght Dyna.    Then this two servandes had in hy Dan, Neptalyn, Gad, Asser, no ma;    so wer thei ten to tell schortly When Rachell can begyn,    then bayr scho, that worthy wyfe, Joseph and Bynjamyn;    with hym scho lyfyd hyr lyfe.	Six; (see note); (t-note) Judah, Simeon Issachar, Zebulun, Reuben; those; (t-note) (t-note) Dinah servants Naphtali; Asher ten [sons] (t-note) Benjamin (i.e., she died in childbirth)
[JACOB WRESTLES WITH THE ANGEL (32:22–32); RETURN TO BETHEL (35:1–15)]
1000 1005	84. Jacob was noyed on a nyght    in his way os he wentt: Hee wrestyld with an angell bryght    that his on schank was all to schent. That angell com from Hevyn on heght    and told unto hym Goddes entent. Israell was his name be ryght,    and Jacob suld no moyr be ment. Wherfor thus forther fell:    all his lyneyg lese and moyre Wer namyd chylder of Israel    in werld heyr whyls thei woyre.	troubled; (see note) (t-note) one hip was utterly broken; (t-note) (t-note) called his people all together (most and least) while they were in this world
[JUDAH AND TAMAR (38:1–30)]
1010 1015 1020 1025 1030 1035 1040 1045 1050 1055 1060 1065 1070 1075 1080 1085 1090 1095 1100 1105 1110 1115 1120 1125 1130 1135 1140 1145 1150 1155 1160 1165 1170 1175	85. Now in this processe or we passe,    is gud the dedes forto dyscrye Of the eldyst brothyr that hyght Judas;    for on hym jones the genology. His brothyr rewll he refusyd has    and karyd into Chanaan, And in that land wed he was    with mekyll welth, os was worthy. His wyf was fayr and free    and bayre of hyr body Thre suns semly to see;    ther names heyr say sall I. 86. The fyrst hyght Her, os I herd tell,    and Onam was the name of an other. Thei wer both fayr of flesch and fell.    and Sela men callyd the tother. Full mekyll myrth was them amell,    for thei had mobles mony afore. And forthermer so yt befell    that wedd was the eldyst brothyr. He was eldyst and heyre.    Ther weddyd thei were, He and a woman full fayr;    hyr name was Thamar. 87. Moyr semly woman myght none see,    yf thei suld sech on yche syde. Bot he was evyll in his degree;    therfor he myght no langer abyd. For wekydly then wastyd hee    the sed that suld be multiplyd. Therfor God ordand hym to be    funden ded in that same tyde. For he rewllyd hym not ryght,    als course of kynd wyll tell: The Fend on the fyrst nyght    had forse hym forto fell. 88. Then of this dole had Judas dred    And sayd unto his secund sun, “Go thou, rayse up thi brother sed!”    ose men then in this werld was wun. Bot hee unethly dyd his dett    evyn os his brothyr had begun; Wherfor he servyd the same mede:    or yt was day, ded was he fun. Then Judas was full wrath    when this tene was betyde, And toght yt was grett wath    to wed hyr with the thryde. 89. And he was yong to tell that tyd;    therfor he hath consell tone: He send hyr home — yt is nott to hyd —    to hyr fader, that scho was fro gone, And bad that scho suld thor abyd    in wedohede with welth gud one. And Judas wyfe in thos days dyed;    then was he wedow levyd alone. Servandes semly to se    had his katell forto kepe, For he had grett plenté    of asses, nawtt, and schepe. 90. When Thamar herd thies tyghynges tell    that Judas wyf was ded hym fra, With hym then wer scho lever to dwell    then with hys yongest sun Sela. Of this mater mevyd scho amell    and watyd hyr tyme forto ta. And forthermer yt so befell    that with his servand suld he ga In clowes to clype his schepe,    als custom was then thore. Than Thamar tuke gud kepe    and ordand fast therfor. 91. Hyr wedow wedes scho layd away,    and hir face to schyn os glasse, And cled hyr in full rych aray;    for so scho trows to jape Judas. Scho sett hyr on a somer day    in the way wher he suld passe. When he hyr say, soyn can he say,    “Fayr woman, all my hert thou hasse.” His servandes gart he go    befor furth on ther way, And allon levyd bot them two    to make them myrth and play. 92. Then his entent he hyr told untyll;    that yt was Thamar trowd he noyght. “Woman, and thou wyll wyrke my wyll,    then sall I send thee sone unsoght A fayr kyd lame to kepe or kyll.”    The woman answerd ose scho toght, “Syr, I wyll have, as yt is skyll,    a wede to byd tyll yt be broght.” He sayd, “That sall thou have.”    He toke the be all of his herme And also his walkyng stafe;    he kast both in hir berme. 93. Then was scho bown what he wold byd,    for scho kepyd to have helpe therby. And in that tyme so yt betyd:    tway chylder bred in hyr body. Then Judas went and deuly dyd    hys schepe clyppyng withoutyn cry. And scho wentt home and helyd and hyd,    and all this processe prevely. Judas a kyd then sent,    as he had heght certayn. Bot the woman was went,    and the kyd broyght agayn. 94. Then Judas was grettly agayst    and wroth, for his wedd was away. [ . . . ]    [ . . . ] When thre monethyse wer playnly past,    then Thamar feld full fell afray: Hyr wome so wex that folke full fast    demyd of dede ylke day. Sum sayd that scho was gylty    to God agayns ther law, And sum sayd scho wer worthy    therfor to hange and draw. 95. When Judas herd how all this wentt,    he was full wroth, we may warrand. He bad scho suld be aftur sentt,    for all the dome hang in hys hand. [ . . . ]    [ . . . ] To tell the sothe or take jugment    aftur the law of the land. Than Thamar was furth broyght,    as the law was then usyd, Bot so wysly scho wroght    that scho was well excusyd. 96. Judas then spake with word bold    and sayd, “The suth sall non man spare. Thamar, the trewth bus heyr be told.    who is defawt of all this fare?” Then schewde scho furth his bee of gold,    and hys stafe had scho redy ther. [ . . . ]    [ . . . ] Then Judas knew all dele,    and thus he sayd in hye, “By this werke now wott I well    that scho is wyser then I, 97. “And hyr ow forto beyr no blame.”    So was scho savyd from scath and scorne. And with wrschyp scho wund at hame    tyll tym hyr chylder suld be borne. The meydwyf wyst and sayd the same    that scho suld have twa men at morn. The fyrst scho gafe Phares to name    bycause that come furth beforne; The secund son furth yede    so like unto his brother At the mydwyfe fest a thred    to knaw on fro the tother. 98. When the secund past from his place,    thei namyd hym Yaram, that thor werre. The moyder, quen hyr was over past,    was ferly fayn that thei well farre. Then Holy Wrytt schews how yt was    in genology of this charre, And says thus, “Judas gendyrd has    Phares and Yamar of Thamar. Then gatt ther Phares Esrom.”    Thes processe leve we playne, And tell how Jacob come    to his cuntré agayn.	narrative before we pass [on] describe who was named Judah; (t-note) hinges the genealogy [of Jesus]; (see note) dominion (rule); (t-note) journeyed into Canaan; (t-note) (t-note) bore Er; (t-note) Onan skin; complexion Shelah among movable goods; (t-note) heir (i.e., in Canaan) (t-note) Tamar; (t-note) A more beautiful seek on each side (i.e., everywhere) (Er) was wicked; (t-note) live (see note) seed (i.e., the semen) the course of nature will guide (see note) to die sorrow second son (i.e., Onan) children in this world were accustomed [at that time]; (see note) scarcely (not properly); duty (had sex) (the Fiend); reward before; dead was he found sadness had occurred thought; danger he (i.e., Shelah) was young he (i.e., Judah) has given advice (t-note) in abundance (t-note) oxen would she rather live; (t-note) decision she acted immediately bided; take an enclosure to shear his sheep arranged things securely widow’s weeds and [made] her face shine as glass; (t-note) clad; clothing; (t-note) thus she intends to trick; (t-note) (t-note) saw, immediately alone left (t-note) believed (knew) he not if you do what I want baby lamb a pledge to await bracelet off his arm bosom; (t-note) willing intended; (t-note) two children (i.e., twins) properly (dutifully) shearing kept quiet and hid (t-note) promised gone brought [back to Judah] taken aback pledge (t-note) (t-note) judged her worthy of death then (t-note) warrant judgment (t-note) (t-note) (t-note) truth; (see note) must here guilty bracelet; (t-note) (t-note) (t-note) aloud I know well; (see note); (t-note) (t-note) she ought to bear harm dwelt Perez; (see note) That; fastened [on his hand] Zerah, who there were when her [childbirth] was finished very happy (see note) business Hezron These narratives; (t-note)
[DEATH OF ISAAC (35:27–29)]
1180 1185	99. When Jacob com to his cuntré,    of hys moyder dede herd he tell. Ysac, his fader, myght no see;    for febylnes son seke he fell. Ten of his suns then ordand hee    to kepe his catell tham omell, And Joseph and Bynjamyn to be    ay styll at hom with hym to dwell. An auter ther thei rayse    to make sacrafyce, And honerd God all ways    with wrschyp on ther wyse.	death; (see note) soon he fell sick [and died] his (i.e., Jacob’s); then he (Jacob) ordered among Benjamin ever remaining altar; (see note) (t-note)
[JOSEPH’S DREAMS OF GREATNESS (37:1–11)]
1190 1195 1200 1205 1210	100. Then Joseph dremyd with Goddes wyll    and says his brethyr how he beheld, How thei and he under a hyll    geyddyrd scheffes fayr in the feld. He sayd that hys schefe stod up styll,    and elevyn unto his can held. His brethyr toke gud entent ther tyll    and toght that he wold wrschep weld.2 He sayd, “Sone and the mone    and other sternys elevyn War bown both morn and noyne    to honour me full evyn.” 101. The elevyn had full grett hethyng    and sayd to hym, “Be lyve, lett se: What wold thou deme of this dremyng?    Hoppes thou to guferne grett degree? Or that thou sall over us be kyng,    and we all suggettes unto thee?” Than hatreyd in ther hertes thei hyng    and toght that bargan suld not be. Jacob in hert can hyd    ther stevyns and held them styll. And what so suld betyde,    he prayd God to wyrke His wyll.	(t-note) gathered sheaves (t-note) eleven; did bow; (t-note) brothers paid close attention Sun; moon stars Were bound; afternoon (t-note) eleven [brothers]; contempt Quickly, let [us] see make of these dreams; (t-note) Do you hope to govern [in] (t-note) subjects hung thought that that outcome should did hide in heart; (t-note) their opinions and kept them quietly whatever should happen; (see note)
[JOSEPH IS SOLD BY HIS BROTHERS (37:12–36)]
1215 1220 1225 1230 1235	102. Bott well he trowd in his entent    that dreme suld men of myghtes more. Hys brethyr of grett malys ment    and sayd that suld hym son ryght sore. Sythyn on a day was Joseph sent    to se hys brethyr and als ther store. Thai saw and sayd he suld be schentt    for talys that he had told before. Bot his brothir Ruben    held hym owt of ther handes And sold hym to strang men,    and forto led into fer landes. 103. Then all tho ten hath tane to red    to feyn a falshed for that fude, To say he was etyn in a sted    with wyld bestes, os thei understud. And this to maynten with holhed    thei wett his coyte with kyddes blud. When Jacob herd his sun was ded,    no wounder was thof he wer wude. Of hym and all that hepe    now lett we leve in hand, And tell furth how Joseph    was ledd furth into Egype land.	he (i.e., Joseph) believed; (t-note) should mean more powerful things; (t-note) aggrieve Then also their goods killed the stories (i.e., his dreams) Reuben kept him from their hands foreign far those ten [remaining sons] have decided invent a lie; child eaten in a place (t-note) convincingly coat with the blood of a goat; (t-note) thereby; mad group Egypt’s; (t-note)
[JOSEPH AND POTIPHAR’S WIFE (39:1–23)]
1240 1245	104. Puthefar he can hym lede    to Pharo, that ther was kyng. That stewerd wyf for his fayrhed    can waytte Joseph in bowr to bryng. And for he wold not do in dede,    in downgyn depe scho dyd hym thryng. And to hyr lord scho spake gud sped    that he suld hast hym for hyng. Bot when he presond was,    two felows ther he fand That wer for ther trespasse    haldyn full herd in band.	Potiphar; did; lead Pharaoh handsomeness did contrive Because; have intercourse [with her] dungeon; caused him [to be] thrown right away [to] hang imprisoned hard in bondage
[JOSEPH INTERPRETS THE DREAMS OF TWO PRISONERS (40:1–23)]
1250 1255 1260	105. The kyng was with ther werkes wrath;    butler and baker ther namys call. Apon a nyght thei dremyd bath    and told yt furth to grett and small. And Joseph rede ther dremys full rath    and sayd what son suld aftur fall: The butler forto scape all scathe,    and the baker to by for all. So was the butler ryght    resavyd the kyng beforne; The bakster, als he heght,    was hangyd at morne.	their behavior angry (t-note) they both dreamed interpreted their dreams quickly; (t-note) soon escape all harm; (t-note) pay for everything (i.e., to be executed) brought; before as he (Joseph) predicted
[JOSEPH INTERPRETS PHARAOH’S DREAM (41:1–36)]
1265 1270 1275 1280	106. Sythyn dremyd the kyng another nyght    that mad hym mervell in his mode. Hym toght he saw a selcoth syght:    sevyn bestes com fatt from the folde, And aftur them saw he ryght    sevyn bestes leyne for fawt of fude. Bot the leyn ware moyr of myght    and stroyd the fatt evyn os thei stud. His dreme he told the clerkes    to constru by clergy, Bott non cowd wytt what werkes    that syght suld sygnyfye. 107. The butler spake then for his sped,    “Lord, in your preson lyges in bend A lele man of the Ebrew lede;    of this mater can he make end.” Then was Joseph tan forto rede    this consell, ose the butler kend. He bad the kyng tent and take hede    how God suld in sevyn wyntur send Of catell, corne plenté,    all men to weld at wyll; And other sevyn, sayd hee,    men suld for hungur spyll.	what made him wonder in his mind It seemed to him; marvelous; (see note) beasts; fattened from the pen; (t-note) lack of food strength killed; (t-note) (t-note) by means of [their] wisdom know benefit; (t-note) lies in bonds; (t-note) loyal; Hebrew blood give a solution taken to give listen use following seven years die; (t-note)
[JOSEPH’S RISE TO POWER (41:37–57)]
1285 1290 1295	108. And when the kyng can understand    that swylke defawt suld aftur fall, He mad hym stewerd of his land,    all men to come at his call. Then in fyrst sevyn yere he ordand    and geydderd corne of gret and small, Wher with the folke ther fud he fand    whyls hungur was in werld over all. Hys kyn in Canaan    for hungur was nere lorne. His fader herd tell then    that in Egyp was corne.	did understand such famine gathered; (t-note) Therewith to; there food he provided while; (everywhere else) [Joseph’s] kinsmen were nearly lost (dead) grain
[JOSEPH’S BROTHERS GO TO EGYPT (42:1–25)]
1300 1305 1310 1315 1320 1325 1330	109. Ten of hys suns sent he ther then    for corn yf thei therby myght wyn. To wen thei were full mere men,    non levyd at home bot Byngemyn. When Joseph saw his brethyr ten,    he knew all ware comyn of a kyne. Bot none of them cowd hym kene,    for hegh a state that he was in. He askyd them when thai come.    Ruben and noe nother, He sayd, “Ser, we have at home    our fader and our yongest brothyr. 110. “That we were twelfe cownt we cane,    bot on was dede, down in a dale, With wyld bestes in Chanaan;    for hym our fader hath mekyll bale.” When Joseph herd, he wyst well than    how that his fader in hele was hale. In werld was not a myryer man;    “Bott ferther,” he toght, “asay I sall.” He toght to geddyr them, bryng    Benjamyn hym beforne, For thai twa was most yong    and both of Rachell borne. 111. He sayd, “For soth, I sall you spyll    bot yf ye be to my bedyng bayn. Fyrst your sekkes sall I do fyll    of corne to make your fader fayn. Bryngys than Benjamyn me untyll;    that yong boy wyll I se certayn. And Symeon, he sall heyr byd styll    in preson tyll ye come agayn.” Thus sayd he to asay    yf ther luf war fyne Unto ther fader all way,    and to that barne Benjamyn.	(t-note) grain; buy; (t-note) go; merry none remained; Benjamin brothers one family; (see note); (t-note) recognize no other one; killed; (t-note) has much sadness was still alive merrier I shall test [them] thought to gather those two (Joseph and Benjamin) execute obedient sacks happy Then bring; unto me Simeon; here await test genuine child
[JOSEPH’S BROTHERS RETURN TO CANAAN (42:26–38)]
1335 1340	112. Thei wentt furth, os he can them warn;    ther was no consell forto crave. Thai told ther fader how thai had farn,    and Symeon laft, them all to sayve; And them bad bryng the yongest barne,    his helpe or hele yf thei wold have. The fader toght loth hym to tharn;    for rowth he remyd als he wold rave.3 Ther sylver, that thei noyght wyst,    was in ther sekkes certayn, That made hym have moyr trest    to send them save agayn.	(t-note) help to beg fared child (t-note) to lose did not know about sacks trust
[JOSEPH’S BROTHERS COME AGAIN, BRINGING BENJAMIN (43:1–34)]
1345 1350 1355	113. Agayn thei wentt full fayr in fere    hertly to hold os thei had heght. Then Jacob satt with sympyll chere,    full drery both day and nyght. Tyll Egypt son thei neghyd nere,    and to Joseph thei went full wyght. Of Benjamyn his brothyr dere    had he grett hast to have a syght. Bot that he was ther brothyr    wold not he lett be herd, Bot askyd ever on and other    how ther fader ferd.	together; (t-note) promised speedily great eagerness be known
[JOSEPH DETAINS BENJAMIN; JUDAH PLEADS FOR HIS RELEASE (44:1–34)]
1360 1365 1370 1375 1380 1385 1390	114. Ther sekes he dyd to fyll that tyd    and bad them wend ther way with wyn With Symeon, that was besyd.    Bot hastely ther blys can blyn. A cupe of gold gart he then hyd    within the seke of Benjamyn So with that gawd to garre hym byd,    for he toght thei twa suld not twyn. In ther way as thei wentt    and trowd of nokyns trayne, Sun armyd men war sentt    and broyght then Benjamyn agayn. 115. To Joseph fell thei down be dene,    and he lett os he lufyd them noyght. Unto them carpyd he wordes kene    and sayd, “Fals thefes, what was your toght? Yow forto beld bown have I bene,    and wekydly heyr have ye wroght, And of yourselfe yt sall be sene.”    Als he dyd ther sekkes be soght, His cowpe was fun with schame    in the yongest brothir seke. Joseph sayd he that same    suld hyng hegh by the neke. 116. Judas sayd, “Mercy, lord, lett be;    lett us not lose that lytyll knave. Our fader toke hym unto me;    I hyght hym sothly hym forto sayve, And sertes bott yf he sound hym see,    full sune sall he be grathyd in grave. Lett hym go home, and dwell wyll we    in hold, wherso ye wyll us have.” When Joseph wyst ther wyll    and saw them wepe so soyre, “Brethyr,” he sayd, “be styll    and mowne ye yow no more.”	sacks go their way with joy beside [them] bliss did cease he caused to be hid trick to cause him to stay be separated; (see note) suspected no trickery Soon [after them] (t-note) forthwith pretended that he loved he uttered sharp words comfort I have been prepared wickedly here shall be repaid caused their sacks to be searched found same [one] hang high; (see note) let [it] be child placed him in my keeping made him an honest vow to protect him certainly unless he sees him safe soon; laid in [his] (see note) captivity knew so sorely moan
[JOSEPH REVEALS HIMSELF TO HIS BROTHERS (45:1–24)]
1395 1400	117. This tokyn to them he told,    “When my fader to feld me sent, I am the same man ye sold    for twenty pennys of payment.” Then all ther hertes began to cald;    full well thei hopyd to have ben schent. Bot Joseph sayd then, “Brethyr, be bold;    I forgyf yow with gud entent.” Thei kyssyd and for joy grett    myrth was them amange. And thus this meneye mett    that mekyll spech of sprange.	evidence; he gave; (t-note) field pence to [grow] cold they expected; been killed (t-note) company reunited much talking arose
[JACOB BRINGS HIS FAMILY TO EGYPT (46:1–12), DIES, AND IS BURIED (49:29–50:14)]
1405 1410 1415	118. Then Joseph sent his brethir ten    to foche his fader, wher thei hym fand, And all ther kyn that thei cowd ken    gart he bryng into Egyp land. And in on yle that hyght Jessen,    thor was ther wunyng well ordand. His dreme was fayr fulfyllyd then,    for all thei heldyd to his hand. When Jacob das war weryd    unto a hunderth faurty and sevyn, He dyed and was enterd    in Chanan, wher he had bene.	fetch; left know he caused [them to be] brought region; Goshen; (see note) dwelling bowed days were done 147 [years]; (t-note) interred Canaan
[JOSEPH’S LAST DAYS AND DEATH (50:22–26)]
1420 1425 1430 1435 1440	119. Then had Joseph welth in weld    of gold and sylver and gud store. His brethyr gudly can hym be held    with men and wyfes that with them were. And aftur when he was of eld    a hunderth yer ten and no more, His saule to God then can he yeld,    als all his helders had don before. His brethyr ylkon    within schort tym war dede; Bott folke war full gud one    that com of ther kynred. 120. And tho that aftur them can dwell,    thei multyplyd ay mo and moe, And wer namyd chylder of Israel,    for Jacob name was schonged so. Thei mad grett mornyng them amell,    for Joseph was so fer them fro, For afturwerd, os men may tell,    ther welth was turn to wer and wo. This buke then ende we thus,    that is namyd Genesis. To begyn Exodus    God with His wyll us wysch.	in hand; (t-note) well were under his protection of age; (t-note) one hundred ten years; (t-note) soul; did he yield as; elders brothers all [a] short time were dead very much in abundance; (see note) family those who after ever more and more; (t-note) children Jacob’s name was changed; (t-note) mourning among themselves; (see note) Joseph’s greatness was so far from them (see note) war and woe guide