Chapter 38

  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.  

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  And Judah saw there a daughter of a certain Canaanite, whose name was Shuah; and he took her, and went in to her.  

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  And she conceived, and bore a son; and he called his name Er.  

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  And she conceived again, and bore a son; and she called his name Onan.  

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

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  And Judah took a wife for Er his first-born, whose name was Tamar.  

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  And Er, Judah's first-born, was wicked in the sight of the LORD; and the LORD slew him.  

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  And Judah said to Onan, Go in to thy brother's wife, and marry her, and raise up seed to thy brother.  

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  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.  

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  And the thing which he did displeased the LORD: wherefore he slew him also.  

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  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.  

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  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.  

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  And it was told to Tamar, saying, Behold, thy father-in-law goeth up to Timnath, to shear his sheep.  

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  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.  

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  When Judah saw her, he thought her to be a harlot; because she had covered her face.  

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  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?  

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  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?  

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  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.  

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  And she arose and went her way and laid by her vail from her, and put on the garments of her widowhood.  

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  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.  

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  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.  

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  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.  

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

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  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.  

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  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.  

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  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.  

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  And it came to pass in the time of her travail, that behold, twins were in her womb.  

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  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.  

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  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.  

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  And afterwards came out his brother that had the scarlet thread upon his hand; and his name was called Zarah.  

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