an: the birth of Phares and
Zara.

38:1. At that time Juda went down from his brethren, and turned in to a
certain Odollamite, named Hiras.

38:2. And he saw there the daughter of a man of Chanaan, called Sue: and
taking her to wife, he went in unto her.

38:3. And she conceived, and bore a son, and called his name Her.

38:4. And conceiving again, she bore a son, and called him Onan.

38:5. She bore also a third: whom she called Sela. After whose birth,
she ceased to bear any more.

38:6. And Juda took a wife for Her, his first born, whose name was
Thamar.

38:7. And Her, the first born of Juda, was wicked in the sight of the
Lord: and was slain by him.

38:8. 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.

38:9. He knowing that the children should not be his, when he went in to
his brother's wife, he spilled his seed upon the ground, lest children
should be born in his brother's name.

38:10. And therefore the Lord slew him, because he did a detestable
thing:

38:11. 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.

38:12. 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.

38:13. And it was told Thamar that her father-in-law was come up to
Thamnas to shear his sheep.

38:14. 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.

38:15. When Juda saw her, he thought she was a harlot: for she had
covered her face, lest she should be known.

38:16. 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?

38:17. 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 me a pledge, till
thou send what thou promisest.

38:18. 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
wom