In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep… Then God said, “Let there be light;” and there was light. God created humankind in his image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. God saw everything God had made, and indeed, it was very good. God saw everything that God had made, and it was very good. And on the seventh day God finished the work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all the work that he had done Then the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper as his partner… …she took of its fruit and ate; and she also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate. Then the LORD said to Cain, Where is your brother Abel? He said, I do not know; am I my brother’s keeper? The LORD saw that the wickedness of humankind was great in the earth…and the LORD was sorry that he had made humankind on the earth… I have set my bow in the clouds, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth. Now the whole earth had one language and the same words. And the LORD said to Abram, Go forth from your land and your birthplace… “Fear not, Abram, I am your shield. Your reward shall be very great.” Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, bore him no children. The Lord said to Abraham, Why did Sarah laugh…? Will you indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked? Suppose there are fifty righteous within the city? After these things God tested Abraham. Abraham was old and well advanced in age, and the Lord had blessed Abraham in all things. Isaac loved Esau, because he was fond of game; but Rebekah loved Jacob. His father Isaac said to him, Who are you? He answered, I am your firstborn son, Esau. When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he thought, Surely the Lord is in this place, and I was not aware of it. When morning came, it was Leah! I have sent to tell my lord, in order that I may find favor in your sight. Jacob was left alone; and a man wrestled with him until daybreak. Now Israel loved Joseph more than any other of his children, because he was the son of his old age... ...[Tamar] put off her widow’s garments, put on a veil, wrapped herself up, and sat down at the entrance to Enaim. Now Joseph was handsome and good-looking. And after a time his master’s wife cast her eyes on Joseph. Joseph said, Now therefore let Pharaoh select a man who is discerning and wise, and set him over the land of Egypt. Joseph said to his brothers, I am your brother Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt. Even though you intended to do harm to me, God intended it for good… |