Genesis 38:13-30

13It was told to Tamar, “1Behold, your father-in-law is going up to 2Timnah to shear his sheep.” 14So she 3removed her widow’s garments and 4covered herself with a 5veil, and wrapped herself, and sat in the gateway of 6Enaim, which is on the road to Timnah; for she saw that Shelah had grown up, and 7she had not been given to him as a wife. 15When Judah saw her, he thought she was a harlot, for she had covered her face. 16So he turned aside to her by the road, and said, “8Here now, let me come in to you”; for he did not know that she was his daughter-in-law. And she said, “What will you give me, that you may come in to me?” 17He said, therefore, “I will send you a 9young goat from the flock.” She said, moreover, “Will you give a pledge until you send it?” 18He said, “What pledge shall I give you?” And she said, “10Your seal and your cord, and your staff that is in your hand.” So he gave them to her and went in to her, and she conceived by him. 19Then she arose and departed, and 11removed her 12veil and put on her widow’s garments.

20When Judah sent the 13young goat by his friend the Adullamite, to receive the pledge from the woman’s hand, he did not find her. 21He asked the men of her place, saying, “Where is the temple prostitute who was by the road at Enaim?” But they said, “There has been no temple prostitute here.” 22So he returned to Judah, and said, “I did not find her; and furthermore, the men of the place said, ‘There has been no temple prostitute here.’” 23Then Judah said, “Let her 14keep them, otherwise we will become a laughingstock. 15After all, I sent this young goat, but you did not find her.”

24Now it was about three months later that Judah was informed, “16Your daughter-in-law Tamar has played the harlot, and behold, she is also with child by harlotry.” Then Judah said, “Bring her out and 17let her be burned!” 25It was while she was being brought out that she sent to her father-in-law, saying, “I am with child by the man to whom these things belong.” And she said, “18Please examine and see, whose signet ring and cords and staff are these?” 26Judah recognized them, and said, “19She is more righteous than I, inasmuch as 20I did not give her to my son Shelah.” And he did not 21have relations with her again.

27It came about at the time she was giving birth, that behold, there were 22twins in her womb. 28Moreover, it took place while she was giving birth, one put out a hand, and the midwife took and tied a scarlet thread on his hand, saying, “This one came out first.” 29But it came about as he drew back his hand, that behold, his brother came out. Then she said, “What a breach you have made for yourself!” So he was named 2324Perez. 30Afterward his brother came out who had the scarlet thread on his hand; and he was named 2526Zerah.