Genesis 38:6-24

6Now Judah took a wife for Er his firstborn, and her name was Tamar. 7But 1Er, Judah’s firstborn, was evil in the sight of the Lord, so the Lord took his life. 8Then Judah said to Onan, “2Go in to your brother’s wife, and perform your duty as a brother-in-law to her, and raise up 3offspring for your brother.” 9Onan knew that the 45offspring would not be his; so when he went in to his brother’s wife, he 6wasted his seed on the ground in order not to give 7offspring to his brother. 10But what he did was displeasing in the sight of the Lord; so He 8took his life also. 11Then Judah said to his daughter-in-law Tamar, “9Remain a widow in your father’s house until my son Shelah grows up”; for he 10thought, “I am afraid that he too may die like his brothers.” So Tamar went and lived in her father’s house.

12Now 11after a considerable time Shua’s daughter, the wife of Judah, died; and when 12the time of mourning was ended, Judah went up to his sheepshearers at 13Timnah, he and his friend Hirah the Adullamite. 13It was told to Tamar, “14Behold, your father-in-law is going up to 15Timnah to shear his sheep.” 14So she 16removed her widow’s garments and 17covered herself with a 18veil, and wrapped herself, and sat in the gateway of 19Enaim, which is on the road to Timnah; for she saw that Shelah had grown up, and 20she 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, “21Here 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 22young 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, “23Your 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 24removed her 25veil and put on her widow’s garments.

20When Judah sent the 26young 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 27keep them, otherwise we will become a laughingstock. 28After all, I sent this young goat, but you did not find her.”

24Now it was about three months later that Judah was informed, “29Your daughter-in-law Tamar has played the harlot, and behold, she is also with child by harlotry.” Then Judah said, “Bring her out and 30let her be burned!”