THE BEATITUDES:
OLD, MIDDLE, AND MODERN ENGLISH VERSIONS
& he untynde hys muš
& lęrde hyo. & cwęš Eadige synde ža gastliche
žearfan, foržan hyora is heofena riche. Eadige syndde ža lyšan, for-žan že hyo eoržan
agunnen.
Eadige sind
ža že nu wepeš, for-žan že hyo beoš
gefrefrede. Eadiga synd ža
že rihtwysnissa hingreš & žirsteš , for-žam že
hyo beoš gefellede. Eadige synd ža mild-heortan,
for-žan že hyo mildheortnyssa begytaš. Eadige synd ža clęn-heortan, for-žan že hyo god geseoš. Eadige synd ža sibsume,
for-žan že hyo beoš godes
bearn genemnde. Eadiga synd ža že
hehtnysse žoliaš for rihtwisnysse, for-žam že heora is heofena
riche. Eadiga synde ge
žanne hyo weregieš eow & ehtaš eow & seggeš yfell ongean
eow leogende for me. Geblissiaš & gefageniaš for-žan že eower mede
is mychel on heofenum. Swa hyo ehtan ša witegan že
beforen eow węren.
Anglo-Saxon
NT, Xe
And he, openynge his mouthe,
tau3te to hem, sayinge, Blessid
be the pore in spirit, for the Kingdam in heuenes is heren. Blessid be mylde men, for thei shuln welde the eerthe. Blessid be thei that mournen, for thei shuln be comfortid. Blessed be thei
that hungren and thristen
ri3twisnesse, for thei shuln
ben fulfillid.
Blessid be mercyful
men, for thei shuln gete mercye. Blessid
be thei that ben of clene herte, for thei shuln see God. Blessid be pesible men. for thei shuln
be clepid the sonys of
God. Blessid
be thei that suffren persecucioun for ri3twisnesse, for the kyngdam of heuenes is herun. 3ee shulen be blessid, when men shulen curse 3ou, and shulen pursue 3ou,
and shulen say al yuel a3eins
3ou lee 3ing, for me. Ioye 3ee withyn forth, and
glade 3ee,
without forth, for 3oure meede is plenteuouse in heuenes; forsothe so thei han pursued also prophetes that weren before you.
And he opened his
mouth, and taught them, saying, Blessed are the
poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they
shall be comforted. Blessed are
the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness:
for they shall be filled. Blessed are
the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
Bleesed are the pure in heart: for they
shall see God. Blessed are the
peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they which are persecuted
for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile
you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you
falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be
exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted
they the prophets which were before you.