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 lee3ing,
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.