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. Blessed
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.