then the Lord God formed [that is, created the body of] man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and the man became a living being [an individual complete in body and spirit].

Now a river flowed out of Eden to water the garden; and from there it divided and became four [branching] rivers.

Now the man Adam knew Eve as his wife, and she conceived and gave birth to Cain, and she said, “I have obtained a man (baby boy, son) with the help of the Lord.”

Cain knew his wife [one of Adam’s descendants] and she conceived and gave birth to Enoch; and Cain built a city and named it Enoch, after the name of his son.

Adam knew [Eve as] his wife again; and she gave birth to a son, and named him Seth, for [she said], “God has granted another child for me in place of Abel, because Cain killed him.”

After Noah was five hundred years old, he became the father of Shem, Ham, and Japheth.

Now Noah became the father of three sons: Shem, Ham, and Japheth.

The waters became mighty and increased greatly on the earth, and the ark floated on the surface of the waters.

[In fact] the waters became fifteen cubits higher [than the highest ground], and the mountains were covered.

He drank some of the wine and became drunk, and he was uncovered and lay exposed inside his tent.

Cush became the father of Nimrod; he became a mighty one on the earth.

Mizraim [the ancestor of the Egyptians] became the father of Ludim, Anamim, Lehabim, Naphtuhim

Canaan became the father of Sidon, his firstborn, and Heth

Arpachshad became the father of Shelah; and Shelah became the father of Eber.

Joktan became the father of Almodad, Sheleph, Hazarmaveth, Jerah,

These are the records of the generations of Shem [from whom Abraham descended]. Shem was a hundred years old when he became the father of Arpachshad, two years after the flood.

When Arpachshad had lived thirty-five years, he became the father of Shelah.

When Shelah had lived thirty years, he became the father of Eber.

When Eber had lived thirty-four years, he became the father of Peleg.

When Peleg had lived thirty years, he became the father of Reu.

When Reu had lived thirty-two years, he became the father of Serug.

When Serug had lived thirty years, he became the father of Nahor.

When Nahor had lived twenty-nine years, he became the father of Terah.

After Terah had lived seventy years, he became the father of Abram and Nahor and Haran [his firstborn].

He went in to [the bed of] Hagar, and she conceived; and when she realized that she had conceived, she looked with contempt on her mistress [regarding Sarai as insignificant because of her infertility].

But Lot’s wife, from behind him, [foolishly, longingly] looked [back toward Sodom in an act of disobedience], and she became a pillar of salt.

Besides, she actually is my [half] sister; she is the daughter of my father [Terah], but not of my mother; and she became my wife.

So Sarah conceived and gave birth to a son for Abraham in his old age, at the appointed time of which God had spoken to him.

God was with Ishmael, and he grew and developed; and he lived in the wilderness and became an [expert] archer.

Bethuel became the father of Rebekah. These eight [children] Milcah bore to Nahor, Abraham’s brother.

Then Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah’s tent, and he took Rebekah [in marriage], and she became his wife, and he loved her; therefore Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death.

Isaac prayed to the Lord for his wife, because she was unable to conceive children; and the Lord granted his prayer and Rebekah his wife conceived [twins].

And the man [Isaac] became great and gained more and more until he became very wealthy and extremely distinguished;

Leah conceived and gave birth to a son and named him Reuben (See, a son!), for she said, “Because the Lord has seen my humiliation and suffering; now my husband will love me [since I have given him a son].”

Then she conceived again and gave birth to a son and said, “Because the Lord heard that I am unloved, He has given me this son also.” So she named him Simeon (God hears).

She conceived again and gave birth to a son and said, “Now this time my husband will become attached to me [as a companion], for I have given him three sons.” Therefore he was named Levi.

Then Jacob became furious with Rachel, and he said, “Am I in the place of God, who has denied you children?”

Bilhah conceived and gave birth to a son for Jacob.

Leah conceived again and gave birth to a sixth son for Jacob.

So she conceived and gave birth to a son; and she said, “God has taken away my disgrace and humiliation.”

So Jacob became exceedingly prosperous, and had large flocks [of sheep and goats], and female and male servants, and camels and donkeys.

Then Jacob became angry and argued with Laban. And he said to Laban, “What is my fault? What is my sin that you pursued me like this?

So she conceived and gave birth to a son and Judah named him Er.

He said, “What pledge shall I give you?” She said, “Your seal and your cord, and the staff that is in your hand.” So he gave them to her and was intimate with her, and she conceived by him.

For your servant became security for the young man to my father, saying, ‘If I do not bring him back to you, then let me bear the blame before my father forever.’

So Joseph bought all the land of Egypt for Pharaoh; for every Egyptian sold his field because the famine was severe upon them. So the land became Pharaoh’s.

“When he saw that the resting place was good
And that the land was pleasant,
He bowed his shoulder to bear [burdens],
And became a servant at forced labor.