Then Judahsaid,"Let her keepthem, otherwisewe will becomea laughingstock.Afterall,I sentthisyounggoat,but you did not findher."
So he returnedto Judah,and said,"I did not findher; and furthermore,the menof the placesaid,'There has beennotempleprostitutehere.'"
Now it was about threemonthslater that Judahwas informed,"Your daughter-in-lawTamarhas playedthe harlot,and behold,she is alsowith childby harlotry."Then Judahsaid,"Bringher out and let her be burned!"
Whyhave you despisedthe wordof the LORDby doingevilin His sight?You have struckdownUriahthe Hittitewith the sword,have takenhis wifeto be your wife,and have killedhim with the swordof the sonsof Ammon.
Woundsand disgracehe will find,And his reproachwill not be blottedout.
Thereforewhatbenefitwere you thenderivingfrom the things of whichyou are nowashamed?For the outcomeof those thingsis death.
but we have renouncedthe things hiddenbecause of shame,not walkingin craftinessoradulteratingthe wordof God,but by the manifestationof truthcommendingourselvesto everyman'sconsciencein the sightof God.
for it is disgracefulevento speakof the things which are doneby them in secret.
("Behold,I am cominglikea thief.Blessedis the one who stays awakeand keepshis clothes,sothat he will not walk aboutnakedand men will not seehis shame.")
