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The Lord’s Prayer

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Apr 2, 1908

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 85, No. 14.

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The Lord’s Prayer

Showing the Successive Changes in the English Language

Few scholars even are aware of the great changes through which the English language has passed in successive centuries. Following are specimens of the Lord’s prayer as used at various periods in English history:—
A. D. 1158: Fader ur heune, haleweide beith thi neune, cumin thi kune-riche, thy will beoth idon in heune and in erthe. The euryceu dawe briend, gif ous thilk dawe. And vorzif uer detters as vi yoursifen ure dettours. And lene us nought into temtation, bot delyvor eus of evel. Amen.
A. D. 1300: Fader ure in heavene, halewyn be thi name, thi kingdom come, they wille be done as in hevene and earthe. Oua urche days bred give us to daye. And forgive oure detes as we forgive oure dettoures. And lead us nor in temptation, bote delyeour us of yvil. Amen.
A. D. 1370: Oure fadir that art in heunes, hallowid be thi name, thi kingdom come to, be thi wille done in earthe as in heune, geve to us this oure breed oure other substance forgene to use oure dettis as we forgauen to our detouris, lede us not into temptation, but delyeur us yvel. Amen.
A. D. 1524: O oure father which arte in heuen, hallowed be thy name. Let thy kingdom come. They wyoll be fulfilled as well in earth as it is in heuen. Give us this daye oure dayly brede. And forgive us our trespaces even as we forgive our trespacers. And lead us not into temptation, but delyver us from evel. Fyr thyne is the kindome and the power and the glorye for ever. Amen.
A. D. 1561: Our father which are in heauen, santified be thy name. Let thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heuen, in earth also. Give us today our superstantial bread. And forgive us our detes as we forgive our detters. And lead us not into temptation. But delivere us from evil. Amen.
A. D. 1711: Our father which are in heauen, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth as it is in heauen. Give us this day our dayly bread. And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thyne is the kindome, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.—Selected.