The Good Tidings, So Say Holy Matthew
The Blessings
On the latest episode of the Philosophy of Art & Science, Richard Rohlin mentions Anglish; an attempt to speak, write, and read English without outlandish (foreign) minglings (additions) to the tongue. I am in awe of this art and science. Word fettering is a big undertaking.
Here is a great man’s attempt at putting the Gospel According to Saint Matthew into Anglo-Saxon. He did this in the 1500s. Whenever I test-run a translation of Scripture, I usually head to this section.
by Sir John Cheke, Knight
And he seing ye great resort went vp into ye hill. And when he was set his discipils cam vnto him, and he opened his mouth scholers yt lerned and taught them on this wise. his doctrine. Happi be ye beggars in sprijt, for ye kingdom of heeven is theers. Happi be ye moorners, for yei schal be conforted. Happi be ye meek, for yei schal enherit ye earth. Happi be ye hungri and thursti of rightuosnes for yei schal be filled. Happi be ye pitiful, for yei schal be pitied. Happi be ye cleen in hart for yei schal see god. Happi be ye peesmakers for yei schal be called godds children. Happí be y persequuted for rightuousnes saak, for ýe kingdoom of heaven is theers. Happí be yow, when yei rebuke yow, and persequut yow, and speek al evel and lie against yow for mi cause. be glad and reiois for yor reward in heaven is great. For so persequuted thej ye popheets afoor your tijm.
My update for 2023 in the year of our drighten:
And he seeing the great resort went up into the hill. And when he was set his disciples came unto him, and he opened his mouth scholars yet learned and taught them on this wise. his doctrine. Blessed (or Happy) be the beggars in spirit, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs. Blessed be the mourners, for they shall be comforted. Blessed be the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed be the hungry and thirsty of righteousness for they shall be filled. Blessed be the pitiful, for they shall be pitied. Blessed be the clean in heart for they shall see god. Blessed be the peacemakers for they shall be called god’s children. Blessed be the persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs. Blessed be you, when they rebuke you, and persecute you, and speak all evil and lie against you for my cause. be glad and rejoice for your reward in heaven is great. For so persecuted they the prophets afore your time.