Genesis 11

Genesis 11 read aloud, in a fresh direct translation from the Hebrew — plain modern English, nothing added. Translator's notes: • Genesis 11:1 — דְּבָרִים אֲחָדִים (devarim achadim): chose "the same words". Alternatives: "one set of words", "few words". Why: the phrase pairs with "one language" and most plainly says their speech was shared and alike; the "few words" reading rests on taking "one" loosely, which the pairing does not require. • Genesis 11:28 — עַל־פְּנֵי תֶרַח (al-penei Terach): chose "in the presence of Terah his father". Alternatives: "before Terah his father died", "while his father Terah was still alive". Why: the Hebrew is a spatial phrase, "on the face of," used for dying in a father's lifetime and sight; the rendering keeps the picture the words give.