INTRODUZIONE
“A New World” è il primo libro di Mosè, più noto come la Genesi, raccontato in modo unico. Versi scorrevoli in rima baciata ed un incalzante ritmo trasportano il lettore dalle delizie verdeggianti del Giardino dell’Eden, oltre Noè e l’alluvione e le avventure di Abramo e Isacco, fino all’arrivo di Giuseppe in Egitto e la sua ascesa al potere come braccio destro del Faraone. Uno stile scanzonato ma mai irriverente, porta in vita i personaggi di questa storia biblica e fa di ‘A New World’ una lettura molto piacevole sia per bambini che per adulti.
Per trarre il massimo beneficio dalla traccia audio, si consiglia di fare l’ascolto almeno una volta prima di passare alla lettura del testo.
Jacob’s
return
[Genesis 32:1]
Laban left, and Jacob breathed a sigh of great relief,
The break was very welcome though he knew it would be brief.
Esau would be waiting for him at his journey’s end,
And wasn’t very likely to embrace him as a friend.
So just before departing, he gave a sacrifice,
And sent some men to Esau’s camp to try and break the ice.
After some days’ travelling, the men came back and swore
That Esau’s army numbered four hundred men or more.
Jacob started panicking, he split his tribe in two,
If Esau slaughtered one group, the other might get through.
Then he fell upon his knees, and to the Lord he prayed,
He begged him to remember the promises he’d made.
Then he sent some servants to greet his brother’s men,
And here’s the list of animals he sent along with them:
Thirty donkeys, forty cows, two hundred goats and rams,
Thirty camels with their calves, two hundred sheep and lambs.
He hoped that such an ample gift, in one way or another,
Would compensate for all the times he’d double-crossed his brother.
That night he took his family, cherished and adored,
To find a safer camping place beyond the Jabbock ford.
But as he was preparing to settle for the night,
A stranger pounced upon him and he was forced to fight.
The fight went on for many hours, not one of them gave in,
It seemed to be impossible for either man to win.
When at last the morning came and they were on their knees,
The stranger asked his name and said, “Now listen, Jacob, please.
The good Lord will protect you and give you strength and fame,
From this day on forever more ‘Israel’ will be your name.
All these things and many more will be your just reward,”
And Jacob realised in a flash, he’d wrestled with the Lord!
Just then Esau came in sight, upon a distant hill,
Jacob prayed that Esau’s men had not come out to kill.
He lined up all his company and put the servants first,
He told them to be fearless and ready for the worst.
Then he walked out boldly, in front of all his lines,
And as his brother neared him, he bowed down seven times.
Esau ran towards him, and much to his surprise,
Kissed him and embraced him with tears in his eyes.
He asked about his family, his children and his wife,
It hadn’t even crossed his mind to take his brother’s life.
And as for all the animals they’d sent on up ahead,
Esau said he had no need, his folk were all well fed.
Instead, he had a bright idea to travel side by side,
As Jacob needed extra men and possibly a guide.
But Jacob had young children and many a lamb and calf,
Compared to Esau’s marching pace, theirs was less than half.
So Jacob told his brother to leave without delay,
And thanking him for everything, he sent him on his way.
Who translated that ?
I’m not sure I understand what you mean by “translated”, Carla.
“A New World” is my own work – a modern version of the Genesis story from the Bible, told in rhyming couplets.
OMG.,.I thought it was a translation from the original text ( Aramaic? Hebrew?) .It is all your own doing– Congrats
It was a labour of love which, once started, had to be finished!
But I’m very pleased with the final result. 🙂