Catholic Public Domain Version

Genesis 23:3-13 Catholic Public Domain Version (CPDV)

3. And when he had risen up from the funeral duties, he spoke to the sons of Heth, saying:

4. "I am a newcomer and a sojourner among you. Give me the right of a sepulcher among you, so that I may bury my dead."

5. The sons of Heth responded by saying:

6. "Hear us, O lord, you are a leader of God among us. Bury your dead in our chosen sepulchers. And no man shall be able to prohibit you from burying your dead within his memorial."

7. Abraham arose, and he reverenced the people of the land, namely, the sons of Heth.

8. And he said to them: "If it pleases your soul that I should bury my dead, hear me, and intercede on my behalf with Ephron, the son of Zohar,

9. so that he may give me the double cave, which he has at the far end of his field. He may transfer it to me for as much money as it is worth in your sight, for the possession of a sepulcher."

10. Now Ephron dwelt in the midst of the sons of Heth. And Ephron responded to Abraham in the hearing of everyone who was entering at the gate of his city, saying:

11. "Let it never be so, my lord, but you should pay greater heed to what I say. The field I will transfer to you, and the cave that is in it. In the presence of the sons of my people, bury your dead."

12. Abraham reverenced in the sight of the people of the land.

13. And he spoke to Ephron, standing in the midst of the people: "I ask you to hear me. I will give you money for the field. Take it, and so I will bury my dead in it."