Genesis

World English Bible (Catholic)

Genesis has 50 chapters. Read Genesis in the World English Bible (Catholic), chapter by chapter, free and without an account.

Genesis recounts the creation of the world, humanity’s disobedience, and the beginnings of Israel’s ancestral family. Its focus narrows from the nations to Abraham and Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph. Promises of land, descendants, and blessing run through a story of conflict and survival that ends with Jacob’s family in Egypt.

Read the Genesis summary and outline →

In Christian Bibles, Genesis is one of the five books of the Pentateuch of the Old Testament. In the Jewish Tanakh it belongs to the Torah. See it on the shelf.

Creation moving from darkness into an ordered world of land, water, living creatures, and humanity

Genesis 1 describes creation, humanity made in God's image, the care of the earth, and God's declaration that creation is very good.

The human pair beneath a great tree in Eden's river-watered garden

Genesis 2 recounts the seventh-day rest, the garden of Eden, the formation of the man and woman, human vocation, and companionship.

The human pair leaving the garden for a thorn-edged land after the fall

Genesis 3 recounts the serpent's deception, human disobedience, shame and judgment, God's provision of garments, and exile from Eden.

Cain and Abel separated by their offerings in an ancient field

Genesis 4 follows Cain and Abel, the first murder and its consequences, Cain's descendants, developing culture, and the birth of Seth.

Many generations walking beneath a deeply rooted tree toward the horizon

Genesis 5 traces Adam's family line through Seth to Noah, emphasizing generations and mortality, Enoch's walk with God, and hope for relief.

Noah and his family building the ark beneath gathering storm clouds

Genesis 6 describes human corruption, God's coming judgment, Noah's favor and obedience, and the instructions for building the ark.

The ark carrying life through rain and overwhelming floodwaters

Genesis 7 recounts Noah's family entering the ark, forty days of rain, the flood covering the land, and the preservation of life within.

The ark on emerging land as Noah's family and the animals enter a renewed world

Genesis 8 recounts the receding floodwaters, the birds sent from the ark, Noah's altar, and God's promise concerning the earth's seasons.

Noah's family and living creatures beneath the rainbow covenant

Genesis 9 records God's covenant with Noah and all living creatures, the rainbow sign, the value of human life, and Noah's family conflict.

Families journeying from a shared encampment toward many lands

Genesis 10 traces the descendants of Noah's sons and the spread of their clans, languages, territories, and nations after the flood.

Builders confused beneath the unfinished tower of Babel as families begin to disperse

Genesis 11 recounts Babel and the scattering of its builders, then traces Shem's family line to Terah, Abram, Sarai, and Haran.

Abram and Sarai leading their household toward an unknown land and a new altar

Genesis 12 follows God's call of Abram, his journey to Canaan, the promises of blessing, and Abram and Sarai's difficult stay in Egypt.

Abram and Lot parting peacefully as their households take different paths

Genesis 13 recounts Abram and Lot's peaceful separation, Lot's choice near Sodom, and God's renewed promise of land to Abram.

Abram receiving Melchizedek's blessing beside bread, wine, and a rescued caravan

Genesis 14 recounts Lot's capture and rescue, Abram's victory, Melchizedek's blessing, and Abram's refusal of Sodom's wealth.

Abram beneath innumerable stars beside the smoke and flame of the covenant

Genesis 15 records God's covenant with Abram, the promise of an heir and countless descendants, and the future inheritance of the land.

Hagar beside a wilderness spring meeting a messenger who speaks hope for her son

Genesis 16 recounts Sarai and Hagar's conflict, Hagar's flight and wilderness encounter, and the promise and birth of Ishmael.

Abraham and his household gathered beneath stars and dawn in covenant belonging

Genesis 17 renews the covenant, gives Abraham and Sarah new names, establishes circumcision, and promises Isaac while blessing Ishmael.

Abraham serving three visitors while Sarah listens and the plain waits in the distance

Genesis 18 recounts Abraham's hospitality, the promise of Sarah's son, her laughter, and Abraham's intercession concerning Sodom.

Lot and his daughters fleeing the burning cities as his wife looks back

Genesis 19 recounts Lot's rescue, the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, his wife's fate, and the origins of Moab and Ammon.

Sarah standing with dignity as Abimelech and Abraham make restitution at Gerar

Genesis 20 recounts Abraham and Sarah at Gerar, God's warning to Abimelech, Sarah's return, restitution, and restored fertility.

Sarah and Abraham celebrating Isaac as Hagar and Ishmael recover beside a wilderness well

Genesis 21 records Isaac's birth, Hagar and Ishmael's wilderness deliverance, and Abraham's treaty with Abimelech at Beersheba.

Abraham and Isaac beside the halted altar as a ram appears in the thicket

Genesis 22 recounts Abraham's testing, Isaac's deliverance, the ram provided in his place, and the reaffirmation of God's promises.

Abraham purchasing the field of Machpelah as Sarah's covered bier approaches the cave

Genesis 23 records Sarah's death and burial and Abraham's public purchase of the field and cave of Machpelah from Ephron.

Rebekah watering camels at the well as Abraham's servant recognizes her generosity

Genesis 24 follows Abraham's servant, Rebekah's welcome at the well, her decision to leave her family, and her marriage to Isaac.

Jacob offering Esau a bowl of lentil stew as their parents watch from the family camp

Genesis 25 records Abraham's death, Ishmael's descendants, the births of Esau and Jacob, and Esau's sale of his birthright.

Isaac and Rebekah beside a restored well as pasture flourishes and former rivals make peace

Genesis 26 follows Isaac through famine, conflict over wells, growing prosperity, God's reassurance, and a peace treaty with Abimelech.

Jacob receiving Isaac's blessing as Rebekah watches and Esau approaches the tent

Genesis 27 recounts Jacob's deception of Isaac, the blessing intended for Esau, Esau's grief and anger, and Jacob's planned departure.

Jacob sleeping beneath a luminous stairway between earth and heaven

Genesis 28 follows Jacob's departure, his dream of a stairway at Bethel, God's promises of land and descendants, and Jacob's vow.

Jacob meeting Rachel at the well while Leah and the growing household appear beyond

Genesis 29 recounts Jacob's meeting with Rachel, Laban's wedding deception, Jacob's marriages to Leah and Rachel, and Leah's first sons.

Leah and Rachel with their growing household as Jacob separates the patterned flocks

Genesis 30 traces the growth and rivalry of Jacob's household, Joseph's birth, Jacob's agreement with Laban, and his increasing prosperity.

Jacob and Laban facing one another across the witness stones as their households wait in Gilead

Genesis 31 follows Jacob's departure, Laban's pursuit, Rachel's hidden household idols, and the covenant boundary established in Gilead.

Jacob wrestling a mysterious shrouded figure beside the Jabbok as daybreak approaches

Genesis 32 recounts Jacob's fear of meeting Esau, his prayer and gifts, his night-long struggle at the Jabbok, and the name Israel.

Jacob and Esau embracing as their families and herds watch in relief

Genesis 33 records Jacob and Esau's reconciliation, the acceptance of Jacob's gifts, their separate journeys, and Jacob's altar near Shechem.

Dinah standing with dignity as Jacob grieves and Simeon and Levi return from Shechem

Genesis 34 recounts Dinah's violation, deceptive negotiations with Shechem, Simeon and Levi's vengeance, the city's plunder, and Jacob's fear.

Jacob anointing the stone at Bethel as his household's journey continues through renewal and loss

Genesis 35 follows Jacob's return to Bethel, renewed promises, Benjamin's birth, Rachel and Isaac's deaths, and Jacob's twelve sons.

Esau overlooking generations of his household as they settle among the mountains of Seir

Genesis 36 traces Esau's family, his move to Seir, the clans and chiefs descended from him, and the kings who ruled Edom.

Joseph being lifted from the cistern and led toward a merchant caravan as his brothers watch

Genesis 37 recounts Joseph's dreams, his brothers' jealousy and betrayal, Jacob's grief, and Joseph's sale to Potiphar in Egypt.

Tamar presenting Judah's seal, cord, and staff as the newborn twins are cared for nearby

Genesis 38 follows Judah and Tamar through family loss, a denied obligation, Tamar's vindication, and the births of Perez and Zerah.

Joseph leaving his garment behind as he chooses integrity and later serves faithfully in prison

Genesis 39 recounts Joseph's faithful service, refusal of Potiphar's wife, false accusation, imprisonment, and renewed responsibility.

Joseph interpreting the cupbearer and baker's dreams while confined in an Egyptian prison

Genesis 40 recounts Joseph's interpretations of the cupbearer and baker's dreams, their fulfillment, and the cupbearer's failure to remember him.

Joseph interpreting Pharaoh's dreams as Egypt stores grain for the coming famine

Genesis 41 recounts Pharaoh's dreams, Joseph's interpretation and rise to authority, Egypt's abundant harvests, and the beginning of famine.

Joseph's brothers bowing before him beside grain sacks while Simeon is held in Egypt

Genesis 42 follows Joseph's brothers seeking grain in Egypt, Joseph's hidden identity and testing, Simeon's detention, and Jacob's grief.

Joseph watching his adult brother Benjamin across a banquet shared with their brothers

Genesis 43 follows the brothers' return with Benjamin, Joseph's concealed emotion, reassurance over the silver, and a shared feast in Egypt.

Judah pleading before Joseph beside Benjamin's opened sack and the silver cup

Genesis 44 recounts the silver cup test, the brothers' return to Joseph, and Judah's plea and offer to take Benjamin's place.

Joseph embracing his adult brother Benjamin as their brothers learn his identity

Genesis 45 records Joseph revealing himself, forgiving his brothers, embracing Benjamin, and inviting Jacob's household to settle in Egypt.

Joseph and Jacob embracing beside the family caravan arriving in Goshen

Genesis 46 follows Israel's assured journey to Egypt, records the family who travels with him, and recounts Jacob and Joseph's reunion.

Jacob blessing Pharaoh as his family settles in Goshen and Egypt receives grain

Genesis 47 recounts Israel's settlement in Goshen, Jacob's meeting with Pharaoh, Joseph's famine policy, and Jacob's burial request.

Jacob crossing his hands to bless Ephraim and Manasseh as Joseph watches

Genesis 48 records Jacob adopting and blessing Ephraim and Manasseh, deliberately placing the younger Ephraim before his brother.

Jacob speaking his final words to his twelve sons gathered around his bed

Genesis 49 records Jacob's final words to his twelve sons, their distinct futures, his burial instructions, and his death.

Joseph reassuring his brothers as Jacob's burial procession travels toward Canaan

Genesis 50 recounts Jacob's burial, Joseph's reassurance and forgiveness of his brothers, and Joseph's hope for Israel's return.