History of the Lord's Prayer in English

The Lord's Prayer has been translated and updated throughout the history of the English language. Here are examples which show the major developments:

Translations of Matthew 6:9b–13

The text of the Matthean Lord's Prayer in the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible ultimately derives from first Old English translations. Not considering the doxology, only five words of the KJV are later borrowings directly from the Latin Vulgate (these being debts, debtors, temptation, deliver, and amen). Early English translations such as the Wycliffe and the Old English, however, were themselves translations of the Latin Vulgate.

AD 995, Old English

Fæder ūre, ðū ðē eart on heofonum,

Sī ðīn nama gehālgod.

Tō becume ðīn rice.

Gewurde ðīn willa

On eorþan swā swā on heofonum.

Urne gedægwhamlīcan hlāf syle ūs tōdæg.

And forgyf ūs ūre gyltas,

Swā swā wē forgyfaþ ūrum gyltendum.

And ne gelæd ðū ūs on costnunge,

ac alȳs ūs of yfele.

-

-

Sōþlice.

AD 1389 Wycliffe

Our fadir that art in heuenes,

halwid be thi name;

Thi kingdom cumme to;

be thi wille don

as in heuen and in earthe;

giv to vs this day our breed ouer other substaunce;

and forgene to vs oure dettis,

as we forgeue to oure dettours;

and leede us nat in to temptacioun,

but delyuere vs fro yuel.

-

-

Amen.

AD 1526 Tyndale

O oure father which arte in heven,

halowed be thy name;

let thy kingdom come;

thy wyll be fulfilled

as well in erth as hit ys in heven;

geve vs this daye oure dayly breade;

and forgeve vs oure treaspases,

even as we forgeve them which treaspas vs;

leede vs not into temptacion,

but delyvre vs ffrom yvell.

For thyne is the kingdom and the power,

and the glorye for ever.

Amen.

AD 1611 King James Version

Our father which art in heauen,

hallowed be thy name

Thy kingdome come.

Thy will be done,

in earth, as it is in heauen.

Giue vs this day our daily bread.

And forgiue vs our debts,

as we forgiue our debters.

And lead vs not into temptation,

but deliuer vs from euill:

For thine is the kingdome, and the power,

and the glory, for euer,

Amen.

Other liturgical sources

AD 1549 Anglican BCP

Our father, whyche art in heaven,

halowed be thy name.

Thy Kyngdome come.

Thy wyll be doen in yearth,

as it is in heaven.

Geve us this daye our dayly breade.

And forgeve us our trespaces,

as wee forgeve them that trespasse agaynst us.

And leade us not into temptacion.

But deliver us from evill.

-

-

Amen.

AD 1662 Anglican BCP

Our Father, which art in heaven,

Hallowed be thy Name.

Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done,

in earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our trespasses,

As we forgive them that trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation;

But deliver us from evil:

[For thine is the kingdom, the power,

and the glory, for ever and ever.]

Amen.

1759 Ordo administrandi sacramenta

Our Father who art in heaven,

hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done

on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread,

and forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive those who trespass against us,

and lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

-

-

Amen.

AD 1772 Anglican BCP

Our Father, which art in heaven;

Hallowed by thy Name.

Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done in earth,

As it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our trespasses,

As we forgive them that trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation;

But deliver us from evil:

[For thine is the kingdom, :and the power,

and the glory, for ever and ever.]

Amen.

AD 1928 Anglican BCP

Our Father, who art in heaven,

Hallowed be thy Name.

Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done,

On earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our trespasses,

As we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation,

But deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom, and the power,

and the glory, for ever and ever.

Amen.

AD 1988 ELLC

Our Father in heaven,

hallowed be your name,

your kingdom come,

your will be done,

on earth as in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

Forgive us our sins

as we forgive those who sin against us.

Save us from the time of trial

and deliver us from evil.

[For the kingdom, the power,

and the glory are yours now and for ever.]

Amen.