Doa Bapa Kami dalam Berbagai Tahap Bahasa Inggris

​Semua bahasa berevolusi, termasuk bahasa Inggris. Evolusi dalam bahasa Inggris terlihat jelas ketika kita membandingkan doa Kristiani 'Bapa Kami' (The Lord's Prayer) dari era Inggris Kuno, Pertengahan, dan Modern.

The Lord's Prayer dalam Bahasa Inggris Kuno:

Fæder ure þu þe eart on heofonum; Si þin
nama gehalgod to becume þin rice
gewurþe ðin willa on eorðan swa swa on
heofonum. urne gedæghwamlican hlaf syle
us todæg and forgyf us ure gyltas swa swa
we forgyfað urum gyltendum and ne gelæd
þu us on costnunge ac alys us of yfele
soþlice.

Dalam Bahasa Inggris Abad Pertengahan masa Awal:

Oure fadir that art in heuenes, halewid be
thi name; thi kyndoom come to; be thi
wille don in erthe as in heuene: gyue to us
this dai oure breed ouer othir substaunce;
and forgyue to us oure dettis, as we
forgyuen to oure gettouris; and lede us not
in to temptacioun, but delyuere us fro
yuel.

Dalam Bahasa Inggris Pertengahan Masa Akhir:

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. Amen.

Dalam Bahasa Inggris Modern:
​
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.