<P> Genesis 1: 1--2 can be translated into English in at least three ways: </P> <Ol> <Li> As a statement that the cosmos had an absolute beginning (In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth). </Li> <Li> As a statement describing the condition of the world when God began creating (When in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was untamed and shapeless). </Li> <Li> Taking all of Genesis 1: 2 as background information (When in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth, the earth being untamed and shapeless, God said, Let there be light!). </Li> </Ol> <Li> As a statement that the cosmos had an absolute beginning (In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth). </Li> <Li> As a statement describing the condition of the world when God began creating (When in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was untamed and shapeless). </Li>

What are the first three words of the book of genesis