5 David,) to be registered with Mary his betrothed 6 wife, who was with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were completed 7 that she should bring forth. And she brought forth her first-born son, and wrapped him in swathing bands, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, and keeping watch over their flock 9 by night. And, behold, an angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone around 10 them; and they were sore afraid. And the angel said to them: Fear not; for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all the 11 people. For to you is born this day in the city of 12 David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this

shall be to you the sign: Ye shall find a babe wrap13 ped in swathing bands, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of 14 the heavenly host, praising God and saying: Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will among men.

15 And it came to pass, when the angels were gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said one to another: Let us go now unto Bethlehem, and see this thing that is come to pass, which 16 the Lord has made known to us. And they came with haste, and found both Mary and Joseph, and 17 the babe lying in the manger. And having seen it

they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all that heard 18 wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds. And Mary kept all these things, ponder- 19 ing them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, 20 glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, as it was told to them.

And when eight days were completed for circum- 21 cising him, his name was called Jesus; the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

And when the days of their purification accord- 22 ing to the law of. Moses were completed, they brought him up to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord; (as it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male 23 that opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord); and to offer a sacrifice according to what is 24 said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.

And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose 25 name was Simeon; and this man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it was revealed 26 to him by the Holy Spirit, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Christ of the Lord. And he came by the Spirit into the temple; and 27 when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do

V. 19. or, all these words

28 for him after the custom of the law, then he took 29 him into his arms, and blessed God, and said: Now,

Lord, thou lettest thy servant depart in peace, accord30 ing to thy word; because mine eyes have seen thy sal31 vation, which thou hast prepared before the face of 32 all the peoples; a light for a revelation to the Gen

tiles, and the glory of thy people Israel. 33 And his father and mother marveled at the things 34 that were spoken of him. And Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary his mother; Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and 35 for a sign which shall be spoken against; (and a sword shall pierce through thine own soul also); that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed. 36 And there was Anna a prophetess, daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of great age, and had lived with a husband seven years 37 from her virginity; and she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, who departed not from the temple, serving day and night with fastings and 38 prayers. And she, coming up at that very time, likewise gave thanks to the Lord, and spake of him to all that were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.

39

And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Gali40 lee, to their own city Nazareth. And the child grew, and became strong, being filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.

Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at 41 the feast of the passover. And when he was twelve 42 years old, they went up according to the custom of the feast. And when they had completed the days, 43 as they returned, Jesus the child tarried behind in Jerusalem; and his parents knew it not. But supposing 44 that he was in the company, they went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kindred and acquaintance. And not finding him, they returned to 45 Jerusalem, seeking him.

And it came to pass, that after three days they 46 found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both hearing them, and asking them questions. And all that heard him were astonished at 47 his understanding and answers. And seeing him 48 they were amazed. And his mother said to him: Child, why hast thou thus dealt with us? Behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. And 49 he said to them: How is it that ye sought me? Did ye not know, that I must be in my Father's house? And they understood not the saying which he spake 50 to them.

And he went down with them, and came to Naza- 51 reth, and was subject to them. And his mother

kept all these sayings in her heart.

And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and 52 in favor with God and men.

V. 49. or, must be in my Father's business

1

III. Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Cæsar, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and of the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abi2 lene, when Annas was high priest and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John the son of Zachariah in 3 the wilderness. And he came into all the country about the Jordan, preaching the immersion of re4 pentance for remission of sins. As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet: The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths. 5 Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be 6 straight, and the rough ways smooth; and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.

7

He said therefore to the multitudes that came out to be immersed by him: Brood of vipers, who has warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 8 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance; and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham for our father; for I say to you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children to Abra9 ham. And now also the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore, that brings not forth good fruit, is hewn down and cast into the fire.

10

And the multitudes asked him, saying: What then 11 shall we do? He answering says to them: He that