77 78 79 80 21 the face of the Lord to make ready his ways; To give knowledge of salvation unto his people In the remission of their sins, Because of the tender mercy of our God, 2 Whereby the dayspring from on high shall visit us, To shine upon them that sit in darkness and the shadow of death; To guide our feet into the way of peace. And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel. Now it came to pass in those days, there went out a decree from Cæsar Augustus, that all the world should be 2 enrolled. This was the first enrolment made when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to enrol themselves, every one to his own 4 city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judæa, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and 5 family of David; to enrol himself with Mary, who was betrothed to him, being great 6 with child. And it came to pass, while they were there, the days were fulfilled that 7 she should be delivered. And 1 Or, heart of mercy read hath visited us. 6 Or, Anointed Lord sure among men. she brought forth her firstborn son; and she wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were shepherds in 8 the same country abiding in the field, and keeping 5 watch by night over their flock. And 9 an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto 10 them, Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all the people for there is 11 born to you this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is 6 Christ the Lord. And this 12 is the sign unto you; Ye shall find a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, and lying in a manger. And suddenly 13 there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the high- 14 est, And on earth 7 peace among 8 men in whom he is well And it came to pass, when 15 the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this "thing that is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known 2 Or, Wherein 3 Many ancient authorities 4 Gr. the inhabited earth. 5 Or, night-watches 7 Many ancient authorities read peace, good plea 8 Gr. men of good pleasure. 9 Or, saying 16 unto us. And they came with haste, and found both Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in the manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known concerning the saying which was spoken to 18 them about this child. And all that heard it wondered at the things which were spoken unto them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these 1sayings, pondering them in her 20 heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, even as it was spoken unto them. 21 22 And when eight days were fulfilled for circumcising him, his name was called JESUS, which was so called by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. And when the days of their purification according to the law of Moses were fulfilled, they brought him up to Jerusalem, to present him to the 23 Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord), 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young 25 pigeons. And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Spirit was upon 2 Gr. bondservant. him. And it had been re- 26 vealed unto him by the Holy Spirit, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ. And he 27 came in the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, that they might do concerning him after the custom of the law, then he received him 28 into his arms, and blessed God, and said, Now lettest thou thy 2ser- 29 vant depart, O 3 Lord, According to thy word, in peace; For mine eyes have seen 30 thy salvation, Which thou hast prepared 31 before the face of all peoples; A light for 4 revelation to 32 the Gentiles, And the glory of thy people Israel. And his father and his mother 33 were marvelling at the things which were spoken concerning him; and Simeon blessed 34 them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the falling and rising up of many in Israel; and for a sign which is spoken against; yea and a sword 35 shall pierce through thine own soul; that thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed. And there was one 36 Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher (she was "of a great age, having lived with a husband seven years from 4 Or, the 3 Gr. Master. 1 Or, things unveiling of the Gentiles 5 Gr. advanced in many days. 37 her virginity, and she had been a widow even for fourscore and four years), which departed not from the temple, worshipping with fastings and supplications night and 38 day. And coming up at that very hour she gave thanks unto God, and spake of him to all them that were looking for the redemption of Jeru39 salem. And when they had accomplished all things that were according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth. 40 And the child grew, and waxed strong, 1filled with wisdom and the grace of God was upon him. 41 And his parents went every year to Jerusalem at the feast 42 of the passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up after the custom of 43 the feast; and when they had fulfilled the days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and his parents knew it not; 44 but supposing him to be in the company, they went a day's journey; and they sought for him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance: 45 and when they found him not, they returned to Jerusa46 lem, seeking for him. And it came to pass, after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the 2 doctors, both hearing them, and asking them ques tions: and all that heard him 47 were amazed at his understanding and his answers. And when they saw him, 48 they were astonished: and his mother said unto him, 3Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I sought thee sorrowing. And he said unto 49 them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be in my Father's house? And they understood not the 50 saying which he spake unto them. And he went down 51 with them, and came to Nazareth; and he was subject unto them: and his mother kept all these 5sayings in her heart. And Jesus advanced in wis- 52 dom and 6 stature, and in 7 favour with God and men. Now in the fifteenth year 1 3 of the reign of Tiberius Cæsar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judæa, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Ituræa and Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene, in the 2 high-priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness. And he came into all the re- 3 gion round about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance unto remission of sins; as it is written in the 4 book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, 4 Or, 5 Or, things 1 Gr. becoming full of wisdom. 2 Or, teachers 3 Gr. Child. about my Father's business Gr. in the things of my Father. 7 Or, grace 6 Or, age 5 6 7 The voice of one crying in do? And he said unto them, 13 And smooth; salvation of God. Extort no more than that which is appointed you. And 14 4 soldiers also asked him, saying, And we, what must we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither exact anything wrongfully; and be content with your And as the people were in 15 And the crooked shall be- wages. He said therefore to the multitudes that went out to be baptized of him, Ye offspring of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to 8 come? Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children 9 unto Abraham. And even now is the axe also laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 10 And the multitudes asked him, saying, What then must 11 we do? And he answered and said unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath food, let 12 him do likewise. And there came also 2publicans to be baptized, and they said unto him, Master, what must we 3 1 Or, your repentance Teacher With many other exhorta- 18 tions therefore preached he good tidings unto the people; but Herod the tetrarch, being 19 reproved by him for Herodias his brother's wife, and for all the evil things which Herod had done, added yet this 20 above all, that he shut up John in prison. Now it came to pass, when 21 all the people were baptized, that, Jesus also having been baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened, and the 22 2 See marginal note on Matt. v. 46. 4 Gr. soldiers on service. sufficient. 7 Or, in 8 Or, the gospel 3 Or, 6 Gr. 23 Holy Ghost descended in a bodily form, as a dove, upon him, and a voice came out of heaven, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased. And Jesus himself, when he began to teach, was about thirty years of age, being the son (as was supposed) of Jo24 seph, the son of Heli, the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Melchi, the son of Jannai, the son of Joseph, 25 the son of Mattathias, the son of Amos, the son of Nahum, the son of Esli, the son of 26 Naggai, the son of Maath, the son of Mattathias, the son of Semein, the son of Josech, 27 the son of Joda, the son of Joanan, the son of Rhesa, the son of Zerubbabel, the son of 1Shealtiel, the son 28 of Neri, the son of Melchi, the son of Addi, the son of Cosam, the son of Elmadam, 29 the son of Er, the son of Jesus, the son of Eliezer, the son of Jorim, the son of Mat30 that, the son of Levi, the son of Symeon, the son of Judas, the son of Joseph, the son of Jonam, the son of Eliakim, 31 the son of Melea, the son of Menna, the son of Mattatha, the son of Nathan, the son of 32 David, the son of Jesse, the son of Obed, the son of Boaz, the son of 2 Salmon, the son 33 of Nahshon, the son of Amminadab, the son of 4Arni, the son of Hezron, the son of 1 Gr. Salathiel. Perez, the son of Judah, the 34 son of Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham, the son of Terah, the son of Nahor, the son of Serug, the son of 35 Reu, the son of Peleg, the son of Eber, the son of Shelah, the son of Cainan, the son of 36 Arphaxad, the son of Shem, the son of Noah, the son of Lamech, the son of Methuse- 37 lah, the son of Enoch, the son of Jared, the son of Mahalaleel, the son of Cainan, the 38 son of Enos, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God. And Jesus, full of the Holy 1 4 Spirit, returned from the Jordan, and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness during forty days, being tempted 2 of the devil. And he did eat nothing in those days: and when they were completed, he hungered. And the devil said 3 unto him, If thou art the Son of God, command this stone that it become "bread. And 4 Jesus answered unto him, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone. And he led 5 him up, and shewed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And 6 the devil said unto him, To thee will I give all this authority, and the glory of them: for it hath been delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it. If thou therefore wilt worship 7 before me, it shall all be 2 Some ancient authorities write Sala. ancient authorities insert the son of Admin: and one writes Amminadab. 4 Some ancient authorities write Aram. 6 Or, a loaf 7 Gr. the inhabited earth. 3 Many Admin for 5 Or, in |