67

said: What will this child prove hereafter? And the hand of the Lord was with him.

Then Zacharias his father, being filled with the Holy Spirit, 68 prophesied, saying: Blessed be the Lord the God of Israel, be69 cause he hath visited and redeemed his people; and (as an- Pя. 132. 17. ciently he promised by his holy prophets) hath raised a prince 71 for our deliverance in the house of David his servant; for our Jer. 23: 6. deliverance from our enemies, and from the hands of all who & 30; 10. 72 hate us; in kindness to our forefathers, and remembrance of 73 his holy covenant; the oath which he swore to our father Abra- Gen. 22: 16. 74. ham to grant unto us, that, being rescued out of the hand of our enemies, we might serve him boldly, in piety and upright76 ness, all the days of our life. And thou, child, shalt be called ch. 1; 17. 77 a prophet of the Most High; for thou shalt go before the Lord,

Jer. 31: 33.

to prepare his way, by giving the knowledge of salvation to his people in the remission of their sins, through the tender com78 passion of our God, who hath caused a light to spring from on Mal. 4; 2. 79 high to visit us, to enlighten those who abide in darkness and in

the shades of death, to direct our feet into the way of peace. 80 Now the child grew, and acquired strength of mind, and continued in the deserts until the time when he made himself known to Israel.

II. ABOUT that time Cæsar Augustus issued an edict that all 2 the inhabitants of the empire should be registered. (This first register took effect when Cyrenius* was president of Syria.) 3 When all went to be registered, every one to his own city, Jo4 seph also went from Nazareth, a city of Galilee, to the city of Matt.12; 4. 5 David in Judea, called Bethlehem, (for he was of the house and lineage of David), to be registered, with Mary his betroth6 ed wife, who was pregnant. While they were there, the time 7 came that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her

8

first-born son, and swathed him, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the house allotted to strangers.

Now there were shepherds in the fields in that country, who 9 tended their flock by turns through the night-watches. On a sudden a messenger of the Lord stood by them, and a divine glory encompassed them with light; and they were frightened 10 exceedingly. But the angel said to them: Fear not; for, lo!

I bring you good tidings, which shall prove matter of great joy 11 to all the people; because to-day is born unto you, in the city 12 of David, a Saviour who is the Lord Messiah. And by this ye shall know him; ye shall find a babe in swaddling-bands, ly13 ing in the manger. Instantly the angel was attended by a mul* In the Latin authors Quirinius. 33

VOL. II.

Jo. 7:42.

Gen. 17; 12. ch. 1:31.

Lev. 12; 2.

Ex. 13; 2.

Num. 8: 17.

Isa. 8:14.
Ro. 9:32.
1 Pet. 2; 7.

14 titude of the heavenly host, who praised God, saying: Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace upon the earth, and goodwill towards men.

15 And when the angels returned to heaven, having left the shepherds, these said one to another: Let us go to Betlehem, and see this which hath happened, whereof the Lord hath in16 formed us. And hastening thither they found Mary and Jo17 seph with the babe, who lay in the manger. When they saw this, they published what had been imparted to them concern18 ing this child. And all who heard it wondered at the things 19 told them by the shepherds. But Mary let none of these things escape unobserved, weighing every circumstance within herself. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, agreeably to what had been declared unto them.

21

22

ON the eighth day, when the child was circumcised, they called him Jesus, the angel having given him that name before his mother conceived him.

AND when the time of their purification was expired, they carried him to Jerusalem, as the law of Moses appointeth, to 23 present him to the Lord, (as it is written in the law of God, Every male, who is the first-born of his mother, is conse24 crated to the Lord,") and to offer the sacrifice enjoined in the law, a pair of turtle-doves, or two young pigeons.

25

Now there was at Jerusalem a man named Simeon, a just 26 and religious man, who expected the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him, and had revealed unto him that he should not die until he had seen the Lord's Messiah. 27 This man came, guided by the Spirit, into the temple. And

when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what 28 the law required, he took him in his arms, and blessed God, 29 and said: Now, Lord, thou dost in peace dismiss thy servant, 30 according to thy word; for mine eyes have seen the Saviour 31 whom thou hast provided in the sight of all the world; a lu32 minary to enlighten the nations, and be the glory of Israel 33 thy people. And Joseph, and the mother of Jesus, heard 34 with admiration the things spoken concerning him. And Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary his mother: This child is destined for the fall and the rise of many in Israel, and to serve 35 as a mark for contradiction, (yea, thine own soul shall be pierced as with a javelin), that the thoughts of many hearts may be disclosed.

36

There was also a prophetess, Anna, daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher, in an advanced age, who had lived seven 37 years with a husband whom she married when a virgin; and being now a widow of about eighty-four years, departed not

from the temple, but served God in prayer and fasting night 38 and day; she also, coming in at that instant, gave thanks to the Lord, and spake concerning Jesus to all those in Jerusalem who expected deliverance.

39 After they had performed every thing required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own city Na40 zareth. And the child grew, and acquired strength of mind, being filled with wisdom, and adorned with a divine graceful

ness.

41

SECTION III.-THE BAPTISM.

Deut. 16: 1.

NOW the parents of Jesus went yearly to Jerusalem at the Ex. 23; 14. 42 feast of the passover. And when he was twelve years old, they having gone thither, according to the usage of the festival, and 43 remained the customary time; being on their return, the child

Jesus staid behind in Jerusalem, and neither Joseph nor his 44 mother knew it. They, supposing him to be in the company,

went a day's journey, and then sought him among their rela45 tions and acquaintance; but not finding him, they returned to 46 Jerusalem, seeking him. And after three days they found

him in the temple, sitting among the doctors, both hearing them, 47 and asking them questions. And all who heard him were astonished but they who saw him were amazed at his understanding and answers. And his mother said to him: Son, why 49 hast thou treated us thus? Behold, thy father and I have sought thee with sorrow. He answered: Why did ye seek 50 me? Knew ye not that I must be at my Father's? But they did not comprehend his answer.

51

And he returned with them to Nazareth, and was subject unto them; and his mother treasured up all these things in her 52 memory. And Jesus advanced in wisdom and stature, and in power with God and man.

III. NOW, in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius, Pontius Pilate being procurator of Judea, Herod tetrarch of Galilee, Philip his brother tetrarch of Iturea and the province of Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene, in the high2 priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came, Acts. 4; 6. 3 in the wilderness, to John the son of Zacharias. And he went Mar. 1; 2. through all the country along the Jordan, publishing the bap- Jo. 1: 23. 4 tism of reformation for the remission of sins. As it is written in the book of the prophet Isaiah, "The voice of one proclaiming in the wilderness, prepare a way for the Lord,† make

Isa. 40: 3

Matt. 3: 7.

1 Jo. 3: 17. Ja. 2: 15.

Mar. 1: 7.

Jo. 1: 26. Acts, 1: 5. & 11; 16. & 19; 4.

5 for him a straight passage. Let every valley be filled, every mountain and hill be levelled; let the crooked roads be made 6 straight, and the rough ways smooth, that all flesh may see the 7 Saviour sent of God." Then said he to the multitudes that flocked out to be baptized by him: Offspring of vipers, who hath prompted you to flee from the impending vengeance? 8 Produce then the proper fruits of reformation; and not say within yourselves, We have Abraham for our father; for I assure you, that of these stones God can raise children to 9 Abraham. And even now the axe lieth at the root of the trees.

10

Every tree, therefore, which produceth not good fruit, is felled

and thrown into fire.

Upon this the multitude asked him: What must we do then? 11 He answered: Let him who hath two coats impart to him who hath none; and let him who hath victuals do the same. 12 There came also publicans to be baptized, who said, Rabbi, 13 what must we do? He answered: Exact no more than what 14 is appointed you. Soldiers likewise asked him and what must we do? He answered: Injure no man, either by violence or false accusation, and be content with your allowance.

15

As the people were in suspense concerning John, every man imagining within himself that he might be the Messiah, John Matt. 8:11 16 addressed them all, saying: I indeed baptize in water; but one mightier than I cometh, whose shoe-latchet I am not worthy to untie; he will baptize you in the Holy Spirit and fire: his win17 nowing shovel is in his hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse his grain he will gather the wheat into his granary, and consume 18 the chaff in unquenchable fire. And, with many other exhortations he published the good tidings to the people.

Matt. 14:3.
Mar. 6; 17.

Matt. 3; 13.
Mar. 1: 9.
Jo. 1; 32.
Matt. 17: 5.
ch. 9; 35.

2 Pet. 1: 17.
Matt. 1: 1.

19

But Herod the tetrarch having been reproved by him on account of Herodias his brother's wife, and for all the crimes which 20 Herod had committed, added this to the number, that he confined John in prison.

21

NOW when John baptized all the people, Jesus was likewise baptized; and while he prayed, the heaven was opened, 22 and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in a bodily form, like

a dove, and a voice came from heaven, which said: Thou art 23 my beloved Son; In thee I delight. Now Jesus was himself

about thirty years in subjection, being (as was supposed) a son 24 of Joseph, son of Heli, son of Matthat, son of Levi, son of 25 Melchi, son of Janna, son of Joseph, son of Matthias, son 26 of Amos, son of Nahum, son of Esli, son of Naggai, son of Maath, son of Mattathias, son of Shimei, son of Joseph, son 27 of Judah, son of Joanna, son of Reza, son of Zerrubabel, son 28 of Salathiel, son of Neri, son of Melchi, son of Addi, son of 29 Cosam, son of Elmodam, son of Er, son of Joses, son of Elie

zer, son of Jorim, son of Matthat, son of Levi, son of Simeon, 30 son of Judah, son of Joseph, son of Jonan, son of Eliakim, 31 son of Meleah, son of Mainan, son of Mattatha, son of Na32 than, son of David, son of Jesse, son of Obed, son of Boaz, 33 son of Salmon, son of Nashon, son of Amminadab, son of Ram, 34 son of Hezron, son of Pharez, son of Judah, son of Jacob, son 35 of Isaac, son of Abraham, son of Terah, son of Nahor, son of 36 Serug, son of Reu, son of Peleg, son of Eber, son of Salah, son of Cainan, son of Arphaxad, son of Shem, son of Noah, 37 son of Lamech, son of Methuselah, son of Enoch, son of Jared, 38 son of Mehalaliel, son of Cainan, son of Enos, son of Seth, son of Adam, son of God.

Mar. 1: 12.

Deut. 8; 3.

IV. NOW Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Matt. 4:1. 2 Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, where he continued forty days, and was tempted by the devil. Having eaten nothing all that time, when it was ended, he was hun3 gry. And the devil said to him: If thou be a son of God, 4 command this stone to become bread. Jesus answered him, saying: It is written, " Man liveth not by bread only, but by 5 whatever God pleaseth." Then the devil having brought him to the top of a high mountain, showed him all the kingdoms of 6 the earth in an instant, and said to him: All this power and glory I will give thee; for it is delivered to me, and to whom7 soever I will, I give it: if, therefore, thou wilt worship me, 8 it shall all be thine. Jesus answering, said: It is written, Deut. 6; 13. "Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and shalt serve him 1 Sam. 7; 3. 9 only." Then he brought him to Jerusalem, and placing him 10 on the battlement of the temple, said to him; If thou be a son 11 of God, throw thyself down hence; for it is written, "He will give his angels charge concerning thee to keep thee; and in Deut. 6: 16. their arms they shall uphold thee, lest thou dash thy foot against 12 a stone.' Jesus answered: It is said, "Thou shalt not put the 13 Lord thy God to the proof." When the devil had ended all the temptations, he departed from him for a time.

10: 20.

Ps. 91; 11.

14

SECTION IV.-THE ENTRANCE ON THE MINISTRY.

Mar. 1: 14.

THEN Jesus, by the impulse of the Spirit, returned to Ga- Matt. 4: 12. 15 lilee, and his renown spread thoughout the whole country, and he taught in their synagogues with universal applause.

16

Mar. 6: 1.

Being come to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he Matt. 13; 54. entered the synagogue, as his custom was, on the Sabbath day, Jo. 4: 43. 17 and stood up to read. And they put into his hands the book

* Jehovah.