18Now the generation of Jesus Christ was attended with these circumstances: His mother Mary being betrothed to Joseph, before they cohabited together, she was found with child from the Holy Spirit. 19Then Joseph her husband being a just man, and not willing to expose her publicly, designed to put her away privately. 20And as he was revolving the matter in his mind, behold, an angel of the Lord in a dream appeared unto him, saying, Joseph, son of David, fear not to take Mary for thy wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus, for he shall save his people from their sins. 22Now the whole of this was done, that what was spoken of the Lord, by the prophet, might be fulfilled, saying[1], 23“A virgin shall be with child and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel,” which is being interpreted, God with us.
24Then Joseph when arisen from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took his wife; 25and he knew her not, until she had brought forth her son, the first begotten, and he called his name Jesus.
[CHAP. II.]
NOW when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, lo! Magians from the East came to Jerusalem, 2saying, Where is he that is born king of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the East, and are come to pay him homage.
3Now when Herod the king heard this, he was much agitated, and all Jerusalem with him. 4And assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he enquired of them, where the Messiah should be born.
5Then they answered him, In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet[2], 6“And thou Bethlehem, land of Judah, art in no respect the least amongst the princes of Judah, for from thee shall go forth the Ruler, who shall conduct my people Israel.”
7Thereupon Herod secretly calling to him the Magians, enquired very particularly of them the time of the star’s appearing, 8and sending them to Bethlehem said, Go, and procure the most exact information respecting this child; and when you have found him, bring me intelligence, that I may come, and pay him homage also.
9So having heard the king, they went on; and lo, the star, which they had seen in the East, had gone before them, till it came and stood over the place where the infant was. 10And when they saw the star, they were exceedingly transported with joy. 11And coming into the house, they found the infant with Mary his mother, and falling prostrate, they paid their homage to him. And opening their treasures, they made their offerings to him, gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. 12And having received warning in a dream not to go back to Herod, they departed into their own country by another road.
13Now when they were gone, behold an angel of the Lord appeared unto Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the infant and his mother by night, and flee into Egypt, and stay there, till I speak to thee, for Herod will search for the infant to destroy it. 14So rising up, he took the babe and his mother by night, and retired into Egypt, 15and was there till the death of Herod; that what was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, might be fulfilled, saying[3], “Out of Egypt have I called my son.”
16Then Herod, perceiving that he was treated delusively by the Magians, was greatly exasperated, and he sent and slew all the male infants, that were in Bethlehem, and in all its territories, from their entering their second year and all under it, according to the time, which he had accurately enquired from the Magians. 17Then was fulfilled what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying[4], 18“A cry was heard at Ramah, lamentation, and wailing, and bitter moaning, Rachel weeping for her children, and will not be comforted, because they are no more.”