8 Who, when he saw Joachim
along with the rest of his
neighbours, bringing his offerings,
despised both him and his offerings,
and asked him,
9 Why he, who had no children,
would presume to appear among
those who had? Adding, that his
offerings could never be acceptable
to God, who was judged by him
unworthy to have children; the
Scripture having said, Cursed is
every one who shall not beget a
male in Israel.
10 He further said, that he ought
first to be free from that curse by
begetting some issue, and then
come with his offerings into the
presence of God.
11 But Joachim being much
confounded with the shame of such
reproach, retired to the shepherds
who were with the cattle in their
pastures;
12 For he was not inclined to
return home, lest his neighbours,
who were present and heard all
this from the high-priest, should
publicly reproach him in the same
manner.
CHAPTER II.
1 An angel appears to Joachim,
9 and informs him that Anna shall conceive and
bring forth a daughter, who shall be called Mary,
11 be brought up in the temple,
12 and while yet a virgin, in a way unparalleled,
bring forth the Son of God:
13 Gives him a sign,
14 and departs.
BUT when he had been there for
some time, on a certain day
when he was alone, the angel
of the Lord stood by him with
a prodigious light.
2 To whom, being troubled at
the appearance, the angel who had
appeared to him, endeavouring to
compose him, said: