21 Then Mary stretching forth her hands, and lifting her eyes to heaven, said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord! Let it be unto me according to thy word.
CHAPTER VIII.
1 Joseph returns to Galilee, to marry the Virgin
he had betrothed;
4 perceives she is with child,
5 is uneasy,
7 purposes to put her away privily,
8 is told by the angel of the Lord it is not the
work of man but the Holy Ghost;
12 Marries her, but keeps chaste,
13 removes with her to Bethlehem,
15 where she brings forth Christ.
JOSEPH therefore went from Judaea to Galilee, with intention to marry the Virgin who was betrothed to him:
2 For it was now near three months since she was betrothed to him.
3 At length it plainly appeared she was with chid, and it could not be hid from Joseph:
4 For going to the Virgin in a free manner, as one espoused, and talking familiarly with her, he perceived her to be with child,
5 And thereupon began to be uneasy and doubtful, not knowing what course it would be best to take;
6 For being a just man, he was not willing to expose her, nor defame her by the suspicion of being a harlot, since he was a pious man:
7 He purposed therefore privately to put an end to their agreement, and as privately to send her away.