6 child. And so it was, that while they were there, the days were accomplished that she 7 should be delivered. And she brought forth her first-born son, and wrapped him in swaddling-clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. 8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their 9 flock by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore 10 afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not for behold, I bring you good tidings of 11 great joy, which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day, in the city of David, 12 a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling-clothes, lying in a 13 manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising 14 God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest places, and on earth peace, good will towards

15 men.

And it came to pass, when the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made 16 known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary and Joseph, and the babe 17 lying in a manger. And when they had seen

it, they made known abroad the saying which 18 was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it, wondered at those things 19 which were told them by the shepherds. But

Mary kept all these things, and pondered them 20 in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen as it was told 21 unto them. And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived 22 in the womb. And when the days of her purification, according to the law of Moses, were accomplished, they brought him to Jeru23 salem, to present him to the Lord; (as it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to 24 the Lord.) And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtle-doves, or two young pigeons. 25 And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and he was a just and devout man, waiting for the consolation of Israel:* and the Holy Spirit was upon him.† 26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Spirit, that he should not sce death, before he 27 had seen the Lord's Christ. And he came

by the Spirit into the temple: and when the

* That is, for the advent of Christ, whose appearance was then expected by all pious Jews.

† He was inspired, or had the Spirit of prophecy.

That is, anointed, or the Messiah: Saul and David were the Lord's anointed to govern the Jewish nation; Cyrus was the Lord's anointed, to restore the Jews; Jesus was the anointed of God, for a spiritual Deliverer.

By direction of the Spirit-the same word in the original, which is translated Spirit in the two preceding

verses.

parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, then he took him up in his arms, and blessed God, and 29 said, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart 30 in peace, according to thy word: For mine 31 eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast 32 prepared before all people ; a light to

enlighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy 33 people Israel. And Joseph and his mother

wondered at those things which were spoken 34 of him. And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary, his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against: 35 (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thine own soul also) that the thoughts of many hearts 36 may be revealed. And there was also one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years 37 from her virginity; and she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, who departed not from the temple, but worshipped night and 38 day, with fastings and prayers. And coming in that instant, she gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all that looked 39 for redemption in Jerusalem. And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to 40 their own city Nazareth. And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, being filled with wisdom and the grace of God was upon

him.

The Spirit or power of God.

41 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every 42 year at the feast of the passover. And when

he was twelve years old, they went up to Je43 rusalem, after the custom of the feast. And when they had fulfilled the usual days, they returned, but the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew 44 it not. But supposing him to have been in the company, they went a day's journey; and sought him among their kinsfolk and among 45 their acquaintance. And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, 46 seeking him.- And it happened, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors,* both hearing them, 47 and asking them questions. And all that

heard him were astonished at his understand48 ing and answers. And when they saw him,

they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee 49 sorrowing. And he said unto them, How is

it that ye sought me? Did ye not know that 50 I must be about my Father's business? And

they understood not the reply which he made 51 them. And he went down with them, and

came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them; but his mother kept all these sayings in her 52 heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.

* Doctors or teachers of the Jewish laws; Rabbis, or Scribes.

1

CHAP. III.

NOW in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Cæsar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea, and of the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias the 2 tetrarch of Abilene, Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests, the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness. 3 And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance, for the 4 remission of sins; as it is written in the book of Isaiah the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord; make his paths straight. 5 Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways 6 shall be made smooth: and all flesh shall see 7 the salvation of God. Then said he to the

multitude that came forth to be baptized of him, O generation of vipers, who hath warned 8 you to flee from the wrath to come? Produce fruits then 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 now also the ax is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn 10 down and cast into the fire. And the people