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1. Now when Jesus
was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of Herod the king, behold, there
came certain Magi men from the east to Jerusalem, who had purified themselves
and tasted not of flesh nor of strong drink, that they might find the Christ
whom they sought. And they said, Where is he that is born King of the Jews?
for we in the East have seen his Star, and are come to worship him.
2. When Herod the king had heard these things he was troubled, and all Jerusalem
with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the
people together, he demanded of them where the Christ should be born.
3. And they said unto him, Bethlehem of Judea; for thus it is written by the
prophet, and thou Bethlehem, in the land of Judea, art not the least among
the princes of Judah; for out of thee shall come forth a Governor, that shall
rule my people Israel.
4. Then Herod, when he had privily called the Magi, enquired of them diligently
what time the Star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and
search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me
word again, that I may come and worship him also.
5. When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the Star which the
Magi of the East saw, and the angel of the Star went before them, till it came
and stood over the place where the young child was, and the Star had the appearance
of six rays.
6. And as they went on their way with their camels and asses laden with gifts,
and were intent on the heavens seeking the child by the Star, they forgot for
a little, their weary beasts who had borne thee burden and heat of the day,
and were thirsty and fainting, and the Star was hidden from their sight.
7. In vain they stood and gazed, and looked one upon the other in their trouble.
Then they bethought them of their camels and asses, and hastened to undo their
burdens that they might have rest.
8. Now there was near Bethlehem a well by the way, And as they stooped down
to draw water for their beasts, lo, the Star which they had lost appeared to
them, being reflected in the stillness of the water.
9. And when they saw it they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
10. And they praised God who had shewn his mercy unto them even as they shewed
mercy unto their thirsty beasts.
11. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary
his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their
treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.
12. And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod,
they departed into their own country another way. And they kindled a fire according
to their custom and worshipped God in the Flame.
13. And when they were departed, behold the angel of God appeared to Joseph
in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee
into Egypt, and there remain until I bring thee word, for Herod will seek to
destroy him.
14. AND when he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and
departed into Egypt, and was there for about seven years until the death of
Herod, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of God by the prophet, saying,
Out of Egypt have I called my son.
15. Elizabeth too when she heard it, took her infant son and went up into a
mountain and hid him. And Herod sent his officers to Zacharias in the temple
and said to him, Where is thy child? And he answered I am a minister of God
and am continually in the temple. I know not where he is.
16. And he sent again, saying, Tell me truly where is thy son, Dost thou not
know thy life is in my hand? And Zacharias answered, The Lord is witness if
thou shed my blood, my spirit will God receive, for thou sheddest the blood
of the innocent.
17. And they slew Zacharias in the Temple between the holy place and the altar;
and the people knew it, for a voice was heard, Zacharias is slain, and his
blood shall not be washed out until the avenger shall come. And after a time
the priests cast lots, and the lot fell upon Simeon, and he filled his place.
18. Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceedingly
wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and
in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time
which he had diligently enquired of the wise men.
19. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying,
In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning,
Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are
not.
20. BUT when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of God appeared in a dream to
Joseph in Egypt. Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and
return into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child's
life.
21. And he arose, and took the young child and his mother and came into the
land of Israel. And they came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth; and he was
called the Nazarene.
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