Matthan begat Jacob; Jacob begat Joseph, the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus who is called Christ.a

So all the generations from Abraham to David were fourteen generations, and from David to the removal to Babylon fourteen generations, and from the removal to Babylon to the Christ fourteen generations.

e

Now the birth of Jesus Christ was in this manner. Mary his mother, having been betrothed to Joseph, was found before they came together to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her publicly, was intending to divorce her privately. But while he was considering the matter, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, and said, "Joseph, son of David, fear not to take Mary thy wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit; and she will bear a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus,' for this is he who shall save his people from their sins." (Now all this came to pass, in order that what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet might be fulfilled: "Behold, the virgin will be with child, and will bear a son, and they will call his name IMMANUEL," which is translated, God-with-us.) Then Joseph, having awaked from sleep, did as the angel had directed him, and took to himself his wife; but he did not come to her until she had borne a son; and he called his name Jesus.

JESUS having been born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of Herod the king, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, and said, "Where is the king of the Jews that is born? for we saw his star while in the East, and have come to do him homage." Then when Herod heard of it, he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him; and he called together all the chief priests and scribes h of the (i. 16—ii. 4.)

• Or, Messiah: see note p. 3.

b Ibid.

c Ibid.

d Greek, Kyrios, signifying Sir, Master, Lord: a title of respect or author ity of various degrees, from that of mere civility to an appellation of Deity.

e

Or, in her from spirit, is holy.

& Magi,

'Hebrew, Joshua, signifying Savior.

b Those learned in the sacred writings.

people, and inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. And they said to him, "In Bethlehem of Judea; for thus it is written by the prophet: And thou, Bethlehem, land of Judah, art by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of thee shall come forth a Leader, one who shall be Shepherd of my people Israel.'"'

Then Herod privately called the wise men, and learned from them definitely the time of the appearing of the star, and sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and make thorough inquiry concerning the child; and when ye have found him, bring me word, that I also may come and do him homage." Then they, having heard the king, went on their way; and behold, the star which they had seen while in the East went before them, until it came and stood over where the child was. And on seeing the star, they rejoiced exceedingly. And on coming into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and fell down and did homage to him; and they opened their treasures, and presented to him gifts, gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. Then, having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed toward their own country by another road.

After they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, and said, "Arise, take the child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and remain there until I tell thee; for Herod is intending to search for the child to kill him." And he arose and took the child and his mother by night, and went away into Egypt, and was there until the death of Herod: (that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, "From Egypt I called my Son.")

a

Then Herod, when he found that he had been deceived by the wise men, was greatly enraged, and sent and killed all the boys that were in Bethlehem and in all the neighborhood, of the age of two years and under, according to the time that he had learned from the wise men. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying: "A voice was heard in Ramah,— wailing (ii. 5-18.)

"Gr., tricked, cheated.

b

b Or, sound, noise.

and great mourning: Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not."

Now when Herod was dead, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, and said, "Arise, take the child and his mother, and go to the land of Israel; for those who were seeking the life of the child, are dead." Then he arose and took the child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel. But hearing that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there; and being warned in a dream, he went away into Galilee, and came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: (that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, that he should be called a Nazarene.)

a

In those days came John the Baptizer, proclaiming in the wilderness of Judea, saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." For this is he that was spoken of by Isaiah the prophet, saying, "A voice of one crying in the wilderness, 'Make ready the way of the Lord, make straight his paths!"" Now John had his clothing of camel's hair, and a leathern belt about his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey.

Then there went out to him Jerusalem and all Judea and all the country about the Jordan, and were baptized by him at the river Jordan, on confessing their sins. But seeing many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them: "Broods of vipers! who hath warned you to flee from the coming wrath? then (ii. 19-iii. 8.)

a The Greek words metanoeo and metanoia, translated repent and repentance, signify after-thought, or, change or transformation of mind; that is, an entire change or reversal of thought and heart and life, becoming a thorough intellectual and moral regeneration, (denoted by the connected clause, "unto remission," that is, sending away, of sin;" also by Paul's exhortation to the Romans, "Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.") While regret for past wrong-doing is implied, these Greek words signify vastly more; but as there is no English word which even approximates to their true meaning, the words repent and repentance are retained, with this explanation and apology; which should be borne in mind wherever these words occur.

b Gr., the heavens: (and so elsewhere.)

a

bear fruit befitting repentance; and do not think to say within yourselves, 'We have Abraham for our father;' for I tell you, that God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. And even already the ax is put to the root of the trees; therefore every tree that doth not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. I indeed baptize you with water for repentance: but he that is coming after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to carry: he shall baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire; whose winnowing-fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse his threshing-floor, and will gather his wheat into the granary, but will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire."

Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. But he checked him, saying, "I myself need to be baptized by thee, and dost thou come to me?" But Jesus answered him, "Permit it now; for in this manner it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness." Then he permitted him. Then he permitted him. And Jesus, having been baptized, went up from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending, as a dove coming upon him; and there came a voice from the heavens, saying, "This is my Son, my Beloved One, in whom I have delight."

THEN Jesus was led up into the wilderness by the Spirit, to be tempted by the Devil. And after he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. Then the tempter came to him and said, "Since thou art God's Son, tell these stones to become loaves." But he answered him, "It is written, 'Not upon bread alone shall man live, but upon every word that cometh forth from the mouth of God.'"' Then the Devil took him to the holy city, and set him on the turret of the temple, and said to him, "Since thou art God's Son, throw thyself down; for it is written, He will charge his angels concerning thee, and on their hands they will hold thee up, lest thou hit thy foot against a stone.'" Jesus said to him, "Again it is written, Thou shalt not make trial of the Lord thy (iii. 9-iv. 7.)

* See note p. 6.

bOr, with holy spirit.
Or, wing, or, battlement.
Or, put to the test.

C

God.'"

Then the Devil took him to a very high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory, and said to him, "All these things I will give thee, if thou wilt fall down and do homage to me." Then Jesus said to him, "Away with thee, Satan! for it is written, Thou shalt reverence the Lord thy God, and shalt worship him only."" Then the Devil left him, and angels came and ministered to him.

THEN, when he heard that John had been arrested, he retired into Galilee. And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt at Capernaum, which is by the lake, in the borders of Zebulon and Naphtali: (that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying: "Land of Zebulon and land of Naphtali, bordering on the lake, beyond Jordan,— Galilee of the Gentiles: the people that were sitting in darkness have seen a great light; and to those who were sitting in the region and shadow of death, hath light arisen.")

From that time Jesus began to proclaim, and to say, "Repent; for the kingdom of heaven hath come nigh."

And while walking by the lake of Galilee, he saw two brothers Simon (who is called Peter), and Andrew his brother — casting a seine into the lake (for they were fishermen ); and he said to them, "Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men." Then immediately they left the nets, and followed him. And going on further, he saw other two brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them. Then immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed him.

e

с

And he went about in all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, d and proclaiming the Good-tidings of the kingdom, and curing every disease and every malady among the people.

And the report of him went out into all Syria; and they brought