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¹ At that time, Cesar Augustus published an edict, to make a register of the Roman empire. ² (this register was made before Quirinus was prefect of Syria.) ³ all went to be registred, every one to his native city. ⁴ so Joseph departed from Nazareth in Galilee, and went into Judea to the city of David, called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and linage of David, ⁵ in order to be registred with Mary, his espoused wife, who was then big with child. ⁶ now while they were there, the time came for her to be delivered. ⁷ and being brought to bed of her first born, she swathed him, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

⁸ In that country there were shepherds lying in the open fields, taking their turns to watch the stock in the night; ⁹ when all of a sudden an angel of the Lord appear'd to them, and a heavenly light shone about them, at which they were greatly affrighted. ¹⁰ but the angel said to them, be not afraid, I am only come to bring you great news, which will be matter of joy to you and to the whole world. ¹¹ for the Lord Messiah your saviour is this day born, in the city of David: ¹² and by this sign shall you know him; you will find the babe swathed, lying in a manger. ¹³ All of a sudden an army of celestial beings join'd the angel, singing praises to God, and saying, ¹⁴ "glory to God in the heavens, and to men on earth felicity in the divine favour." ¹⁵ As soon as the angels retired back to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, let us go to Bethlehem, to see the fact, of which the Lord inform'd us. ¹⁶ accordingly they hasted thither, and found Mary and Joseph with the babe lying in the manger. ¹⁷ when they had seen him, they divulged what the angel had told them concerning this child. ¹⁸ and all that heard of it, were surprized at what the shepherds related. ¹⁹ but Mary considered these things very attentively, and weigh'd every circumstance in her mind, while the shepherds return'd, ²⁰ glorifying and praising God, for having heard and seen every thing exactly as the angel inform'd them.

²¹ The eighth day, when the child was to be circumcised, being come, he was named Jesus, the name, which the angel had given before his conception. ²² At length the time appointed by the law of Moses for the purification of women being accomplish'd, they carried the infant to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, according as his law directs , ²³ "every first born male-child shall be consecrated to the Lord." ²⁴ and to offer the sacrifice prescrib'd by the law, which was a pair of turtle-doves, or two young pidgeons.

²⁵ At that time there dwelt at Jerusalem one Simeon, an honest, religious man, one who expected the appearance of the Messiah, and was endued with the spirit of prophecy. ²⁶ to him it was revealed by the holy spirit, that he should not die till he had seen the Messiah of the Lord. ²⁷ by the divine direction he came into the temple, just as the parents of Jesus were bringing in the child to perform what the law required in his behalf. ²⁸ then he took him up in his arms, and returned thanks to God in these words, "now, ²⁹ Lord, thou wilt grant thy servant a happy death, according to thy promise. ³⁰ for mine eyes have beheld the saviour, ³¹ whom thou hast provided for all mankind, a light to lighten the Gentiles, ³² and the glory of thy people Israel." ³³ Joseph and the mother of Jesus were surprized to hear such things pronounc'd concerning him. ³⁴ then Simeon gave them his benediction, and said to Mary his mother, "the child you now see, shall occasion many in Israel to fall and rise again; he will be the Object of calumny, ³⁵ which like a dart will pierce even thro' your own soul, that thereby the sincerity of many may be revealed." ³⁶ There was likewise one Anna a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser; she was of a great age, and had liv'd in a married state but seven years ever since she was a virgin: ³⁷ being then a widow of about fourscore and four years old: she was assiduously in the temple, night and day religiously employ'd in fastings and prayers: ³⁸ and happening to come in just at the same time, she likewise express'd her thanks to the lord, and spoke of Jesus to all those, who expected deliverance in Jerusalem. ³⁹ and when they had performed every thing required by the divine law, they returned into Galilee, to Nazareth their city. ⁴⁰ and the child grew in stature and in all the improvements of the mind; he was stor'd with wisdom, and was the object of divine favour.

⁴¹ Now his parents went every year to Jerusalem at the paschal feast. ⁴² when Jesus therefore was twelve years old they went thither, as was customary at the time of that festival. ⁴³ when that was expired, they returned, but the young Jesus staid behind in Jerusalem, without being miss'd either by Joseph or his Mother. ⁴⁴ so that they went a whole day's journey, imagining he was somewhere among the company, and then they look'd for him among their relations and acquaintance; but not finding him, ⁴⁵ they turn'd back to Jerusalem to enquire for him there. ⁴⁶ three days after they found him in the temple, sitting near the doctors, attending to them and asking them questions. ⁴⁷ and all that heard him were astonish'd at his understanding and answers. ⁴⁸ when Joseph and his mother saw him, great was their surprize: and his mother said to him, son, why did you leave us thus? your father and I have been looking for you with great concern. ⁴⁹ Jesus replied, why were ye so sollicitous about me? don't you know that 'tis my business to be in my father's house? ⁵⁰ but they did not comprehend the meaning of that expression. ⁵¹ However Jesus went down with them to Nazareth, and was subject to them: and his mother kept all these things in her heart. ⁵² in the mean time Jesus increas'd in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.