The birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. After his mother, Mary, had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit.

Behold! the virgin shall be with child, and shall bear a son; and they shall call his name Immanuel, a word which means "God with us."

Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and make careful inquiry about the child, and as soon as you have found him bring me word, that I, too, may go and worship him."

The Magi listened to the king, and went on their way, and lo! the star which they had seen in the east led them until it came and stood over the place where the young child was.

When they had entered the house, they saw the child with Mary, his mother, and opening their treasure-chests they gave him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.

When they were gone an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying; "Rise! Take the young child and his mother and flee into Egypt, and there remain until I bring you word; for Herod intends to make a search for the child, in order to put him to death."

So Joseph arose, took the child and his mother, by night, and departed to Egypt.

saying, "Rise! Take the child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel, for those who were seeking the life of the child are dead."

So he rose and took the child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel.

"It is written again," answered Jesus, "Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God."

"You have heard that it was said, "Thou shalt not commit adultery.

"And brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against their parents and put them to death.

For the heart of his people is made fat, Their ears are dull of hearing; Their eyes, too, have they closed, Lest some day their eyes should perceive, And their ears should hear, And their heart should understand and turn, And I should heal them.

When he had called a little child to him, Jesus set him among them, and answered.

"Whoever therefore will humble himself like this little child, is greatest in the kingdom of heaven;

"and whoever receives one such child for my sake, receives me.

"Just so it is not the will of my Father in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.

"But he would not; on the contrary he went and threw him into prison until he should pay the debt.

"Then in hot anger his master handed him over to the torturers, until he should pay him all his debt.

"Which commandments?" asked the man. Jesus replied. "Thou shalt not kill; Thou shalt not commit adultery; Thou shalt not steal; Thou shalt not bear false witness;

"Honor thy father and thy mother; and, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself."

Jesus answered, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

"The second, which is like it, is this, "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.

Alas for thee women who are with child, and for the nursing mothers in those days!

"If at that time any one should say to you, 'See, here is the Christ!' or 'There he is!' believe him not.

But if, because he is a bad slave, he should say to himself, 'My Master is a long time in coming,'

Then you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received back my property with interest.

"If this should reach the Governor's ears," they said, "we will satisfy him and screen you from punishment."