When Joseph awoke from his sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord had directed him.

He made Mary his wife, but did not live with her as her husband until after the birth of her son; and to this son he gave the name Jesus.

Entering the house, they saw the child with his mother, Mary, and fell at his feet and did homage to him. Then they unpacked their treasures, and offered to the child presents of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

On 'That Day' many will say to me 'Master, Master, was not it in your name that we taught, and in your name that we drove out demons, and in your name that we did many miracles?'

The rain poured down, the rivers rose, the winds blew and beat upon that house, but it did not fall, for its foundations were upon the rock.

Stretching out his hand, Jesus touched him, saying as he did so: "I am willing; become clean." Instantly he was made clean from his leprosy;

Go and learn what this means--'I desire mercy, and not sacrifice'; for I did not come to call the religious, but the outcast."

"What did you go out into the Wilderness to look at? A reed waving in the wind? If not, what did you go out to see? A man richly dressed? Why, those who wear rich things are to be found in the courts of kings!

What, then, did you go for? To see a Prophet? Yes, I tell you, and far more than a Prophet.

"Have not you read," replied Jesus, "what David did, when he and his companions were hungry--

Going to his own part of the country, he taught the people in their Synagogue in such a manner that they were deeply impressed. "Where did he get this wisdom?" they said, "and the miracles?

And his sisters, too--are not they all living among us? Where, then did he get all this?"

And he did not work many miracles there, because of their want of faith.

Instantly Jesus stretched out his hand, and caught hold of him. "O man of little faith!" he said, "Why did you falter?"

But Jesus did not answer her a word; and his disciples came up and begged him to send her away. "She keeps calling out after us," they said.

But Jesus came and touched them, saying as he did so: "Rise up, and do not be afraid."

And, if he succeeds in finding it, I tell you that he rejoices more over that one sheep than over the ninety-nine which did not stray.

"Why, then," they said, "did Moses direct that a man should 'serve his wife with a notice of separation and divorce her'?"

So the men went. Going out again about mid-day and about three o'clock, he did as before.

'My friend,' was his reply to one of them, 'I am not treating you unfairly. Did not you agree with me for two shillings?

So the disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them.

But, when the Chief Priests and the Teachers of the Law saw the wonderful things that Jesus did, and the boys who were calling out in the Temple Courts "God save the Son of David!", they were indignant,

And said to him: "Do you hear what these boys are saying?" "Yes," answered Jesus; "but did you never read the words--'Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings thou hast called forth perfect praise'?"

It is about John's baptism. What was its origin? divine or human?" But they began arguing among themselves: "If we say 'divine,' he will say to us 'Why then did not you believe him?'

'Yes, sir,' he answered; but he did not go.

Which of the two sons did as his father wished?" " The second," they said. "I tell you," added Jesus, "that tax-gatherers and prostitutes are going into the Kingdom of God before you.

For when John came to you, walking in the path of righteousness, you did not believe him, but tax-gatherers and prostitutes did; and yet you, though you saw this, even then were not sorry, nor did you believe him.

No one could say a word in answer; nor did any one after that day venture to question him further.

Then the Righteous will answer 'Lord, when did we see you hungry, and feed you? Or thirsty, and give you a drink?

When did we see you a stranger, and take you to our homes? Or naked, and clothe you?

When did we see you ill, or in prison, and come to you?'

And the King will reply 'I tell you, as often as you did it to one of these my Brothers, however lowly, you did it to me.'

When I was a stranger, you did not take me to your homes; when I was naked, you did not clothe me; and, when I was ill and in prison, you did not visit me.'

Then they, in their turn, will answer 'Lord, when did we see you hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or ill, or in prison, and did not supply your wants?'

The disciples did as Jesus directed them, and prepared the Passover.

Jesus at the same time said to the crowds: "Have you come out, as if after a robber, with swords and clubs, to take me? I have sat teaching day after day in the Temple Courts, and yet you did not arrest me."

But they did not find any, although many came forward with false evidence. Later on, however, two men came forward and said:

Then they spat in his face, and struck him, while others dealt blows at him, saying as they did so:

"I did wrong in betraying a good man to his death," he said. "What has that to do with us?" they replied. "You must see to that yourself."

When Pilate saw that his efforts were unavailing, but that, on the contrary, a riot was beginning, he took some water, and washed his hands in the sight of the crowd, saying as he did so: "I am not answerable for this bloodshed; you must see to it yourselves."

So the soldiers took the money, and did as they were instructed. And this story has been current among the Jews from that day to this.