but while he was revolving this in his mind, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, Joseph, the off-spring of David, don't make any difficulty of taking Mary for thy wife: for her pregnancy is from the holy Spirit.

and, seeing one fig-tree by the way, he came up to it, and nothing, found he thereon, save leaves only, - and he saith unto it - No more, from thee, let fruit spring forth, unto times age-abiding, - and the fig-tree, instantly withered away.

The people that sat in darkness Saw a great light, And to them that sat in the region and shadow of death, To them did light spring up.

Some falls among the thorns; but the thorns spring up and stifle it.

And from the fig tree learn a parable; When already her young shoot should be tender, and the leaves should spring forth, ye know that summer is near: