the oath which he swore to Abraham our father,

The census itself first took place when Cyrenius had the government of Syria.

The sower went out to sow his seed; and as he sowed, some fell along the way, and it was trodden under foot, and the birds of the heaven devoured it up;

But he answering says to him, Sir, let it alone for this year also, until I shall dig about it and put dung,

And one said to him, Sir, are such as are to be saved few in number? But he said unto them,

And the bondman said, Sir, it is done as thou hast commanded, and there is still room.