but they had no child, for Elizabeth was barren. Both of them were advanced in years.

and on the eighth day came to circumcise the child. They were going to call it by the name of its father Zechariah,

but the mother told them, "No, the child is to be called John."

Then they made signs to the father, to find out what he wanted the child to be called,

All who heard of it bore it in mind; they said, "Whatever will this child become?" For the hand of the Lord was indeed with him.

that freed from fear and from the hand of our foes we should worship him

And you, my child, shall be called a prophet of the Most High; for you shall go in front of the Lord to make his ways ready,

And the child grew, he became strong in the Spirit and remained in the desert till the day when he made his appearance before Israel.

When they saw this they told people about the word which had been spoken to them about the child;

By an inspiration of the Spirit he came to the temple, and when the parents of the child Jesus carried him in to perform the customary regulations of the law for him,

but Symeon blessed them, and to his mother Mary he said, "This child is destined for the downfall as well as for the rise of many a one in Israel; destined to be a Sign for man's attack ??35 to bring out the secret aims of many a heart. And your own soul will be pierced by a spear."

And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the favour of God was on him.

When he reached the house he would not allow anyone to come in with him except Peter and James and John, and the child's father and mother.

Jesus knew the dispute that occupied their minds, so he took hold of a little child and set it by his side;

then he said to them, "Whoever receives this little child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. For it is the lowliest of you all who is great."

Others by way of tempting him demanded he should give them a Sign from heaven.

for the holy Spirit will teach you at that hour what you should say."

So he said to the vinedresser, 'Here have I come for three years in search of fruit on this fig tree without finding any; cut it down, why should it take up space?'

To his disciples he said, "It is inevitable that hindrances should come, but woe to the man by whom they come;

I tell you truly, whoever will not submit to the Reign of God like a child will never get into it at all."

Woe to women with child and to women who give suck in those days, for sore anguish will come upon the land and Wrath on this people;

But they loudly urged their demand that he should be crucified, and their shouts carried the day.