The circumstances of the birth of Jesus Christ were these. After his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they were united in marriage, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit.

When they were gone, and angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, "Rise: take the babe and His mother and escape to Egypt, and remain there till I bring you word. For Herod is about to make search for the child in order to destroy Him."

Then were these words, spoken by the Prophet Jeremiah, fulfilled,

"A voice was heard in Ramah, wailing and bitter lamentation: It was Rachel bewailing her children, and she refused to be comforted because there were no more."

"Rise from sleep, and take the child and His mother, and go into the land of Israel, for those who were seeking the child's life are dead."

and were baptized by him in the Jordan, making full confession of their sins.

The people who were dwelling in darkness have seen a brilliant light; and on those who were dwelling in the region of the shadow of death, on them light has dawned."

And walking along the shore of the Lake of Galilee He saw two brothers--Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew--throwing a drag-net into the Lake; for they were fishers.

Thus His fame spread through all Syria; and they brought all the sick to Him, the people who were suffering from various diseases and pains--demoniacs, epileptics, paralytics; and He cured them.

Be joyful and triumphant, because your reward is great in the Heavens; for so were the Prophets before you persecuted.

When Jesus had concluded this discourse, the crowds were filled with amazement at His teaching,

In the evening many demoniacs were brought to Him, and with a word He expelled the demons; and He cured all the sick,

On His arrival at the other side, in the country of the Gadarenes, there met Him two men possessed by demons, coming from among the tombs: they were so dangerously fierce that no one was able to pass that way.

Now at some distance from them a vast herd of swine were feeding.

And the crowds were awe-struck when they saw it, and ascribed the glory to God who had entrusted such power to a man.

And while He was reclining at table, a large number of tax-gathers and notorious sinners were of the party with Jesus and His disciples.

Then their eyes were opened. And assuming a stern tone Jesus said to them, "Be careful to let no one know."

And as they were leaving His presence a dumb demoniac was brought to Him.

And when He saw the crowds He was touched with pity for them, because they were distressed and were fainting on the ground like sheep which have no shepherd.

Now the names of the twelve Apostles were these: first, Simon called Peter, and his brother Andrew; James the son of Zabdi, and his brother John;

"Have you never read," He replied, "what David did when he and his men were hungry?

And the crowds of people were all filled with amazement and said, "Can this be the Son of David?"

While He was still addressing the people His mother and His brothers were standing on the edge of the crowd desiring to speak to Him.

And He came into His own country and proceeded to teach in their synagogue, so that they were filled with astonishment and exclaimed, "Where did he obtain such wisdom, and these wondrous powers?

So Jesus went out and saw an immense multitude, and felt compassion for them, and cured those of them who were out of health.

So all ate, and were fully satisfied. The broken portions that remained over they gathered up, filling twelve baskets.

Those who had eaten were about 5,000 adult men, without reckoning women and children.

When the disciples saw Him walking on the waves, they were greatly alarmed. "It is a spirit," they exclaimed, and they cried out with terror.

and they entreated Him that they might but touch the tassel of His outer garment; and all who did so were restored to perfect health.

Then His disciples came and said to Him, "Do you know that the Pharisees were greatly shocked when they heard those words?"

Soon great crowds came to Him, bringing with them those who were crippled in feet or hands, blind or dumb, and many besides, and they hastened to lay them at His feet. And He cured them,

so that the people were amazed to see the dumb speaking, the maimed with their hands perfect, the lame walking, and the blind seeing; and they gave the glory to the God of Israel.

And they all ate and were satisfied. The broken portions that remained over they took up--seven full hampers.

Those who ate were 4,000 adult men, without reckoning women and children.

On hearing this voice, the disciples fell on their faces and were filled with terror.

As they were descending the mountain, Jesus laid a command upon them. "Tell no one," He said, "of the sight you have seen till the Son of Man has risen from among the dead."

As they were travelling about in Galilee, Jesus said to them, "The Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men;

they will put Him to death, but on the third day He will be raised to life again." And they were exceedingly distressed.

His fellow servants, therefore, seeing what had happened, were exceedingly angry; and they came and told their master without reserve all that had happened.

Then young children were brought to Him for Him to put His hands on them and pray; but the disciples interfered.

As they were leaving Jericho, an immense crowd following Him,

When they were come near Jerusalem and had arrived at Bethphage and the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of the disciples on in front,

Entering the Temple, Jesus drove out all who were buying and selling there, and overturned the money-changers' tables and the seats of the pigeon-dealers.

But when the High Priests and the Scribes saw the wonderful things that He had done and the children who were crying aloud in the Temple, "God save the Son of David," they were filled with indignation.

For John came to you observing all sorts of ritual, and you put no faith in him: the tax-gatherers and the notorious sinners did put faith in him, and you, though you saw this example set you, were not even afterwards sorry so as to believe him.

but though they were eager to lay hands upon Him, they were afraid of the people, for by them He was regarded as a Prophet.

and sent his servants to call the invited guests to the wedding, but they were unwilling to come.

"Again he sent other servants with a message to those who were invited. "'My breakfast is now ready," he said, 'my bullocks and fat cattle are killed, and every preparation is made: come to the wedding.'

Then he said to his servants, "'The wedding banquet is ready, but those who were invited were unworthy of it.

They heard this, and were astonished; then left Him, and went their way.

All the crowd heard this, and were filled with amazement at His teaching.

While the Pharisees were still assembled there, Jesus put a question to them.

For there will rise up false Christs and false prophets, displaying wonderful signs and prodigies, so as to deceive, were it possible, even God's own People.

At that time, before the Deluge, men were busy eating and drinking, taking wives or giving them, up to the very day when Noah entered the Ark,

Five of them were foolish and five were wise.

"So they went to buy. But meanwhile the bridegroom came; those bridesmaids who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet; and the door was shut.

He came and again found them asleep, for they were very tired.

Meanwhile the High Priests and the whole Sanhedrin were seeking false testimony against Jesus in order to put Him to death;

Peter meanwhile was sitting outside in the court of the palace, when one of the maidservants came over to him and said, "You too were with Jesus the Galilaean."

Then were fulfilled the words spoken by the Prophet Jeremiah, "And I took the thirty shekels, the price of the prized one on whom Israelites had set a price,

So when they were now assembled Pilate appealed to them. "Whom shall I release to you," he said, "Barabbas, or Jesus the so-called Christ?"

At the same time two robbers were crucified with Him, one at His right hand and the other at His left.

Insults of the same kind were heaped on Him even by the robbers who were being crucified with Him.

the tombs opened; and many of God's people who were asleep in death awoke.

As for the Captain and the soldiers who were with Him keeping guard over Jesus, when they witnessed the earthquake and the other occurrences they were filled with terror, and exclaimed, "Assuredly he was God's Son."

And there were a number of women there looking on from a distance, who had followed Jesus from Galilee ministering to His necessities;

Mary of Magdala and the other Mary were both present there, sitting opposite to the sepulchre.

telling them to say, "His disciples came during the night and stole his body while we were asleep."

So they took the money and did as they were instructed; and this story was noised about among the Jews, and is current to this day.