LUKE I. "have been since the world began: ' that we should be saved from our ene 72 mies, and from the hand of all that hate us; to perform the mercy prom73 ised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant;' the oath which 74 he sware to our father Abraham,a ' that he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies, might serve him without 75 fear, in holiness and righteousness before him all the days of our life. 76 And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest, for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways; ' to give knowledge of 78 salvation unto his people, by the remission of their sins,' through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the day-spring from on high hath visited us, 79 to give light to them that sit in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace. 27 18 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel. § 6. An angel appears to Joseph. - NAZARETH. MATTH. I. 18-25. Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found 19 with child of the Holy Ghost. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away 20 privily. But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in 21 her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shal bring forth a son, and thou shalt 2 call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord 23 by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. 24 Then Joseph, being raised from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord 25 had bidden him, and took unto him his wife and knew her not till she had brought forth her first-born son: and he called his name JESUS. 1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Cesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (This taxing was 3 first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of David which is called Bethlehem, (because he was of the house and lineage of David,) to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that while they were there, the days were accomplished 7 that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her first-born son, and wrapped him in swaddling-clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. a 73. Gen. 22, 16 sq. b 22. Is. 7, 14. § 8. An Angel appears to the Shepherds.—NEAR Bethlehem. LUKE II. 8-20. 8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping 9 watch over their flock by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them; and they were 10 sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for behold, I bring al you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day, in the city of David, a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swad13 dling-clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel 14 a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. 15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethle hem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made 16 known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made 18 known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard, wondered at those things which were told them by the 19 shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her 20 heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them. 21 9. The circumcision of Jesus, and his presentation in the Temple.—BETHLEHEM, JERUSALEM. LUKE II. 21-38. And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he 22 was conceived in the womb. And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jeru23 salem, to present him to the Lord;' (as it is written in the law of the Lord,b 24 Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord ;) and to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtle-doves, or two young pigeons. 25 And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: 26 and the Holy Ghost was upon him. And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's 27 Christ. And he came by the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents 28 brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,' then 29 took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,' Lord, now lettest 30 thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: ' for mine eyes 31 have seen thy salvation,' which thou hast prepared before the face of all 32 people; a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel. And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken 4 of him. And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Be 83 a 21. Gen. 17, 12. Lev. 12, 3. b 23. Ex. 13, 2. Comp. Num. 8, 16. 17 24. Lev. 12, 6. 8. 26 LUKE II. hold this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against; a (yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also ;) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed. And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven 37 years from her virginity; ' and she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings 38 and prayers night and day. And she coming in that instant, gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem. § 10. The Magi.-JERUSALEM, BETHLEHEM. MATTH. II. 1-12. 1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,' saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. When Herod the king had heard 4these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. And they said unto him, • In Bethlehem of Judea for thus it is written by the prophet, And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel. 7 Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, inquired of them dili8 gently what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go, and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also. 9 When they had heard the king, they departed; and lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the 10 young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding 1 great joy. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and 2 frankincense, and myrrh. And being warned of God in a dream, that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way. § 11. The flight into Egypt. Herod's cruelty. The return.-Bethlehem, NAZARETH. MATTH. II. 13-23. 13 And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod 14 will seek the young child to destroy him. When he arose, he took the young 15 child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt: and was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my Son. a 34. Comp. Is. 8, 14. b 5, 6, Mic. 5, 2. c 15. Hos. 11, 1 MATTH. II. 26 Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men. 17 Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying,a 18 In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not. LUKE II. 39, 40. 19 But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a 20 dream to Joseph in Egypt,' saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the 1 young child's life. And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, 22 and came into the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of 39 God in a dream, he turned aside 23 into the parts of Galilee:' and he came and dwelt in a city called 40 Nazareth that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.b And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth. And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon him. 41 § 12. At twelve years of age Jesus goes to the Passover.-JERUSALEM. LUKE II. 41-52. Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover. 42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the 43 custom of the feast. And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother 44 knew not of it. But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and ac45 quaintance. And when they found him not, they turned back again to 16 Jerusalem, seeking him. And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing 47 them, and asking them questions. And all that heard him were astonished 48 at his understanding and answers. And when they saw him, they were amazed and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with 49 us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business? And they understood not the saying which he spake 51 unto them. And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. 52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and 50 man. a 17. Jer. 31, 15. Comp. Jer. 40, 1. 23. Heb. Is. 11, 1. Comp. Is. 53, 2. Zech. 6, 12. Rev. 5, 5. § 13.-The Genealogies. MATTH. I. 1—17. LUKE III. 23-38, inverted. 1 The book of the generation of Jesus 33 The son of God, the son of Adam, Christ, the son of David, the son of the son of Seth, the son of Enos, Abraham. 37 the son of Cainan, the son of Maleleel, the son of Jared, the son 36 of Enoch, the son of Mathusala, 'the son of Lamech, the son of Noe, the son of Sem, the son of Arphaxad, 35 the son of Cainan, the son of Sala, the son of Heber, the son of Phalec, the son of Ragau, the son of Saruch, the son of Nachor, the son of 2 Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac Thara, the son of Abraham, the son begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judas 33 of Isaac, the son of Jacob,' the son 3 and his brethren; and Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar; and Phares begat Esrom; and Esrom 4 begat Aram; ' and Aram begat 5 34 ་ of Juda, the son of Phares, the son of Esrom, the son of Aram, the son Aminadab; and Aminadab begat 32 of Aminadab,' the son of Naasson, Naasson; and Naasson begat Sal mon; and Salmon begat Booz of the son of Salmon, the son of Booz, Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of 31 the son of Obed, the son of Jesse,' the 6 Ruth; and Obed beget Jesse ; ' and Jesse begat David the king; and David the king begat Solomon of of her that had been the wife of son of David, the son of Nathan, the son of Mattatha, the son of Eliakim, the son of Jonan, the son of 7 Urias; and Solomon begat Robo- 30 Menan, the son of Melea,' the son of am; and Roboam begat Abia; and 8 Abia begat Asa; and Asa begat Josaphat; and Josaphat begat Jo9 ram; and Joram begat Ozias; ' and Ozias begat Joatham; and Joatham 29 begat Achaz; and Achaz begat 10 Ezekias ;' and Ezekias begat Manas Simeon,' the son of Levi, the son of ses; and Manasses begat Amon; 28 of Eliezer, the son of Jose,' the son and Amon begat Josias ; ' and Josias begat Jechonias and his brethren, about the time they were carried of Er, the son of Elmodam, the son of Cosam, the son of Addi, the son of Salathiel, the son of Zorobabel, the son of Rhesa, the son of Joanna, 2 away to Babylon. And after they 27 of Melchi,' the son of Neri, the son were brought to Babylon, Jechonias begat Salathiel; and Salathiel begat 13 Zorobabel; and Zorobabel begat Abiud; and Abiud begat Eliakim, 26 14 and Eliakim begat Azor; and Azor begat Sadoc; and Sadoc begat 25 Achim; and Achim begat Eliud; 15 and Eliud begat Eleazar; and Eleazar begat Matthan; and Mat- 24 16 than begat Jacob;' and Jacob begat the son of Juda, the son of Joseph, the son of Semei, the son of Mattathias, the son of Maath,' the son of Nagge, the son of Esli, the son of Naum, the son of Amos, the son of Mattathias, the son of Joseph, the son of Janna, the son of Melchi, the 1 |