Visit of the Magi
NOW when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of Herod the king: behold, there came Magi from the east to Jerusalem,
2 Saying: “Where is He that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen His star in the east, and have come to worship Him.”
3 When Herod the king, had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together: he demanded of them, where the Christ should be born.
5 And they said to him: “In Bethlehem of Judea; for thus, it is written through the prophet:
6 “And you Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are not the least, among the rulers of Judah: for out of you shall come a Ruler, that shall shepherd my people Israel.”
7 Then Herod, when he had privately called the Magi, inquired of them diligently what time the star had appeared.
8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said: “Go and search diligently for the young child; and when you 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 had seen in the east, went before them, until it came and stood over where the young child was.
10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
11 And when they had 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 to Him gifts: gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.
12 And being warned of God in a dream, that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.
Flight to Egypt
13 ¶ And when they had departed: behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying: “Arise, and take the young child and His mother, and flee into Egypt, and stay there until I bring you word: for Herod is about to seek the young child, to destroy Him.”
14 When he arose, he took the young child and His mother by night, and departed into Egypt;
15 And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled, which was spoken of by the Lord, through the prophet, saying: “Out of Egypt have I called my son.”
Herod Executes the Children
16 ¶ Then Herod, when he saw that he had been made a fool of, by the Magi: was exceeding angry, and sent forth, and executed all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the region thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time, which he had ascertained from the Magi.
17 Then was fulfilled, that which was spoken of by Jeremiah the prophet, saying:
18 “In Rama was there a voice heard: lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning; Rachel crying for her children, and would not be consoled: because they are no more!”
Return to Nazareth
19 ¶ Now when Herod was dead: behold, an angel of the Lord, appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt,
20 Saying: “Arise, and take the young child and His mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead, which sought the young child’s life.”
21 And he arose, and took the young child and His mother, and came into the land of Israel.
22 But when he heard, that Archelaus did reign in Judea, in the place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there: and being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the region of Galilee:
23 And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth; that it might be fulfilled, which was spoken of through the prophets: “He shall be called a Nazarene.”