Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Matthew 2:1-12: A Translation

 
Now after Jesus had been born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, Look!, Magi from the East came into Jerusalem, saying, “Where is the King of the Jews who has been born? For we saw his star in its rising, and we have come to show reverence to him.” But when Herod the king had heard, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him, and we had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he began to inquire from them, “Where is the Christ supposed to be born?” And they said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it stands written through the prophet: ’And you Bethlehem, land of Judah, by no means are you least among the rulers of Judah, for from you will come forth a Ruler who indeed will shepherd my people, Israel.’”


Then Herod secretly called the Magi and ascertained from them the time of the star’s appearing, and he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “After travelling, inquire accurately about the child, and as soon as you find him, report to me in order that I also may come and show reverence to Him.” After they had heard the king they went and—Look!—the star, which they had seen in its rising, began to lead the way for them until it came and stood above where the child was. When they had seen the star they rejoiced with extremely strong joy. And when they went into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and prostrating themselves they showed reverence to him; and after opening their treasures, they brought gifts to him—gold and frankincense and myrrh. And because they had been divinely warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own land by another route.

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