Study Desk

And the birth of Jesus the Messiah was thus. While his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they had cohabited, she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit.

And they said: In Bethlehem of Judaea; for thus it is written in the prophet:

And they, when they had heard from the king, went forward: and lo, the star they had seen in the east went before them, until it came and stood over where the child was.

And when they saw the star, they rejoiced much, with great joy.

And they entered the house; and they saw the child, with Mary his mother; and they fell down and worshipped him: and they opened their treasures, and presented to him gifts, gold, and myrrh, and frankincense.

And it was shown them in a dream, that they should not return to Herod. And by another way, they returned to their country.

And when they were gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, and said to him, Arise, take the child and his mother, and flee into Egypt; and be thou there, until I tell thee: for Herod will seek for the child, to destroy it.

A voice was heard in Rama, weeping and great lamentation; Rachel bemoaning her children, and unwilling to be comforted, because they are no more.

and said to him: Arise, take the child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel; for they are dead who sought the life of the child.

And they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, while they confessed their sins.

and said to him: If thou art the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, that he will give his angels charge of thee, and in their hands will they sustain thee, lest thou strike thy foot against a stone.

And as he walked on the shore of the sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Cephas, and Andrew his brother, who were casting nets into the sea; for they were fishermen.

And immediately, they left their nets, and went after him.

And they immediately left the ship and their father, and went after him.

And his fame spread through all Syria. And they brought to him all them that were very sick with diverse diseases, and them that were afflicted with pains, and demoniacs, and lunatics and paralytics; and he healed them.

Blessed are they that hunger and thirst for righteousness: for they shall be satiated!

Blessed are ye, when they revile you and persecute you, and speak every evil thing against you, falsely, on my account.

At that time, rejoice and be glad: for your reward in heaven is great. For so they persecuted the prophets that were before you.

And they do not light a lamp and place it under a bushel; but upon a lightstand, and it giveth light to all that are in the house.

Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works, and may glorify your Father who is in heaven.