1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea during the reign Herod. there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,
2Asking, “Where is He that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star when it rose in the east, and have come to worship Him”.
3When King Herod heard these things, he was deeply troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
4And when he had called all the priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Messiah (Christ) would be born.
5And they replied, “In Bethlehem of Judaea; for this what the prophet wrote (Mic.5:2):
6’And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are not the least among the ruling cities of Judah; for out of you shall come a Ruler, that shall rule My people Israel’”.
7Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, he asked them exactly when the star had appeared.
8And then 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”.
9When they had heard the words of the king, they went on their way; and, lo, the star that they had seen in the east rose and went before them, until it came and stopped over the place where the young Child was.
10When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
11And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with His mother, Mary; and bowed down, and worshipped Him; and then they opened their treasures and presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
12And having been warned by God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country by another route.
13And when they had departed, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, and said: “Arise, and take the young Child and His mother, and flee into Egypt, and stay there until I bring you word; for Herod will search for the young Child to destroy Him”.
14So he arose and took the young Child and His mother during the night, and left for Egypt;
15Where they stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: “Out of Egypt have I called My Son.” (Hosea 11:1)
16Then when Herod realized that the wise men had defied him, he was furious; and gave orders to kill all the male children that were two years old and younger in Bethlehem and its vicinity, based upon the time when he had carefully interrogated the wise men.
17Thus was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremiah, the prophet, when he said:
18“A voice of lamentation, weeping, and great mourning was heard in Ramah - Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are no more.” (Jer.31:15)
19But when Herod had died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt,
20And said, “Arise, and take the young Child and His mother, and go into the land of Israel; for those who sought the young Childs life are dead.”
21And he arose, and took the young Child and His mother, and returned to the land of Israel.
22But when he heard that Archelaus reigned in place of his father, Herod, in Judaea, he was afraid to go there; and then, having been warned by God in a dream, he went into the district of Galilee;
23And he came and dwelt in a town called Nazareth; and thus it was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophets, “He shall be called a Nazarene”. Easy Reader Bible: Purple Letter Edition © 2023 by Jim Musser. Used by Permission. All rights Reserved. Bible Hub |
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