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in the sight of the LORD, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb. And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the LORD 16 their God. And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, 17 to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the LORD. And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I 18 am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years. And the angel an- 19 swering, said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to show thee these glad tidings. And behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that 20 these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season. And the people waited for 21 Zacharias, and marvelled that he tarried so long in the temple. And 22 when he came out, he could not speak unto them: and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple; for he beckoned unto them, and remained speechless. And it came to pass, that as soon as the 23 days of his ministration were accomplished, he departed to his own house. And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived, and hid herself five 24 months, saying, ' Thus hath the LORD dealt with me in the days wherein 25 he looked on me, to take away my reproach among men.

The salutation of AND in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent 26 Mary. from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, 'to a 27 virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her, 28 and said, Hail! thou that art highly favored, the LORD is with thee: blessed art thou among women. And when she saw him, she was troubled 29 at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found 30 favor with God. And behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and 31 bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and 32 shall be called the Son of the Highest; and the LORD God shall give unto him the throne of his father David. And he shall reign over the 33 house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a 34 man? And the angel answered, and said unto her, The Holy Ghost 35 shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee, shall be called the Son of God. And behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath 36 also conceived a son in her old age; and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren; for with God nothing shall be impossible. 37 And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the LORD; be it unto me 38 according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.

The interview be

Elisabeth.

AND Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill- 39 tween Mary and country with haste, into a city of Juda, 'and entered 40 into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth. And 41 it came to pass, that when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost. And she spake out with a loud voice and said, Blessed art thou among 42 women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. And whence is this to me, 43 that the mother of my LORD should come to me? For lo, as soon as the 44 voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a 45 performance of those things which were told her from the LORD. And 46 Mary said,

My soul doth magnify the LORD, 'and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my 47

Saviour.

For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for behold, from hence- 48 forth all generations shall call me blessed.

For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.
And his mercy is on them that fear him, from generation to generation.

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He hath showed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagi- 51 nation of their hearts.

He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree. 52 He hath filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he hath sent empty 53 away.

He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy' (as he spake to 54 our fathers,) to Abraham, and to his seed, for ever.

And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own 56 house.

NOW Elisabeth's full time came that she should be de- 57

The birth of John. livered; and she brought forth a son. And her neighbors 58 and her cousins heard how the LORD had showed great mercy upon her; and they rejoiced with her. And it came to pass, that on the 59 eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father. And his mother answered and 60 said, Not so; but he shall be called John. And they said unto her, 61 There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name. And they made 62 signs to his father, how he would have him called. And he asked for a 63 writing-table, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marvelled all. And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue 64. loosed, and he spake, and praised God. And fear came on all that dwelt 65. round about them and all these sayings were noised abroad throughout all the hill-country of Judea. And all they that heard them, laid them 66 up in their hearts, saying, What manner of child shall this be? And the hand of the LORD was with him. And his father Zacharias was 67

filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying.

Blessed be the LORD God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people, 68 And hath raised up a horn of salvation for us, in the house of his servant David: 69 As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world 70 began:

That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us: 71 To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant; 72 (The oath which he sware to our father Abraham,)

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That he would grant unto us, that we, being delivered out of the hand of our ene- 74 mies, might serve him without fear,

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In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life.

And thou, child, shalt be called the Prophet of the Highest, for thou shalt go before 76 the face of the LORD to prepare his ways;

To give knowledge of salvation unto his people, by the remission of their sins, 77 Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the day-spring from on high 78 hath visited us,

To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death; to guide 79 our feet into the way of peace.

AND the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts 80 till the day of his showing unto Israel.

Jesus born at Beth

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AND it came to pass in those days, that there went 2 lehem. (Matt. i. 25. out a decree from Cesar Augustus, that all the world Before A. D. 3 years.) should be taxed. (And this taxing was 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 5 taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And 6

so it was, that while they were there, the days were accomplished that

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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.

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AND there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keep- 8 ing watch over their flock by night. And lo, the angel of the LORD came 9 upon them, and the glory of the LORD shone round about them; and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for behold, 10 I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For 11 unto you is born this day, in the city of David, a Saviour, which is Christ the LORD. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe 12 wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there 13 was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will to- 14 ward men.' And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away 15 from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the LORD hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and 16 found Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when 17

they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it, wondered at 18 those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all 19 these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds re- 20 turned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

The circumcision of AND when eight days were accomplished for the cir- 21 Jesus. (Matt. i. 25.) cumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

A Presentation of Je

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AND when the days of her purification according to the 22 sus in the temple. law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the LORD, (as it is written in the law of 23 the LORD," 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 24 the law of the LORD, “ A pair of turtle-doves, or two young pigeons.” And behold there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; 25 and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel and the Holy Ghost was upon him. And it was revealed unto 26

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him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the LORD'S CHRIST. And he came by the Spirit into the temple; and 27 when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, ' then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and 28 said,

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LORD, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: 'For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, ' which thou hast prepared before the face 30 of all people;

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A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.

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AND Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were 33 spoken of him. And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his 34 mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against; (yea, a sword shall 35 pierce through thy own soul also ;) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed. And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter 36 of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity; and she was a widow of 37 about fourscore and four years; which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. And she coming 38 in that instant, gave thanks likewise unto the LORD, and spake of him

to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem. And when they 39 had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.

History of Jesus

AND the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled 40 till twelve years old. with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon him.

(A. D. 7.)

Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the 41 feast of the passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went 42 up to Jerusalem, after the custom of the feast. And when they had ful- 43 filled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it. But they, supposing 44 him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance. And when they found 45 him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him. And it 46 came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and an- 47 swers. And when they saw him, they were amazed; and his mother said 48 unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. And he said unto them, How is it that 49 ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business? And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them. And 50 he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.

AND Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God 52

and man.

Of John the mes

Matt. iii. 1. Mark

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NOW in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius 3 senger of Christ. Cesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, and Herod i. 12. being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and of the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias the tetrarch of Abilene, Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests, the word of God 2 came unto John the son of Zacharias, in the wilderness. And he came 3 into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance, for the remission of sins; as it is written in the book of the words of 4 Esaias the prophet, saying, " The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make his paths straight. Every valley 5 shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth; and all flesh shall see the salvation of God." Then said 6,7

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he to the multitude that came forth to be baptized of him, O generation of vipers! who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring 8 forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit, is hewn down and cast into the fire. And the people asked him, saying, What shall we do then? 'He an- 10 swereth and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise. Then 12 came also publicans to be baptized, and said unto him, Master, what shall we do? And he said unto them, Exact no more than that which is 13 appointed you. And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And 14 what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages. And 15 as the people were in expectation, and all men mused in their hearts of John, whether he were the Christ, or not, 'John answered, saying unto 16

them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire; whose fan is in his 17 hand, and he will thoroughly purge his floor, and will gather the wheat into his garner; but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable. And 18 many other things in his exhortation preached he unto the people.

BUT Herod the tetrarch, being reproved by him for 19 Imprisonment of John Matt. xiv. 3. Herodias his brother Philip's wife, and for all the evils Mark iv. 17. which Herod had done, ' added yet this above all, that he 20 shut up John in prison.

i. 19.

Now, when all the people were baptized, it came to 21 Jesus baptized. Matt. iii. 13. Mark pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened, ' and the Holy Ghost descended in a 22 bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, 'Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.'

the daughter of

AND Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of 23 Genealogy of Jesus through his mother, age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, which Heli; (that in Mat- Was the son of Heli, 'which was the son of Matthat, which 24 thew's gospel, Matt. was the son of Levi, which was the son of Melchi, which was the son of Janna, which was the son of Joseph,

i. 2. being the gen. ealogy of his reputed and legal father Joseph.)

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' which was the son of Mattathias, which was the son of 25 Amos, which was the son of Naum, which was the son of Esli, which was the son of Nagge, which was the son of Maath, which 26 was the son of Mattathias, which was the son of Semei, which was the son of Joseph, which was the son of Juda, which was the son of Joanna, 27 which was the son of Rhesa, which was the son of Zorobabel, which was the son of Salathiel, which was the son of Neri, ' which was the son of 28 Melchi, which was the son of Addi, which was the son of Cosam, which was the son of Elmodam, which was the son of Er, which was the son 29 of Jose, which was the son of Eliezer, which was the son of Jorim, which was the son of Matthat, which was the son of Levi, which was the son 30 of Simeon, which was the son of Juda, which was the son of Joseph, which was the son of Jonan, which was the son of Eliakim, 'which was 31 the son of Melea, which was the son of Menan, which was the son of Mattatha, which was the son of Nathan, which was the son of David, ' which was the son of Jesse, which was the son of Obed, which was the 32 son of Booz, which was the son of Salmon, which was the son of Naasson, ' which was the son of Aminadab, which was the son of Aram, which 33 was the son of Esrom, which was the son of Phares, which was the son of Juda, ' which was the son of Jacob, which was the son of Isaac, which 34 was the son of Abraham, which was the son of Thara, which was the son of Nachor, which was the son of Saruch, which was the son of Ragau, 35 which was the son of Phalec, which was the son of Heber, which was the son of Sala, which was the son of Cainan, which was the son of Arphaxad, 36 which was the son of Sem, which was the son of Noe, which was the son of Lamech, which was the son of Mathusala, which was the son of 37 Enoch, which was the son of Jared, which was the son of Maleleel, which was the son of Cainan, which was the son of Enos, which was the son 38 of Seth, which was the son of Adam, which was the son of God.

Christ tempted.

12, 13.

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AND Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost, returned 4 Matt. iv. 1. Mark i. from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, 1 being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those 2 days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered. And the devil said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, com- 3 mand this stone that it be made bread. And Jesus answered him, say

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