the Lord, saying: 'Arise up quickly, and take the child
with his mother and go
into Egypt, for Herod willeth to slay him.' Joseph arose with great fear, and
took Mary with the child, and they went into Egypt, and there they abode
until the death of Herod; who, believing himself derided
of the magi, sent
his soldiers to slay all the new-born children in Bethlehem. The soldiers
therefore came and slew all the children that were there, as Herod had
commanded them. Whereby were fulfilled the words of the prophet, saying:
'Lamentation and great weeping are there in Ramah; Rachel lamenteth for
her sons, but consolation is not given her because they are not.'
9. Jesus, having returned to Judaea, holds a wondrous disputation with the
doctors, having come to the age of twelve years.
When Herod was dead, behold the angel of the Lord
appeared in a dream to
Joseph, saying: 'Return into Judaea, for they are dead that willed the death
of the child.' Joseph therefore took the child with Mary (he having come to
the age of seven years), and came to Judaea; whence, hearing that
Archelaus, son of Herod, was reigning in Judaea, he went into Galilee,
fearing to
remain in Judaea; and they went to dwell at Nazareth.
The child grew in grace and wisdom before God and before men.
Jesus, having come to the age of twelve years, went up with Mary and
Joseph to Jerusalem to worship there according to the law of the Lord
written in the book of Moses. When their
prayers were ended they
departed, having lost Jesus, because they thought that he was returned
home with their kinsfolk. Mary therefore returned with Joseph to
Jerusalem, seeking Jesus among kinsfolk and neighbors. The third day they
found
the child in the temple, in the midst of the doctors, disputing with
them concerning the law. And every one was amazed at his questions and
answers, saying: 'How can there be such doctrine in him, seeing he is so
small and hath not learned to read?'
Mary reproved him, saying: 'Son, what hast thou done to us?
Behold I and
thy father have sought thee for three days sorrowing.' Jesus answered:
'Know ye not that the service of God ought to come before father and
mother?' Jesus then went down with his mother and Joseph to Nazareth,
and was subject to them with humility and reverence.
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