The Gospel of Pseudo-Matthew. Here beginneth the Book of the Birth of the Blessed Mary and the Infancy of the Saviour, written in Hebrew by the Blessed Evangelist Matthew, and translated into Latin by the Blessed Presbyter Jerome. To their well-beloved brother Jerome the Presbyter bishops Chromaceous and Helodorus in the Lord greeting. The birth of the Virgin Mary and the Nativity and Infancy of our Lord Jesus Christ we find in apocryphal books, but considering that in them many things contrary to our faith are written, we have believed that they ought all to be rejected. Lest perchance we should transfer the joy of Christ to Antichrist. While therefore we were considering these things, there came holy men, Parmenius and Varnus, who said that your holiness had found a Hebrew volume written by the hand of the most blessed evangelist Matthew, in which also the birth of the Virgin Mother herself and the Infancy of our Saviour were written. And accordingly we entreat your affection by our Lord Jesus Christ Himself to render it from the Hebrew into Latin. Not so much for the attainment of those things which are the insignia of Christ as for the exclusion of the craft of heretics, who in order to teach bad doctrine have mingled their own lives with the excellent nativity of Christ, but by the sweetness of life they may hide the bitterness of death. It will therefore become your purest piety, either to listen to us as your brethren in treating or to let us have as bishops exacting the debt of affection which you may deem due. Reply to their letter by Jerome. To my lords the holy and most blessed bishops, Cromatius and Helidorus, Jerome, a humble servant of Christ, in the Lord greeting. He who digs in ground where he knows that there is gold does not instantly snatch at whatever the up-to-entrench may pour forth. But before the stroke of the quivering spade raises aloft the glittering mass, he meanwhile lingers over the sods to turn them over and lift them up, and especially you who has not added to his gains. An arduous task is enjoined upon me, since what your blessedness has commanded me, the Holy Apostle and evangelist Matthew himself, did not write for the purpose of publishing. For if he had not done it somewhat secretly he would have added it also to his gospel which he published. But he composed this book in Hebrew, and so little did he publish it, that at this day the book written in Hebrew by his own hand is in the possession of very religious men, to whom in successive periods of time it has been handed down by those that were before them. In this book they never at any time gave to anyone to translate, and so it came to pass that when it was published by a disciple of Manchius named Lucius, who also wrote the falsely styled Acts of the Apostles, this book afforded matter not of edification but of perdition, and the opinion of the Synod in regard to it was according to its deserts, that the ears of the church should not be open to it. Let the snapping of those that bark against us now cease, for we do not add this little book to the canonical writings, but we translate what was written by an apostle and evangelist that we may disclose the falsehood of heresy. In this work then we obey the commands of pious bishops as well as oppose impious heretics. It is the love of Christ therefore which we fulfill, believing that they will assist us by their prayers, who through our obedience attain to a knowledge of the holy impancy of our Savior. There is extant another letter to the same bishops attributed to Jerome. You asked me to let you know what I think of a book held by some to be about the nativity of St. Mary, and so I wish you to know that there is much in it that is false. For one Sir Lucas, who wrote the sufferings of the apostles, composed this book, but just as he wrote what was true about their powers and the miracles they worked, but said a great deal that was false about their doctrine.  I shall take care to render it word for word, exactly as it is in the Hebrew, since it is asserted that it was composed by the holy evangelist Matthew, and written in Hebrew, and said at the head of his gospel. Whether this be true or not, I leave to the author of the preface and the trustworthiness of the writer. As for myself, I pronounce them doubtful. I do not affirm that they are clearly false, but this I say freely, and I think none of the faithful will deny it, that whether these stories be true or inventions, the sacred nativity of St. Mary was preceded by great miracles, and seceded by the greatest. And so by those who believe that God can do these things, they can be believed and read without damaging their faith or imperiling their souls. In short, so far as I can, following the sense rather than the words of the writer, and sometimes walking in the same path, though not in the same footsteps, sometimes digressing a little but still keeping the same road, I shall in this way keep up the style of the narrative, and shall say nothing that is not either written there or might following the same train of thought have been written. Chapter 1. In those days there was a man in Jerusalem, Joachim by name, of the tribe of Judah. He was the shepherd of his own sheep, fearing the Lord in integrity and singleness of heart. He had no other care than that of his herds, from the produce of which he supplied with food all that feared God, offering double gifts in the fear of God to all who labored in doctrine, and who ministered unto him. Therefore his lambs and his sheep and his wool and all things whatsoever he possessed, he used to divide into three portions, one he gave to the orphans, the widows, the strangers, and the poor, the second to those that worshiped God, and the third he kept for himself in all his house. And as he did so the Lord multiplied to him his herds, so that there was no man like him in the people of Israel. This now he began to do when he was fifteen years old. And at the age of twenty he took to wife Anna, the daughter of Akkar, of his own tribe, that is the tribe of Judah, of the family of David. And though they lived together for twenty years, he had by her neither sons nor daughters. Chapter 2. And it happened that in the time of the feast among those who were offering incense to the Lord, Joachim stood getting ready his gifts in the sight of the Lord, and the priest, Ruben by name, coming to him said, it is not lawful for thee to stand among those who were doing sacrifice to God, because God has not blessed thee so as to give thee seed in Israel. Being therefore put to shame in the sight of the people, he retired from the temple of the Lord, weeping. He did not return to his house, but went to his flocks, taking with him his shepherds into the mountains, to a far country, so that for five months his wife Anna could hear no tidings of him. And she prayed with tears, saying, O Lord most mighty God of Israel, why hast thou seen thou already that hast not given me children, taken from me and my husband also? Behold now, five months that I have not seen my husband, and I know not where he is tarrying, nor if I knew him to be dead could I bury him. While she wept excessively, she entered into the court of his house, and she fell on her face in prayer and poured out her supplications before the Lord. After this, rising from her prayer and lifting her eyes to God, she saw a sparrow's nest in a laurel tree, and uttered her voice to the Lord with groaning, and said, Lord God Almighty, who has given offspring to every creature, to beast wild and tame, to serpents and birds and fishes, and they all rejoice over their young ones, thou hast shut me out alone from the gift of thy bignignity. For thou, O God, knowest my heart, that from the beginning of my married life, I avowed that if thou, O God, shouldst give me son or daughter, I would offer them to thee in thy holy temple. And while she was thus speaking, suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared before her, saying, Be not afraid, Anna, for there is seed for thee in the decree of God. In all generations, even to the angel, wonder at that which shall be born of thee. And when he had thus spoken, he vanished out of her sight. But she, in fear and dread, because she had seen such a sight and heard such words, at length went into her bed chamber, and threw herself on the bed as if dead. And for a whole day and night she remained in great trembling and in prayer. And after these things she called to her servant and said to her, dost thou see me deceived in my widowhood, and in great perplexity, and hast thou been unwilling to come into me? Then she with a slight murmur thus answered and said, If God hath shut up thy womb, and hath taken away thy husband from thee, what can I do for thee? And when Anna heard this, she lifted up her voice, and wept aloud. Chapter 3 At the same time there appeared a young man on the mountains to Joachim, while he was feeding his flocks, and said to him, Why dost thou not return to thy wife? And Joachim said, I have had her for twenty years, and it has not been the will of God to give me children by her. I have been driven with shame and reproach from the temple of the Lord. Why should I go back to her, when I have been once cast off and utterly despised? Here, then, I will remain with my sheep. And so long as in this life God is willing to grant me light, I shall willingly, by the hands of my servants, bestow their portions upon the poor and the orphans, and those that fear God. And when he had thus spoken, the young man said to him, I am an angel of the Lord, and I have today appeared to thy wife when she was weeping and praying, and have consoled her, and know that she has conceived a daughter from thy seed, and thou and thy ignorance of this hast left her. She will be in the temple of God, and the Holy Spirit shall abide in her, and her blessedness shall be greater than that of all the holy women, so that no one can say that any before her has been like her, or that any after her in this world will be so. Therefore go down from the mountains and return to thy wife, whom thou wilt find with child. For God hath raised up seed in her, and for this thou wilt give God thanks. And her seed shall be blessed, and she herself shall be blessed, and shall be made the mother of eternal blessing. Then Joachim adored the angel and said to him, If I have found favor in thy sight, sit for a little in my tent, and bless thy servant. And the angel said to him, Do not say servant, but fellow-servant, for we are the servants of one master, but my food is invisible, and my drink cannot be seen by a mortal. Therefore thou oughtst not to ask me to enter thy tent, but if thou wasst about to give me anything, offer it as a burnt offering to the Lord. Then Joachim took a lamb without spot and said to the angel, I should not have dared to offer a burnt offering to the Lord, unless thy command had given me the priest's right of offering. And the angel said to him, I should not have invited thee to offer, unless I had known the will of God. And when Joachim was offered the sacrifice to God, the angel and the odor of the sacrifice went together straight up to heaven with the smoke. Then Joachim, throwing himself on his face, lay in prayer from the sixth hour of the day even until evening. And the slads and hired servants who were with him saw him, and not knowing why he was lying down, but that he was dead. And they came to him, and with difficulty raised him from the ground. When he recounted to them the vision of the angel, they were struck with great fear and wonder, and advised him to accomplish the vision of the angel without delay, and to go back with all haste to his wife. And when Joachim was turning over his mind whether he should go back or not, it happened that he was overpowered by a deep sleep.  Go down with confidence and return to Anna, because the deeds of mercy which thou and thy wife Anna have done have been told in the presence of the Most High. And to you will God give such fruit as no prophet or saint has ever had from the beginning, or ever will have. And when Joachim awoke out of his sleep, he called all his herdsmen to him and told them his dream. And they worshiped the Lord and said to him, See that thou no further despised the words of the angel, but rise and let us go hence, and return at a quiet pace, feeding our flocks. And one after thirty days occupied in going back, they were now nearer at hand. Behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to Anna, who was standing and praying, and said, Go to the gate which is called Golden, and meet thy husband in the way, for today he will come to thee. She therefore went towards him in haste with her maidens, and praying to the Lord, she stood a long time in the gate waiting for him. When she was worried with the long waiting, she lifted up her eyes and saw Joachim afar coming with his flocks. And she ran to him and hung on his neck, giving thanks to God, and saying, I was a widow, and behold now I am not so. I was barren, and behold I have now conceived. And so they worshiped the Lord and went into their own house. And when this was heard of, there was great joy among all their neighbors and acquaintances, so that the whole land of Israel congratulated them. Chapter 4 After these things, her nine months being fulfilled, Anna brought forth a daughter called her Mary, and having weaned her in her third year, Joachim and Anna, his wife, went together to the temple of the Lord to offer sacrifices to God, and placed the infant, Mary by name, in the community of virgins, in which the virgins remained day and night praising God. And when she was put down before the doors of the temple, she went up the fifteen steps so swiftly that she did not look back at all, nor did she, as children are wont to do, seek for her parents, whereupon her parents, each of them anxiously seeking for the child, were both alike astonished, until they found her in the temple, and the priests of the temple themselves wondered. Chapter 5 Then Anna, filled with the Holy Spirit, said before them all, The Lord Almighty, the God of hosts, being mindful of his word, hath visited his people with a good and holy visitation to bring down the hearts of the Gentiles who were rising against us, and turn them to himself. He hath opened his ears to our prayers. He hath kept away from us the exalting of all our enemies. The barren hath become a mother, and hath brought forth exultation and gladness to Israel. Behold the gifts which I have brought to offer to my Lord, and my enemies have not been able to hinder me, for God hath turned their hearts to me, and himself hath given me everlasting joy. Chapter 6 In Mary was held in admiration by all the people of Israel, and when she was three years old she walked with a step so mature, she spoke so perfectly and spent her time so assiduously in the praises of God, that all were astonished at her, and wondered, and she was not reckoned a young infant, but as if she were a grown-up person of thirty years old. She was so constant in prayer, and her parents were so beautiful and glorious, that scarcely anyone could look into her face. And she occupied herself constantly with all her will-work, so that she and her tender years could do all that old women were not able to do, and this was the order that she had set for herself. From the morning to the third hour she remained in prayer. From the third to the night she was occupied with her weaving, and from the night she again applied herself to prayer. She did not retire from praying until there appeared to her the angel of the Lord, from whose hand she used to receive food, and thus she became more and more perfect in the work of God. Then when the older virgin rested from the praises of God, she did not rest at all, so that in the praises and vigils of God none were found before her. No one more learned in the wisdom of the law of God, more lovely in humility, more elegant in singing, more perfect in all virtue. She was indeed steadfast, immovable, unchangeable, and daily advancing to perfection. No one saw her angry nor heard her speaking evil.  She was always engaged in prayer and in searching the law, and she was anxious lest by any word of her she should sin with regard to her companions. Then she was afraid, lest in her laughter or the sound of her beautiful voice she should commit any fault or lest being elated, she should display any wrongdoing or haughtiness to one of her equals. She blessed God without intermission, and lest perchance even in her salutations she might cease from praising God. If anyone saluted her, she used to answer by way of salutations, thanks be to God. And from her the custom first began of men saying, thanks be to God when they saluted each other. She refreshed herself only with the food which she daily received from the hand of the angel, but the food which she obtained from the priests she divided among the poor. The angels of God were often seen speaking with her, and they most diligently obeyed her. If anyone who was unwell touched her, the same hour he went home cured. Chapter 7 Then Abiathar the priest offered gifts without end to the high priest in order that he might obtain her as wife to his son. But Mary forbade them, saying, it cannot be that I should know a man or that a man should know me. For all the priests in all her relations kept saying to her, God has worshiped in children and adored in posterity, as has always happened among the sons of Israel. But Mary answered and said unto them, God has worshiped in chastity as is proved, first of all, for before Abel there was none righteous among men, and he by his offerings pleased God, and was without mercy slain by him who displeased him. Two crowns, therefore, he received, of ablation and of virginity, because in his flesh there was no pollution. Elias also, when he was in the flesh, was taken up in the flesh because he kept his flesh unspotted. Now I from my infancy in the temple of God have learned that virginity can be sufficiently dear to God, and so because I can offer what is dear to God, I resolved in my heart that I should not know a man at all. Chapter 8 Now it came to pass when she was fourteen years old, and on this account there was occasion for the Pharisees saying that it was now accustomed that no woman of that age should abide in the temple of God. They fell upon the plan of sending a herald through all the tribes of Israel, that on the third day all should come together into the temple of the Lord. When all the people had come together, Abiathar the High Priest rose, and mounted on a higher step that he might be seen and heard by all the people. And when great silence had been obtained, he said, Hear me, O sons of Israel, and receive my words into your ears. Ever since this temple was built by Solomon, there have been in it virgins, the daughters of kings and the daughters of prophets, and of high priests and priests, and they were great and worthy of admiration. But when they came to the proper age they were given in marriage and followed the course of their mothers before them, and were pleasing to God. But a new order of life has been found out by Mary alone, who promises that she will remain a virgin to God. Wherefore it seems to me that through our inquiry and the answer of God we should try to ascertain to whose keeping she ought to be entrusted. Then these words found favor with all the synagogue, and a lot was cast by the priests upon the twelve tribes, and a lot fell upon the tribe of Judah. And the priest said, Tomorrow let everyone who has no wife come and bring his rod in his hand. Once it happened that Joseph brought his rod along with the young men, and the rods having been handed over to the High Priest, he offered a sacrifice to the Lord God and inquired of the Lord. And the Lord said to him, Put all their rods into the Holy of Holies of God, and let them remain there, and order them to come to thee on the morrow to get back their rods. And the man from the point of whose rod a douchel come forth and fly towards heaven, and in whose hand the rod, when given back shall exhibit the sign, to him let Mary be delivered to be kept. On the following day then, all having assembled early, and an incense offering having been made, the High Priest went into the Holy of Holies and brought forth the rods. And when he had distributed the rods, and the dove came forth out of none of them, the High Priest put on the twelve bells in the sacrodotal robe, and entering into the Holy of Holies, he there made a burnt offering and poured forth the prayer. And the angel of the Lord appeared to him, saying, There is here the shortest rod of which thou hast made no account. Thou dost bring it in with the rest, but dost not take it out with them. When thou hast taken it out and hast given it to him whose it is, in it will appear the sign of which I spoke to thee. Now that was Joseph's rod, and because he was an old man, he had been cast off, as it were, that he might not receive but neither did he himself wish to ask back his rod. And when he was humbly standing last of all, the High Priest cried out to him with a loud voice, saying, Come, Joseph, and receive thy rod, for we are waiting for thee. And Joseph came up trembling, because the High Priest had called him with a very loud voice. But as soon as he stretched forth his hand and laid hold of his rod, immediately from the top of it came forth a dove whiter than snow. Beautiful exceedingly, which after long flying about the roofs of the temple at length flew towards the heavens, then all the people congratulated the old man, saying, Thou hast been made blessed in thine old age, O Father Joseph, seeing that God hath shown thee to be fit to receive Mary. And the Priest having said to him, Take her, because of all the tribe of Judah, Thou alone hast been chosen by God. Joseph began bashfully to address them, saying, I am an old man, and have children. Why do you hand over to me this infant, who is younger than my grandsons? Then Abiathar the High Priest said to him, Remember, Joseph, how Dathan, and Aberon, and Cor, perished, because they despised the will of God. So will it happen to thee if Thou despised this which is commanded thee by God. Joseph answered him, I indeed do not despise the will of God, but I shall be her guardian until I can ascertain concerning the will of God, as to which of my sons can have her as his wife. Let some virgins of her companions, with whom she, meanwhile, spend her time, be given for a consolation to her. Abiathar the High Priest answered and said, Five virgins indeed shall be given her for consolation, until the appointed day come in which Thou mayst receive her, for to no other should be joined in marriage. Then Joseph received Mary, with the other five virgins who were to be with her in Joseph's home. These virgins were Rebecca, Sephora, Susanna, Abi Jaya, and Kyle, to whom the High Priest gave the silk and the blue, and the fine linen and the scarlet, and the purple and the fine flax. For they cast lots among themselves, what each virgin should do, and the purple for the veil of the Temple of the Lord fell to the lot of Mary. And when she had got it, those virgins said to her, Since Thou art the last and humble and younger than all, Thou hast deserved to receive and obtain the purple. And thus sang, as it were in words of annoyance, they began to call her Queen of Virgins. While, however, they were doing so, the Angel of the Lord appeared in the midst of them, saying, These words shall not have been uttered by way of annoyance, but prophesied as a prophecy most true. They trembled, therefore, at the sight of the Angel, and at his words, and asked her to pardon them, and pray for them. Chapter 9 And on the second day, while Mary was at the fountain to fill her picture, the Angel of the Lord appeared to her, saying, Blessed art Thou, Mary, for in thy womb Thou hast prepared inhabitation for the Lord. For lo, the light from heaven shall come and dwell in thee, and by means of thee will shine over the whole world. Again on the third day, while she was working at the purple with her fingers, there appeared a young man of ineffable beauty. And when Mary saw him, she exceedingly feared and trembled. And he said to her, Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art Thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. And when she heard these words, she trembled and was exceedingly afraid. Then the Angel of the Lord added, Fear not, Mary, for Thou hast found favor with God. Behold, Thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and shalt bring forth a king, who fills not only the earth but the heaven, and who reigns from generation to generation. Chapter 10 While these things were doing, Joseph was occupied with his work, house-building, in the districts by the seashore, for he was a carpenter, and after nine months he came back to his house and found Mary pregnant. Wherefore, being in the utmost distress, he trembled and cried out, saying, O Lord God, receive my spirit, for it is better for me to die than to live any longer. And the virgins who were with Mary said to him, Joseph, what art thou saying? We know that no man has touched her. We can testify that she is still a virgin and untouched. We have watched over her, always as she continued with us in prayer, daily do the angels of God speak with her, daily does she receive food from the hand of the Lord. We know not how it is possible that there can be any sin in her, but if thou wishest us to tell thee what we suspect, nobody but the Angel of the Lord has made her pregnant. Then said Joseph, why do you mislead me to believe that an Angel of the Lord has made her pregnant? But it is possible that someone has pretended to be an Angel of the Lord and has beguiled her. And thus speaking he went and said, with what face shall I look at the temple of the Lord, or with what face shall I see the priests of God? What am I to do? And thus saying he thought that he would flee and send her away. Chapter 11. When he was thinking of rising up and hiding himself and dwelling in secret, behold on that very night the Angel of the Lord appeared to him in sleep, sang Joseph, thou son of David, fear not, receive Mary as thy wife, for that which is in her womb is of the Holy Spirit.  And Joseph, rising from his sleep, gave thanks to God, and spoke to Mary and the virgins who were with her and told them his vision. And he was comforted about Mary, saying, I have sinned in that I suspected thee at all. Chapter 12. After these things there arose a great report that Mary was with child, and Joseph was seized by the officers of the temple and brought along with Mary to the high priest. And he with the priest began to reproach him and to say, why hast thou beguiled so great and so glorious a virgin? Who was fed like a dove in the temple by the Angels of God, who never wished either to see or to have a man, who had the most excellent knowledge of the law of God? If thou hast not done violence to her, she would still have remained in her virginity. And Joseph vowed, and swore that he had never touched her at all. In Abbaethar the high priest answered him, as the Lord liveth I will give thee to drink of the water of drinking of the Lord, and immediately thy sin will appear. Then was assembled a multitude of people which could not be numbered, and Mary was brought to the temple, and the priests and her relatives in her parents' web, and said to Mary, Confess to the priests thy sin, that thou wast like a dove in the temple of God, and dist receive food from the hands of an angel. And again Joseph was summoned to the altar, and the water of drinking of the Lord was given him to drink. And when any one that had lied drank this water, and walked seven times round the altar, God used to show some sign in his face. When therefore Joseph had drunk in safety, and had walked round the altar seven times, no sign of sin appeared in him. Then all the priests and the officers and the people justified him, saying, Blessed art thou, sing that no charge has been found good against thee. And they summoned Mary and said, And what excuse canst thou have, or what greater sign can appear in thee than the conception of thy womb, which betrays thee? This only we require of thee, that since Joseph is pure regarding thee, thou confess who it is that has beguiled thee. For it is better that thy confession should betray thee, than that the wrath of God should set a mark on thy face, and expose thee in the midst of the people. Then Mary said steadfastly and without trembling, O Lord God, king overall, who knows all secrets, if there be any pollution in me, or any sin, or any evil desires or unchastity, expose me in the sight of all the people, and make me an example of punishment to all. Thus sang she went up to the altar of the Lord boldly, and drank the water of drinking, and walked round the altar seven times, and no spot was found in her. When all the people were in the utmost astonishment, seeing that she was with child, and that no sign had appeared in her face, they began to be disturbed among themselves by conflicting statements. Some said that she was holy and unspotted, others that she was wicked and defiled. Then Mary, seeing that she was still suspected by the people, and that on that account she did not seem to them to be wholly cleared, said in the hearing of all, with a loud voice. As the Lord had done, I live it, the Lord of hosts before whom I stand. I have not known man, but I am known by him to whom from my earliest years I have devoted myself. In this vow I made to my God from my infancy, that I should remain unspotted in him who created me, and I trust that I shall so live to him alone, and serve him alone, and in him as long as I shall live, will I remain unpolluted.  And she was led down to her house, with exultation and joy by the people, and the priests, and all the virgins. And they cried out and said, Blessed be the name of the Lord for ever, because he hath manifested thy holiness to all his people Israel. Chapter 13 And it came to pass some little time after that an enrollment was made, according to the edict of Caesar Augustus, that all the world was to be enrolled, each man in his native place. This enrollment was made by Cyrannus, the governor of Syria. It was necessary, therefore, that Joseph should enroll with the Blessed Mary in Bethlehem, because to it they belong being of the tribe of Judah, and of the house and family of David. When, therefore, Joseph and the Blessed Mary were going along the road which leads to Bethlehem, Mary said to Joseph, I see two peoples before me, the one weeping and the other rejoicing. And Joseph answered, Sit still on thy beast and do not speak superfluous words. Then there appeared before them a beautiful boy, clothed in white raiment, who said to Joseph, Why dost thou say the words which Mary spoke about the two peoples were superfluous? For she saw the people of the Jews weeping, because they had departed from their God, and the people of the Gentiles rejoicing, because they now have been added and made near to the Lord. According to that which he promised to our fathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, for the time is at hand when in the seed of Abraham all nations shall be blessed. And when he had thus said, the angel ordered the beast to stand, for the time when she should bring forth was at hand, and he commanded the Blessed Mary to come down off the animal, and go into a recess under a cavern in which there never was light but always darkness, because the light of day could not reach it. And when the Blessed Mary had gone into it, it began to shine with as much brightness as if it were the sixth hour of the day. The light from God so shone in the cave that neither by day nor night was light wanting as long as the Blessed Mary was there. And there she brought forth a sun, and the angel surrounded him when he was being born. And as soon as he was born, he stood upon his feet, and angels adored him, saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men of good pleasure. Now when the birth of the Lord was at hand, Joseph had gone away to seek midwives, and when he had found them he returned to the cave and found with Mary the infant which she had brought forth. And Joseph said to the Blessed Mary, I have brought thee two midwives, Salome and Salome, and they are standing outside before the entrance to the cave, not daring to come in hither because of the exceeding brightness. And when the Blessed Mary heard this, she smiled, and Joseph said to her, Do not smile, but prudently allow them to visit thee, in case thou shouldst require them for thy cure. Then she ordered them to enter. And when Salome had come in, Salome having stayed without, Salome said to Mary, Allow me to touch thee. And when she had permitted her to make an examination, the midwife cried out with a loud voice and said, Lord, Lord Almighty, mercy on us, it has never been heard or thought that of anyone should have her breast full of milk, and that the birth of a son should show his mother to be a virgin. And there has been no spilling of blood in his birth, no pain in bringing him forth. A virgin has conceived, a virgin has brought forth, and a virgin she remains. In hearing these words Salome said, Allow me to handle thee, and prove whether Salome have spoken the truth. And the Blessed Mary allowed her to handle her. And when she had withdrawn her hand from handling it, it dried up, and through excessive pain she began to weep bitterly, and to be in great distress crying out and saying, O Lord God, thou knowest that I have always feared thee, and that without recompense I have cared for all the poor. I have taken nothing from the widow and the orphan, and the needy have I not sent empty away. And behold I am made wretched because of mine unbelief, since without a cause I wish to try thy virgin. And while she was thus speaking, there stood by her a young man in shining garments, saying, Go to the child and adore him, and touch him with thy hand, and he will heal thee, because he is the Savior of the world, and of all that hope in him. And she went to the child with haste and adored him, and touched the fringe of the cloths in which he was wrapped, and instantly her hand was cured. In going forth she began to cry aloud and tell the wonderful things which she had seen, and which she had suffered, and how she had been cured, so that many through her statements believed. And some shepherds also affirmed that they had seen angels singing a hymn at midnight, praising and blessing the God of heaven, and saying, There has been born the Savior of all, who is Christ the Lord, in whom salvation shall be brought to Israel. Moreover, a great star, larger than any that had been seen since the beginning of the world, shone over the cave from the evening till the morning. And the prophets who were in Jerusalem said that this star pointed out the birth of Christ, who should restore the promise not only to Israel, but to all nations. Chapter 14.    Then was fulfilled that which was said by Abba Cook, the prophet, saying, Between two animals thou art made manifest. In the same place Joseph remained with Mary three days. Chapter 15. And on the sixth day they entered Bethlehem, where they spent the seventh day. And on the eighth day they circumcised the child and called his name Jesus, for so he was called by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. Now, after the days of the purification of Mary were fulfilled, according to the law of Moses, then Joseph took the infant to the temple of the Lord. And when the infant had received Barhidimus, that is circumcision, they offered for him a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons. Now there was in the temple a man of God, perfect and just, whose name was Simeon, 112 years old. He had received the answer from the Lord that he should not taste of death till he had seen Christ, the Son of God, living in the flesh. And having seen the child, he cried out with a loud voice, saying, God hath visited his people, and the Lord hath fulfilled his promise. And he made haste and adored him. And after this he took him up into his cloak and kissed his feet, and said, Lord, now let us thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word. For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples, to be a light, to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel. There was also in the temple of the Lord Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Fanuel, of the tribe of Ashar, who had lived with her husband seven years from her virginity, and she had now become a widow eighty-four years. And she never left the temple of the Lord, but spent her time in fasting and prayer. She also likewise adored the child, saying, In him is the redemption of the world. Chapter 16. And when the second year was passed, Magi came from the east to Jerusalem, bringing great gifts, and they made strict inquiry of the Jews, saying, Where is the king who has been born to you? For we have seen his star in the east, and have come to worship him. And the word of this came to King Herod, and so alarmed him that he called together the scribes and the Pharisees, and the teachers of the people, asking of them where the prophets had foretold that Christ should be born. And they said, In Bethlehem of Judah, for it is written, And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, art by no means the least among the princes of Judah, For out of thee shall come forth a leader, who shall rule my people Israel. Then King Herod summoned the Magi to him, and strictly inquired of them when the star appeared to them. Then sending them to Bethlehem, he said, Go and make strict inquiry about the child. And when he had found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also. And while the Magi were going on their way, there appeared to them the star, which was, as it were, a guide to them, going before them until they came to where the child was. And when the Magi saw the star, they rejoiced with great joy, and going into the house they saw the child Jesus sitting in his mother's lap. Then they opened their treasures and presented great gifts to the Blessed Mary and Joseph, and to the child himself they offered each of them a piece of gold. And likewise one gave gold another frankincense and the third myrrh. And when they were going to return to King Herod, they were warned by an angel in their sleep not to go back to Herod, and they returned to their own country by another road. Chapter 17 And when Herod saw that he had been made sport of by the Magi, his heart swelled with rage, and he sent through all the roads, wishing to seize them and put them to death. But when he could not find them at all, he sent anew to Bethlehem and all its borders, and slew all the male children whom he found of two years old and under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the Magi. Now the day before this was done, Joseph was warned in his sleep by the angel of the Lord, who said to him, take Mary and the child, and go into Egypt by the way of the desert. And Joseph went according to the sang of the angel. Chapter 18 And having come to a certain cave and wishing to rest in it, the Blessed Mary dismounted from her beast and sat down with the child Jesus in her bosom. And there were with Joseph three boys and with Mary a girl going on the journey along with them. And lo, suddenly there came forth from the cave many dragons. When the children saw them, they cried out in great terror. Then Jesus went down from the bosom of his mother and stood on his feet before the dragons. They adored Jesus, and thereafter retired. Then was fulfilled that which was said by David the Prophet, saying, Praise the Lord from the earth ye dragons, ye dragons in all ye deeps. And the young child Jesus walking before them commanded them to hurt no man. But Mary and Joseph were very much afraid, lest the child should be hurt by the dragons. And Jesus said to them, Do not be afraid and do not consider me to be a little child, for I am and always have been perfect, and all the beasts of the forest must needs be tamed before me. Chapter 19 Lions and Panthers adored him likewise, and accompanied them in the desert. Wherever Joseph and the Blessed Mary went, they went before them, showing them the way, and bowing their heads and showing their submission by wagging their tails, they adored him, with great reverence. Now at first when Mary saw the lions and the Panthers and various kinds of wild beasts coming about them, she was very much afraid. But the infant Jesus looked into her face with a joyful continence, and said, Be not afraid, Mother, for they come not to do the harm, but they may case to serve both thee and me. With these words he drove all fear from her heart, and the lions kept walking with them, and with the oxen and the asses, and the beasts of burden which carried their baggage, and did not hurt a single one of them, though they kept beside them. But they were tame among the sheep and the rams which they brought with them, from Judea, in which they had with them. They walked among wolves, and fearing nothing, and no one of them was hurt by another. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by the prophet, wolves shall feed with lambs, the lion and the ox shall eat straw together. There were together two oxen drawing a wagon with provision for the journey, and the lions directed them in their path. Chapter 20 And it came to pass on the third day of their journey, while they were walking, that the Blessed Mary was fatigued by the excessive heat of the sun in the desert, and seeing a palm tree. She said to Joseph, let me rest a little under the shade of this tree. Joseph therefore made haste and led her to the palm, and made her come down from her beast. And as the Blessed Mary was sitting there, she looked up to the foliage of the palm and saw it full of fruit, and said to Joseph, I wish it were possible to get some of the fruit of this palm. And Joseph said to her, I wonder that thou sayest this when thou seeest how high the palm tree is, and that thou thinkest of eating of its fruit. I am thinking more of the want of water, because the skins are now empty, and we have none we're with to refresh ourselves in our cattle.  And immediately at these words the palm bent its top down to the very feet of the Blessed Mary, and they gathered from it fruit with which they were all refreshed. And after they had gathered all its fruit, it remained bent down, waiting the order to rise from him who had commanded it to stoop. Then Jesus said to it, raise thyself full palm tree, and be strong, and be the companion of my trees, which are in the paradise of my Father. And open from thy roots a vein of water which has been hidden in the earth, and let the waters flow that we may be satisfied from thee. And it rose up immediately, and at its root there began to come forth the spring of water, exceedingly clear and cool and sparkling. And when they saw the spring of water they rejoiced with great joy, and were satisfied, themselves and all their cattle in their peace, wherefore they gave thanks to God. Chapter 21 And on the day after, when they were setting out thence, and in the hour in which they began their journey, Jesus turned to the palm and said, This privilege I give thee, O palm tree, that one of thy branches be carried away by my angels, implanted in the paradise of my Father. In this blessing I will confer upon thee, that it shall be said of all who conquer in any contest, you have attained the palm of victory. And while he was thus speaking, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared, and stood upon the palm tree, and taking off one of his branches, flew to heaven with a branch in his hand. And when they saw this they fell on their faces and became as if they were dead. And Jesus said to them, Why are your hearts possessed with fear? Do you not know that this palm, which I have caused to be transferred to paradise, shall be prepared for all the saints in the place of delights, as it has been prepared for us in this place of the wilderness?  Chapter 22 After this while they were going on their journey, Joseph said to Jesus, Lord it is a boiling heat, if it please thee, let us go by the seashore, that we may be able to rest in the cities on the coast. Jesus said to him, Fear not, Joseph, I will shorten the way for you, so that what you would have taken thirty days to go over, you shall accomplish in this one day. And while they were thus speaking, behold, they looked forward and began to see the mountains and cities of Egypt. And rejoicing and exalting, they came into the regions of Hermopolis, and entered into a certain city of Egypt, which is called Sotanen. And because they knew no one there from whom they could ask hospitality, they went into a temple which was called the capital of Egypt. And in this temple there had been set up 355 idols, to each of which on its own day divine honors and sacred rites were paid. For the Egyptians belonging to the same city entered the capital in which the priests told them how many sacrifices were offered each day, according to the honor in which the God was held. Chapter 23 And it came to pass when the most blessed Mary went into the temple with a little child, that all the idols prostrated themselves on the ground, so that all of them were lying on their faces, shattered and broken to pieces, and thus they plainly showed that they were nothing. Then was fulfilled that which was said by the prophet Isaiah. Behold, the Lord will come upon a swift cloud and will enter Egypt, and all the handiwork of the Egyptian shall be moved at his presence. Chapter 24 Then Aphrodosius, that governor of the city, when news of this was brought to him, went to the temple with all his army. And the priests of the temple, when they saw Aphrodosius with all his army coming into the temple, thought that he was making haste only to see vengeance taken on those on whose account the gods had fallen down. But when he came into the temple and saw all the gods lying prostrate on their faces, he went up to the blessed Mary, who was carrying the Lord in her bosom and adored him, and said to all his army and all his friends, unless this were the God of our gods, our gods would not have fallen on their faces before him, nor would they be lying prostrate in his presence, wherefore they silently confessed that he is their Lord. Unless we therefore take care to do what we have seen our gods doing, we may run the risk of his anger, and all come to destruction, even as it happened to Pharaoh, king of the Egyptians, who not believing in power so mighty was drowned in the sea with all his army. Then all the people of that same city believed in the Lord God through Jesus Christ. Chapter 25 After no long time, the angels said to Joseph, return to the land of Judah, for they are dead who sought the child's life. Chapter 26 And it came to pass after Jesus had returned out of Egypt when he was in Galilee, and entering on the fourth year of his age, that on a Sabbath day he was playing with some children at the bed of the Jordan. And as he sat there, Jesus made to himself seven pools of clay, and to each of them he made passages through which at his command he brought water from the torrent into the pool and took it back again. Then one of those children, a son of the devil, moved with envy, shut the passages which supplied the pools with water, and overthrew what Jesus had built up.  And immediately he who had done this died. Then with great uproar the parents of the dead boy cried out against Mary and Joseph, saying to them, Your son has cursed our son and he is dead. When Joseph and Mary heard this, they came forthwith to Jesus, on account of the outcry of the parents of the boy and the gathering together of the Jews. But Joseph said privately to Mary, I dare not speak to him, but do thou admonish him and say, Why hast thou raised against us the hatred of the people? And why must the troublesome hatred of men be borne by us? And his mother, having come to him, asked him, saying, My Lord, what was it that he did to bring about his death? And he said he deserved death, because he scattered the work that I had made. Then his mother asked him, Sang, Do not so, my Lord, because all men rise up against us. But he, not wishing to grieve his mother, with his right foot, kicked the hinder parts of the dead boy, and said to him, Rise thou son of iniquity. For thou art not worthy to enter into the rest of my father, because thou destroy the works which I had made. Then he who had been dead rose up and went away. And Jesus, by the word of his power, brought water into the pools by the aqueduct. Chapter 27. And it came to pass after these things that, in the sight of all, Jesus took clay from the pools which he had made, and of it made twelve sparrows. And it was the Sabbath when Jesus did this, and there were very many children with him. When therefore one of the Jews had seen him doing this, he said to Joseph, Joseph, dost thou not see the child Jesus working on the Sabbath, at which it is not lawful for him to do? For he has made twelve sparrows of clay. And when Joseph heard this, he reproved him, saying, Wherefore dost thou on the Sabbath such things as are not lawful for us to do? And when Jesus heard Joseph, he struck his hands together, and said to his sparrows, Fly, and at the voice of his command they began to fly. And in the sight and hearing of all that stood by, he said to the birds, Go and fly through the earth, and through all the world, and live. And when those that were there saw such miracles, they were filled with great astonishment. And some praised and admired him, but others reviled him. And certain of them went away to the chief priests and the heads of the Pharisees, and reported to them that Jesus, the son of Joseph, had done great signs and miracles in the sight of all the people of Israel. And this was reported in the twelve tribes of Israel.  Moreover he shut the aqueduct by which the water came in, and then broke it down. And when Jesus saw this, he said to that boy who had destroyed his dams, almost wicked seed of iniquity, though son of death, a workshop of Satan, barely the fruit of thy seed shall be without strength, in thy roots without moisture, in thy branches withered, bearing no fruit. And immediately in the sight of all the boy withered away and died. Chapter 29 Then Joseph trembled and took hold of Jesus, and went with him to his own house, and his mother with him, and behold, suddenly from the opposite direction a boy, also a worker of iniquity, ran up and came against the shoulder of Jesus, wishing to make sport of him, or to hurt him, if he could. And Jesus said to him, Thou shalt not go back safe and sound from the way that thou goest. And immediately he fell down and died. And the parents of the dead boy who had seen what happened, cried out saying, Where does this child come from? It is manifest that every word that he says is true, and it is often accomplished before he speaks. And the parents of the dead boy came to Joseph and said to him, Take away that Jesus from this place, for he cannot live with us in this town, or at least teach him to bless and not to curse. And Joseph came up to Jesus, and admonished him, saying, Why dost thou such things? For already many are in grief and against thee, and hate us on thy account, and we endure the reproaches of men because of thee. And Jesus answered and said unto Joseph, No one is a wise son but he whom his father hath taught, according to the knowledge of this time. And a father's curse can hurt none but evil doers. Then they came together against Jesus and accused him to Joseph. When Joseph saw this he was in great terror, fearing the violence and uproar of the people of Israel. In the same hour, Jesus seized the dead boy by the year and lifted him up from the earth in the sight of all. And they saw Jesus speaking to him, like a father to his son. And his spirit came back to him, and he revived. And all of them wondered. Chapter 30 Now a certain Jewish schoolmaster named Zacchaeus heard Jesus thus speaking and seeing that he could not be overcome from knowing the power that was in him. He became angry and began rudely and foolishly and without fear to speak against Joseph. And he said, Dost thou not wish to entrust me with thy son that he may be instructed in human learning and in reverence? But I see that Mary and thyself have more regard for your son than for what the elders of the people of Israel say against him. You should have given more honor to us, the elders of the whole church of Israel, both that he might be on terms of mutual affection with the children, and that among us he might be instructed in Jewish learning. Joseph, on the other hand, said to him, And is there anyone who can keep this child and teach him? But if thou canst keep him and teach him, we by no means hinder him from being taught by thee those things which are learned by all. And Jesus, having heard what Zacchaeus said, answered and said unto him, The precepts of the law which thou hast just spoken of, and all the things that thou hast named, must be kept by those who are instructed in human learning. But I am a stranger to your law courts, because I have no father after the flesh. Thou who readest the law and art learned in it, abidest in the law, but I was before the law. But since thou thinkest that no one is equal to thee in learning, thou shalt be taught by me, that no other can teach anything but those things which thou hast named. But he alone can, who is worthy. For when I shall be exalted on earth, I will cause to cease all mention of your genealogy. For thou knowest not when thou wasst born. I alone know when you were born, and how long your life on earth will be. Then all who heard these words were struck with astonishment, and cried out, Oh, oh, oh, this marvelously great and wonderful mystery. Never have we heard the like. Never has it been heard from anyone else, nor has it been said, or at any time, heard by the prophets, or the Pharisees, or the scribes. We know whence he has sprung, and he is scarcely five years old, and whence does he speak these words? The Pharisees answered, We have never heard such words spoken by any other child so young. And Jesus answered and said unto them, At this do ye wonder that such things are said by a child? Why then do ye not believe in me those things which I have said to you?  I would tell you greater things that you may wonder more. I have seen Abraham whom you call your father, and have spoken with him, and he has seen me. And when they heard this they held their tongues, nor did any of them dare to speak. And Jesus said to them, I have been among you with children, and you have not known me. I have spoken to you as to wise men, and you have not understood my words, because you are younger than I am, in of little faith. Chapter 31 The second time the Master Zacchus, Doctor of the Law, said to Joseph and Mary, Give me the boy, and I shall hand him over to Master Levi, who shall teach him his letters and instruct him. Then Joseph and Mary, soothing Jesus, took him to the schools, that he might be taught his letters by old Levi. And as soon as he went in he held his tongue, and the Master Levi said one letter to Jesus, and beginning from the first letter Aleph said to him, Answer! But Jesus was silent and answered nothing. Wherefore the preceptor Levi was angry, and seized his Storax tree-rod, and struck him on the head. And Jesus said to the teacher Levi, Why dost thou strike me? Thou shalt know in truth that he who is struck can teach him who strikes him more than he can be taught by him. For I can teach you those very things that you were saying. But all these are blind who speak and hear, like sounding brass or tinkling cymbal, in which there is no perception of those things which are meant by their sound. And Jesus in addition said to Zacchus, Every letter from Aleph, even to Thet, is known by its arrangement. Say thou first, therefore, what Thet is, and I will tell thee what Aleph is. And again Jesus said to them, Those who do not know Aleph, how can they say Thet? The hypocrites. Tell me what the first one Aleph is, and I shall then believe you when you have said Beth. And Jesus began to ask the names of the letters one by one, and said, Let the Master of the law tell us what the first letter is, or why it has many triangles, greatate, subacute, mediate, abduced, produced, erect, prostrate, curvestrate. And when Levi heard this, he was thunderstruck at such an arrangement of the names of the letters. Then he began in the hearing of all to cry out and say, Aught such a one to live on the earth, yea, he ought to be hung on the great cross, for he can put out fire and make sport of other modes of punishment. I think that he lived before the flood, and was born before the deluge. For what womb bore him? Of what mother brought him forth? Of what breast gave him succ? I flee before him. I am not able to withstand the words from his mouth, but my heart is astounded to hear such words. I do not think that any man can understand what he says, except God were with him. Now I unfortunate wretch have given myself up to be a laughingstock to him. For when I thought I had a scholar, I not knowing him have found my master. What shall I say? I cannot withstand the words of this child. I shall now flee from this town, because I cannot understand them. An old man like me has been beaten by a boy, because I can find neither beginning nor end of what he says. For it is no easy matter to find a beginning of himself. I tell you of a certainty. I am not lying, that to my eyes the proceedings of this boy, the commencement of his conversation, and the upshot of his intention, seem to have nothing in common with mortal man. Here then I do not know whether he be a wizard, or a God, or at least an angel of God speaks in him. Once he is, or where he comes from, or who he will turn out to be, I know not.  And when the child Jesus had said this, forthwith all who had fallen under malignant diseases were restored, and they did not dare to say anything more to him, or to hear anything from him. Chapter 32 After these things Joseph and Mary departed thence with Jesus into the city of Nazareth, and he remained there with his parents, and on the first of the week when Jesus was playing with the children on the roof of a certain house, it happened that one of the children pushed another down from the roof to the ground, and he was killed. And the parents of the dead boy, who had not seen this, cried out against Joseph and Mary, saying, Your son has thrown our son down to the ground, and he is dead. But Jesus was silent, and answered them nothing.  And immediately Jesus went down from the roof to the ground and called the boy by his name, Zeno. And he answered him, My Lord. And Jesus said to him, Was it I that threw thee down from the roof to the ground? And he said, No, my Lord. And the parents of the boy who had been dead wondered, and honored Jesus for the miracle that had been wrought. And Joseph and Mary departed thence with Jesus to Jericho.  And it came to pass after he had drawn the water that one of the children came against him and struck the pitcher and broke it. But Jesus stretched out the cloak which he had on and took up in his cloak as much water as there had been in the pitcher and carried it to his mother. And when she saw it she wondered and reflected within herself, and laid up all these things in her heart. Chapter 34 Again on a certain day he went forth into the field and took a little wheat from his mother's barn, and sowed it himself. And it sprang up and grew and multiplied exceedingly. And at last it came to pass that he himself reaped it, and gathered as the produce of it three cores and gave it to his numerous acquaintances. Chapter 35 There is a road going out of Jericho and leading to the river Jordan, to the place where the children of Israel crossed, and there the Ark of the Covenant is said to have rested. And Jesus was eight years old, and he went out of Jericho and went towards the Jordan. And there beside the road near the bank of the Jordan a cave where a lioness was nursing her cubs, and no one was safe to walk that way. Jesus then, coming from Jericho, and knowing that in that cave the lioness had brought forth her young, went into it in the sight of all. And when the lion saw Jesus, they ran to meet him and adored him. And Jesus was sitting in the cavern, and the lion's cubs ran hither and thither round his feet, fawning upon him and sporting. And the older lions, with their heads bowed down, stood at a distance and adored him, and fawned upon him with their tails. And the people were standing afar off, not seeing Jesus said. Unless he or his parents had committed grievous sins, he would not of his own accord have offered himself up to the lions. But when the people were thus reflecting within themselves, or were lying under great sorrow, behold, on a sudden in the sight of the people, Jesus came out of the cave, and the lions went before him, and the lion's cubs played with each other before his feet. And the parents of Jesus stood afar off, with their heads bowed down and watched. Likewise also the people stood at a distance on account of the lions, for they did not dare to come close to them. Then Jesus began to say to the people, How much better are the beasts than you, seeing that they recognize their Lord, and glorify him, while you men who have been made after the image and likeness of God, do not know him. Beasts know me, and are tame. Men see me, and do not acknowledge me. Chapter 36 After these things, Jesus crossed the Jordan in the sight of them all, with the lions and the water of the Jordan was divided on the right hand and on the left. Then he said to the lions, In the hearing of all, Go in peace and hurt no one, but neither let man injure you until you return to the place once you have come forth.  But Jesus returned to his mother. Chapter 37 Now Joseph was a carpenter, and used to make nothing else of wood but oxyokes and plows, and implements of husbandry and wooden beds. And it came to pass that a certain young man ordered him to make for him a couch, six cubits long. And Joseph commanded his servant to cut the wood with an iron saw, according to the measure which he had sent. But he did not keep to the prescribed measure, but made one piece of wood shorter than the other. Then Joseph was in perplexity, and began to consider what he was to do about this. And when Jesus saw him in this state of cogitation, seeing that it was a matter of impossibility to him, he addresses him with words of comfort, saying, Come, let us take hold of the ends of the pieces of wood, and let us put them together end to end, and let us fit them exactly to each other, and draw to us, for we shall be able to make them equal. And Joseph did what he was bid, for he knew that he could do whatever he wished. And Joseph took hold of the ends of the pieces of wood, and brought them together against the wall next to him. And Jesus took hold of the other ends of the pieces of wood, and drew the shorter piece to him, and made it of the same length as the longer one. And he said to Joseph, Go and work, and do what thou hast promised to do. And Joseph did what he had promised, Chapter 38. And it came to pass a second time that Joseph and Mary were asked by the people that Jesus should be taught his letters in school. They did not refuse to do so, and according to the commandment of the elders, they took him to a master to be instructed in human learning. Then the master began to teach him in an imperious tone, saying, Say Alpha! And Jesus said to him, Do thou tell me first what Bethah is? And I will tell thee what Alpha is.  And no sooner had he struck him that he fell down dead. And Jesus went home again to his mother. And Joseph, being afraid, called Mary to him and said to her, Know of a surety that my soul is sorrowful, even unto death on account of this child. For it is very likely that at some time or other someone will strike him in malice, and he will die. But Mary answered and said, O man of God, do not believe that this is possible. You may believe to a certainty that he who has sent him to be born among men will himself guard him from all mischief, and will in his own name preserve him from evil. Chapter 39. Again the Jews asked Mary and Joseph a third time to coax him to go to another master to learn. And Joseph and Mary, fearing the people in the overbearing of the princess and the threats of the priests, led him again to school, knowing that he could learn nothing from man, because he had perfect knowledge from God only. And when Jesus had entered the school, led by the Holy Spirit, he took the book out of the hand of the master who was teaching the law, and in the sight and hearing of all the people began to read, not indeed what was written in their book, but he spoke in the spirit of the living God, as if a stream of water were gushing forth from a living fountain. And the fountain remained always full. And with such power he taught the people the great things of the living God, that the master himself fell to the ground and adored him. And the heart of the people who sat and heard him, saying such things, was turned into astonishment. And when Joseph heard of this, he came running to Jesus, fearing that the master himself was dead. And when the master saw him, he said to them, Thou hast given me not a scholar but a master, and who can withstand his words, then was fulfilled that which was spoken by the psalmist.  Thou hast prepared them corn, for so is the provision for it. Chapter 40 After these things Joseph departed thence with Mary and Joseph to go into Capernaum by the seashore, on account of the malice of his adversaries. And when Jesus was living in Capernaum, there was in the city a man named Joseph, exceedingly rich.  And when Jesus heard them in the city mourning and weeping and lamenting over the dead man, he said to Joseph, Why dost thou not afford the benefit of thy favor to this man, seeing that he is called by thy name? And Joseph answered him, How have I any power or ability to afford him a benefit?  And say to him, Christ heal thee, and immediately the dead man will be healed and will rise from his couch. And when Joseph heard this, he went away at the command of Jesus, and ran and entered the house of the dead man, and put the handkerchief which he was wearing on his head upon the face of him who was lying in the couch, and said, Jesus heal thee, and forthwith the dead man rose from his bed, and asked who Jesus was. Chapter 41 And they went away from Capernaum into the city which is called Bethlehem. And Joseph lived with Mary in his own house, and Jesus with them. And on a certain day Joseph called to him, his firstborn son James, and sent him into the vegetable garden to gather vegetables for the purpose of making broth. And Jesus followed his brother James into the garden. But Joseph and Mary did not know this. But while James was collecting the vegetables, the viper suddenly came out of a hole and struck his hand. And he began to cry out from excessive pain. And becoming exhausted he said with a bitter cry, Alas, Alas, and a cursed viper has struck my hand.  And all that he did was to blow on the hand of James and cool it. And immediately James was healed, and the serpent died. And Joseph and Mary did not know what had been done. But at the cry of James and the command of Jesus they ran to the garden and found the serpent already dead. And James quite cured.  And she was called by the name Mary for the consolation of her parents. And when they had come together, Jesus sanctified and blessed them. And he was the first to begin to eat and drink. For none of them dared to eat or drink, or to sit at table, or to break bread, until he had sanctified them and first done so. And if he happened to be absent they used to wait for him until he should do this. And when he did not wish to come for refreshment, neither Joseph nor Mary nor the sons of Joseph, his brothers came. And indeed these brothers, keeping his life as a lamp before their eyes, observed him and feared him. And when Jesus slept, whether by day or by night, the brightness of God shone upon him, to whom be all praise and glory for ever and ever. Amen. Amen. End of the Gospel of Pseudo-Matthew. Section 3 of Anti-Nicene Christian Library. Translations of the Writings of the Fathers down to AD 325. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Anti-Nicene Christian Library. Translations of the Writings of the Fathers down to AD 325 by Alexander Roberts, Editor. The Gospel of the Nativity of Mary. Chapter 1. The Blessed and Glorious Ever-Virgin Mary sprung from the royal stock and family of David, born in the city of Nazareth, was brought up at Jerusalem in the temple of the Lord. Her father was named Joachim and her mother Anna. Her father's house was from Galilee and from the city of Nazareth, but her mother's family from Bethlehem. Their life was guileless and right before the Lord, and irreproachable and pious before men. For they divided all their substance into three parts. One part they spent upon the temple and the temple servants. Another they distributed to strangers and the poor. The third they reserved for themselves and the necessities of their family. Thus steered a God kind to men. For about 20 years they lived in their own house, but chased married life without having any children. Nevertheless, they vowed that should the Lord happen to give them offspring, they would deliver it to the service of the Lord, on which account also they used to visit the temple of the Lord at each of the feasts during the year. Chapter 2. And it came to pass that the festival of the dedication was at hand, wherefore also Joachim went up to Jerusalem with some men of his own tribe. Now at that time Izekar was high priest there, and when he saw Joachim with his offering, among his other fellow citizens, he despised him and spurned his gifts, asking why he who had no offspring, presumed to stand among those who had, saying that his gifts could not by any means be acceptable to God, since he had deemed him unworthy of offspring. For the scripture said, Cursed is everyone who has not begot a male or female, in Israel. He said therefore that he ought first to be free from this curse by the begotting of children, and then and then only that he should come into the presence of the Lord with his offerings. And Joachim covered with shame from this reproach that was thrown in his teeth, retired to the shepherds who were in their pastures with the flocks, nor would he return home lest perchance he might be branded with the same reproach by those of his own tribe, who were there at the time and had heard this from the priest. Chapter 3 Now when he had been there for some time on a certain day when he was alone, an angel of the Lord stood by him in a great light, and when he was disturbed at his appearance, the angel who had appeared to him restrained his fear, saying, Fear not, Joachim, nor be disturbed by my appearance, for I am the angel of the Lord sent by him to thee to tell me that thy prayers have been heard, and that thy charitable deeds have gone up into his presence. For he hath seen thy shame, and hath heard the reproach of unfruitfulness which has been unjustly brought against thee. For God is the Avenger of sin, not of nature, and therefore when he shuts up the womb of anyone, he does so that he may miraculously open it again, so that that which is born may be acknowledged to be not of lust, but of the gift of God. For was it not the case that the first mother of your nation, Sarah, was barren up to her eightieth year? And nevertheless, in extreme old age, she brought forth Isaac, to whom the promise was renewed at the blessing of all nations. Rachel also, so favored by the Lord, and so beloved by Holy Jacob, was long barren, and yet she brought forth Joseph, who was not only the Lord of Egypt, but the deliverer of many nations who were ready to perish of hunger. Whom among the judges was either stronger than Samson, or more holy than Samuel, and yet the mothers of both were barren. If therefore the reasonableness of my words does not persuade thee, believe in fact that conceptions very late in life, and births, in the case of women that have been barren, are usually attended with something wonderful. Accordingly, thy wife Anna will bring forth a daughter to thee, and thou shalt call her name Mary. She shall be, as you have vowed, consecrated to the Lord from her infancy, and she shall be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from her mother's womb. She shall neither eat nor drink any unclean thing, nor shall she spend her life among the crowds of the people without, but in the temple of the Lord, that it may not be possible either to say or so much as to suspect any evil concerning her. Therefore, when she is grown up, just as she herself shall be miraculously born of a barren woman, so in an incomparable manner she, a virgin, shall bring forth the Son of the Most High, who shall be called Jesus, and who, according to the etymology of his name, shall be the Savior of all nations. And this shall be the sign to thee of those things which I announce, when thou shalt come to the Golden Gate in Jerusalem, thou shalt there meet Anna, thy wife, who lately anxious from the delay of thy return, will then rejoice at the sight of thee. Having thus spoken, the angel departed from him. Chapter 4 Thereafter he appeared to Anna, his wife, saying, Fear not, Anna, nor think that it is a phantom which thou seest, for I am that angel who has presented your prayers and alms before God.  She, full of the favor of the Lord, even from her birth, shall remain three years in her father's house, until she be weaned. Thereafter, being delivered to the service of the Lord, she shall not depart from the temple until she reach the years of discretion. There, in fine, serving God day and night in fastings and prayers, she shall abstain from every unclean thing. She shall never know man but alone without example, immaculate, uncorrupted, without intercourse with man. She, a virgin, shall bring forth a son. She, his handmaiden, shall bring forth the Lord, both in grace and in name and in work, the Savior of the world. Wherefore arise, and go up to Jerusalem, and when thou shalt come to the gate which, because it is plated with gold, is called golden. Therefore assign thou shalt meet thy husband, for whose safety thou hast been anxious, and when these things shall have happened, know that what I announce shall without doubt be fulfilled. Chapter 5 Therefore, as the angel had commanded, both of them, setting out from the place where they were, went up to Jerusalem, and when they had come to the place pointed out by the angel's prophecy, there they met each other. Then, rejoicing at seeing each other, and secure in the certainty of the promised offspring, they gave the thanks due to the Lord, who exalted the humble. And so, having worshiped the Lord, they returned home, and awaited in certainty, and in gladness, the divine promise. Anna therefore conceived and brought forth the daughter, and according to the command of the angel, her parents called her Mary. Chapter 6 And when the circle of three years had rolled round, and the time of her weaning was fulfilled, they brought the virgin to the temple of the Lord with offerings. Now there were round the temple according to the fifteen psalms of degrees, fifteen steps going up, for on account of the temple having been built on a mountain, the altar of earned offerings which stood outside, could not be reached except by steps. On one of these, then, her parents placed the little girl, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and when they were putting off the clothes which they had worn on the journey, and were putting on, as was usual, others that were neater and cleaner, the Virgin of the Lord went up all the steps, one after the other, without the help of anyone leading her or lifting her, in such a manner that, in this respect at least, you would think she had already attained full age. For already the Lord in the infancy of his Virgin wrought a great thing, and by the indication of this miracle foreshowed how great she was to be. Therefore a sacrifice having been offered according to the custom of the law, and their vow being perfected, they left the Virgin within the enclosures of the temple, there to be educated with the other virgins, and therefore returned home. Chapter 7 But the Virgin of the Lord advanced in age and in virtues, and though in the words of the psalmist, her father and mother had forsaken her, the Lord took her up. For daily was she visited by angels, daily did she enjoy a divine vision, which preserved her from all evil, and made her to abound in all good. And so she reached her fourteenth year, and not only were the wicked unable to charge her with anything worthy of reproach, but all the good who knew her life and conversation judged her to be worthy of admiration. Then the High Priest publicly announced that the virgins who were publicly settled in the temple, and had reached this time of life, should return home and get married according to the custom of the nation, and the ripeness of their years. The others readily obeyed this command, but Mary alone, the Virgin of the Lord, answered that she could not do this, saying both that her parents had devoted her to the service of the Lord, and that moreover she herself had made to the Lord a vow of virginity, which she would never violate by any intercourse with man. And the High Priest being placed in great perplexity of mine, seeing that neither did he think that the vow should be broken contrary to the Scripture, which says vow and pay, nor did he dare to introduce a custom unknown to the nation. Gave order that at the festival, which was at hand, all the chief persons from Jerusalem and the neighborhood should be present, in order that from their advice he might know what was to be done and so doubtful a case. And when this took place, they resolved unanimously that the Lord should be consulted upon this matter. And when they all bowed themselves in prayer, the High Priest went to consult God in the usual way. Nor had they longed to wait, in the hearing of all, a voice issued from the oracle, and from the mercy seat, that according to the prophecy of Isaiah, a man should be sought out to whom the Virgin ought to be entrusted and espoused. For it is clear that Isaiah says, a rod shall come forth from the root of Jesse, and a flower shall ascend from his root, and the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and strength, the spirit of wisdom and piety, and he shall be filled with the spirit of the fear of the Lord. According to this prophecy, therefore, he predicted that all of the house and family of David, that were unmarried and fit for marriage, should bring their rods to the altar, and that he whose rod after it was brought should produce a flower, and upon the end of whose rod the spirit of the Lord should settle, in the form of a dove, was the man to whom the Virgin ought to be entrusted and espoused. Chapter 8 Now there was among the rest Joseph of the house and family of David, a man of great age, and when all brought their rods according to the order, he alone withheld his. Wherefore, when nothing in conformity with the divine voice appeared, the High Priest thought it necessary to consult God a second time, and he answered that of those who had been designated, he alone to whom the Virgin ought to be espoused, had not brought his rod. Joseph, therefore, was found out, for when he brought his rod and the dove came from heaven and settled upon the top of it, it clearly appeared to all that he was the man to whom the Virgin should be espoused. Therefore, the usual ceremonies of betrothal, having been gone through, he went back to the city of Bethlehem to put his house in order, and to procure things necessary for the marriage. But Mary, the Virgin of the Lord, with seven other virgins of her own age, and who had been weaned at the same time, whom she had received from the priest, returned to the house of her parents in Galilee. Chapter 9 And in those days, that is, at the time of her first coming into Galilee, the angel Gabriel was sent to her by God to announce to her the conception of the Lord, and to explain to her the manner and order of the conception. Accordingly, going in, he filled the chamber where she was with a great light, and most courteously saluting her, he said, Hail Mary, O Virgin highly favored by the Lord, Virgin full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou above all women, blessed above all men that have been hitherto born. And the Virgin, who was already well acquainted with angelic faces, and was not unused to the light from heaven, was neither terrified by the vision of the angel, nor astonished at the greatness of the light, but only perplexed by his words. And she began to consider of what nature a salutation so unusual could be, or what it could portend, or what end it could have. And the angel, divinely inspired, taking up this thought, says, Fear not, Mary, as, if anything contrary to thy chastity, were hid under this salutation. For in choosing chastity thou hast found favor with the Lord, and therefore thou, a Virgin, shall conceive without sin, and shall bring forth the Son. He shall be great, because he shall rule from sea to sea, and from the river even to the ends of the earth. And he shall be called the Son of the Most High, because he who is born on earth in humiliation reigns in heaven in exultation. And the Lord God will give him the throne of his Father David, and he shall reign in the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there shall be no end, for as much as he is King of kings and Lord of lords, and his throne is from everlasting to everlasting. The Virgin did not doubt these words of the angel, but wishing to know the manner of it, she answered, How can that come to pass? For while according to my vow I never know man, how can I bring forth without the addition of man's seed? To this the angel says, Think not, Mary, that thou shall conceive in the manner of mankind, for without any intercourse with man, thou a Virgin will conceive, thou a Virgin will bring forth, thou a Virgin will nurse, for the Holy Spirit shall come upon thee, and the power of the Most High shall overshadow thee, without any of the heats of lust, and therefore that which shall be born of thee, shall alone be holy, because it alone being conceived and born without sin, shall be called the Son of God. Then Mary stretched forth her hands and raised her eyes to heaven, and said, Behold the handmaiden of the Lord, for I am not worthy of the name of Lady, let it be to me according to thy word. It will be long and perhaps to some even tedious if we insert in this little work everything which we read of as of having proceeded or followed the Lord's nativity, wherefore omitting those things which have been more fully written in the gospel, let us come to those which are held to be less worthy of being narrated. Chapter 10 Joseph therefore came from Judea into Galilee, intending to marry the Virgin who had been betrothed to him, who already three months had elapsed, and it was the beginning of the fourth since she had been betrothed to him. In the meantime it was evident from her shape that she was pregnant, nor could she conceal this from Joseph, for in consequence of his being betrothed to her, coming to her more freely, and speaking to her more familiarly, he found out that she was with child. He began then to be in great doubt and perplexity, because he did not know what was best for him to do. For being a just man, he was not willing to expose her, nor being a pious man to injure her fair fame by a suspicion of fornication. He came to the conclusion therefore privately to dissolve her contract and to send her away secretly. And while he thought on these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in his sleep, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not, that is, do not have any suspicion of fornication in the Virgin, or think any evil of her, and fear not to take her as thy wife, for that which is begotten in her, and which now vexes thy soul, is the work not of man but of the Holy Spirit.  Therefore Joseph, according to the command of the angel, took the Virgin as his wife. Nevertheless he knew her not, but took care of her, and kept her in chastity. And now the ninth month for her conception was at hand, when Joseph, taking with him his wife along with what things he needed, went to Bethlehem, the city from which he came. And it came to pass while they were there, that her days were fulfilled, that she should bring forth.  End of section 3, the Gospel of the Nativity of Mary.