which being interpreted is, God east, went before them, until it with us. came and stood over where the 24 And Joseph rising up from child was. sleep, did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him, and took unto him his wife. 25 And he knew her not till she brought forth her first-born Son: and he called his name JESUS. NO CHAP. II. The offerings of the wise men. TOW when JESUS was born in Bethlehem of Juda, in the days of King Herod, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, 2 Saying, where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to adore him. 3 And King Herod hearing this, was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 And assembling together all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, he inquired of them where Christ should be born. 5 But they said to him: In Bethlehem of Juda. For so it is written by the prophet: 6 And thou Bethlehem the land of Juda art not the least among the princes of Juda; for out of thee shall come forth the Ruler that shall rule my people Israel. 7 Then Herod, privately calling the wise men, learned diligently of them the time of the star which appeared to them; 8 And sending them into Bethlehem, said; Go and diligently inquire after the child: and when you have found him, bring me word again, that I also may come and adore him. 10 And seeing the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. 11 And entering into the house, they found the child with MARY his mother, and falling down they adored him: and opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 And having received an answer in sleep that they should not return to Herod, they went back another way into their country. 13 And after they were departed, behold an angel of the Lord appeared in sleep to Joseph, saying: Arise, and take the child and his mother, and fly into Egypt, and be there until I shall tell thee. For it will come to pass that Herod will seek the child to destroy him. 14 Who arose, and took the child and his mother by night, and retired into Egypt: and he was there until the death of Herod: 15 That it might be fulfilled which the Lord spoke by the prophet, saying: Out of Egypt have I called my Son. 16 Then Herod perceiving that he was deluded by the wise men, was exceeding angry; and sending, killed all the men-children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the borders thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men. 17 Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremias the prophet, saying: 18 A voice in Rama was heard, lamentation and great mourning: 9 Who having heard the king, Rachel bewailing her children, and went their way; and behold the would not be comforted because they star which they had seen in the are not. Ver. 25. Till-first-born. This is a mode of speech common among the Hebrews; and only assures us that our blessed Lady was a virgin when she brought forth her son; which is the great point the Evangelist has here in view; without alluding to any subsequent mat ter. But by apostolical tradition we are assured, that she always remained a virgin. 19 But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in sleep to Joseph in Egypt, 20 Saying: Arise, and take the child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel. For they are dead that sought the life of the child. 21 Who arose, and took the child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel. 8 Bring forth therefore fruit wor thy of penance. 9 And think not to say within yourselves, we have Abraham for our father. For I tell you that God is able of these stones to raise up children to Abraham. 10 For now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that doth not yield good fruit shall be cut down, and cast into the fire. 22 But hearing that Archelaus 11 I indeed baptize you in wareigned in Judea in the room of ter unto penance, but he that shall Herod his father, he was afraid to come after me, is mightier than I, go thither: and being warned in whose shoes I am not worthy to sleep retired into the quarters of bear; he shall baptize you in the Galilee. 23 And coming he dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was said by the prophets: That he shall be called a Nazarite. A CHAP. III. The preaching of John. those days cometh John the Baptist preaching in the desart of Judea. 2 And saying: Do penance: for the kingdom of Heaven is at hand. Holy Ghost and fire. 12 Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly cleanse his floor, and gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire. 13 Then cometh JESUS from Galilee to the Jordan unto John to be baptized by him. 14 But John stayed him, saying: I ought to be baptized by thee, and comest thou to me? 15 And JESUS answering, said to 3 For this is he that was spoken him: Suffer it to be so now. For of by Isaias the prophet, saying: A so it becometh us to fulfil all jusvoice of one crying in the desert, tice. Then he suffered him. prepare ye the way of the Lord, 16 And JESUS being baptized, make straight his paths. forthwith came out of the water: and lo, the Heavens were opened to him and he saw the spirit of God descending as a dove, and coming upon him. 4 And the same John had his garment of camel's-hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins: and his meat was locust and wild honey. 5 Then went out to him Jerusalem and all Judea, and all the country about Jordan: 6 And were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins. 7 And seeing many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them: brood of vipers, who hath shewed you to flee from the wrath to come? 17 And behold a voice from Heaven, saying: This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. CHAP. IV. Christ's fast of forty days, &c. THEN JESUS was led by the Spirit into the desert, to be tempted by the devil. 2 And when he had fasted forty Ver. 2. Do penance. Pœnitentiam agite μελανοείτε.-Which word, according to the use of the scriptures, and the holy fathers, does not only signify repentance and amendmen of life, but also punishing past sins by fasting and such like penitential exercises days and forty nights, he was after-ness, hath seen great light; and to wards hungry. 3. And the tempter coming said to him: If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. 4 Who answered and said: It is written, Not in bread alone doth man live, but in every word that proceedeth from the mouth of God. 5 Then the devil took him up into the holy city, and set him upon the pinnacle of the temple, 6 And said to him: If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down; for it is written: That he hath given his Angels charge over thee, and in their hands shall they bear thee up, lest perhaps thou dash thy foot against a stone. 7 JESUS said to him: It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. 8 Again the devil took him up into a very high mountain, and shewed him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them. 9 And said to him: All these will I give thee, if falling down, thou wilt adore me. 10 Then JESUS saith to him: Begone, Satan, for it is written, The Lord thy God shalt thou adore, and him only shalt thou serve. them that sat in the region of the shadow of death, light is sprung up. 17 From that time JESUS began to preach, and to say: Do penance, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. 18 And JESUs walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea (for they were fishers,) 19 And he saith to them: Come ye after me, and I will make you to be fishers of men. 20 And they immediately leaving their nets, followed him. 21 And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets: and he called them. 22 And they forthwith left their nets and father, and followed him. 23 And JESUS went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom: and healing all manner of sickness, and every infirmity among the people. 24 And his fame went throughout all Syria, and they presented to him all sick people that were 11 Then the devil left him and taken with divers diseases and torbehold angels came and ministered ments, and such as were possesto him. sed by devils, and lunaticks, and 12 And when Jesus had heard those that had the palsy, and he that John was delivered up, he re- cured them: tired into Galilee: 25 And much people followed 13 And leaving the city Naza-him from Galilee, and from Decareth, he came and dwelt in Caphar- polis, and from Jerusalem, and naum on the sea-coast, in the bor- from Judea, and from beyond the ders of Zabulon and of Nepthalim; Jordan. 14 That it might be fulfilled which was said by Isaias the prophet: 15 The land of Zabulon and land of Nepthalim, the way of the sea beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles: CHAP. V. Christ's Sermon upon the Mount. AND seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain, and when he was set down, his disciples came unto him, 2 And opening his mouth, he 16 The people that sat in dark-taught them, saying: 8 Blessed are the poor in spirit: I am not come to destroy but to for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. fulfil. 4 Blessed are the meek: for they shall possess the land. 5 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. 6 Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice: for they shall have their fill. 7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. 8 Blessed are the clean of heart: for they shall see God. 9 Blessed are the peace-makers: for they shall be called the children of God. 10 Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are ye when they shall revile you, and persecute you, and speak all that is evil against you, untruly, for my sake; 12 Be glad and rejoice, for your reward is very great in heaven. For so they persecuted the prophets that were before you. 13 You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt lose its savour, wherewith shall it be salted? It is good for nothing any more but to be cast out, and to be trodden on by men. 14 You are the light of the world. A city seated on a mountain cannot be hid. 15 Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel, but upon a candlestick, that it may shine to all that are in the house. 18 For amen I say unto you, till heaven and earth pass, one jot, or one tittle shall not pass of the law, till all be fulfilled. 19 He therefore that shall break one of these least commandments, and shall so teach men, shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven. But he that shall do and teach, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you, that unless your justice abound more than that of the scribes and pharisees, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. 21 You have heard that it was said to them of old: Thou shalt not kill. And whosoever shall kill, shall be in danger of the judgment. 22 But I say to you, that whosoever is angry with his brother, shall be in danger of the judgment. And whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council. And whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. 23 If therefore thou offer thy gift at the altar, and there thou remember that thy brother hath any thing against thee; 24 Leave there thy offering before the altar, and go first to be reconciled to thy brother: and then coming thou shalt offer thy gift. 16 So let your light shine before men, that they may see your good the adversary deliver thee to the works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. 25 Be at agreement with thy adversary betimes, whilst thou art in the way with him; lest perhaps judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison. 17 Do not think that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets. 26 Amen, I say to thee, thou Ver. 21. In danger of the judgment, &c. i. e. Shall be liable to be brought before the lower court, amongst the Jews, which took cognizance of such crimes, whereas the council or sanhedrim was a higher court, and had greater authority. Ver. 22. Raca. A word expressing great indignation or contempt. Ver. 22. Thou fool. This was then looked upon as a heinous injury: and therefore is dere so severely condemned. shalt not go out from thence till thou repay the last farthing. 27 You have heard that it was said to them of old: Thou shalt not commit adultery. 28 But I say to you, that whosoever shall look on a woman to lust after her, hath already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 And if thy right eye scandalize thee, pluck it out and cast it from thee. For it is expedient for thee that one of thy members should perish, rather than thy whole body be cast into hell. thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black.. 37 But let your speech be yea, yea: no, no and that which is over and above these, is of evil. 38 You have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth. 39 But I say to you not to resist evil: but if one strike thee on thy right cheek, turn to him also the other: 40 And if a man will contend with thee in judgment, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also. 30 And if thy right hand scan- 41 And whosoever will force dalize thee, cut it off, and cast it thee one mile, go with him other from thee: for it is expedient for two. thee that one of thy members should 42 Give to him that asketh of perish rather than that thy whole thee, and from him that would borbody go into hell. row of thee turn not away. 31 And it hath been said, whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a bill of divorce. 32 But I say to you, that whosoever shall put away his wife, excepting for the cause of fornication, maketh her to commit adultery: And he that shall marry her that is put away, committeth adultery. 33 Again you have heard that it was said to them of old, Thou shalt not forswear thyself: But thou shalt perform thy oaths to the Lord. 34 But I say to you not to swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is the throne of God: 35 Nor by the earth, for it is his footstool: nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great king. 36 Neither shalt thou swear by 43 You have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thy enemy. 44 But I say to you, love your enemies, do good to them that hate you; and pray for them that persecute and calumniate you: 45 That you may be the children of your Father who is in heaven, who maketh his sun to rise upon the good and bad, and raineth upon the just and the unjust. 46 For if you love them that love you, what reward shall you have? do not even the publicans this? 47 And if you salute your brethren only, what do you more? do. not also the heathens this? 48 Be you therefore perfect, as also your heavenly Father is perfect. Ver 29. Scandalize thee. That is, if it be a stumbling block, or occasion of sin to thee. By which we are taught to fly the immediate occasions of sin, though they be as dear to us, or as necessary as a hand or an eye. Ver. 34. Not to swear at all. 'Tis not forbid to swear in truth, justice, and judgment; to the honour of God, or our own or our neighbour's just defence; but only to swear rashly, or profanely, in common discourse, and without necessity. Ver. 39. Not to resist evil, &c. What is here commanded, is a christian patience under injuries and affronts; and to be willing even to suffer still more, rather than to indulge the desire of revenge: but what is further added does not strictly oblige according to the letter, for neither did Christ nor St. Paul turn the other cheek. St. John xviii. and Acts xxiil |