Matthew 1:18–2:12

Birth of Christ

18 Now the xbirth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child yof the Holy Spirit. 19 Then Joseph her husband, being 6a just man, and not wanting zto make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. 20 But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, afor that which is 7conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 21 bAnd she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name 8Jesus, cfor He will save His people from their sins.”

22 So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: 23 d“Behold, 9the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”

24 Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, 25 and 1did not know her till she had brought forth eher 2firstborn Son. And he called His name Jesus.

Visit of Wise Men

2 Now after aJesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, 1wise men bfrom the East came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, c“Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen dHis star in the East and have come to worship Him.”

3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 And when he had gathered all ethe chief priests and fscribes of the people together, ghe inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.

5 So they said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet:

6 ‘But hyou, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,

Are not the least among the rulers of Judah;

For out of you shall come a Ruler

iWho will shepherd My people Israel.’ ”

7 Then Herod, when he had secretly called the 2wise men, determined from them what time the jstar appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring back word to me, that I may come and worship Him also.”

9 When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. 11 And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, kthey presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

12 Then, being divinely warned lin a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way.