Matthew 1:18–2:12

¹⁸Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. ¹⁹And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily. ²⁰But when he thought on these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. ²¹And she shall bring forth a son; and thou shalt call his name JESUS; for it is he that shall save his people from their sins. ²²Now all this is come to pass, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying,

²³Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son,

And they shall call his name Immanuel;

which is, being interpreted,

God with us. ²⁴And Joseph arose from his sleep, and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took unto him his wife; ²⁵and knew her not till she had brought forth a son: and he called his name JESUS.

2Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, Wise-men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, ²Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we saw his star in the east, and are come to worship him. ³And when Herod the king heard it, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. ⁴And gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ should be born. ⁵And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written through the prophet, ⁶And thou Bethlehem, land of Judah,

Art in no wise least among the princes of Judah:

For out of thee shall come forth a governor,

Who shall be shepherd of my people Israel.

⁷Then Herod privily called the Wise-men, and learned of them exactly what time the star appeared. ⁸And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search out exactly concerning the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word, that I also may come and worship him. ⁹And they, having heard the king, went their way; and lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. ¹⁰And when they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. ¹¹And they came into the house and saw the young child with Mary his mother; and they fell down and worshipped him; and opening their treasures they offered unto him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. ¹²And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.