me
according to thy word.

CHAPTER VIII.

1 Joseph returns to Galilee, to marry the Virgin
he had betrothed;
4 perceives she is with child,
5 is uneasy,
7 purposes to put her away privily,
8 is told by the angel of the Lord it is not the
work of man but the Holy Ghost;
12 Marries her, but keeps chaste,
13 removes with her to Bethlehem,
15 where she brings forth Christ.

JOSEPH therefore went from
Judaea to Galilee, with intention
to marry the Virgin who was
betrothed to him:

2 For it was now near three
months since she was betrothed
to him.

3 At length it plainly appeared
she was with child, and it could
not be hid from Joseph:

4 For going to the Virgin in a
free manner, as one espoused, and
talking familiarly with her, he
perceived her to be with child,

5 And thereupon began to be
uneasy and doubtful, not knowing
what course it would be best to take;

6 For being a just man, he was
not willing to expose her, nor
defame her by the suspicion of
being a harlot, since he was a
pious man:

7 He purposed therefore privately
to put an end to their agreement,
and as privately to send her away.

8 But while he was meditating
these things, behold the angel of
the Lord appeared to him in his
sleep, and said, Joseph, son of
David, fear not;

9 Be not willing to entertain
any suspicion of the Virgin's
being guilty of fornication, or to
think any thing amiss of her,
neither be afraid to take her to wife:

10 For that which is begotten
in her and now distresses your
mind, is not the work of man, but
the Holy Ghost.

11 For she of all women is that
only Virgin who shall bring forth
the Son of God, and you shall call
his name Jesus, that is, Saviour:
for he will save his people from
their sins.

12 Joseph thereupon, according
to the command of the angel,
married the Virgin, and did not
know her, but kept her in chastity.

13 And now the ninth month
from her conception drew near,
when Joseph took his wife and
what other things were necessary
to Bethlehem, the city from whence
he came.

14 And it came to pass, while
they were there, the days were
fulfilled for her bringing forth.

15 And she brought forth her
first-born son, as the holy
Evangelists have taught, even our
Lord Jesus Christ, who with the
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,
lives and reigns to everlasting ages.

REFERENCES TO M