erving
day and night with fastings and prayers. (38)And she, coming up at
that very time, likewise gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of him to
all that were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.

(39)And when they had performed all things according to the law of the
Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth. (40)And
the child grew, and became strong, being filled with wisdom; and the
favor of God was upon him.

(41)And his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the
passover. (42)And when he was twelve years old, they having gone up
according to the custom of the feast, (43)and completed the days, as
they returned, Jesus the child remained behind in Jerusalem. And his
parents knew it not, (44)but supposing that he was in the company,
went a day's journey, and sought him among their kindred and
acquaintance; (45)and not finding him, they returned to Jerusalem,
seeking him.

(46)And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the
temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both hearing them, and
asking them questions. (47)And all that heard him, were astonished at
his understanding and answers. (48)And seeing him they were amazed.
And his mother said to him: Child, why didst thou thus deal with us?
Behold, thy father and I sought thee, sorrowing. (49)And he said to
them: How is it that ye sought me? Did ye not know, that I must be in
my Father's house[2:49]? (50)And they understood not the saying which
he spoke to them.

(51)And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject
to them. And his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.

(52)And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God
and men.

III.

NOW in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, when
Pontius Pilate was governor of Judaea, and Herod tetrarch of Galilee,
and his brother Philip tetrarch, of Iturea and of the region of
Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene, (2)when Annas was high
priest and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John, the son of
Zachariah, in the wilderness. (3)And he came into all the country
about the Jordan, preaching the immersion of repentance, unto
remission of sins, (4)as it is written in the book of the words of
Isaiah the prophet:

The voice of one crying in the wilderness,
Prepare the way of the Lord,
Make straight his paths.
(5)Every valley shall be filled,
And every mountain and hill shall be b