All Four Gospels for Readers | Page 2

Judaea, in the days of King Herod, wise men, magi, from the east went to Jerusalem. They said, One is born King of the Jews. We have seen His star in the east and we are going to worship Him. When Herod heard this, he was troubled as was all Jerusalem. Herod gathered all the chief priests and scribes together and demanded to know where Christ would be born. They said, In Bethlehem of Judaea. It is written by the prophet: And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, the least among the princes of Juda, yet out of thee shall come a Governor that shall rule my people.
Herod called the magi to find out the time the star would appear. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, Go and search diligently for the young child. When you have found Him, bring word to me so I may also go to worship Him. After they met with the king they departed; and, lo, the star that they saw in the east went before them until it stood over the young child.
When they saw the star they rejoiced. The magi went to the place and saw the young child with Mary, His mother. They bowed down and worshipped Him. They presented Him with gifts of gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. Since they were warned by God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country by another way.
After they departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, Arise and take the young child and His mother and flee into Egypt. Stay there until I bring thee word, for Herod will seek the young child to destroy Him. Joseph took the young child and His mother, by night, and departed into Egypt. They remained there until the death of Herod. This was so it might be fulfilled what was spoken of the Lord by the prophet: Out of Egypt have I called my son.
Herod realized he was deceived by the magi and became exceedingly wrathful. He ordered that all the children in Bethlehem and the surrounding coasts who were aged two years old and under be slayed. This was based on the timing he was given by the magi. Then the saying of Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled: In Ramah there was heard the sound of lamentation, weeping, and great mourning. Rachel was weeping for her children and would not be comforted because they are no longer.
When Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt. The angel said, Arise and take the young child and His mother and go into the land of Israel. They are now dead who sought the young child's life. Joseph took the young child and His mother and started toward Israel. Along the way Joseph heard that Archelaus reigned in Judaea in the place of his father, Herod. Joseph was afraid to go there. Despite being warned by God in a dream, he turned toward Galilee. He came to dwell in a city called Nazareth that it might be fulfilled what was spoken by the prophets: He shall be called a Nazarene.
3. In those days John the Baptist preached in the wilderness of Judaea. His message was, Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. John is the one that was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah: The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord. Make His paths straight.
The same John wore camel's hair and a leathern girdle around his loins. His food was locusts and wild honey. He went out to Jerusalem. all Judaea, and all the region round Jordan. Many people were baptized by him and confessed their sins.
But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said to them, O generation of vipers, who has warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth fruits fit for repentance. Do not say, We have Abraham for our father, because I say to you, God is able to raise up children to Abraham with these stones. The axe is now laid to the root of the trees. Every tree which does not bring forth good fruit is hewn down and cast into the fire.
I baptize you with water for repentance but He who comes after me is mightier than I. His shoes I am not worthy to carry. He shall baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with the fire whose fan is in His hand. He will throughly purge His floor and gather His wheat into the garner. He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.
When Jesus came from Galilee to Jordan to be baptized by him,