The Gospel of Matthew for Readers | Page 2

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. There they remained 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 mocked by the wise men and was exceedingly
wrathful. He ordered that all the children that were in Bethlehem and in

all the coasts two years old and under be slayed. This was based on
what he was told by the wise men. Then that which was spoken by
Jeremy the prophet was fulfilled: In Rama 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.
He message was, Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. John is
the one that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias: 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 that comes after me is
mightier than I. His shoes I am not worthy to bear. He shall baptize you
with the Holy Ghost 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, John

forbad Him. He said, Why come to me? I should be baptized by thee.
Jesus answered, For now, suffer it to be so because it becomes us to
fulfill all righteousness.
When Jesus was baptized He came up out of the water and the heavens
opened to Him. John saw the Spirit of God descend like a dove and
light upon Him. A voice from heaven said, This is my beloved Son in
whom I am well pleased.
4 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by
the devil. After He fasted forty days and forty nights He was hungry.
The tempter came to Him and said, If thou be the Son of God,
command that these stones be made bread. Jesus answered, It is written,
Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds out
of the mouth of God. The devil then took Him up into the holy city and
sat Him on a pinnacle of the temple. He said, If thou be the Son of God,
cast thyself down, for it is written, He shall give His angels charge
concerning thee and in their hands they shall bear thee up lest at any
time thou dash