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Matthew 2

Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea, in the days of Herod the king, wise men came from the east to Jerusalem, saying, Where is the one born King of the Jews? Because we have seen his star in the east and have come to worship him. When Herod the king heard this he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathere

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The wise men

Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea, in the days of Herod the king, wise men came from the east to Jerusalem, saying, Where is the one born King of the Jews? Because we have seen his star in the east and have come to worship him. When Herod the king heard this he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where the Christ was to be born. And they said to him, In Bethlehem of Judaea. Because this is what was written by the prophet: And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, are not the least among the rulers of Juda. Because out of you will come a Governor who will rule my people Israel. Then Herod called the wise men in secretly and questioned them closely about when the star had appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, Go and search carefully for the young child. And when you have found him, bring me word, so I can come and worship him too. When they had heard the king, they went on their way. And the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them, until it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star they were overjoyed. And when they came into the house they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshipped him. And when they had opened their treasures they presented him with gifts: gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. And being warned by God in a dream not to go back to Herod, they went home to their own country another way.

Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, look — wise men came from the east to Jerusalem, and said: Where's the one born King of the Jews? Because we've seen his star in the east and have come to bow down to him. When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he'd gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he asked them where Christ should be born. And they said to him: In Bethlehem of Judea. Because this is what's written by the prophet: And you Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, aren't the least among the leaders of Judah. Because out of you will come a Governor who'll rule my people Israel. Then Herod, when he'd secretly called the wise men, asked them carefully what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem: Go and search carefully for the young child. And when you've found him, bring me word again, so I can come and bow down to him too. When they'd heard the king, they went off. And look — the star they saw in the east went in front of them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they celebrated with very great joy. And when they'd gone into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down and bowed down to him. And when they'd opened their treasures, they gave him gifts — gold and frankincense and myrrh. And being warned by God in a dream that they shouldn't go back to Herod, they went off into their own country another way.

Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel. Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also. When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.

1

Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea, in the days of Herod the king, wise men came from the east to Jerusalem,

Plain English

Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, look — wise men came from the east to Jerusalem,

King James Version, 1611

Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,

2

saying, Where is the one born King of the Jews? Because we have seen his star in the east and have come to worship him.

Plain English

and said: Where's the one born King of the Jews? Because we've seen his star in the east and have come to bow down to him.

King James Version, 1611

Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.

3

When Herod the king heard this he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.

Plain English

When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.

King James Version, 1611

When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.

4

And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where the Christ was to be born.

Plain English

And when he'd gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he asked them where Christ should be born.

King James Version, 1611

And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.

5

And they said to him, In Bethlehem of Judaea. Because this is what was written by the prophet:

Plain English

And they said to him: In Bethlehem of Judea. Because this is what's written by the prophet:

King James Version, 1611

And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet,

6

And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, are not the least among the rulers of Juda. Because out of you will come a Governor who will rule my people Israel.

Plain English

And you Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, aren't the least among the leaders of Judah. Because out of you will come a Governor who'll rule my people Israel.

King James Version, 1611

And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.

7

Then Herod called the wise men in secretly and questioned them closely about when the star had appeared.

Plain English

Then Herod, when he'd secretly called the wise men, asked them carefully what time the star appeared.

King James Version, 1611

Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.

8

And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, Go and search carefully for the young child. And when you have found him, bring me word, so I can come and worship him too.

Plain English

And he sent them to Bethlehem: Go and search carefully for the young child. And when you've found him, bring me word again, so I can come and bow down to him too.

King James Version, 1611

And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.

9

When they had heard the king, they went on their way. And the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them, until it came and stood over where the young child was.

Plain English

When they'd heard the king, they went off. And look — the star they saw in the east went in front of them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.

King James Version, 1611

When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.

10

When they saw the star they were overjoyed.

Plain English

When they saw the star, they celebrated with very great joy.

King James Version, 1611

When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.

11

And when they came into the house they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshipped him. And when they had opened their treasures they presented him with gifts: gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.

Plain English

And when they'd gone into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down and bowed down to him. And when they'd opened their treasures, they gave him gifts — gold and frankincense and myrrh.

King James Version, 1611

And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.

12

And being warned by God in a dream not to go back to Herod, they went home to their own country another way.

Plain English

And being warned by God in a dream that they shouldn't go back to Herod, they went off into their own country another way.

King James Version, 1611

And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.

Into Egypt

And when they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, Get up, take the young child and his mother and run to Egypt, and stay there until I bring you word. Because Herod is going to look for the young child, to destroy him. So he got up and took the young child and his mother by night, and went into Egypt, and stayed there until the death of Herod. This was so that what the Lord had spoken through the prophet might be fulfilled: Out of Egypt I have called my son.

And when they'd gone off, look — the angel of the Lord shows himself to Joseph in a dream: Get up, take the young child and his mother and run into Egypt, and stay there till I bring you word. Because Herod will look for the young child to wreck him. When he got up, he took the young child and his mother by night and left into Egypt. And was there till the death of Herod, so what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet could be carried out: Out of Egypt I've called my son.

And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt: And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.

13

And when they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, Get up, take the young child and his mother and run to Egypt, and stay there until I bring you word. Because Herod is going to look for the young child, to destroy him.

Plain English

And when they'd gone off, look — the angel of the Lord shows himself to Joseph in a dream: Get up, take the young child and his mother and run into Egypt, and stay there till I bring you word. Because Herod will look for the young child to wreck him.

King James Version, 1611

And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.

14

So he got up and took the young child and his mother by night, and went into Egypt,

Plain English

When he got up, he took the young child and his mother by night and left into Egypt.

King James Version, 1611

When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt:

15

and stayed there until the death of Herod. This was so that what the Lord had spoken through the prophet might be fulfilled: Out of Egypt I have called my son.

Plain English

And was there till the death of Herod, so what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet could be carried out: Out of Egypt I've called my son.

King James Version, 1611

And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.

The children of Bethlehem

Then Herod, when he saw that he had been mocked by the wise men, was furious. He sent and killed all the children in Bethlehem and throughout its district, from two years old and under, according to the time he had carefully learned from the wise men. Then what was spoken by Jeremy the prophet was fulfilled: A voice was heard in Rama — mourning and weeping and great grieving. Rachel weeping for her children, and she would not be comforted, because they are no more.

Then Herod, when he saw he was made a fool of by the wise men, was very angry. And he sent and killed all the children in Bethlehem and in all its borders, from two years old and under, according to the time he'd carefully asked of the wise men. Then what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet was carried out: In Ramah there was a voice heard, mourning and weeping and great grieving — Rachel weeping for her children and wouldn't be comforted, because they aren't there.

Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.

16

Then Herod, when he saw that he had been mocked by the wise men, was furious. He sent and killed all the children in Bethlehem and throughout its district, from two years old and under, according to the time he had carefully learned from the wise men.

Plain English

Then Herod, when he saw he was made a fool of by the wise men, was very angry. And he sent and killed all the children in Bethlehem and in all its borders, from two years old and under, according to the time he'd carefully asked of the wise men.

King James Version, 1611

Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men.

17

Then what was spoken by Jeremy the prophet was fulfilled:

Plain English

Then what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet was carried out:

King James Version, 1611

Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying,

18

A voice was heard in Rama — mourning and weeping and great grieving. Rachel weeping for her children, and she would not be comforted, because they are no more.

Plain English

In Ramah there was a voice heard, mourning and weeping and great grieving — Rachel weeping for her children and wouldn't be comforted, because they aren't there.

King James Version, 1611

In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.

Back to Nazareth

But when Herod was dead, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, Get up, take the young child and his mother and go into the land of Israel. Because those who were looking to take the young child's life are dead. And he got up and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning in Judaea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. And being warned by God in a dream, he turned aside into the region of Galilee. And he came and settled in a town called Nazareth, so that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled: He will be called a Nazarene.

But when Herod was dead, look — an angel of the Lord shows himself in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, and says: Get up, take the young child and his mother and go into the land of Israel. Because the ones who looked for the young child's life are dead. And he got up and took the young child and his mother and came into the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus ruled in Judea in the place of his father Herod, he was frightened to go there. But being warned by God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee. And he came and lived in a town called Nazareth, so what was spoken by the prophets could be carried out: He'll be called a Nazarene.

But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child’s life. And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judaea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee: And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.

19

But when Herod was dead, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt,

Plain English

But when Herod was dead, look — an angel of the Lord shows himself in a dream to Joseph in Egypt,

King James Version, 1611

But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt,

20

saying, Get up, take the young child and his mother and go into the land of Israel. Because those who were looking to take the young child's life are dead.

Plain English

and says: Get up, take the young child and his mother and go into the land of Israel. Because the ones who looked for the young child's life are dead.

King James Version, 1611

Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child’s life.

21

And he got up and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel.

Plain English

And he got up and took the young child and his mother and came into the land of Israel.

King James Version, 1611

And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel.

22

But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning in Judaea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. And being warned by God in a dream, he turned aside into the region of Galilee.

Plain English

But when he heard that Archelaus ruled in Judea in the place of his father Herod, he was frightened to go there. But being warned by God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee.

King James Version, 1611

But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judaea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee:

23

And he came and settled in a town called Nazareth, so that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled: He will be called a Nazarene.

Plain English

And he came and lived in a town called Nazareth, so what was spoken by the prophets could be carried out: He'll be called a Nazarene.

King James Version, 1611

And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.