Chapter 8

1Joseph 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 Judæa to Galilee, with intention to marry the Virgin who was betrothed to him:
2For it was now near three months since she was betrothed to him.
3At length it plainly appeared she was with child, and it could not be hid from Joseph:
4For going to the Virgin in a free manner, as one espoused, and talking familiarly with her, he perceived her to be with child.
5And thereupon began to be uneasy and doubtful, not knowing what course it would be best to take;
6For being a just man, he was not willing to expose her, nor defame her by the suspicion of being a whore, since he was a pious man.
7He purposed therefore privately to put an end to their agreement, and as privately to put her away.
8But 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;
9Be 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;
10For that which is begotten In her and now distresses your mind, is not the work of man, but the Holy Ghost.
11For 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.
12Joseph thereupon, according to the command of the angel, married the Virgin, and did not know her, but kept her in chastity.
13And 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.
14And it came to pass, while they were there, the days were fulfilled for her bringing forth.
15And 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. Footnotes 18:1 Sam. i. 6, 7, &c. 18:2 Acts x. 4. 18:3 Gen. xvi. 2, &c. and xviii. 10, &c. 19:1 Gen. xxx. 1-22, and xli. 1, &c. 19:2 Judg. xiii. 2. and 1 Sam. 6, &c. 19:3 Luke i. 15. 19:4 Matth. i. 21. 19:5 Matth. xiv. 26. 19:6 Luke i. 28. 19:7 Luke ii. 37. 20:1 Those Psalms are from the 120th to the 134th, including both. 21:1 Eccles. v. 4, 5, 6; and Psalm lxxvi. 11. 21:2 Num. xxvii. 21, compared with Exod. xxviii. 30; Lev. viii. 8; Deut. 8; Ezra ii. 63; Nehem. vii. 65. 22:1 Luke i. 28. 22:2 Luke i. 29. 23:1 Luke i. 31, &c. 23:2 Luke i. 38. 23:3 Matt. i. 19. Next: The Protevangelion