The Birth of the Christ ACCORDING TO MATTHEW

The book of the history of Jesus Christ, son of David, son of Abraham;

Abraham became father to Isaac; Isaac became father to Jacob;

Jacob became father to Judah and his brothers;

Judah became father to Peʹrez and Zeʹrah by Taʹmar;

Peʹrez became father to Hezʹron; Hezʹron became father to Ram;

Ram became father to Am·minʹa·dab; Am·minʹa·dab became father to Nahʹshon;

Nahʹshon became father to Salʹmon;  Salʹmon became father to Boʹaz by Raʹhab;

Boʹaz became father to Oʹbed by Ruth; Oʹbed became father to Jesʹse;

Jesʹse became father to David the king.

David became father to Solʹo·mon by the wife of U·riʹah;

Solʹo·mon became father to Re·ho·boʹam; Re·ho·boʹam became father to A·biʹjah;

A·biʹjah became father to Aʹsa;  Aʹsa became father to Je·hoshʹa·phat;

Je·hoshʹa·phat became father to Je·hoʹram; Je·hoʹram became father to Uz·ziʹah;  

Uz·ziʹah became father to Joʹtham; Joʹtham became father to Aʹhaz;

Aʹhaz became father to Hez·e·kiʹah; Hez·e·kiʹah became father to Ma·nasʹseh;

Ma·nasʹseh became father to Aʹmon; Aʹmon became father to Jo·siʹah;

Jo·siʹah became father to Jec·o·niʹah and to his brothers at the time of the deportation to Babylon.  

After the deportation to Babylon, Jec·o·niʹah became father to She·alʹti·el;

She·alʹti·el became father to Ze·rubʹba·bel;  Ze·rubʹba·bel became father to A·biʹud;

A·biʹud became father to E·liʹa·kim; E·liʹa·kim became father to Aʹzor;

Aʹzor became father to Zaʹdok; Zaʹdok became father to Aʹchim;

Aʹchim became father to E·liʹud; pE·liʹud became father to El·e·aʹzar;

El·e·aʹzar became father to Matʹthan; Matʹthan became father to Jacob;

Jacob became father to Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ.  

All the generations, then, from Abraham until David were 14 generations;

from David until the deportation to Babylon, 14 generations;

from the deportation to Babylon until the Christ, generations.  

But this is how the birth of Jesus Christ took place.

During the time his mother Mary was promised in marriage to Joseph, she was found to be pregnant by holy spirit before they were united. However, because her husband Joseph was righteous and did not want to make her a public spectacle, he intended to divorce her secretly.

But after he had thought these things over, look! Jehovah’s angel appeared to him in a dream, saying: “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take your wife Mary home, for what has been conceived in her is by holy spirit.  She will give birth to a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All of this actually came about to fulfill what was spoken by Jehovah through his prophet, saying:  “Look! The virgin will become pregnant and will give birth to a son, and they will name him Im·manʹu·el,” which means, when translated, “With Us Is God.”  Then Joseph woke up from his sleep and did as the angel of Jehovah had directed him, and he took his wife home. But he did not have sexual relations with her until she gave birth to a son, and he named him Jesus.

After Jesus had been born in Bethʹle·hem of Ju·deʹa in the days of Herod the king, look! astrologers from the East came to Jerusalem,  saying: “Where is the one born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when we were in the East, and we have come to do obeisance to him.” At hearing this, King Herod was agitated, and all Jerusalem with him. On gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They said to him: “In Bethʹle·hem of Ju·deʹa, for this is how it has been written through the prophet: ‘And you, O Bethʹle·hem of the land of Judah, are by no means the most insignificant city among the governors of Judah, for out of you will come a governing one, who will shepherd my people Israel.’”

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>>4456961

Then Herod secretly summoned the astrologers and carefully ascertained from them the time of the star’s appearing.  When sending them to Bethʹle·hem, he said: “Go make a careful search for the young child, and when you have found him, report back to me so that I too may go and do obeisance to him.”  After they had heard the king, they went their way, and look! the star they had seen when they were in the East went ahead of them until it came to a stop above where the young child was. On seeing the star, they rejoiced with great joy. And when they went into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and falling down, they did obeisance to him. They also opened their treasures and presented him with gifts—gold and frankincense and myrrh. However, because they were given divine warning in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their country by another way.  

After they had departed, look! Jehovah’s angel appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying: “Get up, take the young child and his mother and flee to Egypt, and stay there until I give you word, for Herod is about to search for the young child to kill him.”  So Joseph got up and by night took along the young child and the child’s mother and went into Egypt. He stayed there until the death of Herod. This fulfilled what was spoken by Jehovah through his prophet, saying: “Out of Egypt I called my son.” Then Herod, seeing that he had been outwitted by the astrologers, flew into a great rage, and he sent out and had all the boys in Bethʹle·hem and in all its districts killed, from two years of age and under, according to the time that he had carefully ascertained from the astrologers.  Then was fulfilled what was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet, who said:  “A voice was heard in Raʹmah, weeping and much wailing. It was Rachel weeping for her children, and she was unwilling to take comfort, because they are no more.

When Herod had died, look! Jehovah’s angel appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt  and said: “Get up, take the young child and his mother and go into the land of Israel, for those who were seeking the life of the young child are dead.” So he got up and took the young child and the child’s mother and entered into the land of Israel. But hearing that Ar·che·laʹus ruled Ju·deʹa instead of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. Moreover, being given divine warning in a dream, he withdrew into the territory of Galʹi·lee.  And he came and settled in a city named Nazʹa·reth, in order to fulfill what was spoken through the prophets: “He will be called a Naz·a·reneʹ".

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>>4456968

The birth of the Christ ACCORDING TO LUKE

Seeing that many have undertaken to compile an account of the facts that are given full credence among us,  just as these were handed down to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and attendants of the message,  I resolved also, because I have traced all things from the start with accuracy, to write them to you in logical order, most excellent The·ophʹi·lus, so that you may know fully the certainty of the things that you have been taught orally.

In the days of Herod, king of Ju·deʹa, there was a priest named Zech·a·riʹah of the division of A·biʹjah. His wife was from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth.  They both were righteous before God, walking blamelessly in accord with all the commandments and legal requirements of Jehovah.  But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they both were well along in years. Now as he was serving as priest in the assignment of his division before God,  according to the established practice of the priesthood it became his turn to offer incense when he entered into the sanctuary of Jehovah.  And the entire multitude of the people were praying outside at the hour of offering incense.

Jehovah’s angel appeared to him, standing at the right side of the incense altar. But Zech·a·riʹah became troubled at the sight, and he was overcome with fear.  However, the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zech·a·riʹah, because your supplication has been favorably heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to name him John.  You will have joy and great gladness, and many will rejoice over his birth, for he will be great in the sight of Jehovah. But he must drink no wine or any alcoholic drink at all, and he will be filled with holy spirit even from before birth,  and he will turn back many of the sons of Israel to Jehovah their God. Also, he will go ahead of him with E·liʹjah’s spirit and power, to turn back the hearts of fathers to children and the disobedient ones to the practical wisdom of righteous ones, in order to get ready for Jehovah a prepared people.” Zech·a·riʹah said to the angel: “How can I be sure of this? For I am old, and my wife is well along in years.”  In reply the angel said to him: “I am Gaʹbri·el, who stands near before God, and I was sent to speak with you and to declare this good news to you But look! you will be silent and unable to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their appointed time.”

Meanwhile, the people continued waiting for Zech·a·riʹah, and they were surprised that he delayed so long in the sanctuary.  When he came out, he was unable to speak to them, and they perceived that he had just seen a supernatural sight in the sanctuary. He kept making signs to them but remained speechless.  When the days of his holy service were completed, he went off to his home. Some days later Elizabeth his wife became pregnant, and she kept herself secluded for five months, saying:  “This is how Jehovah has dealt with me in these days. He has turned his attention to me to take away my reproach among men.”

In her sixth month, the angel Gaʹbri·el was sent from God to a city of Galʹi·lee named Nazʹa·reth,  to a virgin promised in marriage to a man named Joseph of David’s house, and the name of the virgin was Mary.  And coming in, the angel said to her: “Greetings, you highly favored one, Jehovah is with you.” But she was deeply disturbed at his words and tried to understand what kind of greeting this might be.  So the angel said to her: “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.  And look! you will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and you are to name him Jesus. This one will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and Jehovah God will give him the throne of David his father,  and he will rule as King over the house of Jacob forever, and there will be no end to his Kingdom.”

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>>4457085

But Mary said to the angel: “How is this to be, since I am not having sexual relations with a man?”  In answer the angel said to her: “Holy spirit will come upon you, and power of the Most High will overshadow you. And for that reason the one who is born will be called holy, God’s Son. And look! Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son, in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her, the so-called barren woman;  for no declaration will be impossible for God.” Then Mary said: “Look! Jehovah’s slave girl! May it happen to me according to your declaration.” At that the angel departed from her.  So Mary set out in those days and traveled with haste into the mountainous country, to a city of Judah,  and she entered the home of Zech·a·riʹah and greeted Elizabeth.  Well, as Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the infant in her womb leaped, and Elizabeth was filled with holy spirit  and loudly cried out: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruitage of your womb! So how is it that this privilege is mine, to have the mother of my Lord come to me?  For look! as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy.

Happy too is she who believed, for there will be a complete fulfillment of those things spoken to her from Jehovah.”  And Mary said: “My soul magnifies Jehovah,  and my spirit cannot keep from being overjoyed at God my Savior,  because he has looked upon the low position of his slave girl. For look! from now on all generations will declare me happy, because the powerful One has done great deeds for me, and holy is his name, and for generation after generation his mercy is upon those who fear him.  He has acted mightily with his arm; he has scattered those who are haughty in the intention of their hearts.  He has brought down powerful men from thrones and has exalted lowly ones;  he has fully satisfied hungry ones with good things and has sent away empty-handed those who had wealth.  He has come to the aid of Israel his servant, remembering his mercy, just as he spoke to our forefathers, to Abraham and to his offspring, forever.”  Mary stayed with her about three months and then returned to her own home.

(The story breaks off a bit here and describes the birth of John the Baptist, Elizabeth's son, Jesus' cousin)

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>>4457134

Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Au·gusʹtus for all the inhabited earth to be registered. (This first registration took place when Qui·rinʹi·us was governor of Syria.)  And all the people went to be registered, each one to his own city. Of course, Joseph also went up from Galʹi·lee, from the city of Nazʹa·reth, into Ju·deʹa, to David’s city, which is called Bethʹle·hem, because of his being a member of the house and family of David. He went to get registered with Mary, who had been given him in marriage as promised and who was soon to give birth. While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her son, the firstborn, and she wrapped him in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the lodging place.

There were also in the same region shepherds living out of doors and keeping watch in the night over their flocks. Suddenly Jehovah’s angel stood before them, and Jehovah’s glory gleamed around them, and they became very fearful. But the angel said to them: “Do not be afraid, for look! I am declaring to you good news of a great joy that all the people will have.  For today there was born to you in David’s city a savior, who is Christ the Lord.  And this is a sign for you: You will find an infant wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in a manger. Suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly army, praising God and saying:  “Glory in the heights above to God, and on earth peace among men of goodwill.”

So when the angels had departed from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another: “Let us by all means go over to Bethʹle·hem and see what has taken place, which Jehovah has made known to us.” And they went quickly and found Mary as well as Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger.  When they saw this, they made known the message that they had been told concerning this young child.  And all who heard were astonished at what the shepherds told them, but Mary began to preserve all these sayings, drawing conclusions in her heart.

Then the shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told to them.  After eight days, when it was time to circumcise him, he was named Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived. Also, when the time came for purifying them according to the Law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to Jehovah, just as it is written in Jehovah’s Law: “Every firstborn male must be called holy to Jehovah.” And they offered a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of Jehovah: “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.

And look! there was a man in Jerusalem named Simʹe·on, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for Israel’s consolation, and holy spirit was upon him.  Furthermore, it had been divinely revealed to him by the holy spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Christ of Jehovah.  Under the power of the spirit, he now came into the temple, and as the parents brought the young child Jesus in to do for him according to the customary practice of the Law,  he took the child into his arms and praised God and said: “Now, Sovereign Lord, you are letting your slave go in peace according to your declaration,  because my eyes have seen your means of salvation that you have prepared in the sight of all the peoples,  a light for removing the veil from the nations and a glory of your people Israel.”  And the child’s father and mother continued wondering at the things being spoken about him.

Also, Simʹe·on blessed them and said to Mary, the child’s mother: “Look! This child is appointed for the falling and the rising again of many in Israel and for a sign to be spoken against  (yes, a long sword will be run through you), in order that the reasonings of many hearts may be revealed.

Now there was a prophetess, Anna the daughter of Phanʹu·el, of Ashʹer’s tribe. This woman was well along in years and had lived with her husband for seven years after they were married,  and she was a widow now 84 years old. She was never missing from the temple, rendering sacred service night and day with fasting and supplications.  In that very hour she came near and began giving thanks to God and speaking about the child to all who were waiting for Jerusalem’s deliverance. So when they had carried out all the things according to the Law of Jehovah, they went back into Galʹi·lee to their own city, Nazʹa·reth.  And the young child continued growing and getting strong, being filled with wisdom, and God’s favor continued upon him.

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>>4457110

Yes.

>>4457183

ROFLMAO.

>>4457199

Sorry?

>>4457219

It is a most exellent translation. Are you one of Jehovah's Witnesses or do you just use the watchtower translation? And do you have the newest one? The one with the grey cover?

>>4457501

I sure did. Sorry.

>>4457229

>>4457219

It is a most exellent translation. Are you one of Jehovah's Witnesses or do you just use the watchtower translation? And do you have the newest one? The one with the grey cover?