Page:Apocryphal Gospels and Other Documents Relating to the History of Christ.djvu/328

212 Noah; and, turning to Joseph, he said, Thou hast brought to me to be taught a boy that is wiser than all teachers. To lady Mary also he said, There is no need of instruction for this thy son.

they brought him to another and more learned master; and when he saw him he said, Say Aleph, and when he had said Aleph, the master ordered him to say Beth. The Lord Jesus answered and said to him, Tell me first the meaning of the letter Aleph, and then I will say Beth. When the master had lifted up his hand and struck him, his hand immediately withered, and he died. Then Joseph said to lady Mary, Henceforth we will not let him go out of the house, for whoever opposeth him is punished with death.

when he was twelve years old they took him to Jerusalem to the feast. But when the feast was over they, indeed, returned, but the Lord Jesus remained in the Temple among the doctors and elders and learned men of the sons of Israel; and he asked them sundry questions about the sciences, and they answered him in turn. Now he said to them, Whose