Page:Suppressed Gospels and Epistles.djvu/16

 But 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;

Be 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:

For that which is begotten in her and now distresses your mind, is not the work of man, but the Holy Ghost.

For 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.

Joseph thereupon, according to the command of the angel, married the Virgin, and did not know her, but kept her in chastity.

And 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.

And it came to pass, while they were there, the days were fulfilled for her bringing forth.

And 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.