Page:The Apocryphal New Testament (1924).djvu/122

 Cure of a leper at Emmaus, with a very long dialogue. XXV. They go to Nazareth. Jesus arbitrates between two brothers, Malachias and Micheas. XXVI. Cure of a man, Hiram. XXVII. Cure of an old man, Balthasar: long dialogue. XXVIII. Jesus arbitrates between two soldiers.

 

Proem: 'This is the going forth from the body of our father Joseph the carpenter, the father of Christ according to flesh, whose life was 111 years.' It was told by Christ to the apostles on Mount Olivet, was written down by them, and laid up in the library at Jerusalem. The day of the death was the 26th of the month Epep.

I. Christ on Mount Olivet addresses the apostles: on the certainty of death and the justice of God, &c.

Il. Joseph was of Bethlehem: he was a carpenter, and married and had four sons, Judas, Josetos (Arab. Justus), James, Simon, and two daughters, Lysia (Arab. Asia) and Lydia. His wife died, leaving James still young.

Ill. Mary was being brought up in the Temple till she was twelve years old. The priests decided to give her to a husband.

IV. The lot fell on Joseph. Mary brought up James and was called Mary of James. Two years passed.

V. 'I came and dwelt in her.' Joseph’s perplexity. VI. Reassured by Gabriel.

