go hence, and let us return at a slow pace, feeding our flocks.
When they had tarried the space of thirty days on their return, and were now nigh,[1] behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to Anna as she stood and prayed, saying to her, Go to the gate which is called the Golden Gate,[2] and meet thy husband in the way, for to-day he will return to thee. She therefore went out in haste to meet him, with her maidens, and, praying to the Lord, she stood in the gate a long time waiting for him. When she was growing faint with very long expectation, she raised her eyes and saw Joachim afar off coming with his flocks; and she met him, and hung upon his neck, giving thanks to God, and saying, I was a widow, and lo, I am not one now; I was barren, and, behold, I have already conceived. So then, having worshipped the Lord, they entered the house. When this was heard, great joy was caused to all his neighbours and acquaintances, so that the whole land of Israel was gladdened by this report.
CHAPTER IV.
Now when nine months were completed after
- ↑ The thirty days of slow travelling here can hardly be reconciled with the five months mentioned in chap. ii.
- ↑ The Golden Gate is not regarded by modern writers as a gate of the city of Jerusalem, but of the temple. In the Protevangelium, chap. iv., the gate of Joachim's residence alone is intended, and in some copies distinctly affirmed.
