III. Evening of the Nativity.
Now when Jeshu was born in Beth-lechem of Jehuda, in the days of Herodes the king, there came Magians[1] from the East to Urishlem: and they said, Where is the king of the Jews[2] who is born? for we have seen his star in the east, and have come to worship him. But Herodes the king heard, and was troubled, and all Urishlem with him. And he assembled all the chief priests and scribes of the people, and anxiously inquired of them where the Meshicha should be born. But they said, In Beth-lechem of Jehuda; for so it is written in the prophet: Also thou, Beth-lechem of Jehuda, wast not the least among the kings of Jehuda; for from thee shall come forth the king who shall be as a shepherd to my people Isroel.
Then Herodes privately called the Magians, and learned from them at what time the star appeared to them: and he sent them to Beth-lechem, and said to them, Go and inquire diligently concerning the child; and when you have found him, come, show me, and I also will go and will worship him. But they, when they had heard the king, went forth; and, lo, the star, which they had seen in the east, proceeded before them, until it came and stood over against where the child was. Now when they saw the star, they rejoiced with very great joy. And they entered the house, and beheld the child with Mariam his mother; and they fell down, and worshipped him. And they opened their treasures, and offered unto him oblations; gold, and myrrh, and frankincense. And it was shown to them in a dream, that they should not return unto Herodes; so, by another way, they went unto their place.
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