1 The birth of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤔𐤏 the Nazirite, who became our Aḏonai and Interpreter of Elohim and the Torah, a worthy vessel for the greatest manifestation of the power of the Ruaḥ Ha’Qodesh seen on Earth, occurred in this manner:
2 About the time Yoḥanan the Forerunner commenced teaching the Way of the Wilderness beside Yardĕn, in the year before Hĕrodĕs died, when Augustus Kaisar ruled the Roman world, a babe was born. The father was Yosĕph , son of Heli, a carpenter of Galil, and the mother Miryam , his wife, who had been a virgin pledged to 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 and the Hĕyḵal by her father Shim’on, son of Yoachim, son of Nathan, son of Eleazer.
3 A decree had gone out that all who claimed kinship within the House of Dawiḏ should be gathered for enrollment at the City of Dawiḏ, called Bĕyth Leḥem in Galil. Therefore Yosĕph, being rightfully born into the stock of Dawiḏ, took the scroll of his parentage and went to Bĕyth Leḥem so his kinship could be established.
4 Now Miryam, being then heavy with Child, longed in her heart to be among her kinsmen, and she prevailed upon Yosĕph to take her, for Bĕyth Leḥem was only a day’s journey from them. The two, with a servant, came to Bĕyth Leḥem at eventide, but because so many had gathered, the inns were filled. Then as Miryam’s time was close upon her after the journey, a man took pity on her and provided a cave used as a stable. There the travelers found shelter and rest.
5 That night, Miryam’s labors came upon her, and she suffered the pangs of childbirth and cried out in pain. Nearby, some shepherds were tending sheep, for in the midst of so many strangers these needed protection, and, hearing her cry, went to help. They provided a shepherd’s basket which was filled with straw and placed it in the manger, and the newborn babe was wrapped in the clothes brought for Him.
6 After eight days had elapsed, the Child was named Yeshua meaning “One Who Delivers,” for a messenger of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 had appeared to Yosĕph in a dream, saying, “That which lies within Miryam, your wife, is filled with the power of the Ruaḥ Ha’Qodesh and will respond to the hopes of men.”
7 Later, men called Him 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤔𐤏; and because He fulfilled their hopes and was anointed with the power of the Ruaḥ Ha’Qodesh, He became acknowledged as ha’Mashiaḥ.
8 [Now, the stable was against a hill, behind an inn where sages from the East were staying – men of Sastera, wise in the Books of The Shamayim, and of Nimroḏ, who carried the cross of fire. So, Yosĕph sent for them, requesting they come and foretell the Child’s future, for such was the custom.]
9 One of the sages said, “It is strange indeed, for this Child is born under no usual star, but under one that is a star in appearance only and not in nature, having a power not in other stars. He is destined for greatness and will motivate events touching the lives of all men.”
10 When word of this was passed around, there was much excitement among those belonging to the House of Dawiḏ. And many, remembering the neḇuah of Yoḥanan – for they had passed his way,- wondered in their hearts, “Is this not He for whom we wait, the consolation of the Yahuḏim and Deliverer of Men?” This displeased the people of Bĕyth Leḥem who awaited another deliverer.
11 When the sages spoke of the matter at their journey’s end in Yerushalayim and word came of the excitement among those of the House of Dawiḏ in Bĕyth Leḥem, there was great consternation among the kohenim and learned men. They tried to discover where the babe was, but the sages answered deviously and said, “His star points towards the East.”
12 An elder of the House of Dawiḏ, attending the beraḵah of the Child on the eighth day, lifted up his voice and declared, “Surely this is He who has been promised to redeem us out of the hands of evil. This is He upon whom the power of the Ruaḥ Ha’Qodesh will descend, bestowing strength, compassion and wisdom. Surely, He will rule in the Reign of Elohim.”
13 When the Sovereign heard about these things and that a babe had been born who, many claimed, was destined to be the Deliverer, he was greatly disturbed and summoned the Council. With the Council were learned scribes and elders who disputed among themselves concerning the babe.
14 Some said that while 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄’s Anointed would be born in Bĕyth Leḥem, the Deliverer would not, for the birth of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄’s Anointed in that place had been foretold by the neḇi’im. Others said it might not be more than an Enlightener who was expected to be born at that time. However, when many agreed that 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄’s Anointed and the Deliverer might be the same person, the Sovereign sent three men to discover the Child.
15 The dispute before the Council had been long, and Yosĕph had been forewarned, so when the men sent by Hĕrodĕs came to Bĕyth Leḥem, Yosĕph had departed with his family. They went to the place where the kinsmen of Miryam lived. The men who came did not search long for 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤔𐤏, for after the Council had been dismissed, Hĕrodĕs slew the son who sat with him on the throne, as he had slain others of his blood. Later, Hĕrodĕs died himself; but after these happenings, the Romans did not bestow the title of Sovereign on any Yahuḏi, and it was unlawful for any man to claim the title.
16 In this manner the neḇuah was fulfilled which said, “A virgin shall give birth to a son, naming him ‘Elohim with Us.’ He will be the bearer of knowledge, discriminating between good and evil. But before this is given to the people, the land will lose its sovereigns.”
17 When time had passed, Yosĕph and Miryam came to Yerushalayim and stayed at the house of a relative – a man strongly set against wrongdoing and well learned in the Torah. The forty days having been accomplished for the purification of Miryam, she came to the Hĕyḵal, and Yosĕph offered the prescribed sacrifice and dedicated the Child.
18 Hearing from Yosĕph and Miryam the things which the sages had foretold about the Child 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤔𐤏, the devout man took the babe into his arms and praised 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 in this manner:
19 “Because the things foretold have come about, your servant is prepared to depart in shalom. For my eyes have been gladdened by the Deliverer of my people, a beacon light for others and the glorifier of Your Name. He will teach all men the Ways of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 and how to walk in His paths; so swords shall be made into plowshares and spears into billhooks, and shalom will reign over men.”
20 Yosĕph and Miryam could not understand the meaning of this and asked what was meant, whereupon the man replied, “I hold a sapling which will grow into a sturdy tree, under the shade of which many nations will find shalom. Yet he will also test the strength of our people, tearing them apart in dispute. He comes as a separator, dividing the sheep from the goats, showing each his rightful place. He will place a sword in the hands of the weak and strengthen them, and the Beliya’al will be smitten.”
21 After complying with the requirements of the Torah of the kohenim, Yosĕph and Miryam returned with the infant to their home in Galil, a small place in a hollow at the foot of a hillside. There the Child grew up, developing a strong body and keen mind, for He was strangely talented. He was wise beyond His years and deft with His hands, and when old enough, He began learning the craft of plow-making.
22 His parents, following the custom, went each year to Yerushalayim for the Festival of Deliverance . And when 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤔𐤏 was twelve, they went as usual, but this time taking Him with them. Having remained the seven days of the festival, Yosĕph and Miryam set off to return home, but let the boy linger in Yerushalayim; for a kinsman of theirs was also returning, and they thought 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤔𐤏 was in his company.
23 Having gone a day’s journey and finding 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤔𐤏 was not with His kinsman, they became perturbed and at first light in the morning returned to Yerushalayim. It was some time before they found 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤔𐤏 in a small outside room of the Hĕyḵal, sitting before an instructor of the Torah of the kohenim. His parents were astonished at finding Him accepted among learned men, and the teacher expressed amazement at the Child’s love of learning.
24 But Miryam scolded the boy for His inconsideration, saying, “We have suffered much during the search for You.”
25 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤔𐤏 replied, “Why search for Me elsewhere, knowing I must concern Myself with the work of My Father?”
26 This saying disturbed the instructor. Neither could His parents understand the meaning of the reply, but they took the boy away with them. Henceforth He always obeyed His parents, but Miryam kept these things in the storehouse of her heart. As 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤔𐤏 grew up, His intelligence increased, and He was well liked by all, but He was a solitary Child much given to wandering.