Read the Modern Pastor’s Version

When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea during King Herod's reign, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem saying, "Where is he who is born King of the Jews? For we saw his star in the east and have come to worship him." They asked, "Where is he that is born King of the Jews, for we have seen his star in the east and have come to worship him."

Herod the king had heard these things and was troubled, along with all Jerusalem. He gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together and asked them where Christ would be born. They replied, "In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written through the prophet, 'You Bethlehem, land of Judah, are in no way least among the princes of Judah; for out of you shall come a governor who shall shepherd my people Israel.'"

Herod secretly summoned the wise men and inquired carefully about the time when the star appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and search diligently for the young child; when you have found him, bring me word again." When they heard the king, they departed. The star that they had seen in the east went before them until it came and stood over where the young child was.

When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. They entered the house and saw the young child with Mary his mother. Falling down in worship before him, they opened their treasure chests and presented to him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

But being warned by God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way. Meanwhile, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, "Arise and take the child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and remain there until I bring you word; for Herod will seek the child to destroy him." When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt.

He was there until the death of Herod. Then Herod, enraged that he had been deceived by the wise men, sent out his soldiers and had all the children in Bethlehem and its surrounding areas killed who were two years old or younger, as he had learned from the wise men. This was a fulfillment of what had been spoken by Jeremiah the prophet: "A voice is heard in Rama of lamentation and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children because they are not."

After Herod's death, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in Egypt in a dream, saying, "Arise, and take the child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel; for those who sought to destroy the child are dead." He arose and took the young child and his mother and came into the land of Israel. However, when he heard that Archelaus was reigning in Judaea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there.

Being warned by God in a dream, Joseph turned aside into the regions of Galilee. He came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth.