The Forgotten Gospels and Epistles of the Original New Testament. Various

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      The Gospel Called the Protevangelion;

       Table of Contents

      Or, an Historical Account of the Birth of Christ, and the perpetual Virgin Mary, his Mother, by James the lesser, Cousin and Brother of the Lord Jesus, chief Apostle and first Bishop of the Christians in Jerusalem.

      CHAP. I.

      1 Joachim, a rich man, 2 offers to the Lord, 3 is opposed by Reuben the high priest, because he has not begotten issue in Israel, 6 retires into the wilderness and fasts forty days and forty nights.

IN the history of the twelve tribes of Israel we read there was a certain person called Joachim, who being very rich, made double1 offerings to the Lord God, having made this resolution: My substance shall be for the benefit of the whole people, that I may find mercy from the Lord God for the forgiveness of my sins.

      ² But at a certain great feast of the Lord, when the children of Israel offered their gifts, and Joachim also offered his, Reuben the high-priest opposed him, saying, it is not lawful for thee to offer thy gifts, seeing thou hast not begot any issue in Israel.

      ³ At this, Joachim being concerned very much, went away to consult the registries of the twelve tribes, to see whether he was the only person who had begot no issue.

      ⁴ But upon inquiry he found that all the righteous had raised up seed in Israel;

      ⁵ Then he called to mind the patriarch Abraham, How that God in the end of his life had given him his son Isaac; upon which he was exceedingly distressed, and would not be seen by his wife:

      ⁶ But retired into the wilderness, and fixed his tent there, and fasted forty days and forty nights, saying to himself,

⁷ I will not go down either to eat or drink, till the Lord my God shall look down upon me, but prayer shall be my meat and drink.2

      CHAP II.

      1 Anna, the wife of Joachim mourns her barrenness, 6 is reproached with it by Judith her maid, 9 sits under a laurel tree and prays to the Lord.

      IN the mean time his wife Anna was distressed and perplexed on a double account, and said, I will mourn both for my widowhood and my barrenness.

      ² Then drew near a great feast of the Lord, and Judith her maid, said, How long will you thus afflict your soul? The feast of the Lord is now come, when it is unlawful for any one to mourn.

      ³ Take therefore this hood which was given by one who makes such things, for it is not fit that I, who am a servant should wear it, but it well suits a person of your greater character.

      ⁴ But Anna replied, Depart from me, I am not used to such things; besides, the Lord hath greatly humbled me.

      ⁵ I fear some ill-designing person hath given thee this, and thou art come to reproach me with my sin.

      ⁶ Then Judith her maid answered, what evil shall I wish you, when you will not hearken to me?

      ⁷ I cannot wish you a greater curse than you are under, in that God hath shut up your womb, that you should not be a mother in Israel.

      ⁸ At this Anna was exceedingly troubled, and having on her wedding garment, went about three o'clock in the afternoon to walk in her garden.

      ⁹ And she saw a laurel-tree and sat under it, and prayed unto the Lord, saying,

      10 O God of my fathers, bless me and regard my prayer, as thou didst bless the womb of Sarah; and gavest her a son Isaac.

      CHAP. III.

      1 Anna perceiving a sparrow's nest in the laurels bemoans her barrenness.

      AND as she was looking towards heaven she perceive a sparrow's nest in the laurel,

      2 And mourning within herself, she said, Wo is me, who begat me? and what womb did bear me, that I should be thus accursed before the children of Israel, and that they should reproach and deride me in the temple of my God: Wo is me, to what can I be compared?

      3 I am not comparable to the very beasts of the earth, for even the beasts of the earth are fruitful before thee, O Lord! Wo is me, to what can I be compared?

      4 I am not compared to the brute animal, for even the brute animals are fruitful before thee, O Lord! Wo is me, to what am I comparable?

      5 I cannot be comparable to these waters, for even the waters are fruitful before thee, O Lord! Wo is me, to what can I be compared?

      6 I am not comparable to the waves of the sea; for these, whether they are calm, or in motion, with the fishes which are in them, praise thee, O Lord! Wo is me to what can I be compared?

      7 I am not comparable to the very earth, for the earth produces its fruits, and praises thee, O Lord!

      CHAP. IV.

      1 An Angel appears to Anna and tells her she shall conceive; two angels appear on the same errand. 5 Joachim sacrifices. 8 Anna goes to meet him, 9 rejoicing that she shall conceive.

      THEN an angel of the Lord stood by her and said, Anna, Anna, the Lord hath heard thy prayer; thou shalt conceive and bring forth, and thy progeny shall be spoken of in all the world.

      2 And Anna answered, As the Lord my God liveth, whatever I bring forth, whether it be male or female, I will devote it to the Lord my God and it shall minister to him in holy things, during its whole life.

      3 And behold there appeared two angels, saying unto her, Behold Joachim thy husband is coming with his shepherds.

       4 For an angel of the Lord hath also come down to him, and said, The Lord God hath heard thy prayer, make haste and go hence, for behold Anna thy wife shall conceive.

      5 And Joachim went down and called his shepherds, saying, Bring me hither ten she-lambs without spot or blemish, and they shall be for the Lord my God.

      6 And bring me twelve calves without blemish, and the twelve calves shall be for the priests and the elders.

      7 Bring me also a hundred goats, and the hundred goats shall be for the whole people.

      8 And Joachim went down with the shepherds, and Anna stood by the gate and saw Joachim coming with the shepherds.

      9 And she ran, and hanging about his neck, said, Now I know that the Lord hath greatly blessed me:

      10 For behold, I who was as a widow am no longer as a widow, and I who was barren shall conceive.

      CHAP. V.

      1 Joachim abides the first day in his house but sacrifices on the morrow. 2 Consults the plate on the priests forehead, 3 and is without sin. 6 Anna brings forth a daughter, 9 whom she calls Mary.

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