and Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, who bore Jesus, who is called the Messiah.

asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star in the east and have come to pay him homage.”

When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him,

‘And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah, for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.’ ”

When they had heard the king, they set out, and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen in the east, until it stopped over the place where the child was.

The Massacre of the Infants

When Herod saw that he had been tricked by the magi, he was infuriated, and he sent and killed all the children in and around Bethlehem who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had learned from the magi.

“A voice was heard in Ramah, wailing and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be consoled, because they are no more.”

“Get up, take the child and his mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who were seeking the child’s life are dead.”

But when he heard that Archelaus was ruling Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. And after being warned in a dream, he went away to the district of Galilee.

This is the one of whom the prophet Isaiah spoke when he said, “The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; make his paths straight.’ ”

But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for his baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?

“I baptize you with water for repentance, but the one who is coming after me is more powerful than I, and I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

And a voice from the heavens said, “This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.”

Jesus Begins His Ministry in Galilee

Now when Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee.

the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned.”

Jesus Calls the First Disciples

As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea—for they were fishers.

So his fame spread throughout all Syria, and they brought to him all the sick, those who were afflicted with various diseases and pains, people possessed by demons or having epilepsy or afflicted with paralysis, and he cured them.

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

“Blessed are those who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

Concerning Anger

“You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, ‘You shall not murder,’ and ‘whoever murders shall be liable to judgment.’

Concerning Adultery

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’