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10.
1
AND when her sixth month was come, Joseph returned from his building houses abroad, which was his trade, and entering into the house, found the Virgin grown big:
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10.
2
Then smiting upon his face, he said, With what face can I look up to the Lord my God? or, what shall I say concerning this young woman?
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10.
3
For I received her a Virgin out of the temple of the Lord my God, and have not preserved her such!
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10.
4
Who has thus deceived me? Who has committed this evil in my house, and seducing the Virgin from me, hath defiled her?
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10.
5
Is not the history of Adam exactly accomplished in me?
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10.
6
For in the very instant of his glory, the serpent came and found Eve alone, and seduced her.
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10.
7
Just after the same manner it has happened to me.
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10.
8
Then Joseph arising from the ground, called her, and said, O thou who hast been so much favoured by God, why hast thou done this?
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10.
9
Why hast thou thus debased thy soul, who wast educated in the Holy of Holies, and received thy food from the hand of angels?
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10.
10
But she, with a flood of tears, replied, I am innocent, and have known no man.
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10.
11
Then said Joseph, How comes it to pass you are with child?
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10.
12
Mary answered, As the Lord my God liveth, I know not by what means.
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10.
13
Then Joseph was exceedingly afraid, and went away from her, considering what he should do with her; and he thus reasoned with himself: [*31:1]
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10.
14
If I conceal her crime, I shall be found guilty by the law of the Lord;
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10.
15
And if I discover her to the children of Israel, I fear, lest she being with child by an angel, I shall be found to betray the life of an innocent person:
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10.
16
What therefore shall I do? I will privately dismiss her.
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10.
17
Then the night was come upon him, when behold an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, and said,
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10.
18
Be not afraid to take that young woman, for that which is within her is of the Holy Ghost; .
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10.
19
And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus, for he shall save his people from their sins.
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10.
20
Then Joseph arose from his sleep, and glorified the God of Israel, who had shown him such favour, and preserved the Virgin.
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10.
Footnotes ^31:1 See Matt. i. 18.
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