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8.
1
AND her parents went away filled with wonder, and praising God, because the girl did not return back to them.
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8.
2
But Mary continued in the temple as a dove educated there, and received her food from the hand of an angel.
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8.
3
And when she was twelve years of age, the priests met in a council, and said, Behold, Mary is twelve years of age; what shall we do with her, for fear lest the holy place of the Lord our God should be defiled?
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8.
4
Then replied the priests to Zacharias the high-priest, Do you stand at the altar of the Lord, and enter into the holy place, and make petitions concerning her, and whatsoever the Lord shall manifest unto you, that do.
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8.
5
Then the high-priest entered into the Holy of Holies, and taking away with him the breastplate of judgment [*28:1] made prayers concerning her;
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8.
6
And behold the angel of the Lord came to him, and said, Zacharias, Zacharias, Go forth and call together all the widowers among the people, and let every one of them bring his rod, and he by whom the Lord shall shew a sign shall be the husband of Mary.
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8.
7
And the criers went out through all Judaea, and the trumpet of the Lord sounded, and all the people ran and met together.
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8.
8
Joseph also, throwing away the hatchet, went out to meet them; and when they were met, they went to the high-priest, taking every man his rod.
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8.
9
After the high-priest had received their rods, he went into the temple to pray;
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8.
10
And when he had finished his prayer, he took the rods, And went forth and distributed them, and there was no miracle attended them.
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8.
11
The last rod was taken by Joseph, and behold a dove proceeded out of the rod, and flew upon the head of Joseph.
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8.
12
And the high-priest said, Joseph, Thou art the person chosen to take the Virgin of the Lord, to keep her for him:
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8.
13
But Joseph refused, saying, I am an old man, and have children, but she is young, and I fear lest I should appear ridiculous in Israel.
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8.
14
Then the high-priest replied, Joseph, fear the Lord thy God, and remember how God dealt with Dathan, Korah, and Abiram, how the earth opened and swallowed them up, because of their contradiction.
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8.
15
Now therefore, Joseph, fear God, lest the like things should happen in your family.
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8.
16
Joseph then being afraid, took her unto his house, and Joseph said unto Mary, Behold, I have taken thee from the temple of the Lord, and now I will leave thee in my house; I must go to mind my trade of building. he Lord be with thee.
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8.
Footnotes ^28:1 See Exod. xxviii. 22, &c.
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