's
vision, and being fully satisfied in
the promise of a child, they gave
due thanks to the Lord, who exalts
the humble.

10 After having praised the
Lord, they returned home, and
lived in a cheerful and assured
expectation of the promise of God.

11 So Anna conceived, and
brought forth a daughter, and,
according to the angel's command,
the parents did call her name Mary.

CHAPTER IV.

1 Mary brought to the temple at three years old.
6 Ascends the stairs of the temple by miracle.
8 Her parents sacrifice and return home.

AND when three years were
expired, and the time of her
weaning complete, they brought
the Virgin to the temple of the
Lord with offerings.

2 And there were about the
temple, according to the fifteen
Psalms of degrees, fifteen stairs
to ascend.

3 For the temple being built in
a mountain, the altar of burnt-
offering, which was without, could
not be come near but by stairs;

4 The parents of the blessed
Virgin and infant Mary put her
upon one of these stairs;

5 But while they were putting
off their clothes, in which they had
travelled, and according to custom
putting on some that were more
neat and clean,

6 In the mean time the Virgin
of the Lord in such a manner went
up all the stairs one after another,
without the help of any to lead her
or lift her, that any one would have
judged from hence, that she was of
perfect age.

7 Thus the Lord did, in the
infancy of his Virgin, work this
extraordinary work, and evidence by
this miracle how great she was like
to be hereafter.

8 But the parents having offered
up their sacrifice, according to the
custom of the law, and perfected
their vow, left the Virgin with
other virgins in the apartments of
the temple, who were to be brought
up there, and they returned home.

CHAPTER V.

2 Mary ministered unto by angels.
4 The high priest orders all virgins of fourteen
years old to quit the temple and endeavour to be married.
5 Mary refuses,
6 having vowed her virginity to the Lord.
7 The high-priest commands a meeting of the chief persons
of Jerusalem,
11 who seek the Lord for counsel in the matter.
13 A voice from the mercy-seat.
15 The high-priest obeys it by ordering all the unmarried
men of the house of David to bring their rods to the altar,
17 that his rod which should flower, and on which the
Spirit of God should sit, sh