In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea,
wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, asking, "Where is the child
who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its
rising, and have come to pay him homage." When King Herod heard this,
he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together
all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them
where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea;
for so it has been written by the prophet:
'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.'
Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the
exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem,
saying, "Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found
him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage." When they
had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star
that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where
the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed
with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother;
and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure
chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having
been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own
country by another road.
MATTHEW 2: 1 - 12 (REV. STANDARD VERSION)
