Tatian: Diatessaron — Arabic Witness

Section II.

[1] [Arabic, p. 7] ^{Edition note 1}Now^{Edition note 2} the birth of Jesus the Messiah was on this wise: In the time when his mother was given in marriage to Joseph, before they came together, [2] she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. ^{Edition note 3}And Joseph her husband was a just man and did not wish to expose her, and he purposed to put her away secretly. [3] ^{Edition note 4}But when he thought of this, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, and said unto him, Joseph, son of David, fear not to take Mary thy wife, for that [4] which is begotten^{Edition note 5} in her is of the Holy Spirit. ^{Edition note 6}She shall bear a son, and thou shalt [5] call his name Jesus, and he shall save^{Edition note 7} his people from their sins. ^{Edition note 8}And all this was that the saying from the Lord by the prophet might be fulfilled:

[6] ^{Edition note 9}Behold, the virgin shall conceive, and bear a son,

And they shall call his name Immanuel,

[7] which is, being interpreted, With us is our God. ^{Edition note 10}And when Joseph arose from his [8] sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took his wife; ^{Edition note 11}and knew her not until she brought forth her firstborn son.

[9] ^{Edition note 12}And in those days there went forth a decree from Augustus Cæsar that all the [10] people of his dominion^{Edition note 13} should be enrolled. ^{Edition note 14}This first enrolment was^{Edition note 15} while Quirinius [11, 12] was governor of Syria. ^{Edition note 16}And every man went to be enrolled in his city. ^{Edition note 17}And Joseph went up also from Nazareth, a city of Galilee, to Judæa, to the city of David [13] which is called Bethlehem (for he was of the house of David and of his tribe), ^{Edition note 18}with [14] [Arabic, p. 8] Mary his betrothed, she being with child, to be enrolled there. ^{Edition note 19}And while [15] she was there the days for her being delivered were accomplished. ^{Edition note 20}And she brought forth her firstborn son; and she wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them where they were staying.

[16] ^{Edition note 21}And there were in that region shepherds abiding, keeping their flock in the watch [17] of the night. ^{Edition note 22}And behold, the angel of God came unto them, and the glory of the [18] Lord shone upon them; and they were greatly terrified. ^{Edition note 23}And the angel said unto them, Be not terrified; for I bring you tidings of great joy which shall be to the [19] whole world; ^{Edition note 24}there is born to you this day a Saviour, which is the Lord the Messiah, [20] in the city of David. ^{Edition note 25}And this is a sign for you: ye shall find a babe wrapped [21] in swaddling cloths and laid in a manger. ^{Edition note 26}And there appeared with the angels suddenly many heavenly forces praising^{Edition note 27} God and saying,

[22] ^{Edition note 28}Praise be to God in the highest,

And on the earth peace, and good hope to men.

[23] ^{Edition note 29}And when the angels departed from them to heaven, the shepherds spake to one another and said, We will go to Bethlehem and see this word which hath been, as [24] the Lord made known unto us. ^{Edition note 30}And they came with haste, and found Mary and [25] Joseph, and the babe laid in a manger. ^{Edition note 31}And when they saw, they reported the word [26] which was spoken to them about the child. ^{Edition note 32}And all that heard wondered at the [27] description which the shepherds described^{Edition note 33} to them. ^{Edition note 34}But Mary kept these^{Edition note 35} sayings [28] and discriminated^{Edition note 36} them in her heart. ^{Edition note 37}And those shepherds returned, magnifying and praising God for all that they had seen and heard, according as it was described unto them.

[29] [Arabic, p. 9] ^{Edition note 38}And when eight days were fulfilled that the child should be circumcised, his name was called Jesus, being that by which he was called by the angel before his conception in the womb.

[30] ^{Edition note 39}And when the days of their purification according to the law of Moses were [31] completed, they took him up to Jerusalem to present him before the Lord ^{Edition note 40}(as it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male opening the womb shall be called the [32] holy thing of the Lord), ^{Edition note 41}and to give a sacrificial victim as it is said in the law of [33] the Lord, A pair of doves or two young pigeons. ^{Edition note 42}And there was in Jerusalem a man whose name was Simeon; and this man was upright and pious, and expecting [34] the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him. ^{Edition note 43}And it had been said unto him by the Holy Spirit, that he should not see death till he had seen with [35] his eyes the Messiah^{Edition note 44} of the Lord. ^{Edition note 45}And this man came by the Spirit to the temple; and at the time when his parents brought in the child Jesus, that they might [36] present for him a sacrifice, as it is written in the law, ^{Edition note 46}he bare him in his arms and praised God and said,

[37] ^{Edition note 47}Now loosest thou the bonds of thy servant, O Lord, in peace,^{Edition note 48}

According to thy saying;

[38] ^{Edition note 49}For mine eye hath witnessed thy mercy,

[39] ^{Edition note 50}Which thou hast made ready because of the whole world;

[40] ^{Edition note 51}A light for the unveiling^{Edition note 52} of the nations,

And a glory to thy people Israel.

[41] ^{Edition note 53}And Joseph and his mother were marvelling at the things which were being said [42] concerning him. ^{Edition note 54}And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, Behold, he is set for the overthrow and rising of many in Israel; and for a sign of contention; [43] ^{Edition note 55}and a spear^{Edition note 56} shall pierce^{Edition note 57} through thine own soul; that the thoughts of the [44] [Arabic, p. 10] hearts of many may be revealed. ^{Edition note 58}And Anna the prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher, was also advanced in years (and she dwelt [45] with her husband seven years from her virginity, ^{Edition note 59}and she remained a widow about eighty-four years); and she left not the temple, and served night and day with [46] fasting and prayer. ^{Edition note 60}And she also rose in that hour and thanked the Lord, and she [47] spake of him with every one who was expecting the deliverance of Jerusalem. ^{Edition note 61}And when they had accomplished everything according to what is in the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to Nazareth their city.