Copyright (C) 2002 by Lightheart.
The Gospel of Matthew for Readers
Editor's Preface
What is God's will for us? The answer can be found in the pages of theGospel of Matthew, a rich source of information detailing the Son ofGod's instructions from Our Father to us. Here we learn, through Jesus'teachings and actions, what we must keep of the old. We find what mustbe replaced. We see what has been fulfilled and has come full circle.We discover the new material and the new message. The Gospel of Matthewholds out the keys to "this generation's" entry into the kingdom ofheaven … if we have ears to hear and eyes to see.
This edition of the Gospel of Matthew is designed for easy reading andis presented in chapter and paragraph style. The first chapter beginswith the birth of Jesus rather than the geneological listing which caneasily be found at the beginning of other editions.edited by LightheartPracticeGodsPresence.com
1The birth of Jesus Christ was thus: When Mary, His mother, was espousedto Joseph, and before they came together, she was found with child ofthe Holy Spirit. Joseph, a just man, not willing to make her a publicexample, decided to put her away privately. But while he thought aboutthese things an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said,Joseph, thou son of David, do not fear to take Mary as thy wife. Theone who is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. She shall bringforth a son and thou shall call Him Jesus. He will save His people fromtheir sins.
All this was done so that what was spoken of the Lord by the prophetmight be fulfilled: Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shallbring forth a son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel, God with us.Then Joseph awoke and did as the angel of the Lord told him and tookunto him his wife. He knew her not until she brought forth herfirstborn son, Jesus.
2When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea, in the days of King Herod,wise men from the east went to Jerusalem. They said, Where is He thatis born King of the Jews for we have seen His star in the east and goto worship Him. When Herod heard these things, he was troubled as wasall Jerusalem. Herod gathered all the chief priests and scribestogether and demanded to know where Christ would be born. They said, InBethlehem of Judaea. It is written by the prophet: And thou Bethlehem,in the land of Juda, the least among the princes of Juda, yet out ofthee shall come a Governor that shall rule my people.
Herod called the wise men to enquire about the time the star wouldappear. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, Go and search diligentlyfor the young child. When ye have found Him bring me word that I maycome and worship Him also. After they met with the king they departed;and, lo, the star which they saw in the east went before them until itstood over the young child.
When they saw the star they rejoiced. The wise men came to the placeand saw the young child with Mary, His mother. They bowed down andworshipped Him. They presented Him with gifts of gold, and frankincenseand myrrh. Since they were warned by God in a dream that they shouldnot return to Herod, they departed into their own country by anotherway.
After they departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph ina dream and said, Arise and take the young child and His mother andflee into Egypt. Stay there until I bring thee word for Herod will seekthe young child to destroy Him. Joseph took the young child and Hismother, by night, and departed into Egypt. There they remained untilthe death of Herod. This was so it might be fulfilled what was spokenof the Lord by the prophet: Out of Egypt hav