THE CHILDHOOD OF JESUS - THE GOSPEL OF JAMES

THE CHILDHOOD OF JESUS
THE GOSPEL OF JAMES

Biographical Gospel of the Lord

- Chapter 231 -

Cyrenius Provides For Joseph's House

1
FOLLOWING THIS CHILDLY INTERLUDE the morning meal was completed.

2
And when Joseph finished with the prayer of thanksgiving, Cyrenius went over to him and said,

3
'My dearest friend, your services to me as well as to my brother Julius Augustus Quirinus Caesar in Rome are of such an outstanding nature that I shall never be able to recompense you therefor.

4
But to leave you altogether unrewarded - that is utterly impossible to me!

5
'Now I know that you will not accept a kingly reward from me,

6
so I have decided on the following: this year, as is evident, you can expect a poor harvest in grain,

7
when after all your house has quite a number of dwellers.

8
Besides, nine of them belong to me, and you and yours also total eight; so there are altogether seventeen.

9
Now I know in my soul that your flour bins are empty and also your larder,

10
and that you are already running short of feed for your cows, goats and donkeys.

11
See, all of that I know very well - as I also know that you and yours have almost nothing more to wear.

12
Therefore, my dearest brother, you must at least accept enough from me to fill your needs for the present.

13
'I am of course well aware that it would be extremely ridiculous for a man of the earth to undertake to support the Lord of creation, for whom it is an easy thing to create myriads of worlds with one word.

14
But I also know that this selfsame holy Lord of creation does not wish to constantly effect wonders contrary to His eternal wondrous order, because a judgment is always connected with that for us, His creatures.

15
For that reason you must accept what you need this time at least,

16
and not refuse me as you usually do!'

17
And Joseph replied, 'Yes brother, this time you are probably right -

18
but before I accept anything from you I still must ask the Lord.'

19
Here the little Child, who was now with James, came over quickly and said to Joseph,

20
'Joseph, go ahead and accept what Cyrenius wants to give you, so you may supply the house with foodstuffs.'

21
At this Joseph accepted the offer of Cyrenius,

22
whereupon the latter promptly gave Joseph a sum of a thousand pounds of silver and seventy pounds of gold,

23
for which Joseph tendered Cyrenius his thanks and took the heavy sum.

24
Thereupon Cyrenius was overjoyed and affirmed, 'Brother, now my heart is a thousand times lighter! I am not leaving here today but only tomorrow, for my too great love will not let me go.' And Joseph was made very happy thereby.

1	FOLLOWING THIS CHILDLY INTERLUDE the morning meal was completed.
2	And when Joseph finished with the prayer of thanksgiving, Cyrenius went over to him and said,
3	'My dearest friend, your services to me as well as to my brother Julius Augustus Quirinus Caesar in Rome are of such an outstanding nature that I shall never be able to recompense you therefor.
4	But to leave you altogether unrewarded - that is utterly impossible to me!
5	'Now I know that you will not accept a kingly reward from me,
6	so I have decided on the following: this year, as is evident, you can expect a poor harvest in grain,
7	when after all your house has quite a number of dwellers.
8	Besides, nine of them belong to me, and you and yours also total eight; so there are altogether seventeen.
9	Now I know in my soul that your flour bins are empty and also your larder,
10	and that you are already running short of feed for your cows, goats and donkeys.
11	See, all of that I know very well - as I also know that you and yours have almost nothing more to wear.
12	Therefore, my dearest brother, you must at least accept enough from me to fill your needs for the present.
13	'I am of course well aware that it would be extremely ridiculous for a man of the earth to undertake to support the Lord of creation, for whom it is an easy thing to create myriads of worlds with one word.
14	But I also know that this selfsame holy Lord of creation does not wish to constantly effect wonders contrary to His eternal wondrous order, because a judgment is always connected with that for us, His creatures.
15	For that reason you must accept what you need this time at least,
16	and not refuse me as you usually do!'
17	And Joseph replied, 'Yes brother, this time you are probably right -
18	but before I accept anything from you I still must ask the Lord.'
19	Here the little Child, who was now with James, came over quickly and said to Joseph,
20	'Joseph, go ahead and accept what Cyrenius wants to give you, so you may supply the house with foodstuffs.'
21	At this Joseph accepted the offer of Cyrenius,
22	whereupon the latter promptly gave Joseph a sum of a thousand pounds of silver and seventy pounds of gold,
23	for which Joseph tendered Cyrenius his thanks and took the heavy sum.
24	Thereupon Cyrenius was overjoyed and affirmed, 'Brother, now my heart is a thousand times lighter! I am not leaving here today but only tomorrow, for my too great love will not let me go.' And Joseph was made very happy thereby.