The Infancy Gospel of Thomas: EthiopicThe following translation was made directly from the Ethiopic by Paul-Hubert Poirier of Faculté de théologie et de sciences religieuses, Université Laval. It is the only English translation of the text currently available. Chapter and verse divisions follow the standard numbering of Tischendorf’s Greek A text except chapter six which is significantly longer in the Ethiopic and other versions. The original divisions are supplied in parentheses.
Eighth Miracle Which Our Lord and Our Saviour Jesus Christ Did When He Was a Young Child
(1) 2 1 When the Lord Jesus Christ was an infant and was in those days about five years old and was playing near a stream, running water, filtering it through sand, running it into a cistern, making it come down pure and limpid and purifying it skilfully.
2 He took from the silt mire and mud, and he fashioned twelve birds. And at that time it was the day of Shabbat. And there were with him many children playing. (2) 3 And a Jew saw him while he was doing that with the children. And he went to Joseph, his father, and accused the Lord Jesus, saying, “On Shabbat he made mud and with it twelve birds, which is not permitted on Shabbat.” 4 When Joseph heard (it), he went to the Lord Jesus. He admonished him and said, “Why do you do such a thing which it is not permitted to do on Shabbat?” When the Lord Jesus heard these words, he clapped his hands and made them to fly away and said to them, “Go and fly to the men who stand there.” And these birds flew, crying and saying, “Praised be the Son of the Lord.” (3) 5 A Pharisee saw him. And he was shocked and afraid. He went and told (that) to his friends. 3 1 And so the son of Hannah the scribe went with the Pharisee. Himself took a branch of willow and made to flow out the water that the Lord Jesus had gathered and he dried up the pool. 2 Then the Lord Jesus, seeing that he had done that, said to him, “Without fruit, may your seed (or offspring) be arid! And the shoot of your fruit be like a branch which has no life.” 3 And at once the child became arid. (4) 4 1 Another time, the Lord Jesus went with the Father and the Holy Spirit. And while running, a child stroke the chest of the Lord Jesus. And the Lord said to the child, “May your body not grow.” The child died at once and felt. And those who saw the child which had died lamented. And they said, “Where is this infant from, for everything he says happens at once.” 2 And the parents of the child which had died mourned him and bemoaned him. And later they went to Joseph and said to him, “Since you have such a son, you cannot stay with us in our city. Either give order that he bless us, or depart from here.” (5) 5 1 Joseph admonished the infant. Coming up to him, he said to him, “Why, my son, are you doing such things? Now, then, these people will hate us. And the Lord Jesus answered Joseph and said, “If the men had not known the word of the wisdom of my Father, they would not know the punishment of their children. Moreover, even what is hidden was made manifest to them, in order for them to understand. And those who have not found this malediction, those too have at once found their judgement. And those who are indignant about it are blind.” 2 And Joseph got angry and pulled him hard ears and cheeks. 3 And the Lord Jesus said to him, “It will be enough for you to search for me and not find me. As for you, you have not known me perfectly and you have forgotten.” (6) 6 1 There was a famous teacher, whose name was Zacchaeus. And (Jesus) heard him conversing in this way with his father Joseph. 2 And this teacher, whose name was Zacchaeus, was saying to Joseph, “If you want that this infant be instructed, give him to me, so that I myself instruct him, because I will love him more than his young men and I will honour him more than the elders, so that he too become a friend for the children and moreover become a teacher.” 3 Joseph answered and said to him, “Who is this who could take this infant and instruct him, for a great cross is appropriate for this infant?” (7) 4 The infant answered and said, “Amongst the words you have said, Teacher, you have named something strange: I am different from you, and I do not have, like you, a family of flesh. And you are the only one who has been found in the Law. Because, before you were born yourself, I myself was. And while you expect yourself to become a father, now then you will be instructed by me. And nobody else has seen the form of the cross which I have sworn to carry. And it is fitting for me that myself, having to be crucified, I reject your own works, because you do not know how you were born and where you come from. I alone know exactly when you were born and until when you will be here.” (8) 5 And they began to cry and to be astonished, while they were saying, “We have seen great wonders and marvels. Never have we heard such words, either from the priests or from the masters or from the Pharisees and the scribes. Then indeed, where was born this infant? Because he is about five years old and we see that he speaks thus. Never have we seen such a thing.” 6 And once more, the Lord Jesus answered and said to them, “You are astonished, nevertheless you do not know what I have told to you. As for me, I know whence you were born and, which is more than that, I know that from my Father and he himself knows me.” 7 And when they heard that, they were completely (astonished) and could not speak. And the Lord Jesus came near and said to them, “I have played with you because you are small in knowledge and of little intelligence.” (9) 8 While Zacchaeus the teacher was persuading Joseph, his father, he said to him, “Give him to me, I have to instruct him.” He persuaded him and took him (= Jesus). And he went into the school. Once in, the Lord Jesus kept silent. Zacchaeus the teacher began to teach him the letters. He said to him, “Say ‛Alpha’.” The Lord Jesus did not answer. The teacher got angry and slapped him on the head. The infant said to him, “While he is struck with a hammer, will (an infant) learn? You speak yourself like a resounding bronze and like a ringing bell, without any sound of word or wisdom or science.” 9 And the Lord Jesus began from Alpha up to the end and with great accuracy he told him (the letters). Once again, the Lord Jesus answered and said, “Those who do not know ‛Alpha’, how will they teach ‛Beta’? O hypocrites, learn yourself first ‛Alpha’ and then, I will believe you, when you will have known the interpretation of Alpha and Beta.” 10 And then, the Lord Jesus began to tell to the teacher the first form (of letter). And he said to him, “What is the stroke of the triplicate? There are many . . . and pull of the hand, return and rising of the (writing) instrument, straight, triplicate, upright and curved.” 7 1 The teacher was amazed and astonished of some many names. And after he had been astonished by his words, he cried, lamented and said, “Woe to me who have brought myself affliction upon my head. 2 “Take him out of here, please! It is not convenient that he remains on earth. Truly a great cross is convenient for whoever will be able to reveal this infant and teach him. As for me, I am inclined to place his birth before the flood and the days of Noah, because I myself wonder which womb bore him, which bosom gave him birth, and which mother raised him. As for me, I do not stand it, I am amazed, I have deceived myself. I am miserable, who have thought to have found a disciple, it is rather him who has become for me a teacher! 3 I have no rest, I cannot run away out of the country, I cannot look at the infant. I am myself strongly (surprised) at the eloquence of his mouth, I cannot (understand) what has exposed this infant, because I see intelligence before his eyes. Moreover (I am surprised at) the eloquence of his mouth and the purity of his language. 4 Whether he is the Lord or an angel, I do not know.” 8 1 Then the Lord Jesus laughed and said, “Which is not fruitful will be fruitful. The blinds will see the fruit of life which has opened (their eyes).” 2 At once all those who had been cursed by him looked (at him). Therefore there was no one who dared to provoke him. (10) 9 1 One day, while the Lord Jesus was playing on the roof with young children, one of them fell off and died. When the other children saw him (dead), they run away, and the Lord Jesus remained alone. 2 The parents of the one who had died said to the Lord Jesus, “It you who have thrown down this infant.” He said to them, “As for me, I have not thrown him down.” 3 And when they had debated with him for a long time, the Lord Jesus descended into the tomb and went towards the corpse of the one who had died. He called him with a loud voice and said to him, “Tell, NÄhu, whether it is I who threw you down.” For such was the name of the child. And the child said, “No, my Lord.” The parents of the child having seen (that) were amazed and terrified. They glorified the Lord. (11) 11 1 After our Lord Jesus Christ had reached the age of seven, his mother, our Lady, the Holy Virgin Mary, doubly (virgin), sent him to draw water. While they were going and jostled each other on the road, his jug broke down. 2 The Lord Jesus spread the coat of which he was covered, wrapped the water inside and brought it to his mother. The Lady Mary was amazed at all that and she kept in her hearth what she saw. (12) 13 1 Then the Lord Jesus reached the age of eight. As to Joseph, he was a carpenter. He made nothing else than yokes, beams and ploughs. A farmer brought him a log and he sawed it up. The Lord Jesus said to his father, “Father, show me how to saw up.” And Joseph showed him. 2 The Lord Jesus took his measures to saw up. He trimmed and squared off the wood. He showed it to his father Joseph and said to him, “Is this how you want me to do now?” (13) 14 1 When Joseph saw that he was intelligent, he wished him to be instructed and that he did not remain idle, and he led the Lord Jesus towards a teacher. Again he said, “Say: ‘Alpha’.” 2 The teacher got angry at him and stroke him. At once the teacher fell and died. 3 The Lord Jesus went back to his parents. And he was ordained not to go out of his parents’ so that, if he was to curse someone, (this one) would not die. (14) 15 1 There was besides another teacher and he said to Joseph, “Give me your son so that I myself instruct him properly.” He took the Lord Jesus. 2 The Lord Jesus took a book, read what was written, opened his mouth and recited (it) by heart so that the teacher fell to the ground, terror-stricken, and implored him. Many people gathered there. They talked together so that all those who lived there were amazed. 3 Joseph heard and hurried, because it seemed to him that they were killing Jesus. The teacher said to Joseph, “It is not a disciple that you have given to me but a teacher.” 4 And Joseph took the Lord Jesus and they went back home. (15) 16 1 Later Joseph sent his son James to gather straw. The Lord Jesus went with him. While he was gathering straw, a serpent bit James’ hand and he fainted. 2 The Lord Jesus did nothing else than blowing on his hand, where (the serpent) had bitten, and he cured him. As for the serpent, he died immediately. (16) 19 1 The Lord Jesus was about twelve years old. Joseph and our Lady Mary went to Jerusalem for the festival of the Passover, as they were used to do. Once there, they celebrated and returned home. And while they were coming back, the Lord Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. They did not know (but) it seemed to them that he was behind on the road. 2 When they reached their country, our Lady Mary and Joseph looked for him among his kindred and among their relatives, and they did not find him. When they saw him missing, they returned to Jerusalem, searching for him. At the seventh hour, they found him in the temple, sitting among the doctors who listened to him and were asking him questions. And all those who were listening to him were astonished at him. He admonished the priests and he explained to them the writings of the Prophets and the hidden symbols which are in the Law. 3 Her mother said to him, “O my child, why have you done such (a thing) to us? For we have been afflicted while searching for you, I and your father.” The Lord Jesus answered and said to them, “Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I was with my Father?” 4 The scribes and the Pharisees said to our Lady Mary, “Is it you, Mary, the mother of this child? For you are blessed in your fruit, because we have never seen or heard someone as illustrious in wisdom.” 5 The Lord Jesus rose and followed his parents. His mother, our Lady Mary, kept all these words and put them in her heart. The Lord Jesus grew in stature, wisdom and grace, before God and men. (17) Again the Lord Jesus did a miracle. When sun entered through the window, the Lord Jesus straddled the sun ray and went to Orient and Occident, as far as reached the sun ray. (18) 12 Again he sowed five grains of barley and harvested five hundred bags, which he gave to the poor. |
The Infancy Gospel of Thomas: GeorgianThe following text is translated from Garitte’s Latin translation. Chapter and verse divisions follow the standard numbering of Tischendorf’s Greek A text except chapter six which is significantly longer in the Georgian and other versions.
The Childhood of our Lord Jesus Christ2 1 When he was still a boy, nearing five years of age, Jesus went and played near a passing over of rain and streams. He enclosed the water and held it back and made a pool. And it happened thereupon that he raised and purified the water with the sand and collected it together purified in a pool.
2 Then he took the soft white clay from the purified water; and he made that it into twelve sparrows. And it was the Sabbath and many other children were playing with him. 3 And when one of the Jews saw that he was with the children making this, he directed himself to Joseph his father and led him and showed him, and said to him, “Is it good to work of this kind on the Sabbath day, to make these birds from clay?” 4 And Joseph came, scolded him and said to him, “Why did you do this on the Sabbath day?” But when he heard this, he began to clap his hands, and he made those birds fly away in the presence of all those and said to them, “Fly away and remember me living one.” And some birds flew away, crying. 5 When a Pharisee saw this, he was terrified and sank and thereupon went away hastily to tell his friends. 3 1 Then Anna, the son of the high priest, who also came with Joseph, immediately took a branch of willow and emptied out those pools of water which were gathered together by Jesus, and emptied the collection of water. 2 When Jesus saw what he did, he said to him, “O wood, o tree dried with a branch, be consumed at the root through the power of the breath of Iona.” 3 And at once the boy fell, dried up. 4 1 Then Jesus was going with Joseph, and a child came and bumped into his shoulder. Jesus became angry and said to him, “You shall not go your way.” And at once the boy fell down forthwith and died. Those standing there raised a loud shouting and they said, “Whence has this child been born to us? Because all of his words are work done.” 2 The family of the dead one came and stood by Joseph and said to him, “If your child will be at your house, you are not allowed to live among us. Now teach him so that he may bless and not curse.” 5 1 Then Joseph appeared and was teaching him and said to him, “Because you speak badly these people hate us.” The boy Jesus began to speak and said to him, “These words of yours are wise enough. I knew to set up those children on the way.” And then he began to say thus, “And if they do not accept the curse, certainly they will accept the punishment.” At the same time that they mocked him, at once they were blinded. 2 But Joseph, when he saw, was angry and seized his ear and pulled hard. 3 But he looked at Joseph and said, “Behold, it is enough to you to seek me and to find. You, enjoying an opportunity, have accepted in the hands knowledge.” 6 1 A certain Zacchaeus was listening to this speech spoken to Joseph and said to Joseph, “Such a child you have! Harsh and impudent. 2 “Consider handing him over to a teacher so that he learns to love companions and respect elders and get a pleasant face from elders, so that also he acquires compassion for his own sons, accepting them and teaching them.” 3 And Joseph said, “Who can accept and teach such a child? Do not consider him small of order.” 4 The boy answered him and said to him, “From those words of yours, teacher, which you now spoke, I consider myself a stranger, because I am outside you (pl) and inside you (pl), because a certain noble birth as flesh is not with me. But you, behold! stand above the law. For in your nativity I appeared, and perhaps you shall think since you are father, that you may draw from the son an instruction no-one has known nor has taught another. And the cross which you spoke about you may raise it, of whose son it is, because I shall be exalted greater. Tell me, therefore, that sign of your generation, whence it may be just as they understand. I alone know and you do not know whence you have come, or how much time you will last.” 5 And those standing thus were astonished and cried with a great voice and said, “This great hearing and new wisdom and speech of this kind we have never heard neither from teachers nor from Pharisees nor from other kinsmen. Whence was this one, because he is not has not yet completed five years, and you (pl) have seen, indeed, how this one shouted! A child of this kind has not been seen by us.” 6 Then he began to speak and said, “You are astonished or rather you are incredulous, because I speak to you, because I said to you when you were born. More do I know: I have seen and heard a voice.” 7 Jesus stood in their presence and said, “I joked with you because you bring indignity to glory because you are indeed unequal by your mind.” 8 But he began to speak gently to them and the teacher Zacchaeus said to Joseph, “Indeed give that child of yours to me and I shall teach him what is appropriate to teach him.” And he placed a hand on his head and led him to school. And he entered and the boy ceased speaking. But the teacher Zacchaeus taught the letters many times. And he began to teach a second time from alpha and he asked back that he might answer him, and he remained silent. Thereupon the teacher became angry and struck him by the hand on his head. The boy answered and said to him, “I am greatly astonished to teach the ignorant. I am more able to say than you that you speak like a gong sounds and like cymbals ring that do not know the sound of words nor have thought and intelligence.” 9 And Jesus began to say all the words from alpha through to omega with much accuracy. Then he said, “Who not knowing alpha, teaches beta in such a manner? Indeed, explain to me first the alpha, then I will believe you concerning also the beta of which you spoke.” 10 And Jesus began to examine the form and name of the first letter which has these names: stretched out, upside down, from above, swept around, a kind of gem, a form of treasure, equally begotten. 7 1 But Zacchaeus his teacher stood astonished at such great derivation, knowledge, beauty and wonderful character of speech. He cried in a great voice and said, “Woe to me because I have brought on myself such a thing. 2 “Remove him from me, I ask you, because it is not proper indeed to walk upon your ground. Truly this one is worthy of that great cross. He can even consume fire. Thus I think he existed before the water of the flood of Noah. Which womb was it that bore him? Or what mother conceived this holy one? I am made blind and I cannot endure. I am passed in the mind. I have deceived myself; madness approaches me. I thought to bring a disciple into my house . . . |
The Infancy Gospel of Thomas: SlavonicIn 1997, Thomas Rosén presented a new critical edition of the Slavonic MSS (The Slavonic Translation of the Apocryphal Infancy Gospel of Thomas [Acta Universitatis Upsaliensis, Studia Slavica Upsaliensia 39; Uppsala 1997]); unfortunately, Rosén’s edition does not include an English translation of the text. The following translation of Rosén’s edition, presented here for the first time, was furnished by T. Allan Smith of the Toronto School of Theology.
The Acts and Childhood of our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ1 I, Thomas the Israelite, the Chosen One, have proclaimed to you all, oh brothers from among the Gentiles. I saw the childhood of our Lord, the great deeds that the Lord performed and his Passion. For he was born in our land which is named Bethlehem, in the town of Nazareth during the reign of . . .
2 1 When the boy Jesus was four years old, he was playing after it had rained in a stream of brooks arising from the rain. The flowing water was dirty, and he gathered it together in a single stream. And immediately he made it pure, by commanding it with mere words and not with a deed. 2 Then he took soft mud from the clay and formed from it twelve birds. It was the Sabbath, when Jesus acted so, while he played. And many children were there and playing together with him. 3 When now a Jew saw what Jesus did on the Sabbath while playing, he went and informed his father Joseph, saying: “Look, your child plays over there in the brooks. He has taken clay and formed twelve birds and profanes the Sabbath.” 4 When now Joseph came to the place and saw Jesus, he called to him and said: “Why do you do this on the Sabbath, which one cannot do?” But Jesus clapped his hands, cried to the birds and said: “Fly away and think of me, you who live.” And the birds flew up and set about screaming away. 5 When everyone saw this, they were frightened and went out together and told the others and they saw the sign which Jesus performed. 3 1 The son of the scribe Annas was there by Joseph. He took a willow branch and destroyed with it the dam, and the waters drained away out of it, which Jesus had directed together. 2 When the child saw what had happened, he was filled with indignation and said to him: “Impure, senseless Sodomite! How have my dam and the waters offended you that you destroy them? Look, you will become like a dry tree and you will bear neither leaves nor roots nor fruit.” 3 And immediately that same hour the child withered entirely. Jesus went to his house. Then the parents of the paralyzed boy came and said to Joseph: “Look what you have for a child.” 4 1 Another time Jesus was walking through the town. Then another child jumped on to his shoulder. Jesus became angered and said: “You will not continue along your way.” And at once the child fell down and expired. When the others saw this, they said: “Where was this child born that everything happens readily by his word and deed?” 2 Then the parents of the fallen one came and threatened his father Joseph and said: “You, who has such a child, cannot live with us in this village; unless you teach him to bless and not to curse, for he plays wickedly with/plays tricks on our children.” 5 1 And Joseph called over the boy Jesus and instructed him, while he said: “Why do you curse so, and these people suffer and hate us and drive us out of the village?” And Jesus said: “I know that these words are not mine, which I have spoken. But for your sake, O father, I will be silent; but they will receive grief for them (words).” And immediately they all were blinded, who had spoken against him. 2 They saw this, were very afraid and dared no longer to anger him, for every word, which the child spoke, whether good or bad, was fulfilled. When Joseph saw that he had done this, he was very irritated with him and took him by the ear and pulled it soundly. 3 And the child Jesus was filled with indignation and said: “It is enough for you to look for me and not find, you rogue, for you really know not, if I belong to you. Do not be soon angered on my account for I am yours and I have come to you.” 6 1 And a certain teacher named Zacchaeus was standing there and he heard Jesus speak with his father and was very astonished, that the child spoke so. 2 And after some time Zacchaeus came to Joseph and said: “You have a wise boy. Come, hand him over to me, so that he master books, and I will teach to him all that he must know: to honour all elders and ancestors but to love his father and all his peers with humility, to fear and respect his parents so that he too will be loved by his own and other’s children.” 2a And Joseph became very angry at the boy and said to the teacher: “And who can instruct him? Do you think perhaps, my brother, he is a young lord/master?” 2b When the child Jesus heard his father speaking so, he laughed aloud and said to Zacchaeus: “It is all true, teacher, what my father has said (to you). I am Lord here, but you are a stranger. To me alone has been given the power, for I have existed earlier and exist also now. I was born among you and am with you. You know not who I am. But I know who you are and when you were born, and how many years there are of your life. Truly, I say to you , o teacher, when you were born, I know, and before your birth I know (you) truly. If you wish to be a perfect teacher, then listen to me and I will teach you a wisdom which no-one knows except for me and the one who has sent me to you, in order to teach you. I am your teacher, while you are called my pupil, for I know how old you are. And how long your life will last I know truly. When you see my cross, to which my father has referred, then you will believe that all that I say to you is the truth. Behold, I am Lord (the mighty), but you are a stranger, for then and now I am.” 2c And the Jews, who were nearby and listening, were amazed and cried loud and said: “O strange and unheard of wonder! This child is not five years old. We have heard such things said by him that we have not heard said by high priests and scribes.” 2d Then Jesus answered and said to them: “You are all amazed but you do not believe. Because I told you the truth and he who sent me is truthful/trustworthy. When all the world was not here, I was before the world.” 2e When the Jews heard him speak so, they were afraid and none could give answer him. When the children came out, they played and had fun. And he offended (them) saying: “I know that you are amazed/startled and weak. For glory is due for assisting the children.” 2f And the teacher said to his father: “Bring him to me for instruction, and I will teach him books.” Joseph took the child and led him to the teacher. And he persuaded Jesus. And he wrote for him, “I know” and the teacher first began to speak: “Say ‘I.’” He told him often, “Say ‘I.’” Jesus did not proclaim for him for one hour. And the teacher grew angry and struck him on the head. The boy said to him: “You have done unworthy things. I want to instruct you. But am I supposed to be instructed by you? I know all the books which you teach me. And now can they condemn me? Because these (books) are to me as a sounding bronze or a clashing cymbal. You have no voice nor wisdom not a soul strong in understanding.” 3 After saying this the boy became quiet. He recited all the letters from Az to Yats clearly. Then Jesus stared at the teacher Zacchaeus and said: “You do not know what Az is or what letters are. Since you do not know, hypocrite, how do you teach me books? If you know, then tell me what Yats is.” And then he began to prophesy to the teacher these things. The teacher listened and understood Az, but in its nature. 4 Then he spoke to Zacchaeus in the presence of many listeners: “Hear now, teacher, and understand how a limit has two lines that you see through the middle. And I passed by the offerings and I magnified saying the tri-hypostatic praise from two natures identical in form and in power, equal in honour. And the same limit has the Arpha. When the teacher Zacchaeus heard these words from the boy from the beginning, from the first law, as he spoke the truth, and they were unable to respond to this teaching.” 7 1 And Zacchaeus said to the child: “I do not understand an answer such as you have said. I have made for myself shame and have found it. 2 “Take the boy, Brother Joseph, and take him away to your own house, for I cannot endure to look on his swiftness (of mind) and song-like words. For I see that this man/person is not from the earth. For he torments us with/like a powerful fire. And it is beyond me whence he came. Which mother’s womb bore him, I know not. I struggled to have a student, and (instead) I found a teacher. 3 “Consider my disgrace, for I have been shamed by this child. I am old, and there remains to me nothing other than to die humiliated on account of this boy. I cannot look on his face. What have I to say or what should I report about the recited traits of the first elements? For I know neither the beginning nor the end, what it is. 4 “So take away this child, brother, and bring him to your house. For this is something: either a god or an angel or something that is great I know not.” 8 1 And in the presence of the Jews standing near Zacchaeus the boy laughed loudly and said: “Now do the barren bear fruit, the blind see, and the deaf hear and the uncomprehending understand in their heart that I have come from above and I shall deliver you, lowly ones, and call you up to the height as the one who sent me to you commanded.” 2 And when the boy was finished with his speech, at once all were healed who had fallen on account of his curse. And henceforth no-one dared to annoy him, lest he curse them. 9 1 And after this day Jesus played once on (the roof) of a certain high building. One of the children playing with him fell down from the two-tiered building and died. When the other children saw it, they all ran away and Jesus remained alone. 2 Then the parents of the dead boy came and shouted at Jesus: “You have thrown down our child!” But Jesus answered: “I have not thrown him down. He slipped, having injured himself, and jumped down from the roof. (Therefore) he is now dead.” 3 And Jesus spoke to the boy in his own name: “Zenon! Get up. Did I throw you down?” And the boy arose from death: “No my Lord!” And all those who saw this were astonished. And his parents praised the Lord and the people and worshipped Jesus. 10 1 And not many days later another youth appeared. He split wood in the neighborhood and badly cut his foot. And he lay near death. 2 A tumult and crowd arose. The boy Jesus pressed himself through the people. Then he took him by the injured foot and said to him: “I say to you, o young man, take your axe and think of me.” When the crowd saw the sign that had happened they worshipped Jesus and said: “It is therefore true that God dwells with him.” 11 1 When he was seven years old, his Mother Mary went for water, carrying a jug in the crowd. But, jostled, the water jar broke. 2 Then Jesus spread the cloak in which he was clothed, filled it with water and brought (it) to his mother. When his mother Mary saw what Jesus had done, she kissed him. 12 1 Another time, at seed-time, the boy Jesus went out with his father Joseph to sow wheat on their land. And while his father sowed, Jesus also sowed a bushel of grain. 2 Then he harvested and mowed and picked a hundred great bushels of wheat. And Jesus summoned all the poor and lowly into the barn and distributed (the wheat) among them [two unintelligible words]. 13 1 At that time Jesus was eight years old and his father was a craftsman. At that time he wanted to make a chest for a certain rich man. And cutting one length (of board), there were two boards, but one was short because he had no measure. Then Jesus said to his father: “Lie the two boards down and from your side make them the same.” 2 And Joseph did what Jesus had said. Then Jesus gripped the short board, stretched it and made it equal to the other. And he said to Joseph: “Do not be worried, now you can make what you want.” But Joseph took the child (in his arms), kissed him and said: “Blessed am I that God has given me such a child.” 14 1 Now when Joseph saw the diligence of the child and his age and cleverness, he thought again that he should not remain ignorant of the alphabet. Thus he led him there and handed him over to another teacher. The teacher said to Joseph: “Which alphabet should I teach him?” Joseph said: “First the Greek and then the Hebrew.” The teacher knew the disposition of the child and was afraid of him, but he wrote down for him the alphabet and instructed him and said: “A.” Jesus answered: “A,” and became silent again. The teacher recited for him the other letters, but Jesus did not answer him, staying silent. 2 Then Jesus said to him: “If you are a teacher and know the alphabet well, then tell me the power of A. I will give you the letters in answer.” The teacher grew angered and hit him on the head. The boy was indignant and cursed him. (The teacher) then fell suddenly unconscious on the ground. 3 Then Jesus went to his house. But Joseph was very sorrowful and exhorted the mother as following: “Let him in no case go out of the house, so that no one suffers who angers him.” 15 1 A year later another teacher nearby said to Joseph: “Go and bring him to the school for instruction. Perhaps by persuading and cajoling I will be able to teach him the alphabet, for the boy is excellent and wise and he has the maturity to be able to read.” Joseph said: “If you have hope, brother, then take him away with caution, awe and effort.” 2 The boy entered the school with confidence and found a book at the end of the cell. He opened (it) but read not what was written in the book, rather he opened his mouth and spoke through the holy spirit and taught the law. And those present listened to him and asked him to read further. Then came a great crowd and they listened to Jesus and admired his beauty, his teaching and his eloquence, that a child spoke such things. 3 When Joseph heard that, he was afraid and ran to the school. He said: “Who understands the instruction? For that teacher will be experienced.” Then the teacher said to Joseph: “That you may know, O brother, I received this child as a student, but he is full of grace, grace that is from God. Now take him away, brother, as it is proper, and keep him in your house.” 4 When the boy heard the teacher speak so to his father, he laughed at once and said: “Because you have given the right opinion, for your sake also that man is to be healed who was wounded.” And immediately that very hour the other teacher was healed. 16 1 Afterwards Joseph sent his son James to gather wood and bring it to the house. And the boy followed him and gathered wood. A wild snake bit James on the hand. 2 Now when he only laid there lame and was in death, Jesus approached and blew on the bite. Then the poison weakened and the snake died. 17 1 There died again another child in the neighbourhood, and his mother cried a lot. Now when Jesus heard the crying and wailing, he ran there at once and saw the child lying on her lap. Then he touched his breast and said to the child: “Die not, rather be alive and go to your mother.” And then the child laughed and smiled at him. And he said to his mother: “Suckle him and think of me.” 2 When the crowd saw this, they were astonished and said: “Truly, in this child is either a god or an angel, because every word, that he says, becomes a deed.” And he went to his house. 18 1 A year later, while a house was being built, a man fell down from the height and died. When, because of that, a crush of people and a great clamor arose, Jesus heard it and went there and saw the man lying there dead. He took him by the hand and said to him: “I say to you, man, get up and do your work!” Then he stood up and worshipped him. 2 When the crowd saw this, they were astonished and said: “This child is God, because he has saved many souls from death, and light shall be in him throughout his life.” 19 1 Now when Jesus was twelve years old, his parents went out in accordance with custom to Jerusalem to the Passover festival with their journey-partners. And after they had celebrated the Passover, Joseph and Mary turned back to their house. But the child Jesus remained in Jerusalem, and the parents knew (it) not, rather they thought he was among their journey-partners. 2 And after three days, they came to look for him among the relatives among the journey-partners. And they found him not. Thus they turned back to Jerusalem and looked for him full of grief. Three days later they found him finally in the church. And the teachers listened to him reading the law and they asked him about it, wanting to understand through him. And all listened attentively to his words and were astonished that he, still a child, refuted the elders and the teachers and explained to them the chapter of the law and the parables of the prophets. 3 His mother Mary came up to him and said: “Why have you done this to us, my child? Look, with grief and sorrow we have searched for you.” But Jesus said: “Why do you search for me, grieving? Do you not know that I am in my father’s house where I must be?” 4 And the scribes and the Pharisees said to his mother: “Are you the mother of this child?” She answered: “Yes, I am it.” Then they said to her: “You are blessed among women and blessed is the fruit of your body. And the Lord God has blessed you, for such a divine gift and wisdom we have never heard of.” 5 Then Jesus got up and followed his mother and was subservient to them. But his mother kept his words in her heart. And all that Jesus did is a mighty deed of heaven. And Jesus grew in wisdom and body and worked cures, in which he was glorified by God his father. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen. |
- Introduction
- Contents
- APOCRYPHAL TEXT OF THE MONTH
- The Second Book of Ezekiel the Prophet
- The Prophecies of Hadar and Melech
- THE VISION OF ENOCH TRANSCRIBED BY JOSEPH SMITH
- Septuagint Apocrypha I
- Septuagint Apocrypha II
- THE OLD GREEK BOOK OF BEL AND THE DRAGON: WHICH IS ALSO CALLED THE PROPHECY OF HABAKKUK
- JEROME'S PROLOGUE TO THE CANONICAL EPISTLES and More
- Latin Vulgate Apocrypha
- Books of Maccabees part 1
- Books of Maccabees part 2
- Books of Maccabees part 3
- New Testament Apocrypha I
- New Testament Apocrypha II
- New Testament Apocrypha III
- Hebrew Gospel of Matthew
- Old Testament Pseudepigrapha I
- Old Testament Pseudepigrapha II
- Old Testament Pseudepigrapha III
- Old Testament Pseudepigrapha IV
- New Testament Pseudepigrapha I
- New Testament Pseudepigrapha II
- Marcion New Testament
- Ethiopian Apocrypha I
- Ethiopian Apocrypha II
- Ethiopian Apocrypha III
- Book of the Cave of Tresures
- Syriac and Armenian Apocrypha I
- Syriac and Armenian Apocrypha II
- Syriac and Armenian Apocrypha III
- Syriac and Armenian Apocrypha IV
- The Third Book of Enoch
- Pseudepigraphic Apocalypses
- Syriac Didascalia
- EPISTLES OF IGNATIUS AND HIS MARTYRDOM
- Heretical Writings
- Other Documents I
- Other Documents II
- Other Documents III
- Other Documents IV
- Other Documents V
- Other Documents VI
- Other Documents VII
- Apocryphal Books of Adam and Eve
- Book of Odes
- Acts of the Apostles Chapter 29
- The Book of Jasher
- Very Rare Apocrypha I
- Very Rare Apocrypha II
- Very Rare Apocrypha III
- Apocryphal New Testament Legends
- Magical Texts
- THE BOOK OF THE BEE
- THE BOOK OF ROLLS
- Gnostic Scriptures
- SLAVONIC APOCRYPHA I
- SLAVONIC APOCRYPHA II
- SLAVONIC APOCRYPHA III
- SLAVONIC APOCRYPHA IV
- SLAVONIC APOCRYPHA V
- Neo-Apocrypha
- GEORGIAN BOOK OF ADAM
- MISSATICUM BIBLIA
- THE SHAPIRA MANUSCRIPT
- BOOK OF ABRAHAM
- BOOK OF JOSEPH
- SECRET GOSPEL OF MARK
- LETTER OF PAUL TO THE LAODICEANS
- LETTER FROM AN ESSENE IN JERUSALEM TO HIS BRETHREN IN ALEXANDRIA
- Essene Gospel of Peace Book One
- Life of St. Issa
- MISSATICUM BIBLIA REVISED VERSION
- THE ACCOUNT OF ENOCH
- THE LETTERS OF PONTIUS PILATE
- BOOK OF VELES
- POPOL VUH
- BOOK OF THE GENERATIONS OF ADAM
- THE WRITINGS OF ABRAHAM
- THE GOSPEL OF THADDEUS
- BASILIDES
- THE PROPHECIES OF MITAR TARABIC
- Very Rare Medieval Apocrypha I
- Very Rare Medieval Apocrypha II
- Very Rare Medieval Apocrypha III
- Very Rare Medieval Apocrypha IV
- BARLAAM AND IOASAPH (complete MS)
- OGIAS THE GIANT
- Manuscript Photos
- PDF FILES
- Dead Sea Scrolls
- Nag Hammadi Texts
- More Apocrypha I
- More Apocrypha II
- More Apocrypha III
- More Apocrypha IV
- More Apocrypha V
- Selections From The Armenian Book of Adam
- Selections From Leabhar Breac
- Selections From Codex Junius 11
- SELECTIONS FROM THE NOWELL CODEX
- SELECTIONS FROM THE KOLBRIN BIBLE
- Other Old English Texts I
- Other Old English Texts II
- Other Old English Texts III
- THE BOOK OF THE TWO PEARLS
- NEW APOCRYPHAL COLLECTIONS
- THE TREATISE OF SHEM - A NEW TRANSLATION
- THE APOCALYPSE OF THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD CONCERNING THE CHASTISEMENTS
- The Fragments of Papias
- The Acts of Peter and the Twelve
- The Epistle of Apollos The Prophet
- The Life of Jesus Christ
- Essene Book of Revelation
- Essene Book of Moses
- Essene Vision of Enoch
- Mark 10 including the Secret Mark Verses
- The Letter of Prester John
- The Complete Book of Daniel
- The Gospel of Bartholomew
- The Gospel of Barnabas
- The Third Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians
- Revelation of Gabriel
- The Mystical Vision of the Prophet Esdras the High Priest
- The Book of Elias the Prophet
- The Writings of Moroni
- "Lost" Epistle of Peter (untranslated)
- THE ECCLESIASTICAL CANONS OF THE SAME HOLY APOSTLES
- Non-canonical Apocalypses
- Infancy Gospel of Thomas (Ethiopic, Georgian and Slavonic)
- AHIKAR
- The Acts of Peter
- Solomon and Saturnus
- Books of the Genesis Chronicle
- The Questions of the Queen of Sheba to King Solomon
- Fragments
- FRAGMENTS II
- Fragments III
- fragments IV
- fragments V
- fragments VI: Apocryphal Letters
- 5 Baruch
- The Syriac Apocalypse of Ezra
- THE APOCALYPSE OF THE CODEX BRUCIANUS
- II ENOCH MERILO PRAVEDNOE
- Apocryphal Facts
- apocryphal facts II
- apocryphal facts III
- apocryphal facts IV
- apocryphal facts V
- apocryphal facts VI
- apocryphal facts VII
- apocryphal facts VIII
- Apocryphal Facts IX
- The Sermo Lupi ad Anglos
- The Revelation of Moses
- Books of Adam and Eve
- Septuagint Book of Job
- The Gospel of Nicodemus
- The Acts of the Holy Apostle Thomas
- Links
- Blog