God's New Bible

The Childhood of Jesus
The Gospel of James

Biographical Gospel of the Lord

- Chapter 156 -

Good Friends Take Leave

THEREUPON MARONIUS PILLA with the three priests came to Joseph and thanked him for all the wondrous deeds of kindness.
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Joseph then cautioned him to be silent about all the things that he had seen here,
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and Maronius as well as the three priests pledged most solemnly to do this.
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Next came Tullia, fell down before Mary and dissolved in tears of gratitude.
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And Mary, while holding the Baby, bent over and lifted up Tullia and said to her,
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'Be blessed by me in the name of Him who rests upon my arms! Always be thankful in your heart, remembering this Child, and you will find your salvation in Him.
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But put a bridle on your tongue and betray us to no one!
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For when the time is ripe, the Lord will indeed reveal Himself before the world!'
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Thereupon Mary took leave of the still sobbing Tullia.
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Joseph now reminded Cyrenius, 'Friend, see, many of your company were witnesses of many a miracle. Request them for the sake of their own salvation to also be silent about all this.
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For every betrayer of this wholly divine matter will meet death if he is not willing to be silent!'
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This Cyrenius pledged Joseph to do and assured him that no one would ever learn a syllable.
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Here Joseph praised Cyrenius and finally reminded him of the promised eight children which consisted of five boys and three girls.
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And Cyrenius said, 'Oh friend, that will indeed be my first concern!
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But now just one more question: See, I shall have to go to Rome still this year because of Tullia!
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My brother Augustus Caesar has, as you know, already learned a few things from me and will surely ask me about several others.
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What shall I tell him? To what extent may I initiate this noble man into this secret?'
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Here Joseph answered, 'You can inform him about quite a few things, but only between the two of you.
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And remind him that he, if he is silent, will remain undisturbed in his imperial dignity as well as his descendants.
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But if he will let out only one syllable anywhere, God will promptly punish him!
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For if he rebels against the Almighty, he along with all of Rome will perish instantly!'
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Cyrenius thanked Joseph fervently for this instruction, whereupon Joseph blessed him and then returned to the villa with his family.

Footnotes