18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit.
19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly.
20 But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.
21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”
母のマリアはヨゼフのいいなずけであったが、二人が同居する前に、聖霊によってみごもっているのがわかった。夫のヨゼフは正しい人だったので、彼女を公にはずかしめようとせず、ひそかに離別しようと決心した。彼がこうしたことを考えていたとき、突然夢の中に主の天使が現われてこう言った。「ダヴィドの子ヨゼフ、ためらわずにあなたの妻マリアを迎え入れなさい。彼女は聖霊によってみごもっています。そして男の子を産むでしょう。その子をイエズスと名付けなさい。なぜなら彼は、み民をその罪から救うお方だからであります。」
24 When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife,
目ざめたヨゼフは、主の天使から命じられたとおりに妻を迎え入れた。