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THE SONS of Joseph went at once and brought in the midday meal.
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| 2 |
Here Joseph said, 'What happened to the three? Are they going to have the midday meal with us, or would they rather eat in their room today?
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| 3 |
Go and inquire about that, and what pleases them the most shall be done!'
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| 4 |
And the sons went and asked the three, but these said nothing and motioned to the sons that they would partake of nothing before sundown, whether food or drink.
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| 5 |
This the sons reported to Joseph who was satisfied therewith and remarked,
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| 6 |
'If the three have made that a matter of conscience, then we would sin against them if we hindered them from keeping their vow.
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So let us take our places at the table in the name of the Lord and gratefully partake of what God has bestowed upon us.'
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| 8 |
Hereupon the seeming woman said, 'Oh master of this house! You are too good and 1 am a nobody, therefore 1 am really not worthy to eat at your table. I will most gratefully partake of what your kindness will bestow on me in the entrance-hall of the house.
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| 9 |
Besides, my too ragged clothes and my unwashed body are not seeming for the table of such a master as you are!'
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| 10 |
Here Joseph told the sons, 'Go and bring four large jugs of water and place them in Mary's side room.
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| 11 |
And you, wife, go and wash the woman, and comb her, and put your best clothes on her!
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| 12 |
And when she is thus excellently and festively attired, lead her here so she can join us at the midday meal without shyness.'
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| 13 |
In half an hour Joseph's wish was fulfilled, and fully cleansed there now stood in place of the woman a very sweet, timid and most thankful girl in whose face only traces of her former sadness still remained.
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| 14 |
According to her features she was of great beauty, and in her eyes lay deep humility, but also deep love.
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| 15 |
Joseph took real pleasure in this child and said, 'O Lord, I thank You that You have selected me to save this poor girl! In Your most holy name I will adopt her as a full daughter!'
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| 16 |
And turning to the sons, he added, 'Look upon your poor sister, and greet her as brothers!'
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| 17 |
This the sons of Joseph did with much joy, and finally the Baby also affirmed:
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'Just as by you, so is she also adopted by Me! That is a good deed and gives Me much joy!'
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| 19 |
When the girl heard the Baby speak like that she was astonished and asked, 'Oh wonder, what is this, that this Baby speaks like a God?'
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