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1, 2. (Jiǎ) ((first)) Qǐng (please) miáo·shù (depict · state)   (→ [describe]) Mǎlìyà (Mary) de (’s) lǚ·chéng (travelling · journey) . (Yǐ) ((second)) Wèi·shénme (for · [what]) duì (to) Mǎlìyà (Mary) lái (coming) shuō ({to say}) , zhèi·ge (this · [mw]) lǚ·chéng (travelling · journey) bìng (definitely) bù (not) shū·fu ({was relaxing} · {was being submitting to})   (→ [was comfortable]) ?

Mǎlìyà (Mary) yǐ·jing (already · {had gone through}) qí (riding) zài (on) lǘ (donkey’s) bèi (back) shang (upon) hǎo·jǐ (good · few) ge ([mw]) xiǎo·shí (small · {time periods})   (→ [hours]) le ([to completion]) , tā (she) nuó·le (shift·ed) nuó ({a shifting of}) shēntǐ (body) , jué·de (feeling · {getting to be}) hěn (very) bù (not) shū·fu ({was relaxed} · {was submitting})   (→ [was comfortable]) . Yuēsè (Joseph) zài (at) qián·mian (ahead’s · face) lǐng·lù ({was leading} · way) , tāmen ([they]) zhèng ({just then}) yí·bù (one · step) ‐ yí·bù (one · step)   (→ [step by step]) de (-ly) cháo·zhe ({were face-} · -ing) yuǎn·fāng (distant · place) de (’s) Bólìhéng (Bethlehem) qián·jìn (forward · advancing) . Zhè·shí ({[at] this} · time) , Mǎlìyà (Mary) gǎn·jué (felt · {became aware}) dào ({arriving at}) fù (belly) zhōng (within) de (’s) xiǎo (little) shēngmìng (life) yòu (again) zài ({was then}) tiào·dòng (jumping · moving) .

² Mǎlìyà (Mary) huái·yùn ({had conceived} · pregnancy) hǎo (good) yí (one) duàn ({section of}) rì·zi (suns → [days] · [suf]) le ([to completion]) . Shèng·jīng ([the] holy · Scriptures)   (→ [the Bible]) shuō (says) , dāng·shí ({at that} · time) tā (she) yǐ·jing (already · {had gone through}) “ yǒu·le (having · [to completion]) duō (many) ge ([mw]) yuè (moons)   (→ [months]) de (’) shēn·yùn (body · pregnancy) ”. (Lùjiā (Luke) Fú·yīn (blessings · news) 2:5) Tāmen ([they]) lù·guò (road · {passed by}) yí (one) kuài (piece) yòu (again) yí (one) kuài (piece) de (’s) nóng·tián (farming · fields) , zài (in) tián (fields) li (inside) gēng·zhòng (tilling · cultivating) de (’s) yì·xiē (one · {number of}) nóng·fū (farming · {manual workers}) yě·xǔ (even · perhaps) ǒu’·ěr (occasional·ly) huì (would) tái·qǐ (lift · up) tóu (heads) lái ({to come}) kàn·kan ({to look at} · {to look at}) tāmen ([them]) . Jiàn·dào (seeing · {arriving at}) zhè·yàng (this · kind’s) yí (one) ge ([mw]) dà·fù (big · belly) ‐ pián·pián (bulging · bulging) de (’s) yùn·fù (pregnant · woman) hái (still) chū ({was going out}) yuǎn·mén ({far from} · door) , tāmen ([they]) kě·néng (maybe · could) jué·de (feel · {getting to be}) hěn (very) qíguài ({was strange}) . Mǎlìyà (Mary) wèi·shénme (for · [what]) yào (needed) lí·kāi ({to leave} · {clear of}) Násālè (Nazareth) de (’s) jiā (home) , chū·mén ({to go out} · door) yuǎn·xíng (far · {to travel}) ne?

3. (Jiǎ) ((first)) Mǎlìyà (Mary) jiē·huò·le ({had received} · {had obtained} · [to completion]) shénme ([what]) rèn·wu (appointed · task)   (→ [assignment]) ? (Yǐ) ((second)) Wǒ·men (we · [pl]) huì (will) zěn·yàng (what · [way]) jìn·yí·bù (advance · one · step) qù ({to go}) rèn·shi ({to recognize} · {to know}) tā (her) ?

4, 5. (Jiǎ) ((first)) Wèi·shénme (for · [what]) Yuēsè (Joseph) hé (and) Mǎlìyà (Mary) yào (needed) qián·wǎng (forward · {to go towards}) Bólìhéng (Bethlehem) ? (Yǐ) ((second)) Kǎisā (Caesar) bān·bù (issued · announced) de (’s) fǎ·lìng (law · decree) cù·shǐ (urged · caused) shénme ([what]) yù·yán ({in advance} · saying)   (→ [prophecy]) yìng·yàn ({to respond} · {to produce the expected result})   (→ [to be fulfilled]) ?

⁴ Dāng·shí ({at that} · time) chū·mén ({going out} · door) yuǎn·xíng (far · {to travel}) de (’s) rén (people) bù·zhǐ (not · {only were}) Yuēsè (Joseph) hé (and) Mǎlìyà (Mary) . Bù·jiǔ (not · {was a long time}) zhī·qián (’s · before) , Kǎisā (Caesar) Àogǔsīdū (Augustus) bān·bù·le ({had issued} · {had announced} · [to completion]) yì (one) tiáo ({strip of}) fǎ·lìng (law · decree) , yào (requiring) quán·guó (entire · nation’s) rénmín (people) huí·xiāng ({to circle back to} · {native place}) dēng·jì ({to enter (e.g. in a register) in} · {to record in}) hù·jí (household · registry) . Yuēsè (Joseph) zěn·me (how · [so]) zuò (did) ne? Shèng·jīng ([the] holy · Scriptures)   (→ [the Bible]) de (’s) jì·zǎi (recorded · writing) shuō (says) : “Yuēsè (Joseph) běn ({[at] root}) shì (being) Dàwèi (David’s) jiā·zú (family · clan) de (’s) rén (person) , zì·rán (naturally · so)   (→ [naturally]) yě (even) cóng (from) Jiālìlì (Galilee) de (’s) Násālè (Nazareth) chéng (town) chū·lai ({came out} · {to come}) , shàng ({to go up to}) Yóudìyà (Judea) qu ({to go}) , dào ({to arrive at}) Dàwèi (David) de (’s) gù·xiāng (old · {native place}) Bólìhéng (Bethlehem) chéng (town) ”. (Lùjiā (Luke) Fú·yīn (blessings · news) 2:1–4)

⁵ Kǎisā (Caesar) zài (at) zhèi·ge (this · [mw]) shíhou (time) bān·bù (issuing · announcing) zhèi (this) tiáo ({strip of}) fǎ·lìng (law · decree) bìng·fēi (definitely · {was not}) qiǎo·hé (coincidental · joining) . Dà·yuē (largely · approximately) zài (at) shì·qián (matter · {before ←}) qī·bǎi (seven · hundred) nián (years) , Shèng·jīng ([the] holy · Scriptures)   (→ [the Bible]) jì·xia·le ({had recorded} · down · [to completion]) yí (one) ge ([mw]) yù·yán ({in advance} · saying)   (→ [prophecy]) , yù·gào (fore·telling) Mísàiyà (Messiah) huì (would) shēng ({be born}) yú (in) Bólìhéng (Bethlehem) . Dāng·shí ({at that} · time) , lí ({was apart from}) Násālè (Nazareth) zhǐ·yǒu (only · having) 11 gōng·lǐ (metric · {Chinese miles})   (→ [kilometres]) (7 yīng·lǐ (English · {Chinese miles})   (→ [miles]) ) de (’s) dìfang (place) , qià·qiǎo (just · coincidentally) jiù (exactly) yǒu (had) yí (one) ge ([mw]) jiào (called) Bólìhéng (Bethlehem) de (’s) chéng (town) . Kě·shì (however · was) , yù·yán ({in advance} · saying)   (→ [prophecy]) què (however) zhǐ·míng ({pointed to} · clearly) Mísàiyà (Messiah) huì (would) chū·yú ({come out} · from) jiào (called) Yǐfǎtā (Ephrathah) de (’s) Bólìhéng (Bethlehem) . (Qǐng (please) dú (read) Míjiā·shū (Micah · book) 5:2.) Cóng (from) Násālè (Nazareth) zǒu (walking) dà·yuē (largely · approximately) 130 gōng·lǐ (metric · {Chinese miles})   (→ [kilometres]) (80 yīng·lǐ (English · {Chinese miles})   (→ [miles]) ) de (’s) shān·lù (mountain · roads) , tú·jīng (route · {passing through}) Sāmǎlìyà (Samaria) , jiù (then) néng (could) lái·dào (come · to) Yǐfǎtā (Ephrathah) de (’s) zhèi·ge (this · [mw]) xiǎo (small) chéng (town) . Zhè (this) jiù·shì (exactly · was) Yuēsè (Joseph) fèng·zhào ({had received} · summoning) yào ({to be required}) qù ({to go to}) de (’s) Bólìhéng (Bethlehem) chéng (town) , yīn·wei (because · for) Dàwèi (David) Wáng (King’s) jiā·zú (family · clan) de (’s) gù·xiāng (old · {native place}) jiù (exactly) zài ({was at}) zhè·lǐ (this · inside)   (→ [here]) , ér (and) Yuēsè (Joseph) hé (and) tā (him) de (’s) xīn·niáng·zi ({new[ly married]} · {young woman} · [suf])   (→ [bride]) yě (even) shì (were) chū·zì (out · from) Dàwèi (David) de (’s) jiā·xì (family · system → [line]) de (’s) .

6, 7. (Jiǎ) ((first)) Wèi·shénme (for · [what]) duì (to) Mǎlìyà (Mary) lái (coming) shuō ({to say}) , yào (needing) qián·wǎng (forward · {to go towards}) Bólìhéng (Bethlehem) bìng (definitely) bù (not) róng·yì ({was allowing} · {being easy}) ? (Yǐ) ((second)) Mǎlìyà (Mary) jì (since) zuò·le (was · [to completion]) Yuēsè (Joseph) de (’s) qī·zi (wife · [suf]) , zhè (this) duì (to) tā (her) zuò (doing) juédìng (deciding) yǒu (had) shénme ([what]) yǐng·xiǎng (relfection · sound)   (→ [influence]) ? ( Yě (also) qǐng (please) kàn (see) jiǎo·zhù (foot·note) .)

⁶ Mǎlìyà (Mary) huì (would) zhīchí (support) Yuēsè (Joseph) de (’s) juédìng (deciding) , zūn·zhào ({to obey} · {according to}) fǎ·lìng (law · decree) huí·xiāng ({to circle back to} · {native place}) ma? Bì·jìng (finishing · {in the end})   (→ [after all]) duì (to) tā (her) lái (coming) shuō ({to say}) , zhèi (this) tàng ([mw for round trips]) lǚ·chéng (travelling · journey) bìng (definitely) bù (not) qīng·sōng ({would be light} · {would be relaxed}) . Dāng·shí ({at that} · time) yě·xǔ (even · perhaps) zhèng·zhí (exactly · {was happening to be}) chū·qiū ({early part of} · autumn) , hàn·jì ({dry spell} · season) kuài·yào (quickly · must) jié·shù (conclude · {get tied up}) , suǒ·yǐ ({that which} · {was the reason}) hěn (very) kě·néng (maybe · {being able})   (→ [possibly]) ǒu’·ěr (occasional·ly) huì (would) yǒu (have) wēi (slight) yǔ (rains) . Cǐ·wài (this · outside) , “cóng (from) Jiālìlì (Galilee) … shàng ({to go up to}) Yóudìyà (Judea) ” zhèi (this) jù ({phrase of}) huà (words) yě (also) biǎo·míng (shows · {[to make] to be clear}) , lù·tú (road · way) yì·diǎnr (one · bit) yě (even) bù (not) hǎo·zǒu ({was good} · {to walk on}) , yīn·wei (because · for) Bólìhéng (Bethlehem) wèi·yú (location · {[is] at}) chāo·guò (exceeding · over) hǎi·bá (sea · surpassing)   (→ [height above sea level]) 760 mǐ (metres) (2500 yīng·chǐ (English · {Chinese feet})   (→ [feet]) ) de (’s) gāo·dì (high·land) shang (upon) , yào (requiring) zǒu (walking) hǎo·jǐ (good · few) tiān (skies)   (→ [days]) de (’) shàng·pō·lù (upward · sloping · roads) cái ({only then}) néng (can) dàodá (reach) . Yě·xǔ (even · perhaps) tāmen ([they]) bǐ ({compared to}) yì·bān ({[as] one} · kind’s)   (→ [in general’s]) rén (people) yào (needed) huā ({to spend}) gèng (more) cháng (long) de (’s) shí·jiān (time · within) , yīn·wei (because · for) Mǎlìyà (Mary) kě·néng (maybe · could) bù·shí (not · occasionally)   (→ [frequently]) xūyào ({be needing}) tíng ({to stop}) xia·lai (down · {to come}) xiūxi ({to rest}) . Ér·qiě (and · moreover) , dài·chǎn (awaiting · {giving birth}) de (’s) fùnǚ (women) tōng·cháng (commonly · usually) dōu (all) xīwàng (hope) yǒu ({would have}) qīn·rén (related · people) zài (at) shēn·biān (body → [self] · beside) , zhè·yàng (this · [way]) , shēng ({giving birth to}) háizi (child) de (’s) shíhou (time) jiù (then) yǒu ({would have}) rén (people) bāng·máng ({to help} · {[with] being busy}) . Mǎlìyà (Mary) wú·yí (no · doubt) yào (needed) yǒu ({to have}) yǒng·qì (brave · spirit) cái ({only then}) néng (could) tà·shang (step · upon) zhèi (this) tàng ([mw for round trips]) lǚ·chéng (travelling · journey) .

⁷ Suī·rán (although · -ly) rú·cǐ ({was like} · this) , Lùjiā (Luke) de (’s) jì·zǎi (recorded · writing) shuō (says) , Yuēsè (Joseph) hái·shi (still · was) “ yào (requiring) gēn (with) Mǎlìyà (Mary) yì·qǐ ([as] one · group)   (→ [together]) dēng·jì ({to enter (e.g. in a register)} · {to record}) hù·kǒu (household · mouths)   (→ [registered residence]) ”. Lùjiā (Luke) hái (also) zhǐ·chū (pointed · out) , Mǎlìyà (Mary) “ yǐ·jing (already · {had gone through}) zhào ({in accordance with}) hūn·yuē (marriage · agreement) jià·gěi·le ({becoming a wife to} · {to be given to} · [to completion]) Yuēsè (Joseph) ”. (Lùjiā (Luke) Fú·yīn (blessings · news) 2:4, 5) Mǎlìyà (Mary) jì (since) zuò·le (was · [to completion]) Yuēsè (Joseph) de (’s) qī·zi (wife · [suf]) , zhè (this) zì·rán (naturally · so)   (→ [naturally]) yǐng·xiǎng (relfection · sound)   (→ [influenced]) dào ({arriving at}) tā (she) zěn·yàng (what · [way]) zuò (did) juédìng (deciding) . Tā (she) tīng·cóng ({listened to} · followed) Shàng·dì (above’s · God) de (’s) huà (words) , zuò (was) zhàngfu (husband) de (’s) xián·nèi·zhù (worthy · wife · helping) , shì (regarded) zhàngfu (husband) wéi (as) yì·jiā·zhī·zhǔ (one · family · ’s · master) , zhīchí (supported) zhàngfu (husband) de (’s) juédìng (deciding) .* Mǎlìyà (Mary) gānyuàn ({was willing}) fúcóng ({to obey}) zhàngfu (husband) , zhè (this) xiǎn·shì (evidently · showed) tā (she) yǒu (had) jiān·dìng (firm · set) de (’s) xìn·xīn (believing · heart)   (→ [faith]) .

8. (Jiǎ) ((first)) Mǎlìyà (Mary) juédìng (deciding) gēn (with) Yuēsè (Joseph) yì·qǐ ([as] one · group)   (→ [together]) shàng ({to go up to}) Bólìhéng (Bethlehem) kě·néng (maybe · could) hái·yǒu (also · {have had}) shénme ([what]) bié·de (other · ’s) yuán·yīn (origin · cause) ? (Yǐ) ((second)) Wèi·shénme (for · [what]) shuō (say) , Mǎlìyà (Mary) de (’s) bǎng·yàng ({[from] list of successful candidates} · model)   (→ [good example]) xiàng (like) míng·dēng (bright · lamp)   (→ [beacon]) yí·yàng ({[of] one} · [way])   (→ [the same]) zhào·liàng ({lights up} · {to be bright}) shì·shàng (world · upon) suǒ·yǒu ({[all] which [it]} · has) zhōng·xìn (faithful · true) de (’s) rén (persons) ?

⁸ Mǎlìyà (Mary) de (’s) fúcóng (obeying) hái·yǒu (also · had) bié·de (other · ’s) yuán·yīn (origin · cause) ma? Tā (she) zhī·dào (knew · way)   (→ [knew]) Mísàiyà (Messiah) huì (would) zài (in) Bólìhéng (Bethlehem) chū·shēng ({come out} · {to be born}) zhèi·ge (this · [mw]) yù·yán ({in advance} · saying)   (→ [prophecy]) ma? Shèng·jīng ([the] holy · Scriptures)   (→ [the Bible]) méi·yǒu (not · has) shuō (said) , dàn (but) wǒ·men (we · [pl]) bù (not) pái·chú ({do exclude} · {do eliminate}) zhèi·ge (this · [mw]) kě·néng·xìng (maybe · {being able} → [possible] · -ity) , yīn·wei (because · for) dāng·shí ({at that} · time) de (’s) zōng·jiào ([of] {school of thought} · teaching)   (→ [religious]) dǎo·shī (leading · teachers) , shèn·zhì (greatly · {to the point of}) yì·bān ({[as] one} · kind’s)   (→ [in general’s]) rén (people) dōu (even) zhī·dào (knew · way)   (→ [knew]) zhèi·ge (this · [mw]) yù·yán ({in advance} · saying)   (→ [prophecy]) . ( Mǎtài (Matthew) Fú·yīn (blessings · news) 2:1–7; Yuēhàn (John) Fú·yīn (blessings · news) 7:40–42) Ér·qiě (and · moreover) , Mǎlìyà (Mary) yě (also) hěn ({very much}) shú·xī (deeply · knew) Shèng·jīng ([the] holy · Scriptures)   (→ [the Bible]) . (Lùjiā (Luke) Fú·yīn (blessings · news) 1:46–55) Mǎlìyà (Mary) juédìng (decided) tà·shang ({to step} · upon) zhèi (this) tàng ([mw for round trips]) lǚ·chéng (travelling · journey) , bù·guǎn (not · {bothering about}) shì (was) wèi·le (for · [to completion]) fúcóng (obeying) zhàngfu (husband) , zūn·cóng ({abiding by} · following) zhèng·fǔ (political · {seat of government})   (→ [government]) de (’s) fǎ·lìng (law · decree) , hái·shi ({still more} · was)   (→ [or was]) yīn·wei ({because of} · for) zhī·dào (knowing · {way of})   (→ [knowing]) Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) de (’s) yù·yán ({in advance} · saying)   (→ [prophecy]) , yòu (also) huò·zhě (perhaps · [suf]) shàng·shù (above · related) sān (three) ge ([mw]) yuán·yīn (origins · causes) dōu (all) bāokuò ({were included}) zài·nèi (in · inside) , tā (she) dōu ({in all those cases}) kě·shuō (can · say) shì (was) hǎo (good) bǎng·yàng ({[from] list of successful candidates} · model)   (→ [example]) . Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) fēi·cháng (un·usually) zhēn·shì ({[as] precious} · regards) qiān·bēi (modest · low)   (→ [humble]) , shùn·fú (submitting · obeying) de (’s) rén (persons) . Jīn·tiān (present · sky → [day]) , dà·duō·shù (great[er] · numerous · {number of}) rén (people) dōu (even) bú (not) zhòng·shì ({[as] weighty} · {do regard}) shùn·fú (submitting · obeying) zhèi·ge (this · [mw]) měi·dé (beautiful · virtue) . Mǎlìyà (Mary) de (’s) bǎng·yàng ({[from] list of successful candidates} · model)   (→ [good example]) què (however) xiàng (like) míng·dēng (bright · lamp)   (→ [beacon]) yí·yàng ({[of] one} · [way])   (→ [the same]) , zhào·liàng ({lights up} · {to be bright}) shì·shàng (world · upon) suǒ·yǒu ({[all] which [it]} · has) zhōng·xìn (faithful · true) de (’s) rén (persons) .

9, 10. (Jiǎ) ((first)) Mǎlìyà (Mary) hé (and) Yuēsè (Joseph) kuài (quickly) dào ({would arrive at}) Bólìhéng (Bethlehem) shí (time) , kě·néng (maybe · could) xiǎng·qǐ ({have thought} · up) shénme ([what]) ? (Yǐ) ((second)) Yuēsè (Joseph) hé (and) Mǎlìyà (Mary) wèi·shénme (for · [what]) yào (needed) zài (in) shēng·kou ({domestic animals} · {mouths (mw) [of]}) péng (shed) li (inside) guò ({to pass}) yì (one) wǎn (night) ?

⁹ Mǎlìyà (Mary) dì‐yī ([first]) yǎn ({glance of the eye}) kàn·dào (saw · reaching) Bólìhéng (Bethlehem) shí (time) , xiǎng·bì (think · certainly) shū·le (relax·ed) yì·kǒu·qì (one · {mouthful of} · breath) . Tāmen ([they]) yán·zhe (follow·ing) shān·pō (hill · slopes) wǎng (towards) shàng (up) zǒu (went) , lù·guò (road · {passed by}) yí·piàn·piàn (one · {[mw] for stetches of land, etc.} · {[mw] for stetches of land, etc.})   (→ [fields]) de (’) gǎnlǎn (olive) yuán (gardens) , zhè (this) shì (was) zuì (most) wǎn (late) de (’s) yì (one) pī ({batch of}) shōu·cheng (harvesting · result) . Dāng·shí ({at that} · time) , Mǎlìyà (Mary) hé (and) Yuēsè (Joseph) hěn (very) kě·néng (maybe · {being able})   (→ [possibly]) xiǎng·qǐ ({had thought} · up) zhèi·ge (this · [mw]) xiǎo (small) chéng (town) de (’s) lì·shǐ (past · history) . Zhèng·rú (just · like) xiān·zhī (earlier · knew [person])   (→ [prophet]) Míjiā (Micah) suǒ ({that which [he]}) shuō (said) , zhè (this) shì (was) Yóudà (Judah’s) zuì (most) xiǎo (small) de (’s) chéng (town) . Xǔ·jiǔ (extent · {for a long time}) yǐ·qián (at · before) , Bō’āsī (Boaz) , Ná’émǐ (Naomi) hé (and) Dàwèi (David) jiù (exactly) zài (in) zhèi·ge (this · [mw]) chéng (town) chū·shēng ({had come out} · {to be born}) .

¹⁰ Mǎlìyà (Mary) hé (and) Yuēsè (Joseph) fā·xiàn (generated · {revealing of})   (→ [discovered]) zhèi·ge (this · [mw]) xiǎo (small) chéng (town) li (inside) yǒu (had) hěn (very) duō (many) rén (people) . Qí·tā (them · otherwise’s)   (→ [other]) lái ({had come}) dēng·jì ({to enter (e.g. in a register) in} · {to record in}) hù·jí (household · registry) de (’s) rén (people) bǐ ({compared to}) tāmen ([them]) xiān (before) dào ({had arrived}) , kè·diàn (traveller · inn) yǐ·jing (already · {had gone through}) méi·yǒu (not · having) dìfang (place) gěi ({to give to}) tāmen ([them]) zhù ({to stay at}) le ([indicates a change]) .* Tāmen ([they]) bié·wú (other · {did not have}) ‐ xuǎnzé (choosing) , zhǐ·hǎo (only · {was well}) zài (in) shēng·kou ({domestic animals} · {mouths (mw) [of]}) péng (shed) li (inside) guò ({to pass}) yì (one) wǎn (night) . Piān·piān (contrarily · contrarily) zài (at) zhè (this) shí (time) , Mǎlìyà (Mary) de (’s) zhèn·tòng ({period of} → [labour] · pains) kāi·shǐ (opened · began) le ([indicates a change]) . Wǒ·men (we · [pl]) kě·yǐ (can · [suf]) xiǎng·xiàng ({think of} · image) , Yuēsè (Joseph) kàn·dào (saw · reaching) qī·zi (wife · [suf]) jīng·lì ({going through} · experiencing) qián·suǒ·wèi·yǒu (before · {that which} · not · {had had}) , bú·duàn (not · {breaking off}) jiā·jù (increasing · {being intense}) de (’s) tòng·chǔ (pain · suffering) shí (time) , tā (he) yǒu (had) duō (much) dān·xīn ({carrying on a shoulder pole} · heart)   (→ [worrying]) a!

11. (Jiǎ) ((first)) Wèi·shénme (for · [what]) shì·shàng (world · upon) suǒ·yǒu ({[all] which [it]} · has) shēng·guo ({have given birth to} · {[in the] past}) háizi (child) de (’s) fùnǚ (women) dōu (all) néng (can) tǐ·huì (personally · understand) dào ({arriving at}) Mǎlìyà (Mary) de (’s) tòng·chǔ (pain · suffering) ? (Yǐ) ((second)) Cóng (from) nǎ (which) liǎng (two) fāng·miàn (sides · faces) lái (coming) shuō ({to say}) , Yēsū (Jesus) shì (was) zhǎng·zǐ (eldest · son) ?

12. (Jiǎ) ((first)) Mǎlìyà (Mary) jiāng (took) xīn·shēng (newly · born) yīng’·ér (infant · child) fàng ({to be laid}) zài (in) shénme ([what]) dìfang (place) ? (Yǐ) ((second)) Dāng·shí ({at that} · time) de (’s) qíng·jǐng (situation · scene) gēn (with) xìjù (plays) , huì·huà (painted · paintings) hé (and) chǎngjǐng (scenes) suǒ ({that which [they]}) miáo·huì (trace · draw)   (→ [portray]) de (’s) yǒu (had) shénme ([what]) bù·tóng (not · {being the same}) ?

¹² Lùjiā (Luke) de (’s) jì·zǎi (recorded · writing) hái (also) bǔ·chōng·le (mended · filled · [to completion])   (→ [added]) yí (one) ge ([mw]) xì·jié ({thin, fine} · item)   (→ [detail]) , shuō (saying) dāng·shí ({at that} · time) Mǎlìyà (Mary) “yòng (used) bù (cloth) dài (bands) bǎ ({to hold}) érzi (son) guǒ ({to be bound}) qi·lai (up · {to come}) , fàng ({to be laid}) zài (in) sì·cáo (feeding · trough)   (→ [manger]) li (inside) ”. (Lùjiā (Luke) Fú·yīn (blessings · news) 2:7) Zài (in) shì·jiè (world · extent) ‐ gè·dì (each · land) , bù·shǎo (not · few) miáo·huì (trace · draw)   (→ [portray]) Yēsū (Jesus’) dàn·shēng (birth · {being born}) de (’s) xìjù (plays) , huì·huà (painted · paintings) hé (and) chǎngjǐng (scenes) dōu (even) gěi ({have given to}) zhè (this) yí (one) mù ({act (of a play)}) tiān·shàng·le (adding · upon · [to completion]) làngmàn (romantic (loan)) de (’s) sècǎi (colour)   (→ [characteristic quality]) . Dàn (but) xiàn·shí (existing · reality) yòu (however) shì (was) zěn·me·yàng (what · [so] · [way]) de (’s) ne? Sì·cáo (feeding · trough)   (→ [manger]) shì (is) shēngchù ({domestic animals}) chī (eat) dōng·xi (easts · wests)   (→ [things]) de (’) dìfang (place) . Zhè (this) yì (one) jiā ({family of}) rén (people) dāng·shí ({at that} · time) zhù ({was staying}) zài (in) shēng·kou ({domestic animals} · {mouths (mw) [of]}) péng (shed) li (inside) . Bù·guǎn (not · {bothering about}) shì (was) yǐ·wǎng (in · {[the] past}) hái·shi ({still more} · is)   (→ [or is]) xiàn·zài (present · at) , zhè·yàng (this · kind) de (’s) dìfang (place) jì (both) bù (not) tōng·fēng ({does allow passing through of} · wind) , wèi·shēng ({guarding of} · life)   (→ [hygiene]) yě (also) hǎo·bu·dào ({is good} · not · reaching) nǎ·li (which · inside)   (→ [anywhere]) qù ({to go}) . Shuō (saying) zhēn (true) de (’s) , yào·shi (if · are) yǒu (having) bié·de (other · ’s) xuǎnzé (choosings) , nǎ (how) yǒu ({are having}) fù·mǔ (father · mother) huì (would) ràng (let) zìjǐ (selves) de (’) háizi (child) zài (in) zhè·yàng (this · kind) de (’s) dìfang (place) chū·shēng ({come out} · {to be born}) ne? Jué·dà·duō·shù (absolutely · great[er] · numerous · {number of}) fù·mǔ (fathers · mothers) dōu (even) xīwàng (hope) zìjǐ (selves) de (’) háizi (child) néng (can) dé·dào (get · {arriving at}) zuì·hǎo (most · good) de (’s) zhàogu ({looking after}) . Mǎlìyà (Mary) hé (and) Yuēsè (Joseph) yí·dìng ({[with] one} · {setting fixedly})   (→ [definitely]) bǐ ({compared to}) shì·shàng (world · upon) rèn·hé ({no matter} · what)   (→ [any]) fù·mǔ (fathers · mothers) dōu (even) gèng (more) xiǎng (wanted) gěi ({to give to}) zìjǐ (selves) de (’) érzi (son) — Shàng·dì (above’s · God) de (’s) Érzi (Son) — zuì·hǎo (most · good) de (’s) zhàogu ({looking after}) !

13. (Jiǎ) ((first)) Wèi·shénme (for · [what]) shuō (say) , Mǎlìyà (Mary) hé (and) Yuēsè (Joseph) yǐ (already) jìn·lì ({had expended to the limit} · power) zhàogu ({to look after}) háizi (child) ? (Yǐ) ((second)) Jīn·tiān (present · sky → [day]) , míng·zhì ({having clarity} · wise) de (’s) fù·mǔ (fathers · mothers) xiàng (like) Yuēsè (Joseph) hé (and) Mǎlìyà (Mary) yí·yàng ({[of] one} · [way])   (→ [the same]) , rèn·wéi (identify · {to be}) shénme ([what]) shì (things) duì (to) háizi (children) zuì (most) zhòng·yào ({are weighty} · {are important}) ?

¹³ Wú·lùn ({not having} · {discussing of})   (→ [no matter]) ‐ rú·hé (like · what) , tāmen ([they]) bìng (definitely) méi·yǒu (not · had) yīn (because) zìjǐ (selves’) néng·lì (ability · power) yǒu·xiàn (had · limits) ér (thus) gǎn·dào (felt · {arriving at}) jǔ·sàng (dispirited · {had lost sth. important}) , ér ({but [rather]}) shì (were) jìn·lì’·ér·wéi ({expending to the limit} · power · thus · doing) . Lì·rú (example · like) , jīng·wén (scripture · writing) shuō (says) , Mǎlìyà (Mary) qīn·zì (personally · self) zhàogu ({looked after}) yīng’·ér (infant · child) , wēn·róu (warm · soft) de (-ly) yòng (using) bù (cloth) dài (bands) bǎ ({to hold}) tā (him) guǒ ({to be bound}) qi·lai (up · {to come}) , rán·hòu ({like that} · afterwards) xiǎo·xīn (small·-hearted)   (→ [careful]) ‐ yìyì ({sheltering as if under wings}) de (-ly) jiāng (taking) tā (him) fàng ({to be laid}) zài (in) sì·cáo (feeding · trough)   (→ [manger]) li (inside) shuì·jiào ({to sleep} · sleep) , què·bǎo (reliably · guaranteeing) háizi (child’s) shēntǐ (body) nuǎn·huo ({would be warm} · {would be peaceful}) , gǎn·jué ({would feel} · {would become aware of}) ān·quán ({being safe} · {being whole}) . Mǎlìyà (Mary) jué (absolutely) méi·yǒu (not · had) yīn ({because of}) dāng·qián (at · ahead) de (’s) bú·lì (un·favourable) tiáojiàn (items → [conditions]) ér (thus) guò·dù (excessive · degree) dān·yōu ({carried on a shoulder pole} · worrying) , shǐ (causing) zìjǐ (self) fēn·xīn ({to be dividing} · heart)   (→ [to be distracted]) , yǐ·zhì ({so as to} · incur) bù·néng (not · {being able}) jìn·lì ({to expend to the limit} · power) zhàogu ({to look after}) háizi (child) . Cǐ·wài (this · outside) , tā (she) hé (and) Yuēsè (Joseph) dōu (both) zhī·dào (knew · way)   (→ [knew]) , bāngzhù (helping) háizi (child) péiyǎng ({to cultivate}) duì (towards) Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) de (’s) ài (love) , shì (was) tāmen ([they]) néng (could) wèi (for) háizi (child) zuò (do) de (’s) zuì (most) zhòng·yào (weighty · important) de (’s) shì (thing) . (Qǐng (please) dú (read) Shēn·mìng·jì (states · commands · record)   (→ [Deuteronomy]) 6:6–8.) Jīn·tiān (present · sky → [day]) , suī·rán (although · -ly) hěn (very) duō (many) rén (people) dōu (even) bú (not) shì·fèng ({do serve} · {do attend to}) Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) , dàn (but) míng·zhì ({having clarity} · wise) de (’s) fù·mǔ (fathers · mothers) zhī·dào (know · way)   (→ [know]) , jiào·dǎo (teaching · guiding) háizi (children) rèn·shi ({to recognize} · {to know}) Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) shì (is) zuì (most) zhòng·yào (weighty · important) de (’s) .

14, 15. (Jiǎ) ((first)) Wèi·shénme (for · [what]) mù·yáng·rén (herded · sheep · persons) jí·zhe (eager · being) yào (wanted) jiàn ({to see}) háizi (child) ? (Yǐ) ((second)) Mù·yáng·rén (herded · sheep · persons) zài (in) sì·cáo (feeding · trough)   (→ [manger]) kàn·jian ({looking at} · saw) Yēsū (Jesus) hòu ({after ←}) jiù (then) zěn·me (how · [so]) zuò (did) ?

¹⁴ Tū·rán (sudden·ly) jiān (within) , sì·zhōu (four · circumferences)   (→ [all around]) de (’s) níng·jìng ({being peaceful} · {being still}) bèi (by) yí (one) piàn ({slice of}) xuān·huá (noisy · clamour) shēng (sound) rǎo·luàn ({was disturbed} · {to be disordered}) le ([indicates a change]) . Yì (one) qún ({group of}) mù·yáng·rén (herded · sheep · persons) pǎo·jìn (ran · into) shēng·kou ({domestic animals} · {mouths (mw) [of]}) péng (shed) , jí·zhe (eager · being) yào (wanting) jiàn ({to see}) zhèi (this) jiā ({family of}) rén (people) , tè·bié (especially · distinctly) shì (was) tāmen ([them]) de (’s) háizi (child) . Mù·yáng·rén (herded · sheep · persons) yì·zhì ({were restraining} · {were controlling}) bú·zhù (not · tightly) nèi·xīn (inner · hearts) de (’) jī·dòng ({being stimulated} · {being moved}) , liǎn (faces) shang (upon) yáng·yì·zhe (abundantly · {were overflow-} · -ing [with]) xǐ·yuè (joyful · delighted) de (’s) shén·qíng (expressions · feelings) . Tāmen ([they]) běn·lái (originally · {came [to be]}) zhù (residing) zài (on) fàng·yáng ({to put out to pasture} · sheep) de (’s) shān·pō (hill · slopes) shang (upon) *, xiàn·zài (present · at) cóng (from) shān·pō (hill · slopes) gǎn ({had hurried}) guo·lai (over · {to come}) , yào (wanting) gàosu ({to tell}) zhèi (this) duì ({pair of}) jīng·yà (startled · surprised) de (’s) fù·mǔ (father · mother) tāmen ([they]) gāng (just) jīng·lì ({had gone through} · {had experienced}) de (’s) yí (one) jiàn ([mw]) qí·shì (remarkable · thing) : Zài (at) qián (preceding) yì (one) wǎn (night) , tāmen ([they]) zài (on) shān·pō (hill · slopes) shang (upon) shǒu·gēng ({were keeping watch [during]} · {two-hour period of night}) de (’s) shíhou (time) , yí (one) ge ([mw]) tiān·shǐ (heavenly · messenger)   (→ [angel]) tū·rán (sudden·ly) xiàng (to) tāmen ([them]) xiǎnxiàn ({had appeared}) . Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) de (’s) róng·guāng (glorious · light) sì·miàn (four · faces)   (→ [on all sides]) zhàoyào ({had shone on}) tāmen ([them]) , tiān·shǐ (heavenly · messenger)   (→ [angel]) gàosu (told) tāmen ([them]) Jīdū ([Christ]) (Mísàiyà (Messiah) ) zài (in) Bólìhéng (Bethlehem) dàn·shēng (birth · {had been born}) le ([indicates a change]) , zhèi·ge (this · [mw]) yīng·háir (infant · child) zhèng ({just then}) tǎng ({was lying}) zài (in) sì·cáo (feeding · trough)   (→ [manger]) li (inside) , yòng (using) bù (cloth) dài (bands) guǒ·zhe (bound · {was being}) . Rán·hòu ({like that} · afterwards) , tāmen ([they]) kàn·jian ({looking at} · saw) yí (one) ge ([mw]) gèng (more) zhuàng·guān (magnificent · {to look at}) de (’s) jǐng·xiàng (scene · image) — hěn (very) duō (many) tiān·shǐ (heavenly · messengers)   (→ [angels]) xiǎnxiàn (appeared) , gē·sòng (song · praising) Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) de (’s) róngyào (glory) ! (Lùjiā (Luke) Fú·yīn (blessings · news) 2:8–14)

¹⁵ Nán·guài (difficult · {to blame}) zhèi·xiē (this · {number of}) mù·yáng·rén (herded · sheep · persons) huì (would) gǎn·dào (hurry · {to arrive at}) Bólìhéng (Bethlehem) qù ({to go}) ! Tāmen ([they]) yì (once) lái·dào (came · to) sì·cáo (feeding · trough)   (→ [manger]) , jiù (then) kàn·jian ({looking at} · saw) yí (one) ge ([mw]) xīn·shēng (newly · born) yīng’·ér (infant · child) jiù (exactly) xiàng (like) tiān·shǐ (heavenly · messenger)   (→ [angel]) shuō ({had said}) de (’s) nà·yàng (that · [way]) tǎng (lying) zài (in) nà·li (that · inside)   (→ [there]) , yí·dìng ({[with] one} · {setting fixedly})   (→ [definitely]) hěn (very) jī·dòng ({were excited} · {were moved}) . Tāmen ([they]) méi·yǒu (not · had) bǎ (held) zhèi·ge (this · [mw]) hǎo (good) xiāoxi ([news]) dàng·zuò ({to be treated} · as) mìmì (secret) , bú (not) ràng (letting) rén (people) zhī·dào (know · way)   (→ [know]) , ér ({but [rather]}) shì (were) “ bǎ (holding) tiān·shǐ (heavenly · messenger)   (→ [angel]) … de (’s) huà (words) gàosu ({to tell}) dà·jiā (big · family)   (→ [everyone]) ”. Jié·guǒ (formed · fruit)   (→ [as a result]) , “fán (all) tīng·jian (heard · meeting) de (’s) , dōu (all) duì (towards) mù·yáng·rén (herded · sheep · persons) suǒ ({those which [they]}) shuō (said) de (’s) shì (things) jīng·qí ({were startled} · {[were considering them] strange}) bù·yǐ (not · stopping) ”. (Lùjiā (Luke) Fú·yīn (blessings · news) 2:17, 18) Dāng·rì ({at that} · sun → [day]) de (’s) zōng·jiào ([of] {school of thought} · teaching)   (→ [religious]) lǐng·xiù (leading · sleeves)   (→ [leaders]) dōu (all) kàn·bu·qǐ (looked · not · {up to}) mù·yáng·rén (herded · sheep · persons) , dàn (but) Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) què (however) hěn ({very much}) zhēn·shì ({[as] precious} · viewed) zhèi·xiē (this · {number of}) qiān·bēi (modest · low)   (→ [humble]) , zhōng·xìn (faithful · true) de (’s) rén (men) . Nà·me (that · [so]) , tāmen ([them]) de (’s) tànfǎng (visiting) duì (to) Mǎlìyà (Mary) yǒu (had) shénme ([what]) yǐng·xiǎng (relfection · sound)   (→ [influence]) ne?

16. (Jiǎ) ((first)) Shénme ([what]) xiǎn·shì (evidently · showed) Mǎlìyà (Mary) hěn ({very much}) xǐ·huan (liked · enjoyed) sī·kǎo (thinking · examining) ? (Yǐ) ((second)) Tā (she) néng (could) yì·shēng ({one [whole]} · life) dōu ({all of it}) duì (towards) Shàng·dì (above’s · God) yǒu (have) jiān·qiáng (firm · strong) de (’s) xìn·xīn (believing · heart)   (→ [faith]) , yí (one) ge ([mw]) zhòng·yào (weighty · important) yīn·sù (causing · element)   (→ [factor]) shì (was) shénme ([what]) ?