The Childhood of Jesus
The Gospel of James
Biographical Gospel of the Lord
- Chapter 282 -
The Wages Of The Shepherd Boy
WHEN JOSEPH'S HOUSE was thus left in peace, since the chief judge would not accept any more complaints against Joseph,
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it so happened eight days later that Joseph had to go into a neighboring village to a building site.
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On this occasion the little Jesus wanted to go with Joseph, and Joseph was more than glad to take Him along.
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But the parents of the shriveled boy were filled with strong anger against Joseph and his Child.
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Now to go into the village, Joseph had to go past the house of this boy's parents.
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When Joseph came near the house with the little Jesus, he was noticed,
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and the angry neighbor said to one of his also very headstrong servant boys, who usually herded his sheep,
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'See, there comes the carpenter up the path just now with his pestilential Brood.
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Go, and run down this path with all your might.
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And when you get to the Boy at the side of the carpenter, thrust Him down with all your strength, so He will be left dead!
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After that the old scoundrel can prosecute me - and I shall then show him the law that children under twelve years of age cannot be held accountable in worldly matters!'
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When the shepherd boy heard this from his master who had also promised him a good reward if he killed the Child,
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the boy suddenly ran out of the room and toward Joseph in great haste.
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At this moment the shriveled son Annas, who was in bed, said to his father,
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'Oh look, how quickly does the shepherd boy run toward his death, and what sorrow that will be for his parents!
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Oh father, you should not have done that! For I tell you, as I see it now: Joseph is just, and holy his Child!'
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Thereupon the gaunt boy was silent, and his father thought about the words of his son.
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But at that moment the shepherd boy in furious haste came upon the little Jesus and butted Him on the shoulder with considerable force.
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Despite this the little Jesus did not fall, and He said to the shepherd boy in a greatly excited tone of voice,
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'That you did for the sake of a reward! Thus every laborer is worthy of his hire, and - as the labor, so also the reward.
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Your labor was to kill Me; therefore let death be your reward also!'
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Here the shepherd boy suddenly sank down and was dead.
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Joseph was greatly frightened at this; but the little Jesus said, 'Joseph, have no fear on My account; for what here happened to a boy, that will happen to the whole world if it wants to strike us!' - Thereupon Joseph went his way and left the dead boy laying there according to the will of the Child.