Matthew 2:1-12

Modern English Version

The Visit of the Wise Men

2 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, wise men came from the east to Jerusalem, ² saying, “Where is He who was born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the east and have come to worship Him.”

³ When Herod the king heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. ⁴ And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where Christ should be born. ⁵ They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for this is what the prophet wrote:

⁷ Then Herod, when he had privately called the wise men, carefully inquired of them what time the star appeared. ⁸ And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search diligently for the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring me word again, so that I may come and worship Him also.”

⁹ When they heard the king, they departed. And the star which they saw in the east went before them until it came and stood over where the young Child was. ¹⁰ When they saw the star, they rejoiced with great excitement. ¹¹ And when they came into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary, His mother, and fell down and worshipped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. ¹² But being warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they returned to their own country by another route.