Chapter 4 No.4

1 Mary brought to the temple at three years old.

6 Ascends the stairs of the temple by miracle.

8 Her parents sacrifice and return home.

AND when three years were

expired, and the time of her

weaning complete, they brought

the Virgin to the temple of the

Lord with offerings.

2 And there were about the

temple, according to the fifteen

Psalms of degrees, fifteen stairs

to ascend.

3 For the temple being built in

a mountain, the altar of burnt-

offering, which was without, could

not be come near but by stairs;

4 The parents of the blessed

Virgin and infant Mary put her

upon one of these stairs;

5 But while they were putting

off their clothes, in which they had

travelled, and according to custom

putting on some that were more

neat and clean,

6 In the mean time the Virgin

of the Lord in such a manner went

up all the stairs one after another,

without the help of any to lead her

or lift her, that any one would have

judged from hence, that she was of

perfect age.

7 Thus the Lord did, in the

infancy of his Virgin, work this

extraordinary work, and evidence by

this miracle how great she was like

to be hereafter.

8 But the parents having offered

up their sacrifice, according to the

custom of the law, and perfected

their vow, left the Virgin with

other virgins in the apartments of

the temple, who were to be brought

up there, and they returned home.