Chapter 19: Jesus in the Temple

1. And when Jesus was twelve years old, his parents went, according to custom, to Jerusalem for the festival of the Passover. But during their return, Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. And his parents didn’t know.

2. And assuming him to be in the traveling company, they went a day’s journey and searched for him among their known relatives. And not finding him, they returned to Jerusalem and searched for him.

And after three days, they found him in the temple sitting in the middle of the teachers, and listening to them and questioning them. And those hearing him were surprised how he questioned the elders and explained the main points of the law and the riddles and the parables of the prophets.

3. And his mother said to him, “Child, what have you done to us? Look, we’ve been searching for you in pain and grieving.”

And Jesus said, “Why were you looking for me? Didn’t you know that it’s necessary for me to be in the place of my Father?”

4. And the scribes and the Pharisees said to Mary, “You’re the mother of this child?”

She said, “I am.”

And they said to her, “Blessed are you that the Lord God has blessed the fruit of your womb, because we’ve never seen such wisdom of praise and glory of virtue.”

5. And Jesus stood up and followed his mother from there, and was obedient to his parents. And she treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart.

And Jesus advanced in wisdom and maturity and grace before God and humans. To whom be the [glory …].