The Diatessaron of Tatian — Section 2

St. Cyril of Alexandria

1. 0. Greeting

1 [Arabic, p. 7] [[Matthew 1.18]] Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah was on this wise: In the time when his mother was given in marriage to Joseph, before they came together, 2 she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. [[Matthew 1.19]] And Joseph her husband was a just man and did not wish to expose her, and he purposed to put her away secretly. 3 [[Matthew 1.20]] But when he thought of this, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, and said to him, Joseph, son of David, fear not to take Mary your wife, for that 4 which is begotten in her is of the Holy Spirit. [[Matthew 1.21]] She shall bear a son, and you shall 5 call his name Jesus, and he shall save his people from their sins. [[Matthew 1.22]] And all this was that the saying from the Lord by the prophet might be fulfilled:

> 6 [[Matthew 1.23]] Behold, the virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, And they shall call his name Immanuel,

7 which is, being interpreted, With us is our God. [[Matthew 1.24]] And when Joseph arose from his 8 sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took his wife; [[Matthew 1.25]] a and knew her not until she brought forth her firstborn son.

9 [[Luke 2.1]] And in those days there went forth a decree from Augustus Cæsar that all the 10 people of his dominion should be enrolled. [[Luke 2.2]] This first enrolment was while Quirinius 11, 12 was governor of Syria. [[Luke 2.3]] And every man went to be enrolled in his city. [[Luke 2.4]] And Joseph went up also from Nazareth, a city of Galilee, to Judæa, to the city of David 13 which is called Bethlehem (for he was of the house of David and of his tribe), [[Luke 2.5]] with 14 [Arabic, p. 8] Mary his betrothed, she being with child, to be enrolled there. [[Luke 2.6]] And while 15 she was there the days for her being delivered were accomplished. And she brought forth her firstborn son; and she wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them where they were staying.

16 And there were in that region shepherds abiding, keeping their flock in the watch 17 of the night. [[Luke 2.9]] And behold, the angel of God came unto them, and the glory of the 18 Lord shone upon them; and they were greatly terrified. [[Luke 2.10]] And the angel said to them, Be not terrified; for I bring you tidings of great joy which shall be to the 19 whole world; [[Luke 2.11]] there is born to you this day a Saviour, which is the Lord the Messiah, 20 in the city of David. [[Luke 2.12]] And this is a sign for you: you shall find a babe wrapped 21 in swaddling cloths and laid in a manger. [[Luke 2.13]] And there appeared with the angels suddenly many heavenly forces praising God and saying,

> 22 [[Luke 2.14]] Praise be to God in the highest, And on the earth peace, and good hope to men.

23 [[Luke 2.15]] And when the angels departed from them to heaven, the shepherds spoke to one another and said, We will go to Bethlehem and see this word which has been, as 24 the Lord made known u