LUX VERITAS

Apocrypha · Chapter 16 of 25

Protoevangelium of James 16

Infancy of Mary

'Return, then,' continued the priest, 'the virgin whom you received from the temple of the Lord.' Joseph's eyes welled up with tears. But the priest added: 'I will make you drink the water of the test of the Lord and it will show you, before your own eyes, your sins.'

2And, taking the water, he made Joseph drink it, then sending him to the mountain; but he returned safe and sound. He did the same with Mary, also sending her to the mountain; but she returned safe and sound. And all the city was filled with wonder at seeing that there was no sin in them.

3And the priest replied: 'Since the Lord has not declared your sin, neither will I condemn you.' Then he dismissed them. And, taking Mary, Joseph returned home full of joy and praising the God of Israel.

In the app you can earn credits by watching a video — download it free

🎧 Listen to this chapter

Natural-voice narration with the verse highlighted in real time — over 300 hours, every book. Subscribers are what keeps the text free for everyone who just wants to read.

Get Premium

Words in this chapter

What these words meant in the original — and where else they appear.

About Protoevangelium of James

The childhood of Mary, the choosing of Joseph and the birth in a cave. It is the source of nearly all later Marian devotion — including the names Anne and Joachim.