1Joseph, setting aside his ax, joined them and, once they were all gathered, each took his staff and they set out in search of the high priest. He took all the staffs, entered the temple and began to pray. Having finished his prayers he took the staffs again and gave them back, but in none of them did any sign appear. However, when Joseph took the last one, behold a dove came out of it and began to fly over his head. Then the priest said: 'To you has fallen the lot to receive under your custody the Virgin of the Lord.'
2Joseph replied: 'I have children and am old, while she is a girl; I would not like to be an object of mockery among the children of Israel.' Then the priest said: 'Fear the Lord your God and remember what he did to Dathan, Abiram and Korah; how the earth opened and they were buried for their rebellion.'
3And he, full of fear, received her under his protection. Then he said to her: 'I have taken you from the temple; I am leaving you now in my house and am going to continue my constructions. Soon I will return. The Lord will guard you.'