Matthew 2:2-16 They kept on saying, "Where is He being the one born 'King of the Judeans'? You see, we saw His star (or: luminous heavenly body; meteor; flame of light) in its rising (or: within the East, the place of rising; or: we, being in the east, saw His star), and we come (or: came) to do obeisance (or: to kiss toward, fall down and give reverence, worship and pay homage) to Him."

JMNT⁽ⁱ⁾ ² They kept on saying, "Where is He being the one born 'King of the Judeans'? You see, we saw His star (or: luminous heavenly body; meteor; flame of light) in [its] rising (or: within the East, the place of rising; or: we, [being] in the east, saw His star), and we come (or: came) to do obeisance (or: to kiss toward, fall down and give reverence, worship and pay homage) to Him." ³ Now, upon hearing [of it], King Herod was shaken (disturbed; unsettled; agitated; irritated with anxiety; stirred up) – as well as all Jerusalem along with him! ⁴ Then on gathering together all the chief (or: ranking) priests and scribes (theologians; experts in the Law and Torah) of the People [= those of the Jewish culture and religion], he, one after another, repeatedly investigated from them, ascertaining beside them where the Christ (the Anointed One; = the Messiah) is traditionally being born. ⁵ So they said to him, "Within Bethlehem [Hebrew: House of Bread], of the Judean [district], for thus it stands written through the prophet, ⁶ 'And you, Bethlehem, [in the] land of Judah, are by no means least among the leaders (= leading cities) of Judah, for from out of you will proceed coming forth a Leader and Mentor, which very One will shepherd (= guide, nourish, care for and protect) My People, Israel.'" [Mic. 5:1] ⁷ Thereupon Herod, at that time, secretly and covertly calling the "great ones" (the magi), ascertained accurately (exactly) from them the time (= the date) of the star's continued appearing and shining (or: of the appearing star; = How long has the star been appearing since its rising in the East? [Vincent's rendering is similar]). ⁸ So then, sending them into Bethlehem, he said, "As you are going on your way, you men make a diligent search for [him] and inquire exactly concerning the little boy, while examining [the situation]. Now whenever (or: as soon as) you may find [him], report back to me so that, upon coming, I also can myself do it obeisance (or: pay homage to him)." ⁹ Now they, upon hearing from the king, journeyed on their way and – note and consider this! – the star which they saw in [its] rising (or: within the East, the place of rising; or: perceived [when being] in the East) was still leading the way ahead of them (or: began preceding them and kept on in front of them) until coming above where the young Boy was, [and] it was caused to stand (or: to take a stand; = made to stop; or: was established). ¹⁰ Now upon seeing the star, they experienced joy – great joy. ¹¹ Then, when coming into the house, they saw the little Boy with Mary, His mother, and at once falling down, they did obeisance, so as to pay homage and worship Him. And upon opening up their treasure-chests, they brought to Him their offerings (approach-presents): gold; frankincense; myrrh. ¹² However, upon being communicated useful and needed advice (or: an oracle; a divine warning and message; a response to someone who consults) – down from (or: as a result of; in correspondence to) a dream – not to return (to not bend [their path] back) toward Herod, they withdrew from the region (vacated the area) and returned into their country through another road (path; way). ¹³ Now, upon their withdrawing from the region [of Bethlehem?] and returning into their country, – note and consider this! – an agent from [the] Lord [= Yahweh's messenger] progressively makes himself visible (or: as was the custom, is again made to appear) down from (or: in association with) a dream to (or: in) Joseph, proceeding in saying, "Upon being roused, and getting up, take along the young Boy – as well as His mother – and progressively flee into Egypt. Then continue being (or: existing) there until I can (or: should) speak to you, for Herod proceeds about to be continuously seeking the young Boy, his purpose being to destroy Him!" ¹⁴ So, upon being aroused and getting up, he took along the young Boy and His mother – by night – and withdrew from the area, into Egypt. ¹⁵ And He continued being there until the termination (or: the finishing act) of Herod, to the end that the [oracle; prophecy] being spoken by [the] Lord [= Yahweh] could be fulfilled, [which] continues saying, "I call (or: summon; called) My Son from out of the midst of Egypt." [Hos. 11:1] ¹⁶ Then Herod, seeing (= realizing) that he was played as a fool (duped; tricked; treated with scorn) by the great ones (scholars; wise men; astrologers), was extremely furious (was caused to breathe violently in a heat of passion; was enraged), so, dispatching [soldiers] (or: sending off agents), he took up (= put to death) all the boys within Bethlehem and in all its boundaries (= districts; surrounding areas) – those from two years and under (or: younger), corresponding to the time which he had accurately ascertained from those great ones (scholars).