And Joseph, throwing away his axe, went out to meet them; and when they had assembled, they went away to the high priest, taking with them their rods.
2And he, taking the rods of all of them, entered into the temple, and prayed; and having ended his prayer, he took the rods and came out, and gave them to them: but there was no sign in them, and Joseph took his rod last; and, behold, a dove came out of the rod, and flew upon Joseph's head.
3And the priest said to Joseph, Thou hast been chosen by lot to take into thy keeping the virgin of the Lord.
4But Joseph refused, saying: I have children, and I am an old man, and she is a young girl.
5I am afraid lest I become a laughing-stock to the sons of Israel.
6And the priest said to Joseph: Fear the Lord thy God, and remember what the Lord did to Dathan, and Abiram, and Korah; how the earth opened, and they were swallowed up on account of their contradiction.
7And now fear, O Joseph, lest the same things happen in thy house.
8And Joseph was afraid, and took her into his keeping.
9And Joseph said to Mary: Behold, I have received thee from the temple of the Lord; and now I leave thee in my house, and go away to build my buildings, and I shall come to thee.
10The Lord will protect thee.