Shorter Witness — Chapter 19: Jesus’ Birth

1And he found (and) brought (her), coming down from the mountain. Joseph said to the midwife, “Mary is my betrothed, but she has conceived from the Holy Spirit and was nurtured in the Temple of the Lord.”

2The midwife went with him. They stood in front of the cave, and a dark cloud overshadowed the cave. The midwife said, “My soul is magnified today, because my eyes have seen something wonderful today. Salvation has been born to Israel!”

3Immediately the cloud withdrew from the cave, and a great light appeared in the cave, so that their eyes could not bear it. A little later, the light withdrew until an infant appeared. He came and took the breast of his mother, Mary.

4The midwife cried out, “How great today is, because I have seen this new miracle!”

5The midwife went out from the cave, and Salome met her.

6She said to her, “Salome, Salome, I have to describe a new sight to you. A virgin has given birth, which is against her nature!”

7Salome said, “As the Lord my God lives, unless I insert my finger (and) examine her condition, I will not believe that the virgin has given birth.”