1Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men*2:1 Or royal astrologers; Greek reads magi; also in 2:7, 16. from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking,
3King Herod was deeply disturbed when he heard this, as was everyone in Jerusalem.
5“In Bethlehem in Judea,” they said, “for this is what the prophet wrote:
6‘And you, O Bethlehem in the land of Judah,
are not least among the ruling cities*2:6a Greek the rulers. of Judah,
for a ruler will come from you
who will be the shepherd for my people Israel.’*2:6b Mic 5:2; 2 Sam 5:2.”
7Then Herod called for a private meeting with the wise men, and he learned from them the time when the star first appeared.
9After this interview the wise men went their way. And the star they had seen in the east guided them to Bethlehem. It went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the child was.
12When it was time to leave, they returned to their own country by another route, for God had warned them in a dream not to return to Herod.