Joseph was a carpenter. Jesus lived with Joseph and Mary, and minded all they said. He was a wise child, and loved to think of God. God his Father loved him, and everybody loved him, because he was so meek and kind. The older he grew the more they loved him. LESSON XVII. THE TEMPTATION. MATTHEW iv. 1-11. AT last Jesus grew to be a man. He knew that he must go from place to place, and teach people about God. But first he went into a place by himself—called a wilderness. He had no house to sleep in there, no friend to speak to, no food to eat. In the night it was cold, in the day very hot. There were no men, but there were lions, wolves and bears. At night they roared and howled; but Jesus trusted in his Father. He ate nothing for forty days and forty nights, God kept him alive. When Jesus was alone, then he spoke in his heart to his dear Father. At last someone came and spoke to him. Who was it? Not a man, not a bright angel, not God; it was Satan. I do not know how he looked. He was come to tempt Jesus to do wickedly, and not to mind God his Father. Satan knew that Jesus was hungry. He said to him, Turn these stones into bread! but Jesus would not, for God had promised to feed him himself. After that, Satan took Jesus to the top of a great building, that was much higher than a church. It is dreadful to be on the top of a very high place; it makes one tremble to look down from the top. Satan said to Jesus, Throw yourself down from this place; your Father will send his angels to keep you from being hurt, for you know that he has promised to take care of you. Would Jesus have done right had he thrown himself down? No: Jesus knew that his Father would be displeased if he threw himself down; and Jesus always did the things that pleased his Father. Then Satan took him to the top of a very high hill. He showed him the most beautiful things in the world, gardens and houses, ships and carriages, and fine clothes and feasts. He said, Look at these fine things. I will give them all to you. You shall have all the world for your own; only kneel down and call me God. But Jesus said, I will pray to my Father, and not to you. Jesus loved his Father better than all the things in the world. Adam and Eve minded Satan, and disobeyed God; but Jesus did all his Father had told him. Adam was disobedient, Jesus was obedient. Then Satan went away, and angels came from heaven and fed Jesus. Satan goes about, trying to make children naughty. A lion could only eat your body, but Satan wants to have your soul and body in hell. Satan hates you. He is your enemy. But God is stronger than Satan. Say to God, Keep me from minding Satan, and God will keep you. Upon that mountain’s height Two mighty princes stand; Jesus the Prince of Light, Satan at his right hand. Below them lies the prospect fair Of all earth holds of rich or rare.