9 The Lord Jesus farther said to the master, Take notice how I say to thee; then he began clearly and distinctly to say Aleph, Beth, Gimel, Daleth, and so on to the end of the alphabet. 10 At this the master was so surprised, that he said, I believe this boy was born before Noah; 11 And turning to Joseph, he said, Thou hast brought a boy to me to be taught, who is more learned than any master. 12 He said also to St. Mary, This your son has no need of any learning. 13 They brought him then to a more learned master, who, when he saw him, said, say Aleph; 14 And when he had sand Aleph, the master bade him pronounce Beth; to which the Lord Jesus replied, Tell me first the meaning of the letter Aleph, and then I will pronounce Beth. 15 But this master, when he did lift up his hand to whip him, had his hand presently withered, and he died. 16 Then said Joseph to St. Mary, Henceforth we will not allow him to go out of the house; for every one who displeases him is killed. CHAPTER XXI. [Compare Luke ii. 42, whose meagre account is deficient of the sublime details here given of the subjects disputed upon.] 1 Disputes learnedly with the doctors in the temple, 7 on law, 9 on astronomy, 12 on physics and metaphysics. 21 Is worshiped by a philosopher, 28 and fetched home by his mother. AND when he was twelve years old, they brought him to Jerusalem to the feast; and when the feast was over, they returned. 2 But the Lord Jesus continued behind in the temple among the doctors and elders, and learned men of Israel; to whom he proposed several questions of learning, and also gave them answers: 3 For he said to them, Whose son is the Messiah? They answered, the son of David. 4 Why then, said he, does he in the spirit call him Lord? When he saith, The Lord said to my Lord, sit thou at my right hand, till I have made thine enemies thy foot- stool. 5 Then a certain principal Rabbi asked him, Hast thou read books? 6 Jesus answered, be had read both books, and the things which were contained in books. 7 And he explained to them the books of the law, and precepts, and statutes: and the mysteries which are contained in the books of the prophets; things which the mind of no creature could reach. 8 Then said that Rabbi, I never yet have seen or heard of such knowledge! What do you think that boy will be? 9 When a certain astronomer, who was present, asked the Lord Jesus, Whether he had studied astronomy? 10 The Lord Jesus replied, and told him the number of the spheres and heavenly bodies, as also their triangular, square, and sextile aspect; their progressive and retrograde motion; their size and several prognostications; and other things which the reason of man had never discovered. 11 There was also among them a philosopher well skilled in physic and natural philosophy, who asked the Lord Jesus, Whether he had studied physic?