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Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking,
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“Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.”
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King Herod was deeply disturbed when he heard this, as was everyone in Jerusalem.
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He called a meeting of the leading priests and teachers of religious law and asked, “Where is the Messiah supposed to be born?”
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“In Bethlehem in Judea,” they said, “for this is what the prophet wrote:
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‘And you, O Bethlehem in the land of Judah, are not least among the ruling cities of Judah, for a ruler will come from you who will be the shepherd for my people Israel.’ ”
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Then Herod called for a private meeting with the wise men, and he learned from them the time when the star first appeared.
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Then he told them, “Go to Bethlehem and search carefully for the child. And when you find him, come back and tell me so that I can go and worship him, too!”