The Childhood and Youth of Jesus · Part 2 · Chapter 261

The suspicions of Salome and Cornelius about the small caravan. Salome and Cornelius have a look at the gathering and recognize the Holy Family. 23 July 1844

01] Now Salome and Cornelius were wondering a lot about these people from Egypt and who they could be.

02] Cornelius spoke: "In my view, these four men, who appear to be quite young, closely resemble the sons of that wonderful man we both dealt with in Bethlehem.

03] And their language also had a typical Nazarene tone to it.

04] You – my most respected friend! – This remarkable man, called Joseph, most probably had emigrated to Egypt, as I have read in the letter from my brother in Tyre.

05] How – if this were the same Joseph?

06] Should we not go to these people and have a look at them? And if it would be so,

07] should we not do our utmost to feed these noble people immediately and give them the best of care?"

08] When Salome had heard this, she almost fainted with bliss and spoke:

09] "Oh friend! – You are surely right, it will be like this; this is the Holy Family for sure!

10] Therefore let me wake up my servants and let them come with us to the resting place of the Holy Family!"

11] Thereupon Salome went and woke up all her servants.

12] And within half an hour all in Salome's house were on their feet.

13] When everything was ready, Cornelius said to Salome: 14] "Now let us go and see who this family is!"

15] Then Salome called everybody in the house together and the whole group went to the place where Joseph rested around a low fire.

16] When they arrived there, Cornelius said to Salome:

17] "Look there! There next to the fire, – is that not young Mary, Joseph's wife, with her child?

18] And that old man, – say, is that not Joseph, that wonderful man, whom we came to know in Bethlehem?"

19] Salome opened her eyes wide, stared at them and slowly recognized the group that Cornelius had pointed out to her.

20] Now Salome was beside herself; she sank down and fainted and Cornelius had to bring his companion on her feet again.