Luke 2
1 About that time an edict was issued by the Emperor Augustus that a census should be taken of the whole Empire.
Now in those days, a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be enrolled.
2 (This was the first census taken while Quirinius was Governor of Syria).
This was the first enrolment made when Quirinius was governor of Syria.
3 And everyone went to his own town to be registered.
All went to enrol themselves, everyone to his own city.
4 Among others Joseph went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Bethlehem, the town of David, in Judea – because he belonged to the family and house of David –
Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to David’s city, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David,
5 to be registered with Mary, his engaged wife, who was about to become a mother.
to enrol himself with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him as wife, being pregnant.
6 While they were there her time came,
While they were there, the day had come for her to give birth.
7 and she gave birth to her first child, a son. And because there was no room for them in the inn, she swathed him around and laid him in a manger.
She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in bands of cloth and laid him in a feeding trough, because there was no room for them in the inn.
8 In that same countryside were shepherds out in the open fields, watching their flocks that night,
There were shepherds in the same country staying in the field, and keeping watch by night over their flock.
9 when an angel of the Lord suddenly stood by them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were seized with fear.
Behold, an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.
10 “Have no fear,” the angel said. “For I bring you good news of a great joy in store for all the nation.
The angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be to all the people.
11 This day there has been born to you, in the town of David, a Savior, who is Christ and Lord.
For there is born to you today, in David’s city, a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord.
12 And this will be the sign for you. You will find the infant swathed, and lying in a manger.”
This is the sign to you: you will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth, lying in a feeding trough.”
13 Then suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly Host, praising God, and singing –
Suddenly, there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly army praising God and saying,
14 “glory to God on high, and on earth peace among those in whom he finds pleasure.”
“Glory to God in the highest, on earth peace, good will towards men.”
15 Now, when the angels had left them and gone back to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go at once to Bethlehem, and see this thing that has happened, of which the Lord has told us.”
When the angels went away from them into the sky, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem, now, and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”
16 So they went quickly, and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in a manger;
They came with haste and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby was lying in the feeding trough.
17 and, when they saw it, they told of all that had been said to them about this child.
When they saw it, they publicised widely the saying which was spoken to them about this child.
18 All who heard the shepherds were astonished at their story,
All who heard it wondered at the things which were spoken to them by the shepherds.
19 while Mary treasured in her heart all that they said, and thought about it often.
But Mary kept all these sayings, pondering them in her heart.
20 And the shepherds went back, giving glory and praise to God for all that they had heard and seen. It had all happened as they had been told.
The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, just as it was told them.
21 Eight days after the birth of the child, when it was time to circumcise him, he received the name Jesus – the name given him by the angel before his conception.
When eight days were fulfilled for the circumcision of the child, his name was called Jesus, which was given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
22 When the period of purification of mother and child, required by the Law of Moses, came to an end, his parents took the child up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord,
When the days of their purification according to the law of Moses were fulfilled, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord
23 in compliance with the Law of the Lord that every firstborn male will be dedicated to the Lord,
(as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”),
24 and also to offer the sacrifice required by the Law of the Lord – a pair of turtle-doves or two young pigeons.
and to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, “A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.”
25 There was at that time in Jerusalem a man named Simeon, a righteous and devout man, who lived in constant expectation of Israel’s consulation, and under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him.
26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not die until he had seen the Lord’s Christ.
It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.
27 Moved by the Spirit, Simeon came into the Temple Courts, and, when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the Law,
He came in the Spirit into the temple. When the parents brought in the child, Jesus, that they might do concerning him according to the custom of the law,
28 Simeon himself took the child in his arms, and blessed God, and said:
then he received him into his arms and blessed God, and said,
29 “Now, Lord, you will let your servant go, according to your word, in peace,
“Now you are releasing your servant, Master, according to your word, in peace;
30 for my eyes have seen the salvation
for my eyes have seen your salvation,
31 which you have prepared in the sight of all nations –
which you have prepared before the face of all peoples;
32 a light to bring light to the Gentiles, and to be the glory of your people Israel.”
a light for revelation to the nations, and the glory of your people Israel.”
33 While the child’s father and mother were wondering at what was said about him,
Joseph and his mother were marvelling at the things which were spoken concerning him.
34 Simeon gave them his blessing, and said to Mary, the child’s mother, “This child is appointed to be the cause of the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign much spoken against –
Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary, his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which is spoken against.
35 Yes, the sword will pierce your own heart – and so the thoughts in many minds will be disclosed.”
Yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul, that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
36 There was also a prophet named Hannah, a daughter of Phanuel and of the tribe of Asher. She was far advanced in years, having lived with her husband for seven years after marriage,
There was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher (she was of a great age, having lived with a husband seven years from her virginity,
37 and then a widow, until she had reached the age of eighty-four. She never left the Temple Courts, but, fasting and praying, worshiped God night and day.
and she had been a widow for about eighty-four years), who didn’t depart from the temple, worshipping with fastings and petitions night and day.
38 At that moment she came up, and began publicly to thank God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the deliverance of Jerusalem.
Coming up at that very hour, she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of him to all those who were looking for redemption in Jerusalem.
39 When the child’s parents had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth.
When they had accomplished all things that were according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth.
40 The child grew and became strong and wise, and the blessing of God was on him.
The child was growing, and was becoming strong in spirit, being filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him.
41 Every year the child’s parents used to go to Jerusalem at the Passover Festival.
His parents went every year to Jerusalem at the feast of the Passover.
42 When Jesus was twelve years old, they went according to custom to Jerusalem,
When he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast;
43 and had finished their visit; but, when they started to return, the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem, without their knowing it.
and when they had fulfilled the days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. Joseph and his mother didn’t know it,
44 Thinking that he was with their fellow travelers, they went one day’s journey before searching for him among their relatives and acquaintances;
but supposing him to be in the company, they went a day’s journey; and they looked for him amongst their relatives and acquaintances.
45 and then, as they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching everywhere for him.
When they didn’t find him, they returned to Jerusalem, looking for him.
46 It was not until the third day that they found him in the Temple Courts, sitting among the teachers, now listening to them, now asking them questions.
After three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the middle of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions.
47 All who listened to him marveled at his intelligence and his answers.
All who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.
48 His parents were amazed when they saw him, and his mother said to him, “My child, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been searching for you in great distress.”
When they saw him, they were astonished; and his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us this way? Behold, your father and I were anxiously looking for you.”
49 “What made you search for me?” he answered. “Didn’t you know that I must be in my Father’s house?”
He said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Didn’t you know that I must be in my Father’s house?”
50 His parents did not understand what he meant.
They didn’t understand the saying which he spoke to them.
51 However he went down with them to Nazareth, and submitted himself to their control; and his mother treasured all that was said in her heart.
And he went down with them and came to Nazareth. He was subject to them, and his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.
52 And Jesus grew in wisdom as he grew in years, and gained the blessing of God and people.
And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and men.
