Luke 2
1 Now it happened in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole inhabited world should be enrolled.
About that time an edict was issued by the Emperor Augustus that a census should be taken of the whole Empire.
2 This first census took place while Quirinius was governing Syria.
(This was the first census taken while Quirinius was Governor of Syria).
3 So everyone was traveling, each to his own town, to enroll himself.
And everyone went to his own town to be registered.
4 So Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of Natsareth town, into Judea to the city of David, that is called Bethlehem, because he was of David's ‘house’, that is, line of descent,
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 –
5 to enroll himself with Mary, the woman who had been betrothed to him, who was pregnant.
to be registered with Mary, his engaged wife, who was about to become a mother.
6 So it happened that when they got there the days for her to give birth were completed;
While they were there her time came,
7 and she gave birth to her firstborn Son, wrapped Him in pieces of cloth and laid Him in the manger, because there was no room for them in the lodging place.
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.
8 Now there were shepherds in that same area, staying out in the field and keeping the nightly watches over their flock.
In that same countryside were shepherds out in the open fields, watching their flocks that night,
9 When wow, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.
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.
10 The angel said to them: “Do not be afraid because listen, I am announcing the most joyful news to you, which will be to all the people!
“Have no fear,” the angel said. “For I bring you good news of a great joy in store for all the nation.
11 You see, today, in David's city, a Savior was born to you, who is Lord Christ!
This day there has been born to you, in the town of David, a Savior, who is Christ and Lord.
12 And this is the sign to you: you will find a Baby wrapped in pieces of cloth, lying in a manger.”
And this will be the sign for you. You will find the infant swathed, and lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly a multitude of the heavenly army was with the angel praising God and saying,
Then suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly Host, praising God, and singing –
14 “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, good will toward mankind!”
“glory to God on high, and on earth peace among those in whom he finds pleasure.”
15 So when the angels went away from them into the sky the men, the shepherds, said to one another, “Hey, let's go to Bethlehem and see this event that has taken place, that the Lord made known to us!”
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.”
16 So they went in a hurry and located both Mary and Joseph, and the Baby lying in the manger.
So they went quickly, and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in a manger;
17 And having seen they spread an exact account of the saying that had been spoken to them concerning this Child.
and, when they saw it, they told of all that had been said to them about this child.
18 All who heard marveled at the things told them by the shepherds.
All who heard the shepherds were astonished at their story,
19 As for Mary, she treasured all these sayings, pondering them in her heart.
while Mary treasured in her heart all that they said, and thought about it often.
20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God over all that they had heard and seen, just as it was told them.
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.
21 When eight days were completed so as to circumcise Him, His name was indeed called JESUS, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.
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.
22 And when the days of their purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they took Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord
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,
23 (just as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every male who opens a womb shall be called holy to the Lord”),
in compliance with the Law of the Lord that every firstborn male will be dedicated to the Lord,
24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what was specified in the Lord's Law, “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons”.
and also to offer the sacrifice required by the Law of the Lord – a pair of turtle-doves or two young pigeons.
25 Well now, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, expectantly waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and Holy Spirit was upon him.
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.
26 (It had been revealed to him repeatedly by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death until he saw the Lord's Messiah.)
It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not die until he had seen the Lord’s Christ.
27 So by the Spirit he came into the temple; and when the parents brought the Child Jesus in, to do concerning Him according to the custom of the law,
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,
28 Simeon took Him into his arms and blessed God and said:
Simeon himself took the child in his arms, and blessed God, and said:
29 “Sovereign, now You can release your slave in peace, according to Your word,
“Now, Lord, you will let your servant go, according to your word, in peace,
30 because my eyes have seen Your salvation,
for my eyes have seen the salvation
31 which You have prepared before the face of all peoples:
which you have prepared in the sight of all nations –
32 a light for revelation to Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel.”
a light to bring light to the Gentiles, and to be the glory of your people Israel.”
33 And Joseph and His mother were marveling at the things being spoken concerning Him.
While the child’s father and mother were wondering at what was said about him,
34 Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother: “Listen, this One is appointed to bring about the fall and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that is spoken against,
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 –
35 so that the reasonings of many hearts may be revealed (furthermore, a sword will pass through your own soul also).”
Yes, the sword will pierce your own heart – and so the thoughts in many minds will be disclosed.”
36 Also there was a prophetess Anna, a daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher—she was of a great age, having lived with a husband seven years from her virginity
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,
37 and having been a widow for about eighty-four years—who did not depart from the temple, serving God with fastings and petitions night and day.
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.
38 Well she, having come up at that very moment, started praising the Lord, and kept on speaking of Him to all those in Jerusalem who were looking for redemption.
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.
39 When they had completed everything, according to the law of the Lord, they went back to Galilee, to their own town, Natsareth.
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.
40 And the Child kept growing and being strengthened in spirit, being filled with wisdom; yes, the grace of God was upon Him.
The child grew and became strong and wise, and the blessing of God was on him.
41 Now every year His parents would go to Jerusalem to the feast of the Passover;
Every year the child’s parents used to go to Jerusalem at the Passover Festival.
42 so when He was twelve years old they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast.
When Jesus was twelve years old, they went according to custom to Jerusalem,
43 When they had fulfilled the days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but Joseph and His mother did not know it.
and had finished their visit; but, when they started to return, the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem, without their knowing it.
44 Supposing Him to be in the caravan, they went a day's journey and then started looking for Him among their relatives and acquaintances.
Thinking that he was with their fellow travelers, they went one day’s journey before searching for him among their relatives and acquaintances;
45 Not finding Him, they returned to Jerusalem seeking Him.
and then, as they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching everywhere for him.
46 So it happened that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions.
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.
47 (All who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers.)
All who listened to him marveled at his intelligence and his answers.
48 So upon seeing Him they were amazed, and His mother said to Him: “Son, why have you treated us like this? Look, your father and I have been searching for you in distress.”
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.”
49 So He said to them: “Why were you seeking me? Didn't you know that I must be about my Father's concerns?”
“What made you search for me?” he answered. “Didn’t you know that I must be in my Father’s house?”
50 But they did not understand the statement that He made to them.
His parents did not understand what he meant.
51 Then He went down with them and came to Natsareth, and continued subordinating Himself to them; His mother kept all these sayings in her heart.
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.
52 And Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.
And Jesus grew in wisdom as he grew in years, and gained the blessing of God and people.
