Luke 2
1 And it came to passe in those dayes, that there came a decree from Augustus Cesar, that all the world should be taxed.
About that time an edict was issued by the Emperor Augustus that a census should be taken of the whole Empire.
2 (This first taxing was made when Cyrenius was gouernour of Syria.)
(This was the first census taken while Quirinius was Governor of Syria).
3 Therefore went all to be taxed, euery man to his owne Citie.
And everyone went to his own town to be registered.
4 And Ioseph also went vp from Galile out of a citie called Nazareth, into Iudea, vnto the citie of Dauid, which is called Beth-leem (because he was of the house and linage of Dauid, )
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 bee taxed with Marie that was giuen him to wife, which was with childe.
to be registered with Mary, his engaged wife, who was about to become a mother.
6 And so it was, that while they were there, the daies were accomplished that shee shoulde be deliuered,
While they were there her time came,
7 And she brought foorth her first begotten sonne, and wrapped him in swadling clothes, and laide him in a cratch, because there was no roome for them in the ynne.
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 And there were in the same countrey shepheards, abiding in the fielde, and keeping watch by night ouer their flocke.
In that same countryside were shepherds out in the open fields, watching their flocks that night,
9 And loe, the Angel of the Lord came vpon them, and the glorie of the Lord shone about them, and they were sore afraide.
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 Then the Angel saide vnto them, Be not afraid: for behold, I bring you glad tidings of great ioy, that shalbe 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 That is, that vnto you is borne this day in the citie of Dauid, a Sauiour, which is Christ the Lord.
This day there has been born to you, in the town of David, a Savior, who is Christ and Lord.
12 And this shalbe a signe to you, Yee shall finde the babe swadled, and laid in a cratch.
And this will be the sign for you. You will find the infant swathed, and lying in a manger.”
13 And straightway there was with the Angel a multitude of heauenly souldiers, praising God, and saying,
Then suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly Host, praising God, and singing –
14 Glory be to God in the high heauens, and peace in earth, and towards men good will.
“glory to God on high, and on earth peace among those in whom he finds pleasure.”
15 And it came to passe whe the Angels were gone away from them into heauen, that the shepheards sayde one to another, Let vs goe then vnto Beth-leem, and see this thing that is come to passe which the Lord hath shewed vnto vs.
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 came with haste, and founde both Marie and Ioseph, and the babe laid in the cratch.
So they went quickly, and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in a manger;
17 And when they had seene it, they published abroade the thing, that was tolde them of that childe.
and, when they saw it, they told of all that had been said to them about this child.
18 And all that heard it, wondred at ye things which were tolde them of the shepheards.
All who heard the shepherds were astonished at their story,
19 But Mary kept all those sayings, and pondred them in her heart.
while Mary treasured in her heart all that they said, and thought about it often.
20 And the shepheardes returned glorifiyng and praising God, for all that they had heard and seene as it was spoken vnto 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 And when the eight daies were accomplished, that they shoulde circumcise the childe, his name was then called Iesus, which was named of the Angell, before he was conceiued in the wombe.
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 daies of her purification after the Lawe of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Hierusalem, 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 (As it is written in the Lawe of the Lord, Euery man childe that first openeth ye wombe, shalbe 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 giue an oblation, as it is commanded in the Lawe of the Lord, a paire of turtle doues, or two yong pigeons.
and also to offer the sacrifice required by the Law of the Lord – a pair of turtle-doves or two young pigeons.
25 And behold, there was a man in Hierusalem, whose name was Simeon: this man was iust, and feared God, and waited for the consolation of Israel, and the holy Ghost was vpon 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 And it was declared to him from God by the holy Ghost, that he shoulde not see death, before he had seene that Anointed of the Lord.
It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not die until he had seen the Lord’s Christ.
27 And he came by the motion of the spirit into the Temple, and when the parents brought in the babe Iesus, to do for him after the custome of the Lawe,
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 Then hee tooke him in his armes, and praised God, and sayd,
Simeon himself took the child in his arms, and blessed God, and said:
29 Lord, nowe lettest thou thy seruaunt depart in peace, according to thy woorde,
“Now, Lord, you will let your servant go, according to your word, in peace,
30 For mine eyes haue seene thy saluation,
for my eyes have seen the salvation
31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people,
which you have prepared in the sight of all nations –
32 A light to be reueiled to the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
a light to bring light to the Gentiles, and to be the glory of your people Israel.”
33 And Ioseph and his mother marueiled at those things, which were spoken touching him.
While the child’s father and mother were wondering at what was said about him,
34 And Simeon blessed them, and saide vnto Mary his mother, Beholde, this childe is appointed for the fall and rising againe of many in Israel, and for a signe which shalbe 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 (Yea and a sworde shall pearce through thy soule) that the thoughts of many heartes may be opened.
Yes, the sword will pierce your own heart – and so the thoughts in many minds will be disclosed.”
36 And there was a Prophetesse, one Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser, which was of a great age, after she had liued with an husband seuen yeeres from her virginitie:
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 she was widowe about foure score and foure yeeres, and went not out of the Temple, but serued God with fastings and prayers, 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 She then coming at the same instant vpon them, confessed likewise the Lord, and spake of him to all that looked for redemption in Hierusalem.
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 And when they had performed all thinges according to the lawe of the Lord, they returned into Galile to their owne citie Nazareth.
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 childe grewe, and waxed strong in Spirit, and was filled with wisedome, and the grace of God was with him.
The child grew and became strong and wise, and the blessing of God was on him.
41 Nowe his parents went to Hierusalem euery yeere, at the feast of the Passeouer.
Every year the child’s parents used to go to Jerusalem at the Passover Festival.
42 And when hee was twelue yeere olde, and they were come vp to Hierusalem, after the custome of the feast,
When Jesus was twelve years old, they went according to custom to Jerusalem,
43 And had finished the dayes thereof, as they returned, the childe Iesus remained in Hierusalem, and Ioseph knew not, nor his mother,
and had finished their visit; but, when they started to return, the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem, without their knowing it.
44 But they supposing, that he had bene in the company, went a dayes iourney, and sought him among their kinsfolke, and acquaintance.
Thinking that he was with their fellow travelers, they went one day’s journey before searching for him among their relatives and acquaintances;
45 And when they found him not, they turned backe to Hierusalem, and sought him.
and then, as they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching everywhere for him.
46 And it came to passe three dayes after, that they found him in the Temple, sitting in the mids of the doctours, both hearing 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 And all that heard him, were astonied at his vnderstanding and answeres.
All who listened to him marveled at his intelligence and his answers.
48 So when they sawe him, they were amased, and his mother said vnto him, Sonne, why hast thou thus dealt with vs? beholde, thy father and I haue sought thee with very heauie hearts.
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 Then said he vnto them, Howe is it that ye sought me? knewe ye not that I must goe about my Fathers busines?
“What made you search for me?” he answered. “Didn’t you know that I must be in my Father’s house?”
50 But they vnderstoode not the word that he spake to them.
His parents did not understand what he meant.
51 Then hee went downe with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subiect to them: and 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 Iesus increased in wisedome, and stature, and in fauour with God and men.
And Jesus grew in wisdom as he grew in years, and gained the blessing of God and people.
