Luke 2
1 NOW it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that the whole land should be registered.
About that time an edict was issued by the Emperor Augustus that a census should be taken of the whole Empire.
2 (And this first enrolment was made by Cyrenius, afterwards governor of Syria)
(This was the first census taken while Quirinius was Governor of Syria).
3 And all went to be registered, every one to his own city.
And everyone went to his own town to be registered.
4 Then Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; because he was of the house and family of David;
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 be enregistered with Mary, the wife espoused to him, who was big with child.
to be registered with Mary, his engaged wife, who was about to become a mother.
6 And it came to pass, while they were there, that her time was up, that she should be delivered.
While they were there her time came,
7 And she brought forth a son, her first-born, and wrapped him in swaddling-clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
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 shepherds in that country abiding in the open air, and keeping guard over their flock by night.
In that same countryside were shepherds out in the open fields, watching their flocks that night,
9 And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were exceedingly affrighted.
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 And the angel said unto them, Be not affrighted: for, behold, I bring you tidings of great joy, which shall be for 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 Because this day there is born for you a Saviour, which is Messiah, the Lord, in the city of David.
This day there has been born to you, in the town of David, a Savior, who is Christ and Lord.
12 And this shall be a sign for you; Ye shall find the babe in swaddling-clothes, lying in a manger.
And this will be the sign for you. You will find the infant swathed, and lying in a manger.”
13 And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying,
Then suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly Host, praising God, and singing –
14 Glory in the highest heavens to God! and upon earth, peace! towards men complacence.
“glory to God on high, and on earth peace among those in whom he finds pleasure.”
15 And it came to pass, as the angels went from them into heaven, the men, the shepherds, said also to each other, Let us now go to Bethlehem, and see this thing which hath happened, which the Lord hath 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 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe, lying in the manger:
So they went quickly, and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in a manger;
17 and when they saw it, they made a public report of the declaration delivered to them respecting this child.
and, when they saw it, they told of all that had been said to them about this child.
18 And all who heard it, marvelled at the things told them by the shepherds.
All who heard the shepherds were astonished at their story,
19 But Mary carefully preserved all these declarations, laying them together in her heart, in order to apprehend their meaning.
while Mary treasured in her heart all that they said, and thought about it often.
20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things which they had heard and seen, exactly as had been 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 And when eight days were fulfilled for circumcising the child, his name also was called JESUS, the name imposed 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 her purification were accomplished according to the law of Moses, they brought 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 as it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male child, that openeth the 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 is prescribed in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtle doves, 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 And, behold, there was a man at Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost 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 And it had been divinely communicated to him by the Holy Spirit, that he should not see death, till he had seen 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 And he came by the spirit into the temple; just as the parents were bringing in the child Jesus, that they might do according to what was the custom of the law concerning him;
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 and he took him into his arms, and blessed God, and said,
Simeon himself took the child in his arms, and blessed God, and said:
29 Now dismiss thy servant, Lord, according to thy word, in peace;
“Now, Lord, you will let your servant go, according to your word, in peace,
30 for my eyes have seen thy salvation,
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 give revelation to the Gentiles, and glory to thy 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 amazed at the things spoken concerning him.
While the child’s father and mother were wondering at what was said about him,
34 And Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary his mother, Behold, this child is appointed for the fall, and rising again of many in Israel; and for a marked object to be 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 shall a dart pierce through thy own soul) that the reasonings of many hearts may be laid open,
Yes, the sword will pierce your own heart – and so the thoughts in many minds will be disclosed.”
36 And there was Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asser: she was far advanced in old age, having lived but seven years with a husband, from her virgin state:
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 though she was now a widow, of about eighty-four years, who departed not from the temple, attending the divine service, 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 and at the very same moment coming up, she also in turn confessed the Lord, and spake of him to all who were expecting redemption in Jerusalem.
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 finished all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, into their own city 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 child grew, and became endued with great powers of spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon him.
The child grew and became strong and wise, and the blessing of God was on him.
41 And his parents went annually to Jerusalem at the feast of the passover.
Every year the child’s parents used to go to Jerusalem at the Passover Festival.
42 And 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 And when they had concluded the days, as they were returning, the child Jesus remained at Jerusalem, and Joseph and his mother knew it not:
and had finished their visit; but, when they started to return, the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem, without their knowing it.
44 but supposing him to be in the company, they went a day’s journey; and they sought him among their relations 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 and not finding him, they returned to Jerusalem in search of him.
and then, as they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching everywhere for him.
46 And it came to pass after three days, they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, 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 who heard him, were in a transport of admiration, at his understanding and answers.
All who listened to him marveled at his intelligence and his answers.
48 And when they saw him, they were struck with surprise; and his mother said to him, Son, why hast thou behaved to us in this manner? lo! thy father and I have been seeking thee in anguish of heart.
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 And he said unto them, Wherefore did ye seek me? did you not know, that I must be occupied with my Father’s affairs?
“What made you search for me?” he answered. “Didn’t you know that I must be in my Father’s house?”
50 And they understood not the meaning of what he spake to them.
His parents did not understand what he meant.
51 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was in subjection to them: though his mother preserved 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 advanced in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and men.
And Jesus grew in wisdom as he grew in years, and gained the blessing of God and people.
