Luke 2
1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Cæsar Augustus, 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 ( And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
(This was the first census taken while Quirinius was Governor of Syria).
3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
And everyone went to his own town to be registered.
4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judæa, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; ( because he was of the house and lineage 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 taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
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 days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
While they were there her time came,
7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, 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 in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
In that same countryside were shepherds out in the open fields, watching their flocks that night,
9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
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, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
“Have no fear,” the angel said. “For I bring you good news of a great joy in store for all the nation.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, 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 shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped 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 was 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 to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
“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 were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto 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 a manger.
So they went quickly, and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in a manger;
17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
and, when they saw it, they told of all that had been said to them about this child.
18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
All who heard the shepherds were astonished at their story,
19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
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 that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto 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 accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of 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 according to the law of Moses were accomplished, 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 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 that which is said in the law of the Lord, 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 And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just 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 was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.
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: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after 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 Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,
Simeon himself took the child in his arms, and blessed God, and said:
29 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:
“Now, Lord, you will let your servant go, according to your word, in peace,
30 For mine 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 lighten 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 Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.
While the child’s father and mother were wondering at what was said about him,
34 And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall 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 ( Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also, ) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.
Yes, the sword will pierce your own heart – and so the thoughts in many minds will be disclosed.”
36 And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher: she was of a great age, and had lived with an 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 she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served 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 And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for 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 performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to 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 waxed strong in 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 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year 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 after the custom of the feast.
When Jesus was twelve years old, they went according to custom to Jerusalem,
43 And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it.
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 him to have been in the company, went a day’s journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk 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 back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.
and then, as they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching everywhere for him.
46 And it came to pass, that 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 that heard him were astonished 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 amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.
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, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?
“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 saying which he spake unto them.
His parents did not understand what he meant.
51 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but 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 increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.
And Jesus grew in wisdom as he grew in years, and gained the blessing of God and people.
