Luke 2
1 And it came to pass in those days, there went forth a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world be registered—
About that time an edict was issued by the Emperor Augustus that a census should be taken of the whole Empire.
2 this census first came to pass when Quirinius was governor of Syria—
(This was the first census taken while Quirinius was Governor of Syria).
3 and all were going to be registered, each to his proper 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, to Judea, to the city of David, that is called Beth-Lehem, because of his being 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 register himself with Mary his betrothed wife, being with Child.
to be registered with Mary, his engaged wife, who was about to become a mother.
6 And it came to pass, in their being there, the days were fulfilled for her bringing forth,
While they were there her time came,
7 and she brought forth her Son—the firstborn, and wrapped Him up, and laid Him down in the manger, because there was not a place for them in the guest-chamber.
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 the same region, lodging in the field and keeping the night-watches over their flock,
In that same countryside were shepherds out in the open fields, watching their flocks that night,
9 and behold, a messenger of the LORD stood over them, and the glory of the LORD shone around them, and they feared [with] a great fear.
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 messenger said to them, “Do not fear, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that 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 because today in the city of David a Savior was born to you, who 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 [is] the sign to you: you will find a Baby wrapped up, lying in the manger.”
And this will be the sign for you. You will find the infant swathed, and lying in a manger.”
13 And suddenly there came with the messenger 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 to God, and on earth peace, among men—good will!”
“glory to God on high, and on earth peace among those in whom he finds pleasure.”
15 And it came to pass, when the messengers were gone away from them to the heavens, that the men, the shepherds, said to one another, “We may indeed go over to Beth-Lehem and see this thing that has come to pass, 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 And they came, having hurried, and found 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 made known abroad concerning the saying spoken to them concerning the 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] wondered concerning the things spoken to them by the shepherds;
All who heard the shepherds were astonished at their story,
19 and Mary was preserving all these things, pondering [them] in her heart;
while Mary treasured in her heart all that they said, and thought about it often.
20 and the shepherds turned back, glorifying and praising God for all those things they heard and saw, as it was spoken to 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 to circumcise the Child, then was His Name called Jesus, having been so called by the messenger before His being 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 were fulfilled, according to the Law of Moses, they brought Him up to Jerusalem, to present 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 has been written in the Law of the LORD: “Every male opening a womb will 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 give a sacrifice, according to that said 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 in Jerusalem whose name [is] Simeon, and this man is righteous and devout, looking for the comforting of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on 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 has been divinely told him by the Holy Spirit—not to see death before he may see the Christ 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 in the Spirit into the temple, and in the parents bringing in the child Jesus, for their doing according to the custom of the Law regarding 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 then he took Him in his arms, and blessed God, and he said,
Simeon himself took the child in his arms, and blessed God, and said:
29 “Now You send Your servant away, O LORD, according to Your word, in peace,
“Now, Lord, you will let your servant go, according to your word, in peace,
30 because my eyes saw Your salvation,
for my eyes have seen the salvation
31 which You prepared before the face of all the peoples,
which you have prepared in the sight of all nations –
32 a light to the uncovering of nations, 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 wondering 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 His mother Mary, “Behold, this [One] is set for the falling and rising again of many in Israel, and for a sign 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 (and also a sword will pass through your own soul)—that the reasonings 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 Anna, a prophetess, daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher, she was much advanced in days, 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 she [is] a widow of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, serving with fasts and supplications, 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, at that hour, having come in, was confessing, likewise, to the LORD, and was speaking concerning Him to all those looking 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 completed all things according to the Law of the LORD, they turned back to Galilee, to their city of 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 was strengthened in spirit, being filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on Him.
The child grew and became strong and wise, and the blessing of God was on him.
41 And His parents were going yearly to Jerusalem, at the Celebration of the Passover,
Every year the child’s parents used to go to Jerusalem at the Passover Festival.
42 and when He became twelve years old, they having gone up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the celebration,
When Jesus was twelve years old, they went according to custom to Jerusalem,
43 and having finished the days, in their returning the child Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem, and Joseph and His mother did not know,
and had finished their visit; but, when they started to return, the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem, without their knowing it.
44 and having supposed Him to be in the company, they went a day’s journey, and were seeking Him among the relatives and among the 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 having not found Him, they turned back 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, after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both hearing them and questioning them,
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 those hearing Him were astonished at His understanding and answers.
All who listened to him marveled at his intelligence and his answers.
48 And having seen Him, they were amazed, and His mother said to Him, “Child, why did You do this to us? Behold, Your father and I, sorrowing, were seeking You.”
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 to them, “Why [is it] that you were seeking Me? Did you not know that it is necessary for Me to be in the things of My Father?”
“What made you search for me?” he answered. “Didn’t you know that I must be in my Father’s house?”
50 And they did not understand the saying that He spoke to them,
His parents did not understand what he meant.
51 and He went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and He was subject to them, and His mother was keeping 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 was advancing in wisdom, and in 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.
