Luke 2
1 Now in those days, a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be enrolled.
Now in those days, it came about that Caesar Augustus sent out a decree ordering that a census be taken of all the people living in the world.
2 This was the first enrollment made when Quirinius was governor of Syria.
This was the first census made while Quirinius was governor of Syria.
3 All went to enroll themselves, everyone to his own city.
So everyone went to his own city to be registered for the census.
4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to David’s city, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David,
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 line of David.
5 to enroll himself with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him as wife, being pregnant.
He went there to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him and was pregnant.
6 While they were there, the day had come for her to give birth.
Now it came about that while they were there, the time came for her to deliver her baby.
7 She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in bands of cloth and laid him in a feeding trough, because there was no room for them in the inn.
She gave birth to a son, her firstborn child, and she wrapped him in long strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
8 There were shepherds in the same country staying in the field, and keeping watch by night over their flock.
There were shepherds in that region who were staying in the fields, guarding their flock at night.
9 Behold, an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.
An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear.
10 The angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be to all the people.
Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, because I bring you the good news that will bring great joy to all the people.
11 For there is born to you today, in David’s city, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
Today a savior was born for you in the city of David! He is Christ the Lord!
12 This is the sign to you: you will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth, lying in a feeding trough.”
This is the sign that will be given to you: You will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly, there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly army praising God and saying,
Suddenly there was together with the angel a great, heavenly army praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest, on earth peace, good will toward men.”
“Glory to God in the highest, and may there be peace on earth among people with whom he is pleased.”
15 When the angels went away from them into the sky, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem, now, and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”
It came about that when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let us now go to Bethlehem, and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”
16 They came with haste and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby was lying in the feeding trough.
They hurried there and found Mary and Joseph, and saw the baby lying in the manger.
17 When they saw it, they publicized widely the saying which was spoken to them about this child.
After they had seen him, they made known what had been said to them about this child.
18 All who heard it wondered at the things which were spoken to them by the shepherds.
All who heard it were amazed at what was spoken to them by the shepherds.
19 But Mary kept all these sayings, pondering them in her heart.
But Mary kept thinking about all the things she had heard, treasuring them in her heart.
20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, just as it was told them.
The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for everything that they had heard and seen, just as it had been spoken to them.
21 When eight days were fulfilled for the circumcision of the child, his name was called Jesus, which was given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
When it was the end of the eighth day, when he was circumcised, he was named Jesus, the name he had been given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
22 When the days of their purification according to the law of Moses were fulfilled, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord
When the required number of days for their purification had passed, according to the law of Moses, Joseph and Mary brought him up to the temple in Jerusalem to present him to the Lord.
23 (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”),
As it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every male who opens the womb will be set apart 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.”
So they offered a sacrifice according to what was said in the law of the Lord, “a pair of doves or two young pigeons.”
25 Behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him.
Behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout. He was looking for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.
26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit 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 would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ.
27 He came in the Spirit into the temple. When the parents brought in the child, Jesus, that they might do concerning him according to the custom of the law,
Led by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple. When the parents brought in the infant Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the law,
28 then he received him into his arms and blessed God, and said,
he took him into his arms and praised God and he said,
29 “Now you are releasing your servant, Master, according to your word, in peace;
“Now let your servant depart in peace, Lord, according to your word.
30 for my eyes have seen your salvation,
For my eyes have seen your salvation,
31 which you have prepared before the face of all peoples;
which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples:
32 a light for revelation to the nations, and the glory of your people Israel.”
A light for revelation to the Gentiles and glory to your people Israel.”
33 Joseph and his mother were marveling at the things which were spoken concerning him.
His father and mother were amazed at what was said about him.
34 Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary, his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which is spoken against.
Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the downfall and rising up of many people in Israel and for a sign that is rejected—
35 Yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul, that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
and a sword will pierce your own soul—so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
36 There was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher (she was of a great age, having lived with a husband seven years from her virginity,
A prophetess named Anna was there. She was the daughter of Phanuel from the tribe of Asher. She was very old. She had lived with her husband for seven years after her virginity,
37 and she had been a widow for about eighty-four years), who didn’t depart from the temple, worshiping with fastings and petitions night and day.
and was a widow for eighty-four years. She never left the temple but was serving with fastings and prayers, night and day.
38 Coming up at that very hour, she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of him to all those who were looking for redemption in Jerusalem.
At that very hour she came near to them and began giving thanks to God and she spoke about the child to everyone who had been waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.
39 When they had accomplished all things that were according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth.
When they had finished everything they were required to do according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth.
40 The child was growing, and was becoming strong in spirit, being filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him.
The child grew and became strong, increasing in wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him.
41 His parents went every year to Jerusalem at the feast of the Passover.
His parents went every year to Jerusalem for the Festival of the Passover.
42 When he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast;
When he was twelve years old, they again went up at the customary time for the feast.
43 and when they had fulfilled the days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. Joseph and his mother didn’t know it,
After they had stayed the full number of days for the feast, they began to return home. But the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem and his parents did not know it.
44 but supposing him to be in the company, they went a day’s journey; and they looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances.
They assumed that he was with the group that was traveling with them, so they traveled a day's journey. Then they started looking for him among their relatives and friends.
45 When they didn’t find him, they returned to Jerusalem, looking for him.
When they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem and started looking for him there.
46 After three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the middle of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions.
It came about that after three days, they found him in the temple, sitting in the middle of the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.
47 All who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.
All who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.
48 When they saw him, they were astonished; and his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us this way? Behold, your father and I were anxiously looking for you.”
When they saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us this way? Listen, your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.”
49 He said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Didn’t you know that I must be in my Father’s house?”
He said to them, “Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I had to be about my Father's business?
50 They didn’t understand the saying which he spoke to them.
But they did not understand what he meant by those words.
51 And he went down with them and came to Nazareth. He was subject to them, and his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.
Then he went back home with them to Nazareth and was obedient to them. His mother treasured all these things in her heart.
52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.
But Jesus continued to grow in wisdom and stature, and increased in favor with God and people.
