2
1 Now
in those days,
a decree went
out from
Caesar Augustus that
all the world
should be enrolled.
2 This
was the
first enrollment made
when Quirinius was
governor of Syria.
3 All
went to enroll
themselves, everyone
to his own
city.
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,
5 to enroll
himself with Mary,
who was pledged to
be married to him
as wife, being pregnant.
6 While
they were there,
the day had
come for her
to give birth.
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.
8 There
were shepherds in
the same
country staying in
the field, and
keeping watch by
night over their
flock.
9 Behold,
an angel of the
Lord stood by
them, and the
glory of the
Lord shone around
them, and they
were terrified.
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.
11 For
there is born
to you today,
in David’s
city, a Savior,
who 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.”
13 Suddenly,
there was with
the angel a
multitude of the
heavenly army praising
God and saying,
14 “Glory
to God in
the highest,
on earth peace,
good will toward
men.”
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.”
16 They
came with haste
and found both
Mary and Joseph,
and the baby
was lying in
the feeding trough.
17 When
they saw it,
they publicized widely the
saying which was
spoken to them
about this child.
18 All
who heard it
wondered at the
things which were
spoken to them
by the shepherds.
19 But
Mary kept all
these sayings,
pondering 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.
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.
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
23 (as
it is written
in the law
of the Lord, “Every
male who opens the
womb shall be
called holy 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.”
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.
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.
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,
28 then
he received him
into his arms and
blessed God, and
said,
29 “Now
you are releasing
your servant,
Master,
according to your
word, in peace;
30 for
my eyes have
seen your
salvation,
31 which
you have prepared
before the face
of all peoples;
32 a
light for revelation
to the nations,
and the glory
of your people
Israel.”
33 Joseph and
his mother were
marveling at the
things which were
spoken concerning
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.
35 Yes,
a sword will
pierce through
your own soul,
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,
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.
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.
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.
40 The
child was growing,
and was becoming
strong in spirit,
being filled with
wisdom, and the
grace of God
was upon him.
41 His
parents went every
year to Jerusalem
at the feast
of the Passover.
42 When
he was twelve
years old, they
went up
to Jerusalem according
to the custom
of 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,
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.
45 When
they didn’t find
him, they returned
to Jerusalem,
looking for him.
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.
47 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.”
49 He
said to them,
“Why were you
looking for me?
Didn’t you know
that I must
be in my
Father’s house?”
50 They didn’t
understand the
saying which he
spoke to them.
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.
52 And
Jesus increased in
wisdom and stature,
and in favor
with God and
men.