< Luke 2 >
1 Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that a census should be taken of the whole empire.
And it happened in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, so that the whole world would be enrolled.
2 This was the first census to take place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.
This was the first enrollment; it was made by the ruler of Syria, Quirinius.
3 And everyone went to his own town to register.
And all went to be declared, each one to his own city.
4 So Joseph also went up from Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, since he was from the house and line of David.
Then Joseph also ascended from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David,
5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to him in marriage and was expecting a child.
in order to be declared, with Mary his espoused wife, who was with child.
6 While they were there, the time came for her Child to be born.
Then it happened that, while they were there, the days were completed, so that she would give birth.
7 And she gave birth to her firstborn, a Son. She wrapped Him in swaddling cloths and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
And she brought forth her firstborn son. And she wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them at the inn.
8 And there were shepherds residing in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks by night.
And there were shepherds in the same region, being vigilant and keeping watch in the night over their flock.
9 Just then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.
And behold, an Angel of the Lord stood near them, and the brightness of God shone around them, and they were struck with a great fear.
10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid! For behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people:
And the Angel said to them: “Do not be afraid. For, behold, I proclaim to you a great joy, which will be for all the people.
11 Today in the city of David a Savior has been born to you. He is Christ the Lord!
For today a Savior has been born for you in the city of David: he is Christ the Lord.
12 And this will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”
And this will be a sign for you: you will find the infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.”
13 And suddenly there appeared with the angel a great multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying:
And suddenly there was with the Angel a multitude of the celestial army, praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests!”
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men of good will.”
15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”
And it happened that, when the Angels had departed from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us cross over to Bethlehem and see this word, which has happened, which the Lord has revealed to us.”
16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph and the Baby, who was lying in the manger.
And they went quickly. And they found Mary and Joseph; and the infant was lying in a manger.
17 After they had seen the Child, they spread the message they had received about Him.
Then, upon seeing this, they understood the word that had been spoken to them about this boy.
18 And all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.
And all who heard it were amazed by this, and by those things which were told to them by the shepherds.
19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.
But Mary kept all these words, pondering them in her heart.
20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, which was just as the angel had told them.
And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, just as it was told to them.
21 When the eight days until His circumcision had passed, He was named Jesus, the name the angel had given Him before He had been conceived.
And after eight days were ended, so that the boy would be circumcised, his name was called JESUS, just as he was called by the Angel before he was conceived in the womb.
22 And when the time of purification according to the Law of Moses was complete, His parents brought Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord
And after the days of her purification were fulfilled, according to the law of Moses, they brought him to Jerusalem, in order to present him to the Lord,
23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord: “Every firstborn male shall be consecrated to the Lord”),
just as it is written in the law of the Lord, “For every male opening the womb shall be called holy to the Lord,”
24 and to offer the sacrifice specified in the Law of the Lord: “A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”
and in order to offer a sacrifice, according to what is said in the law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”
25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.
And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and God-fearing, awaiting the consolation of Israel. And the Holy Spirit was with him.
26 The Holy Spirit had revealed to him that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.
And he had received an answer from the Holy Spirit: that he would not see his own death before he had seen the Christ of the Lord.
27 Led by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. And when the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for Him what was customary under the Law,
And he went with the Spirit to the temple. And when the child Jesus was brought in by his parents, in order to act on his behalf according to the custom of the law,
28 Simeon took Him in his arms and blessed God, saying:
he also took him up, into his arms, and he blessed God and said:
29 “Sovereign Lord, as You have promised, You now dismiss Your servant in peace.
“Now you may dismiss your servant in peace, O 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 in the sight of all people,
which you have prepared before the face of all peoples:
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to Your people Israel.”
the light of revelation to the nations and the glory of your people Israel.”
33 The Child’s father and mother were amazed at what was spoken about Him.
And his father and mother were wondering over these things, which were spoken about him.
34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to His mother Mary: “Behold, this Child is appointed to cause the rise and fall of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against,
And Simeon blessed them, and he said to his mother Mary: “Behold, this one has been set for the ruin and for the resurrection of many in Israel, and as a sign which will be contradicted.
35 so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed— and a sword will pierce your soul as well.”
And a sword will pass through your own soul, so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
36 There was also a prophetess named Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher, who was well along in years. She had been married for seven years,
And there was a prophetess, Anna, a daughter of Phanuel, from the tribe of Asher. She was very advanced in years, and she had lived with her husband for seven years from her virginity.
37 and then was a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying.
And then she was a widow, even to her eighty-fourth year. And without departing from the temple, she was a servant to fasting and prayer, night and day.
38 Coming forward at that moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the Child to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.
And entering at the same hour, she confessed to the Lord. And she spoke about him to all who were awaiting the redemption of Israel.
39 When Jesus’ parents had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth.
And after they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their city, Nazareth.
40 And the Child grew and became strong. He was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon Him.
Now the child grew, and he was strengthened with the fullness of wisdom. And the grace of God was in him.
41 Every year His parents went to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover.
And his parents went every year to Jerusalem, at the time of the solemnity of Passover.
42 And when He was twelve years old, they went up according to the custom of the Feast.
And when he had become twelve years old, they ascended to Jerusalem, according to the custom of the feast day.
43 When those days were over and they were returning home, the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem, but His parents were unaware He had stayed.
And having completed the days, when they returned, the boy Jesus remained in Jerusalem. And his parents did not realize this.
44 Assuming He was in their company, they traveled on for a day before they began to look for Him among their relatives and friends.
But, supposing that he was in the company, they went a day’s journey, seeking him among their relatives and acquaintances.
45 When they could not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for Him.
And not finding him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking him.
46 Finally, after three days they found Him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.
And it happened that, after three days, they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, listening to them and questioning them.
47 And all who heard Him were astounded at His understanding and His answers.
But all who listened to him were astonished over his prudence and his responses.
48 When His parents saw Him, they were astonished. “Child, why have You done this to us?” His mother asked. “Your father and I have been anxiously searching for You.”
And upon seeing him, they wondered. And his mother said to him: “Son, why have you acted this way toward us? Behold, your father and I were seeking you in sorrow.”
49 “Why were you looking for Me?” He asked. “Did you not know that I had to be in My Father’s house?”
And he said to them: “How is it that you were seeking me? For did you not know that it is necessary for me to be in these things which are of my Father?”
50 But they did not understand the statement He was making to them.
And they did not understand the word that he spoke to them.
51 Then He went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But His mother treasured up all these things in her heart.
And he descended with them and went to Nazareth. And he was subordinate to them. And his mother kept all these words in her heart.
52 And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.
And Jesus advanced in wisdom, and in age, and in grace, with God and men.