< Luke 2 >
1 But it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census should be made of all the habitable world.
Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that a census should be taken of the whole empire.
2 The census itself first took place when Cyrenius had the government of Syria.
This was the first census to take place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.
3 And all went to be inscribed in the census roll, each to his own city:
And everyone went to his own town to register.
4 and Joseph also went up from Galilee out of the city Nazareth to Judaea, to David's city, the which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David,
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.
5 to be inscribed in the census roll with Mary who was betrothed to him [as his] wife, she being great with child.
He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to him in marriage and was expecting a child.
6 And it came to pass, while they were there, the days of her giving birth [to her child] were fulfilled,
While they were there, the time came for her Child to be born.
7 and she brought forth her first-born son, and wrapped him up in swaddling-clothes and laid him in the manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
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.
8 And there were shepherds in that country abiding without, and keeping watch by night over their flock.
And there were shepherds residing in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks by night.
9 And lo, an angel of [the] Lord was there by them, and [the] glory of [the] Lord shone around them, and they feared [with] great fear.
Just then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.
10 And the angel said to them, Fear not, for behold, I announce to you glad tidings of great joy, which shall be to all the people;
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:
11 for to-day a Saviour has been born to you in David's city, who is Christ [the] Lord.
Today in the city of David a Savior has been born to you. He is Christ the Lord!
12 And this is the sign to you: ye shall find a babe wrapped in swaddling-clothes, and lying in a manger.
And this will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying,
And suddenly there appeared with the angel a great multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying:
14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good pleasure in men.
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests!”
15 And it came to pass, as the angels departed from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, Let us make our way then now as far as Bethlehem, and let us see this thing that is come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.
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.”
16 And they came with haste, and found both Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in the manger;
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph and the Baby, who was lying in the manger.
17 and having seen [it] they made known about the country the thing which had been said to them concerning this child.
After they had seen the Child, they spread the message they had received about Him.
18 And all who heard [it] wondered at the things said to them by the shepherds.
And all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.
19 But Mary kept all these things [in her mind], pondering [them] in her heart.
But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.
20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all things which they had heard and seen, as it had been said to them.
The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, which was just as the angel had told them.
21 And when eight days were fulfilled for circumcising him, his name was called Jesus, which was the name given by the angel before he had been conceived in the womb.
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.
22 And when the days were fulfilled for their purifying according to the law of Moses, they brought him to Jerusalem to present [him] to the Lord
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
23 (as it is written in the law of [the] Lord: Every male that opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord),
(as it is written in the Law of the Lord: “Every firstborn male shall be consecrated to the Lord”),
24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of [the] Lord: A pair of turtle doves, or two young pigeons.
and to offer the sacrifice specified in the Law of the Lord: “A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”
25 And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was just and pious, awaiting the consolation of Israel, and [the] Holy Spirit was upon him.
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.
26 And it was divinely communicated to him by the Holy Spirit, that he should not see death before he should see [the] Lord's Christ.
The Holy Spirit had revealed to him that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.
27 And he came in the Spirit into the temple; and as the parents brought in the child Jesus that they might do for him according to the custom of the law,
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,
28 he received him into his arms, and blessed God, and said,
Simeon took Him in his arms and blessed God, saying:
29 Lord, now thou lettest thy bondman go, according to thy word, in peace;
“Sovereign Lord, as You have promised, You now dismiss Your servant in peace.
30 for mine eyes have seen thy salvation,
For my eyes have seen Your salvation,
31 which thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples;
which You have prepared in the sight of all people,
32 a light for revelation of [the] Gentiles and [the] glory of thy people Israel.
a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to Your people Israel.”
33 And his father and mother wondered at the things which were said concerning him.
The Child’s father and mother were amazed at what was spoken about Him.
34 And Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary his mother, Lo, this [child] is set for the fall and rising up of many in Israel, and for a sign spoken against;
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,
35 (and even a sword shall go through thine own soul; ) so that [the] thoughts may be revealed from many hearts.
so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed— and a sword will pierce your soul as well.”
36 And there was a prophetess, Anna, daughter of Phanuel, of [the] tribe of Asher, who was far advanced in years, having lived with [her] husband seven years from her virginity,
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,
37 and herself a widow up to eighty-four years; who did not depart from the temple, serving night and day with fastings and prayers;
and then was a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying.
38 and she coming up the same hour gave praise to the Lord, and spoke of him to all those who waited for redemption in Jerusalem.
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.
39 And when they had completed all things according to the law of [the] Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own city Nazareth.
When Jesus’ 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 God's grace was upon him.
And the Child grew and became strong. He was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon Him.
41 And his parents went yearly to Jerusalem at the feast of the passover.
Every year His parents went to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover.
42 And when he was twelve years old, and they went up [to Jerusalem] according to the custom of the feast
And when He was twelve years old, they went up according to the custom of the Feast.
43 and had completed the days, as they returned, the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem, and his parents knew not [of it];
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.
44 but, supposing him to be in the company that journeyed together, they went a day's journey, and sought him among their relations and acquaintances:
Assuming He was in their company, they traveled on for a day before they began to look for Him among their relatives and friends.
45 and not having found him they returned to Jerusalem seeking him.
When they could not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for Him.
46 And it came to pass, after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers and hearing them and asking them questions.
Finally, after three days they found Him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.
47 And all who heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.
And all who heard Him were astounded at His understanding and His answers.
48 And when they saw him they were amazed: and his mother said to him, Child, why hast thou dealt thus with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee distressed.
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.”
49 And he said to them, Why [is it] that ye have sought me? did ye not know that I ought to be [occupied] in my Father's business?
“Why were you looking for Me?” He asked. “Did you not know that I had to be in My Father’s house?”
50 And they understood not the thing that he said to them.
But they did not understand the statement He was making to them.
51 And he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and he was in subjection to them. And his mother kept all these things in her heart.
Then He went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But His mother treasured up all these things in her heart.
52 And Jesus advanced in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and men.
And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.