Luke 2
1 And it came to pass, that in those days there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that the whole world should be enrolled.
It was the time when Caesar Augustus issued a decree that there should be a census of everyone in the Roman Empire.
2 This enrolling was first made by Cyrinus, the governor of Syria.
This was the first census under governor Quirinius of Syria.
3 And all went to be enrolled, every one into his own city.
So everybody went to their own city to be registered.
4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of 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,
Joseph was descended from King David, so he left Nazareth in Galilee to go to Bethlehem, the city of David, in Judea.
5 To be enrolled with Mary his espoused wife, who was with child.
He went to register there, together with Mary, who was pledged in marriage to him and expecting a baby.
6 And it came to pass, that when they were there, her days were accomplished, that she should be delivered.
While they were there, the time came for her to have her baby.
7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him up in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him up in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger because the inn had no rooms left.
8 And there were in the same country shepherds watching, and keeping the night watches over their flock.
Nearby some shepherds were spending the night out in the fields, keeping watch over their flocks.
9 And behold an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the brightness of God shone round about them; and they feared with a great fear.
An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone all around them. They were scared out of their wits!
10 And the angel said to them: Fear not; for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, that shall be to all the people:
“Don't be afraid!” the angel told them. “I'm here to bring you good news that will make the all the people really glad.
11 For, this day, is born to you a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord, in the city of David.
The Savior has been born to you today, here in David's city. He is the Messiah, the Lord.
12 And this shall be a sign unto you. You shall find the infant wrapped in swaddling clothes, and laid in a manger.
You will recognize him by this sign: you will find the child wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in a manger.”
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly army, praising God, and saying:
Suddenly many heavenly beings appeared, praising God, saying,
14 Glory to God in the highest; and on earth peace to men of good will.
“Glory to the God of heaven, and on earth peace to those with whom he is pleased!”
15 And it came to pass, after the angels departed from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another: Let us go over to Bethlehem, and let us see this word that is come to pass, which the Lord hath shewed to us.
After the angels had left them and returned to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let's go to Bethlehem and see what's happened concerning these things the Lord has told us about.”
16 And they came with haste; and they found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger.
They hurried there and found Mary, Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.
17 And seeing, they understood of the word that had been spoken to them concerning this child.
After they'd seen for themselves, they spread the news of what had happened and what they had been told about this baby.
18 And all that heard, wondered; and at those things that were told them by the shepherds.
All those who heard about it were amazed at what the shepherds told them.
19 But Mary kept all these words, pondering them in her heart.
But Mary was careful to remember all the things that had happened and often thought about them.
20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God, for all the things they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
The shepherds went back to watching their flocks, glorifying and thanking God for all that they'd heard and seen, for it was just as they'd been told.
21 And after eight days were accomplished, that the child should be circumcised, his name was called JESUS, which was called by the angel, before he was conceived in the womb.
After eight days, the time came for the baby to be circumcised, and he was named Jesus. This was the name given to him by the angel before he had even been conceived.
22 And after the days of her purification, according to the law of Moses, were accomplished, they carried him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord:
When the time of their purification according to the law of Moses was finished, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord,
23 As it is written in the law of the Lord: Every male opening the womb shall be called holy to the Lord:
as the law of the Lord states, “Every firstborn son must be dedicated to the Lord.”
24 And to offer a sacrifice, according as it is written in the law of the Lord, a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons:
There they made a sacrifice, as God's law also states, of “a pair of turtle doves or two young pigeons.”
25 And behold there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Ghost was in him.
Living in Jerusalem at that time was a man called Simeon. Simeon did what was good and was very devout. He was waiting expectantly for the hope of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.
26 And he had received an answer from the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Christ of the Lord.
The Holy Spirit had shown him that he would not die before he saw the Lord's Messiah.
27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when his parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the law,
Following the Spirit's leading, he went to the Temple. When Jesus' parents brought in the little boy to be dedicated as required by the Law,
28 He also took him into his arms, and blessed God, and said:
Simeon took Jesus in his arms, thanked God, and said,
29 Now thou dost dismiss thy servant, O Lord, according to thy word in peace;
“Lord and Master, now you can let your servant die in peace as you promised,
30 Because my eyes have seen thy salvation,
because I have seen for myself your salvation
31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples:
which you have prepared for everyone.
32 A light to the revelation of the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
He is a light that will show you to the nations, the glory of your people Israel.”
33 And his father and mother were wondering at those things which were spoken concerning him.
Jesus' father and mother were shocked at what Simeon said about him.
34 And Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary his mother: Behold this child is set for the fall, and for the resurrection of many in Israel, and for a sign which shall be contradicted;
Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Jesus' mother Mary, “This child is destined to cause many in Israel to fall and many to rise. He is a sign from God that many will reject,
35 And thy own soul a sword shall pierce, that, out of many hearts, thoughts may be revealed.
revealing what they really think. For you it will feel like a sword piercing right though you.”
36 And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser; she was far advanced in years, and had lived with her husband seven years from her virginity.
Anna the prophetess also lived in Jerusalem. She was the daughter of Phanuel of the tribe of Asher, and she was very old. She had been married for seven years,
37 And she was a widow until fourscore and four years; who departed not from the temple, by fastings and prayers serving night and day.
and then she had been widowed. She was eighty-four years old. She spent her time at the Temple in worship, fasting and praying.
38 Now she, at the same hour, coming in, confessed to the Lord; and spoke of him to all that looked for the redemption of Israel.
She came up to them right at that moment, and began praising God. She spoke about Jesus to all those who were looking forward to the time when God would set Jerusalem free.
39 And after they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their city Nazareth.
Once they had completed everything God's law required, they returned to their home town of Nazareth in Galilee.
40 And the child grew, and waxed strong, full of wisdom; and the grace of God was in him.
The child grew strong, and was very wise. God's blessing was with him.
41 And his parents went every year to Jerusalem, at the solemn day of the pasch,
Jesus' parents traveled to Jerusalem every year for the Passover festival.
42 And when he was twelve years old, they going up into Jerusalem, according to the custom of the feast,
When Jesus was twelve years old, they went to the festival as they always did.
43 And having fulfilled the days, when they returned, the child Jesus remained in Jerusalem; and his parents knew it not.
When the festival had finished and it was time to return home, the boy Jesus remained in Jerusalem, but his parents didn't realize this.
44 And thinking that he was in the company, they came a day’s journey, and sought him among their kinsfolks and acquaintance.
They assumed he was with all the others traveling home. A day passed before they started looking for him among their friends and relatives.
45 And not finding him, they returned into Jerusalem, seeking him.
When they couldn't find him they returned to Jerusalem to look for him there.
46 And it came to pass, that, after three days, they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, hearing them, and asking them questions.
It was three days before they found him in the Temple. He was sitting among the religious teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.
47 And all that heard him were astonished at his wisdom and his answers.
All who heard him speak were surprised by his understanding and his answers.
48 And seeing him, they wondered. And his mother said to him: Son, why hast thou done so to us? behold thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.
His parents were totally confused when they saw what he was doing. His mother asked him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I—we've been worried sick! We've been looking everywhere for you!”
49 And he said to them: How is it that you sought me? did you not know, that I must be about my father’s business?
“Why is it that you were looking for me?” Jesus replied. “Didn't you know I should be here in my Father's house?”
50 And they understood not the word that he spoke unto them.
But they didn't understand what he meant.
51 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them. And his mother kept all these words in her heart.
Then he went back with them to Nazareth, and did what he was told. His mother kept a careful note of everything that happened.
52 And Jesus advanced in wisdom, and age, and grace with God and men.
Jesus grew steadily wiser and stronger, favored both by God and by the people.
