< Luke 2 >

1 Now it happened in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole inhabited world should be enrolled.
And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.
2 This first census took place while Quirinius was governing Syria.
(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
3 So everyone was traveling, each to his own town, to enroll himself.
And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
4 So Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of Natsareth town, into Judea to the city of David, that is called Bethlehem, because he was of David's ‘house’, that is, line of descent,
And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David: )
5 to enroll himself with Mary, the woman who had been betrothed to him, who was pregnant.
To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
6 So it happened that when they got there the days for her to give birth were completed;
And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
7 and she gave birth to her firstborn Son, wrapped Him in pieces of cloth and laid Him in the manger, because there was no room for them in the lodging place.
And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a crib; because there was no room for them in the inn.
8 Now there were shepherds in that same area, staying out in the field and keeping the nightly watches over their flock.
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 When wow, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.
And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10 The angel said to them: “Do not be afraid because listen, I am announcing the most joyful news to you, which will be to all the people!
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 You see, today, in David's city, a Savior was born to you, who is Lord Christ!
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12 And this is the sign to you: you will find a Baby wrapped in pieces of cloth, lying in a manger.”
And this shall be a sign unto you; All of you shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a crib.
13 Suddenly a multitude of the heavenly army was with the angel praising God and saying,
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, good will toward mankind!”
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
15 So when the angels went away from them into the sky the men, the shepherds, said to one another, “Hey, let's go to Bethlehem and see this event that has taken place, that the Lord made known to us!”
And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing (rhema) which has come to pass, which the Lord has made known unto us.
16 So they went in a hurry and located both Mary and Joseph, and the Baby lying in the manger.
And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a crib.
17 And having seen they spread an exact account of the saying that had been spoken to them concerning this Child.
And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying (rhema) which was told them concerning this child.
18 All who heard marveled at the things told them by the shepherds.
And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
19 As for Mary, she treasured all these sayings, pondering them in her heart.
But Mary kept all these things, (rhema) and pondered them in her heart.
20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God over all that they had heard and seen, just as it was told them.
And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
21 When eight days were completed so as to circumcise Him, His name was indeed called JESUS, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.
And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
22 And when the days of their purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they took Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord
And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord;
23 (just as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every male who opens a womb shall be called holy to the Lord”),
(As it is written in the law of the LORD, Every male that opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord; )
24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what was specified in the Lord's Law, “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons”.
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 Well now, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, expectantly waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and Holy Spirit was upon him.
And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Spirit (pneuma) was upon him.
26 (It had been revealed to him repeatedly by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death until he saw the Lord's Messiah.)
And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Spirit, (pneuma) that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ.
27 So by the Spirit he came into the temple; and when the parents brought the Child Jesus in, to do concerning Him according to the custom of the law,
And he came by the Spirit (pneuma) into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,
28 Simeon took Him into his arms and blessed God and said:
Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,
29 “Sovereign, now You can release your slave in peace, according to Your word,
Lord, now let you your servant depart in peace, according to your word: (rhema)
30 because my eyes have seen Your salvation,
For mine eyes have seen your salvation,
31 which You have prepared before the face of all peoples:
Which you have prepared before the face of all people;
32 a light for revelation to Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel.”
A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.
33 And Joseph and His mother were marveling at the things being spoken concerning Him.
And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.
34 Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother: “Listen, this One is appointed to bring about the fall and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that is spoken against,
And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against;
35 so that the reasonings of many hearts may be revealed (furthermore, a sword will pass through your own soul also).”
(Yea, a sword shall pierce through your own soul also, ) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.
36 Also there was a prophetess Anna, a daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher—she was of a great age, having lived with a husband seven years from her virginity
And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;
37 and having been a widow for about eighty-four years—who did not depart from the temple, serving God with fastings and petitions night and day.
And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.
38 Well she, having come up at that very moment, started praising the Lord, and kept on speaking of Him to all those in Jerusalem who were looking for redemption.
And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spoke of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.
39 When they had completed everything, according to the law of the Lord, they went back to Galilee, to their own town, Natsareth.
And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.
40 And the Child kept growing and being strengthened in spirit, being filled with wisdom; yes, the grace of God was upon Him.
And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, (pneuma) filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.
41 Now every year His parents would go to Jerusalem to the feast of the Passover;
Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover.
42 so when He was twelve years old they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast.
And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.
43 When they had fulfilled the days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but Joseph and His mother did not know it.
And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it.
44 Supposing Him to be in the caravan, they went a day's journey and then started looking for Him among their relatives and acquaintances.
But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.
45 Not finding Him, they returned to Jerusalem seeking Him.
And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.
46 So it happened that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions.
And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.
47 (All who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers.)
And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.
48 So upon seeing Him they were amazed, and His mother said to Him: “Son, why have you treated us like this? Look, your father and I have been searching for you in distress.”
And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why have you thus dealt with us? behold, your father and I have sought you sorrowing.
49 So He said to them: “Why were you seeking me? Didn't you know that I must be about my Father's concerns?”
And he said unto them, How is it that all of you sought me? know all of you not that I must be about my Father's business?
50 But they did not understand the statement that He made to them.
And they understood not the saying (rhema) which he spoke unto them.
51 Then He went down with them and came to Natsareth, and continued subordinating Himself to them; His mother kept all these sayings in her heart.
And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings (rhema) in her heart.
52 And Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.
And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.

< Luke 2 >