Luke 2
1 It was the time when Caesar Augustus issued a decree that there should be a census of everyone in the Roman Empire.
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 was the first census under governor Quirinius of Syria.
(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
3 So everybody went to their own city to be registered.
And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
4 Joseph was descended from King David, so he left Nazareth in Galilee to go to Bethlehem, the city of David, in Judea.
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 He went to register there, together with Mary, who was pledged in marriage to him and expecting a baby.
To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
6 While they were there, the time came for her to have her baby.
And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
7 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.
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 Nearby some shepherds were spending the night out in the fields, keeping watch over their flocks.
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 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!
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 “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.
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 The Savior has been born to you today, here in David's city. He is the Messiah, the Lord.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12 You will recognize him by this sign: you will find the child wrapped in strips of cloth and 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 many heavenly beings appeared, praising God, saying,
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14 “Glory to the God of heaven, and on earth peace to those with whom he is pleased!”
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
15 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.”
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 They hurried there and found Mary, Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.
And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a crib.
17 After they'd seen for themselves, they spread the news of what had happened and what they had been told about this baby.
And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying (rhema) which was told them concerning this child.
18 All those who heard about it were amazed at what the shepherds told them.
And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
19 But Mary was careful to remember all the things that had happened and often thought about them.
But Mary kept all these things, (rhema) and pondered them in her heart.
20 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.
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 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.
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 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,
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 as the law of the Lord states, “Every firstborn son must be dedicated 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 There they made a sacrifice, as God's law also states, of “a pair of turtle doves 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 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.
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 The Holy Spirit had shown him that he would not die before 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 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,
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 Jesus in his arms, thanked God, and said,
Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,
29 “Lord and Master, now you can let your servant die in peace as you promised,
Lord, now let you your servant depart in peace, according to your word: (rhema)
30 because I have seen for myself your salvation
For mine eyes have seen your salvation,
31 which you have prepared for everyone.
Which you have prepared before the face of all people;
32 He is a light that will show you to the nations, the glory of your people Israel.”
A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.
33 Jesus' father and mother were shocked at what Simeon said about him.
And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.
34 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,
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 revealing what they really think. For you it will feel like a sword piercing right though you.”
(Yea, a sword shall pierce through your own soul also, ) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.
36 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,
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 then she had been widowed. She was eighty-four years old. She spent her time at the Temple in worship, fasting and praying.
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 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.
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 Once they had completed everything God's law required, they returned to their home town of Nazareth in Galilee.
And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.
40 The child grew strong, and was very wise. God's blessing was with him.
And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, (pneuma) filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.
41 Jesus' parents traveled to Jerusalem every year for the Passover festival.
Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover.
42 When Jesus was twelve years old, they went to the festival as they always did.
And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.
43 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.
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 They assumed he was with all the others traveling home. A day passed before they started looking for him among their friends and relatives.
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 When they couldn't find him they returned to Jerusalem to look for him there.
And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.
46 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.
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 speak were surprised by his understanding and his answers.
And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.
48 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!”
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 “Why is it that you were looking for me?” Jesus replied. “Didn't you know I should be here in my Father's house?”
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 didn't understand what he meant.
And they understood not the saying (rhema) which he spoke unto them.
51 Then he went back with them to Nazareth, and did what he was told. His mother kept a careful note of everything that happened.
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 Jesus grew steadily wiser and stronger, favored both by God and by the people.
And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.
