< Luke 2 >
1 About that time, Cesar Augustus issued an edict, that all the inhabitants of the empire should be registered.
2 (This first register took effect, when Cyrenius was president of Syria.)
3 When all went to be registered, every one of his own city,
4 Joseph also went from Nazareth, a city of Galilee, to a city of David in Judea, called Bethlehem, (for he was of the house and lineage of David, )
5 to be registered, with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was pregnant.
6 While they were there, the time came, that she should be delivered.
7 And she brought forth her first born son, and swathed him, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the house allotted to strangers.
8 Now there were shepherds in the fields in that country, who tended their flocks by turns through the night watches.
9 On a sudden, an angel of the Lord stood by them, and a divine glory encompassed them with light, and they were frightened exceedingly.
10 But the angel said to them, Fear not; for lo! I bring you good tidings, which shall prove matter of great joy to all the people;
11 because to-day is born to you in the city of David, a Saviour, who is the Lord Messiah.
12 And by this you shall know him; you shall find a babe in swaddling bands, lying in a manger.
13 Instantly the angel was attended by a multitude of the heavenly host, who praised God, saying,
14 Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace, and good will amongst men!
15 And when the angels returned to heaven, having left the shepherds, these said to one another, Let us go to Bethlehem, and see this which has happened, of which the Lord has informed us.
16 And hastening thither, they found Mary and Joseph with the babe, who lay in the manger.
17 When they saw this, they published what had been imparted to them, concerning this child.
18 And all who heard it, wondered at the things told them by the shepherds.
19 But Mary let none of these things escape unobserved, weighing every circumstance within herself.
20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God, for all that they had heard and seen, agreeably to what had been declared to them.
21 On the eighth day, when the child was circumcised, they called him Jesus, the angel having given him that name, before his mother conceived him.
22 And when the time of their purification was expired, they carried him to Jerusalem, as the law of Moses appoints, to present him to the Lord;
23 (as it is written in the law of God, "Every male, who is the first born of his mother, is consecrated to the Lord:")
24 and to offer the sacrifices enjoined in the law, a pair of turtle doves, or two young pigeons.
25 Now there was at Jerusalem a man named Simeon, a just and religious man, who expected the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him,
26 and had revealed to him, that he should not dies, until he had seen the Lord's Messiah.
27 This man came, guided by the Spirit, into the temple. And when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what the law required,
28 he took him into his arms, and blessed God, and said,
29 Now, Lord, thou dost in peace dismiss thy servant, according to thy word;
30 for my eyes have seen the Saviour,
31 whom thou hast provided in the sight of all the world,
32 a luminary to enlighten the nations, and to be the glory of Israel thy people.
33 And Joseph, and the mother of Jesus heard, with admiration, the things spoken concerning him.
34 And Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary his mother, This child is destined for the fall and the rise of many in Israel, to serve as a mark for contradiction;
35 (yes, you own soul shall be pierced as with a javelin; ) that the thoughts of many hearts may be disclosed.
36 There was also a prophetess, Anna, daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher, in advanced age, who had lived seven years with a husband, whom she married when a virgin;
37 and being now a widow about eighty-four years, departed not from the temple, but served God in prayer and fasting night and day;
38 she also coming in at that instant, gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke concerning Jesus to all those in Jerusalem who expected redemption.
39 After they had performed everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.
40 And the child grew, and acquired strength of mind, being filled with wisdom, and adorned with a divine gracefulness.
41 Now, the parents of Jesus went yearly to Jerusalem at the feast of the passover.
42 And when he was twelve years old, they having gone thither, according to the usage of the festival, and remained the customary time;
43 being on their return, the child Jesus staid behind in Jerusalem, and neither Joseph nor his mother knew it.
44 They supposing him to be in the company, went a day's journey, and then sought him among their relations and acquaintances;
45 but not finding him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking him.
46 And after three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.
47 And all who heard him, were amazed at his understanding and answers,
48 and they beheld him with astonishment. And his mother said to him, Son, why have you treated us thus? Behold, your father and I have sought you with sorrow.
49 He answered, Why did you seek me? Did you not know that I must be in the courts of my Father?
50 But they did not comprehend his answer.
51 And he returned with them to Nazareth, and was subject to them. And his mother treasured up all these things in her memory.
52 And Jesus advanced in wisdom, and stature, and in power with God and man.
