Luke 2
1 About that time an edict was issued by the Emperor Augustus that a census should be taken of the whole Empire.
It came to pass in those days, a decree went out from Augustus Caesar, to enroll all the world.
2 (This was the first census taken while Quirinius was Governor of Syria).
This was the first enrollment, Cyrenius being governor of Syria.
3 And everyone went to his own town to be registered.
And all were going forth to enroll, each one into his own city.
4 Among others Joseph went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Bethlehem, the town of David, in Judea – because he belonged to the family and house of David –
And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city Nazareth, into Judea, into the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David,
5 to be registered with Mary, his engaged wife, who was about to become a mother.
to enroll himself along with Mary, the wife having been betrothed to him, being in an advanced state of pregnancy.
6 While they were there her time came,
And it came to pass while they were there the days of her parturition were fulfilled.
7 and she gave birth to her first child, a son. And because there was no room for them in the inn, she swathed him around and laid him in a manger.
And she brought forth her firstborn son, and she wrapped Him in swaddling clothes and laid Him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
8 In that same countryside were shepherds out in the open fields, watching their flocks that night,
And the shepherds were in that country, tenting out and keeping guard over their flock by night.
9 when an angel of the Lord suddenly stood by them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were seized with fear.
And behold an angel of the Lord stood over them and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they feared with great fear.
10 “Have no fear,” the angel said. “For I bring you good news of a great joy in store for all the nation.
And the angel said to them; Fear not; for behold, I preach unto you the gospel of great joy, which shall be to all people;
11 This day there has been born to you, in the town of David, a Savior, who is Christ and Lord.
because this day a Savior is born unto you, who is Christ the Lord, in the city of David.
12 And this will be the sign for you. You will find the infant swathed, and lying in a manger.”
And this shall be the sign unto you; you shall find an infant lying in a manger, wrapped in swaddling clothes.
13 Then suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly Host, praising God, and singing –
And immediately a multitude of the heavenly host was with the angel, praising God and saying;
14 “glory to God on high, and on earth peace among those in whom he finds pleasure.”
Glory to God in the highest, and peace on earth; good will among men.
15 Now, when the angels had left them and gone back to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go at once to Bethlehem, and see this thing that has happened, of which the Lord has told us.”
And it came to pass, when the angels departed from them into heaven, indeed, the shepherds said to one another; Now let us go unto Bethlehem and see this word which has taken place, which the Lord made known to us.
16 So they went quickly, and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in a manger;
They went making haste, and found both Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger.
17 and, when they saw it, they told of all that had been said to them about this child.
And seeing, they made known concerning the word which was spoken to them about this little child.
18 All who heard the shepherds were astonished at their story,
And all hearing wondered concerning the things which were spoken to them by the shepherds.
19 while Mary treasured in her heart all that they said, and thought about it often.
And Mary kept all these words laying them up in her heart.
20 And the shepherds went back, giving glory and praise to God for all that they had heard and seen. It had all happened as they had been told.
And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God, for all things which they heard and saw, as it was spoken to them.
21 Eight days after the birth of the child, when it was time to circumcise him, he received the name Jesus – the name given him by the angel before his conception.
And when the eight days of circumcising Him were fulfilled, and His name was called Jesus, having been called by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.
22 When the period of purification of mother and child, required by the Law of Moses, came to an end, his parents took the child up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord,
And when the days of their purification were fulfilled, according to the law of Moses, they carried him up into Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord,
23 in compliance with the Law of the Lord that every firstborn male will be dedicated to the Lord,
as it was written in the law of the Lord; That every male opening the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;
24 and also to offer the sacrifice required by the Law of the Lord – a pair of turtle-doves or two young pigeons.
and to offer a sacrifice according to that which has been written in the law of the Lord, a pair of turtle-doves, or two young pigeons.
25 There was at that time in Jerusalem a man named Simeon, a righteous and devout man, who lived in constant expectation of Israel’s consulation, and under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and the same man was righteous and godly, awaiting the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him;
26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not die until he had seen the Lord’s Christ.
and it was revealed unto him by the Holy Spirit, that he should not see death before he may see the Christ of the Lord.
27 Moved by the Spirit, Simeon came into the Temple Courts, and, when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the Law,
And he came in the Spirit into the temple; and while the parents are bringing in the little child Jesus, that they may do according to the provisions of law concerning Him,
28 Simeon himself took the child in his arms, and blessed God, and said:
he received Him into his arms and blessed God and said;
29 “Now, Lord, you will let your servant go, according to your word, in peace,
Now, O Lord, thou art letting thy servant depart, in peace according to thy word;
30 for my eyes have seen the salvation
because mine eyes saw thy salvation,
31 which you have prepared in the sight of all nations –
which thou didst prepare before the face of all peoples;
32 a light to bring light to the Gentiles, and to be the glory of your people Israel.”
a light unto the revelation of the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
33 While the child’s father and mother were wondering at what was said about him,
And His father and His mother were marveling at the words spoken concerning Him.
34 Simeon gave them his blessing, and said to Mary, the child’s mother, “This child is appointed to be the cause of the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign much spoken against –
And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, His mother; Behold, he is appointed unto the fall and rising of many in Israel, and unto a sign which is spoken against;
35 Yes, the sword will pierce your own heart – and so the thoughts in many minds will be disclosed.”
and a sword shall go through thy soul, in order that the reasonings of many hearts may be revealed.
36 There was also a prophet named Hannah, a daughter of Phanuel and of the tribe of Asher. She was far advanced in years, having lived with her husband for seven years after marriage,
And Anna was a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel of the tribe of Asher, herself being advanced in many days, having lived with her husband seven years from her virginity;
37 and then a widow, until she had reached the age of eighty-four. She never left the Temple Courts, but, fasting and praying, worshiped God night and day.
and she a widow of about fourscore years, who did not depart from the temple, worshiping night and day with fastings and prayers.
38 At that moment she came up, and began publicly to thank God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the deliverance of Jerusalem.
And she, at the same hour, standing up continued to praise the Lord, and speak concerning Him to all those awaiting the redemption in Jerusalem.
39 When the child’s parents had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth.
And when they finished all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee into their own city Nazareth.
40 The child grew and became strong and wise, and the blessing of God was on him.
And the child continued to grow and waxed strong in spirit, being full of wisdom; and the grace of God was on Him.
41 Every year the child’s parents used to go to Jerusalem at the Passover Festival.
And His parents were going, according to custom, into Jerusalem at the feast of the passover.
42 When Jesus was twelve years old, they went according to custom to Jerusalem,
And when He was twelve years old, they going up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast,
43 and had finished their visit; but, when they started to return, the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem, without their knowing it.
and having completed the days, while they were returning the boy Jesus remained in Jerusalem. And His parents knew it not.
44 Thinking that he was with their fellow travelers, they went one day’s journey before searching for him among their relatives and acquaintances;
And thinking that He is in the crowd, they came a day's journey, and were seeking Him among His relatives and acquaintances.
45 and then, as they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching everywhere for him.
And not having found Him; they returned to Jerusalem seeking Him.
46 It was not until the third day that they found him in the Temple Courts, sitting among the teachers, now listening to them, now asking them questions.
And it came to pass, after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both hearing them and asking them questions.
47 All who listened to him marveled at his intelligence and his answers.
And all hearing Him were astonished at His wisdom and answers.
48 His parents were amazed when they saw him, and his mother said to him, “My child, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been searching for you in great distress.”
And seeing Him they were astonished, and His mother said to Him; Child, why did you thus do unto us? Behold, thy father and I were seeking thee, sorrowful.
49 “What made you search for me?” he answered. “Didn’t you know that I must be in my Father’s house?”
And He said to them, Why were you seeking after me? Did you not know that it behooved me to be in the affairs of my Father?
50 His parents did not understand what he meant.
And they did not understand the word which He spoke unto them.
51 However he went down with them to Nazareth, and submitted himself to their control; and his mother treasured all that was said in her heart.
And He went down with them and came to Nazareth; and was subject unto them. And His mother continued to keep all these words in her heart.
52 And Jesus grew in wisdom as he grew in years, and gained the blessing of God and people.
And Jesus continued to grow in wisdom and stature and favor with God and men.
