Luke 2
1 Now it came to pass, in those days, that there went forth a decree from Caesar Augustus, for all the inhabited earth to be enrolled:
About that time an edict was issued by the Emperor Augustus that a census should be taken of the whole Empire.
2 this enrolment, first was made while Cyrenius was governor of Syria:
(This was the first census taken while Quirinius was Governor of Syria).
3 and all were journeying to be enrolled, each one unto his own city.
And every one went to his own town to be registered.
4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of a city Nazareth, into Judaea, into the city of David which is called Bethlehem; because he was of the house and family of David:
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 —
5 to enrol himself with Mary who was betrothed to him, she being with child.
To be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was about to become a mother.
6 And it came to pass, while they were there, that the days were fulfilled for her to give birth;
While they were there her time came,
7 and she gave birth to her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
and she gave birth to her first child, a son. And because there was no room for them in the inn, she swathed him round and laid him in a manger.
8 And there were, shepherds, in the same country, dwelling in the fields, and keeping the watches of the night over their flock.
In that same country-side were shepherds out in the open fields, watching their flocks that night,
9 And, a messenger of the Lord, stood over them, and, a glory of the Lord, shone round about them; and they feared, a great fear.
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.
10 And the messenger said unto them—Be not afraid! For lo! I bring you good tidings of a great joy, the which shall be for all the people:
“Have no fear,” the angel said. “For I bring you good news of a great joy in store for all the nation.
11 That there hath been born unto you, this day, a saviour, —Who is Christ the Lord—in the city of David!
This day there has been born to you, in the town of David, a Saviour, who is Christ and Lord.
12 And, this, to you is, a sign: Ye shall find a babe, wrapped in swaddling clothes, and lying in a manger.
And this shall be the sign for you. You will find the infant swathed, and lying in a manger.”
13 And, suddenly, there came to be, with the messenger, the throng of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying—
Then suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly Host, praising God, and singing —
14 Glory, in the highest, unto God! And, on earth, peace, among men of goodwill.
“Glory to God on high, And on earth peace among men in whom he finds pleasure.”
15 And it came to pass, when the messengers had departed from them into heaven, that, the shepherds, began to say one to another—Let us go through forthwith as far as to Bethlehem, and see this thing which hath come to pass, which the Lord hath made known to us.
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.”
16 And they came, with haste, and found both Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in the manger.
So they went quickly, and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in a manger;
17 Now, when they beheld, they made known concerning the thing which had been told them as to this child.
and, when they saw it, they told of all that had been said to them about this child.
18 And, all who heard, marvelled concerning the things which had been told by the shepherds unto them;
All who heard the shepherds were astonished at their story,
19 but, Mary, was closely observing, all, these things, putting them together in her heart.
while Mary treasured up all that they said, and dwelt upon it in her thoughts.
20 And the shepherds returned, giving glory and singing praise unto God, over all things which they had heard and seen, according as it had been told unto them.
And the shepherds went back, giving glory and praise to God for all that they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
21 And, when eight days were fulfilled for circumcising him, then was his name called, Jesus, —which it was called by the messenger, before he was conceived in the womb.
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.
22 And, when the days of their purification, according to the law of Moses, were fulfilled, they took him up into Jerusalem, to present [him] unto the Lord, —
When the period of purification of mother and child, enjoined by the Law of Moses, came to an end, his parents took the child up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord,
23 according as it is written in the law of the Lord—Every male that is a firstborn, Holy unto the Lord, shall be called,
in compliance with the Law of the Lord that ‘every first-born male shall be dedicated to the Lord,’
24 and to give a sacrifice, according to that which is said in the law of the Lord—A pair of turtle-doves, or two young pigeons.
And also to offer the sacrifice enjoined in the Law of the Lord — ‘a pair of turtle-doves or two young pigeons.’
25 And lo! there was, a man, in Jerusalem, whose name, was Symeon; and, this man, was righteous and devout, awaiting the consolation of Israel, and Holy Spirit was upon him;
There was at that time in Jerusalem a man named Simeon, a righteous and devout man, who lived in constant expectation of the Consolation of Israel, and under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
26 and it had been intimated to him by the Holy Spirit, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Christ of the Lord.
It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not die until he had seen the Lord’s Christ.
27 And he came, in the Spirit, into the temple; and, when the parents brought in the child Jesus, that they might do according to that which was customary by the law concerning it,
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,
28 even he, welcomed it into his arms, and blessed God, and said—
Simeon himself took the child in his arms, and blessed God, and said:
29 Now, dost thou dismiss thy servant, O Sovereign, according to thy declaration—in peace;
“Now, Lord, thou wilt let thy servant go, According to thy word, in peace,
30 Because mine eyes have seen thy salvation,
for my eyes have seen the Salvation
31 Which thou hast prepared in face of all the peoples:
Which thou hast prepared in the sight of all nations —
32 A light for the unveiling of nations, and the glory of thy people Israel.
A Light to bring light to the Gentiles, And to be the Glory of thy people Israel.”
33 And his father and mother were marvelling over the things which were being spoken concerning him.
While the child’s father and mother were wondering at what was said about him,
34 And Symeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother—Lo! this one, is being set for the falling and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign to be spoken against;
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 —
35 And, thou! through thy very soul, shall pass a sword, that, reasonings, may be revealed, out of many hearts.
Yes, the sword will pierce your own heart — and so the thoughts in many minds will be disclosed.”
36 And there was one Anna, a prophetess, daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher; —the same, advanced in many days; having lived with a husband seven years from her virginity,
There was also a Prophetess 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,
37 and, she, had been a widow for as long as eighty-four years, —who left not the temple, with fastings and supplications, rendering divine service night and day; —
and then a widow, till she had reached the age of eighty-four. She never left the Temple Courts, but, fasting and praying, worshiped God night and day.
38 and, in that very hour, coming near, she began to give thanks unto God, and to speak concerning him unto all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.
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.
39 And, when they had finished all things that were according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, into their own city, Nazareth.
When the child’s parents had done everything enjoined by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth.
40 And, the child, went on growing, and waxing strong, becoming filled with wisdom; and, the favour of God, was upon it.
The child grew and became strong and wise, and the blessing of God was upon him.
41 And his parents used to journey yearly into Jerusalem, at the feast of the passover.
Every year the child’s parents used to go to Jerusalem at the Passover Festival.
42 And, when he became twelve years, and they went up, according to the custom of the feast,
When Jesus was twelve years old, they went according to custom to Jerusalem,
43 and completed the days, and then were returning, the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem, —and his parents noticed it not;
and had finished their visit; but, when they started to return, the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem, without their knowing it.
44 but, supposing him to be in the company, went a day’s journey, and then began to seek for him among their kinsfolk and acquaintances,
Thinking that he was with their fellow-travellers, they went one day’s journey before searching for him among their relations and acquaintances;
45 and, not finding him, returned unto Jerusalem, seeking him.
and then, as they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching everywhere for him.
46 And it came to pass, that, after three days, they found him in the temple, sitting amidst the teachers, —both hearkening unto them, and questioning them.
It was not till the third day that they found him in the Temple Courts, sitting among the Teachers, now listening to them, now asking them questions.
47 Now all who heard him were beside themselves, because of his understanding and his answers.
All who listened to him marvelled at his intelligence and his answers.
48 And, when they behold him, they were astounded, and his mother said unto him—Child! why, hast thou dealt with us, thus? Lo! thy father and I, in anguish, were seeking thee.
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.”
49 And he said unto them—Why was it that ye were seeking me? Perceived ye not, that, in the courts of my Father, I must needs be?
“What made you search for me?” he answered. “Did not you know that I must be in my Father’s House?”
50 And, they, understood not the thing which he spake to them.
His parents did not understand what he meant.
51 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was submitting himself unto them. And, his mother, was closely observing all these things in her heart.
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.
52 And, Jesus, went on advancing in wisdom, and in stature, and in favour with God and men.
And Jesus grew in wisdom as he grew in years, and ‘gained the blessing of God and men.’
