Luke 2
1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Cesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.
About that time the Emperor Augustus commanded that ([his officials must] write down the names/[a census be taken]) of all the people who lived in countries [controlled] by the Roman [government] {that the Roman [government controlled]}, [so that the government could collect taxes from them].
2 ([And] this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
That was the first time that they (wrote down the names/took a census) in Syria [province, which included Judea district]. They did this while Quirinius was the governor of the province.
3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
Every person had to go to the town where his [most famous ancestor] had lived, so that [the officials] could write down their names.
4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David)
So, because Joseph was a descendant of [King] David, he went up from Nazareth, the town in Galilee [district where he lived], to the town of Bethlehem in Judea [district]. That was the town where [King] David [grew up].
5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
Joseph went with Mary, who [was considered] {whom [people considered]} [to be] his wife, who was now pregnant. They went so that they could put his name and Mary’s name [in the record book].
6 And so it was, that while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
When they arrived [in Bethlehem], there was no place for them to stay in the house where travelers stay. [So they stayed in a cattle shed]. When the time for Mary to give birth arrived, she gave birth to her first son there. She wrapped him in strips of cloth and placed him in a trough where [people] put food for the animals.
7 And she brought forth her first-born son, and wrapped him in swaddling-clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
That night, there were [some] shepherds who were taking care of their sheep [as usual] in the fields near [Bethlehem].
9 And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were in great fear.
An angel from God appeared to them. A great light (from the Lord/from God) shone on them and around them. [So] they became very afraid.
10 And the angel said to them, Fear not: for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people.
But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid! I have come to tell you good news, which will [make you] very happy! This message is for everyone [to hear].
11 For to you is born this day, in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
[The message is that] today a baby has been born in [Bethlehem, the town where King] David grew up. That baby will [eventually] save you [from the guilt of your sins]! He is the Messiah, [your] Lord!
12 And this [shall be] a sign to you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling-clothes, lying in a manger.
I will tell you how [you will recognize him] (OR, how you will know [that what I say is true]): [In Bethlehem] you will find a baby who has been wrapped {[whose mother] has wrapped him} in strips of cloth and placed in a trough where [people] put food for the animals.”
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
Suddenly a large group of angels from heaven appeared and joined the other angel. They all praised God, singing/saying,
14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will towards men.
“May [all the angels] in the highest heaven praise God! And on the earth may the people to whom God has shown his favor have peace [with him]!”
15 And it came to pass, when the angels had departed from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even to Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known to us.
After the angels left them [and returned] to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem to see this [wonderful] thing that has happened, which (the Lord/God) has told us about!”
16 And they came with haste, and found Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
So they went quickly. They found the [place where] Mary and Joseph [were staying], and [they saw] the baby lying in the trough where [people] put food for the animals.
17 And when they had seen [it], they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
Then they told [Mary and Joseph and others] what had been told them {what [the angel] had told them} about this child.
18 And all they that heard [it], wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
Everyone who heard what was said by the shepherds {what the shepherds said} to them was amazed.
19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered [them] in her heart.
But Mary [did not talk to others about what the angels said]; she just kept thinking very much about it.
20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told to them.
The shepherds returned [to their sheep]. They kept praising God very much for all the things that they had heard and seen, [because] everything [happened] exactly like [the angels] told them.
21 And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, who was so named by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
Seven days later, when [the priests] circumcised the baby, [his parents] named him Jesus. That was the name that [they were told by] the angel {the angel [told them]} [to] give him before Mary became pregnant.
22 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;
It had been written by Moses {Moses had written} [long ago] in a law that God gave him, that when a woman gave birth to her first son, the parents had to take him [to the Temple] in Jerusalem in order that they might dedicate him (to the Lord/to God). So when the time came for them to do those rituals so that [God would consider] them pure again, Mary and Joseph took Jesus there.
23 (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that is the first born of his mother shall be called holy to the Lord)
24 And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtle-doves, or two young pigeons.
God had commanded in his laws that if the first child [of a couple] was a boy, his parents should offer as a sacrifice to God two turtledoves or two young pigeons. [So Joseph and Mary gave the priest two birds so he could offer them].
25 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 was upon him.
At that time there was an [old] man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. He habitually did what was pleasing to God and he obeyed God’s laws. The Holy Spirit was [directing] him as he was waiting for [God] [MTY] [to] encourage the Israeli [people by sending the Messiah].
26 And it was revealed to him by the Holy Spirit, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ.
It was [previously] revealed by the Holy Spirit {The Holy Spirit [previously] revealed} to him that he would see God’s [promised] Messiah before he died.
27 And he came by the spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,
When Joseph and Mary brought their baby Jesus [to the Temple] in order to perform the rituals that [God had commanded] in his laws, the Spirit led Simeon to enter the Temple [courtyard, and revealed to him that Jesus was the Messiah].
28 Then he took him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,
So he took Jesus up in his arms and praised God, saying,
29 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:
Lord, you promised me that I would see the one [MTY] who would enable you to save people of all people-groups from the guilt of their sins. He will be [MET] like a light that will reveal your truth to non-Jews, and he will cause people to think highly of your people, the Israeli people. Since I [SYN] have now seen this one that you promised to send, now let me die peacefully.
30 For my eyes have seen thy salvation,
31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;
32 A light to enlighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
33 And Joseph and his mother marveled at those things which were spoken concerning him.
His parents marveled about what [Simeon] said about [Jesus]. Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary,
34 And Simeon blessed them, and said to 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;
“Note what I say: [God] has determined that because of this child, many Israeli people will [turn away from God], and many others will turn to God [MET]. Although he will be like a sign [MET] [to warn people], [many] people will oppose him.
35 (And a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.
As a result, the [evil] thoughts of many people will be made evident {he will reveal the [evil] thoughts of many people}. [Furthermore, the cruel things that they will do to him] [MET] [will be like] a sword that will pierce your (soul/inner being).”
36 And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher: she was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity;
There was also [in the Temple courtyard] a very old woman named Anna. She was a prophetess. Her father Phanuel was a member of the tribe of Asher. After she had been married seven years, her husband died.
37 And she [was] a widow of about eighty four years, who departed not from the temple, but served [God] with fastings and prayers night and day.
After that, she lived until she was 84 years old, and she was still a widow. She stayed in the Temple [area] all the time, night and day, worshipping God. She often (abstained from food/fasted) as she prayed.
38 And she coming in that instant, gave thanks likewise to the Lord, and spoke of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.
[While Joseph and Mary and the baby were] still [in the Temple, Anna came to them. She thanked God for the baby]. Then she spoke about Jesus to many people who were expecting [God to send the Messiah] [MTY] to set [the people of] [MTY] Jerusalem free [from their enemies].
39 And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.
After Joseph and Mary had finished performing the rituals that (the Lord/God) required [the parents of a first son] to perform, they returned to their own town, Nazareth, in Galilee [district].
40 And the child grew, and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.
As Jesus grew up, he became strong and very wise, and God was very pleased with him.
41 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover.
Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem to [celebrate] the Passover festival.
42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast.
So when Jesus was twelve years old, they went up [to Jerusalem] as they always did.
43 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].
When the celebration ended, his parents started to return home, but Jesus stayed in Jerusalem. [His parents] did not realize that [Jesus stayed there].
44 But they, supposing him to be in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among [their] relations and acquaintance.
They thought that he was with the other people who were traveling with them. They walked all day. Then they started to look for him among their relatives and friends.
45 And when they found him not, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking him.
They did not find him, so they returned to Jerusalem to search for him.
46 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.
Two days later, they found him. He was in the Temple [courtyard], sitting with the [Jewish] religious teachers. He was listening to what they said, and he was asking them questions.
47 And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.
Everyone who heard what he [said] was amazed at how much he understood and [how well] he answered [the questions that the teachers asked].
48 And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said to him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.
When his parents saw him, they were very surprised. His mother said to him, “My son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been very worried as we [(exc)] have been searching for you!”
49 And he said to them, How is it that ye sought me? knew ye not that I must be about my Father's business?
He said to them, [speaking about the Temple being God his Father’s house], “(I am surprised that you [(dl)] did [not know] where to find me!/Why did you [not know] where to find me?) [RHQ] (You [(dl)] should have known that it was necessary for me to be in my Father’s house!/Did you not know that it was necessary for me to be in my Father’s house?) [RHQ]”
50 And they understood not the saying which he spoke to them.
But they did not understand [the meaning of] what he said to them.
51 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.
Then he returned with them down to Nazareth. He always obeyed them. But his mother kept thinking about all those things.
52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.
[As the years passed], Jesus continued to become wiser and he grew taller. God and people continued to approve of him more and more.
