Luke 2
1 Now in those days, a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be enrolled.
It was the time when Caesar Augustus issued a decree that there should be a census of everyone in the Roman Empire.
2 This was the first enrolment made when Quirinius was governor of Syria.
This was the first census under governor Quirinius of Syria.
3 All went to enrol themselves, everyone to his own city.
So everybody went to their own city to be registered.
4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to David’s city, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David,
Joseph was descended from King David, so he left Nazareth in Galilee to go to Bethlehem, the city of David, in Judea.
5 to enrol himself with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him as wife, being pregnant.
He went to register there, together with Mary, who was pledged in marriage to him and expecting a baby.
6 While they were there, the day had come for her to give birth.
While they were there, the time came for her to have her baby.
7 She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in bands of cloth and laid him in a feeding trough, because there was no room for them in the inn.
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.
8 There were shepherds in the same country staying in the field, and keeping watch by night over their flock.
Nearby some shepherds were spending the night out in the fields, keeping watch over their flocks.
9 Behold, an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.
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!
10 The angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be to all the people.
“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.
11 For there is born to you today, in David’s city, a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord.
The Savior has been born to you today, here in David's city. He is the Messiah, the Lord.
12 This is the sign to you: you will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth, lying in a feeding trough.”
You will recognize him by this sign: you will find the child wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly, there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly army praising God and saying,
Suddenly many heavenly beings appeared, praising God, saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest, on earth peace, good will towards men.”
“Glory to the God of heaven, and on earth peace to those with whom he is pleased!”
15 When the angels went away from them into the sky, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem, now, and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”
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.”
16 They came with haste and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby was lying in the feeding trough.
They hurried there and found Mary, Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.
17 When they saw it, they publicised widely the saying which was spoken to them about this child.
After they'd seen for themselves, they spread the news of what had happened and what they had been told about this baby.
18 All who heard it wondered at the things which were spoken to them by the shepherds.
All those who heard about it were amazed at what the shepherds told them.
19 But Mary kept all these sayings, pondering them in her heart.
But Mary was careful to remember all the things that had happened and often thought about them.
20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, just as it was told them.
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.
21 When eight days were fulfilled for the circumcision of the child, his name was called Jesus, which was given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
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.
22 When the days of their purification according to the law of Moses were fulfilled, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord
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,
23 (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”),
as the law of the Lord states, “Every firstborn son must be dedicated to the Lord.”
24 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.”
There they made a sacrifice, as God's law also states, of “a pair of turtle doves or two young pigeons.”
25 Behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him.
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.
26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.
The Holy Spirit had shown him that he would not die before he saw the Lord's Messiah.
27 He came in the Spirit into the temple. When the parents brought in the child, Jesus, that they might do concerning him according to the custom of the law,
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,
28 then he received him into his arms and blessed God, and said,
Simeon took Jesus in his arms, thanked God, and said,
29 “Now you are releasing your servant, Master, according to your word, in peace;
“Lord and Master, now you can let your servant die in peace as you promised,
30 for my eyes have seen your salvation,
because I have seen for myself your salvation
31 which you have prepared before the face of all peoples;
which you have prepared for everyone.
32 a light for revelation to the nations, and the glory of your people Israel.”
He is a light that will show you to the nations, the glory of your people Israel.”
33 Joseph and his mother were marvelling at the things which were spoken concerning him.
Jesus' father and mother were shocked at what Simeon said about him.
34 Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary, his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which is spoken against.
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,
35 Yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul, that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
revealing what they really think. For you it will feel like a sword piercing right though you.”
36 There was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher (she was of a great age, having lived with a husband seven years from her virginity,
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,
37 and she had been a widow for about eighty-four years), who didn’t depart from the temple, worshipping with fastings and petitions night and day.
and then she had been widowed. She was eighty-four years old. She spent her time at the Temple in worship, fasting and praying.
38 Coming up at that very hour, she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of him to all those who were looking for redemption in Jerusalem.
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.
39 When they had accomplished all things that were according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth.
Once they had completed everything God's law required, they returned to their home town of Nazareth in Galilee.
40 The child was growing, and was becoming strong in spirit, being filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him.
The child grew strong, and was very wise. God's blessing was with him.
41 His parents went every year to Jerusalem at the feast of the Passover.
Jesus' parents traveled to Jerusalem every year for the Passover festival.
42 When he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast;
When Jesus was twelve years old, they went to the festival as they always did.
43 and when they had fulfilled the days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. Joseph and his mother didn’t know it,
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.
44 but supposing him to be in the company, they went a day’s journey; and they looked for him amongst their relatives and acquaintances.
They assumed he was with all the others traveling home. A day passed before they started looking for him among their friends and relatives.
45 When they didn’t find him, they returned to Jerusalem, looking for him.
When they couldn't find him they returned to Jerusalem to look for him there.
46 After three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the middle of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions.
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.
47 All who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.
All who heard him speak were surprised by his understanding and his answers.
48 When they saw him, they were astonished; and his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us this way? Behold, your father and I were anxiously looking for you.”
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!”
49 He said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Didn’t you know that I must be in my Father’s house?”
“Why is it that you were looking for me?” Jesus replied. “Didn't you know I should be here in my Father's house?”
50 They didn’t understand the saying which he spoke to them.
But they didn't understand what he meant.
51 And he went down with them and came to Nazareth. He was subject to them, and his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.
Then he went back with them to Nazareth, and did what he was told. His mother kept a careful note of everything that happened.
52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and men.
Jesus grew steadily wiser and stronger, favored both by God and by the people.
