Luke 2
1 Now in those days an edict was published by Augustus Cesar, that all the world should be enrolled or taxed,
About that time an edict was issued by the Emperor Augustus that a census should be taken of the whole Empire.
2 (this tax was first levied when Cyrenius was governor of Syria) and they all went to be enrolled,
(This was the first census taken while Quirinius was Governor of Syria).
3 every one to his own city:
And everyone went to his own town to be registered.
4 so 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
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 was of the house and line of David) to be enrolled with Mary his espoused wife, who was big with child.
to be registered with Mary, his engaged wife, who was about to become a mother.
6 And while they were there, the days of her delivery were fulfilled,
While they were there her time came,
7 and she brought forth her son, the first-born, and wrapped him in swaddling cloths, 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 in the same country shepherds out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night: and lo,
In that same countryside were shepherds out in the open fields, watching their flocks that night,
9 an angel of the Lord stood over them, and the glory of the Lord shone round them, and they were greatly terrified:
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 angel said to them, Be not affrighted; for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all 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 this day is born, in the city of David, your Saviour Christ the Lord.
This day there has been born to you, in the town of David, a Saviour, who is Christ and Lord.
12 And this shall be a sign to you, Ye shall find the child wrapped in swaddling bands lying in a manger.
And this will be the sign for you. You will find the infant swathed, and lying in a manger.’
13 And on a sudden there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host,
Then suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly Host, praising God, and singing –
14 praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good-will towards men.
‘glory to God on high, and on earth peace among those in whom he finds pleasure.’
15 And when the angels went from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, Let us go to Bethlehem, and see this which hath been told us, which the Lord hath made known unto 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 speed, and found both Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger:
So they went quickly, and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in a manger;
17 and when they had seen it, they divulged what had been told them concerning this child:
and, when they saw it, they told of all that had been said to them about this child.
18 and all that heard it, were amazed at the things which were related to them by the shepherds.
All who heard the shepherds were astonished at their story,
19 But Mary treasured up all these words, pondering them in her heart.
while Mary treasured in her heart all that they said, and thought about it often.
20 And the shepherds returned glorifying and praising God for all the 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. It had all happened as they had been told.
21 And when eight days were fulfilled for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, having been so called by the angel 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 her purification according to the law of Moses were fulfilled, they brought Him to Jerusalem to present Him before the Lord:
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,
23 (as it is written in the law of the Lord, That every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord: ) and to offer a sacrifice,
in compliance with the Law of the Lord that every firstborn male will be dedicated to the Lord,
24 according to what is required in the law of the Lord, a pair of turtle-doves or two young pigeons.
and also to offer the sacrifice required by the Law of the Lord – a pair of turtle-doves or two young pigeons.
25 And there was a man at Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and he was a just and a religious man, who expected the consolation of Israel; and the 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 Israel’s consulation, and under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
26 And it was revealed to him by the holy Spirit, that he should not die before he had seen the Anointed 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 by the influence of the Spirit into the temple, as his parents brought in the child Jesus to do concerning Him according to the custom of the law:
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 and he took Him into his arms,
Simeon himself took the child in his arms, and blessed God, and said:
29 and blessed God, and said, "Now, Lord, thou dismissest thy servant in peace, according to thy word;
‘Now, Lord, you will let your servant go, according to your word, in peace,
30 for mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast provided in the sight of all people,
for my eyes have seen the salvation
31 a light for the enlightening of the Gentiles,
which you have prepared in the sight of all nations –
32 and the glory of thy people Israel."
a light to bring light to the Gentiles, and to be the glory of your people Israel.’
33 And Joseph and his mother were amazed at the things that were spoken concerning Him.
While the child’s father and mother were wondering at what was said about him,
34 And Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary his mother, Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising again of many in Israel, and for a sign which shall 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 a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also) that the thoughts of many hearts may be discovered.
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, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser; who was of a great age, having lived with a husband seven years from her first marrying,
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,
37 and had been a widow about eighty four years; who departed not from the temple; serving God with fastings and prayers night and day.
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.
38 And coming in at the very same time, gave thanks unto the Lord, and spake of Him to all that were looking for redemption in 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 performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.
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.
40 And the child grew, and became strong in spirit, being filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.
The child grew and became strong and wise, and the blessing of God was on him.
41 Now his parents went every year to 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 was twelve years old, going up to Jerusalem, as usual at the feast, and having finished the time,
When Jesus was twelve years old, they went according to custom to Jerusalem,
43 when they returned, the child Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem: and Joseph and his mother did not know it;
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 sought for Him among their kindred and acquaintance:
Thinking that he was with their fellow travellers, they went one day’s journey before searching for him among their relatives and acquaintances;
45 and not finding Him they returned to Jerusalem seeking for Him:
and then, as they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching everywhere for him.
46 and after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, attending to them and asking them questions.
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.
47 And all that heard Him were astonished at his understanding and his answers.
All who listened to him marvelled at his intelligence and his answers.
48 And when they saw Him, they were amazed. And his mother said to Him, Son, why didst thou deal thus with us? behold, thy father and I with grief have been seeking for 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 to them, Why did ye so seek me? Did not ye know that I ought to be in my Father's house?
‘What made you search for me?’ he answered. ‘Didn’t you know that I must be in my Father’s house?’
50 but they did not understand the word which He spake to them.
His parents did not understand what he meant.
51 Then He went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them. And his mother kept all these sayings 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 increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.
And Jesus grew in wisdom as he grew in years, and gained the blessing of God and people.
