Lukas 2
1 Zu jener Zeit hatte der Kaiser Augustus befohlen, es sollten alle Bewohner des römischen Reiches in die Schätzungslisten eingetragen werden.
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 Diese Schätzung wurde vorgenommen, noch ehe Quirinius Statthalter von Syrien war.
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 Da gingen alle hin, um sich in die Listen eintragen zu lassen: ein jeder in seine Heimatstadt.
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 Auch Josef zog damals aus der Stadt Nazaret in Galiläa hinauf nach Judäa zu der Davidstadt mit Namen Bethlehem, weil er zu Davids Haus und Geschlecht gehörte,
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 um sich dort eintragen zu lassen mit Maria, seiner Ehefrau, die guter Hoffnung war.
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 Während sie dort weilten, kam für Maria die Stunde ihrer Niederkunft:
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 sie bekam ihren ersten Sohn, hüllte ihn in Windeln und bettete ihn in eine Krippe, weil sie sonst keinen Platz in dem Raum fanden.
8 Nun waren Hirten in jener Gegend, die auf freiem Feld Nachtwache hielten bei ihrer Herde.
That night, there were [some] shepherds who were taking care of their sheep [as usual] in the fields near [Bethlehem].
9 Zu denen trat plötzlich ein Engel des Herrn, und ein Lichtglanz des Herrn umleuchtete sie. Da erschraken sie sehr.
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 Der Engel aber sprach zu ihnen: "Fürchtet euch nicht! Denn ich verkündige euch große Freude, die dem ganzen Volk widerfahren soll:
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 Euch ist heute in Davids Stadt ein Retter geboren: der Gesalbte, der Herr!
[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 Und dies sei euch das Erkennungszeichen: ihr werdet ein Kindlein finden, das, in Windeln gehüllt, in einer Krippe liegt."
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 Plötzlich sammelte sich um den Engel eine Menge des himmlischen Heeres; sie alle lobten Gott und sprachen:
Suddenly a large group of angels from heaven appeared and joined the other angel. They all praised God, singing/saying,
14 "Preis gebührt Gott in Himmelshöhen, und auf Erden ist nun Friede unter Menschen, die Gott wohlgefallen!"
“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 Als die Engel sie verlassen hatten und wieder in den Himmel aufgefahren waren, da sprachen die Hirten zueinander: "Wir wollen doch nach Bethlehem hinübergehen und uns das ansehen, was der Herr uns kundgetan."
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 So gingen sie eilend hin und fanden Maria und Josef, dazu das Kindlein in der Krippe.
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 Bei seinem Anblick erzählten sie, was sie über dies Kind vernommen hatten.
Then they told [Mary and Joseph and others] what had been told them {what [the angel] had told them} about this child.
18 Und alle, die es hörten, waren über die Erzählung der Hirten verwundert.
Everyone who heard what was said by the shepherds {what the shepherds said} to them was amazed.
19 Maria aber behielt dies alles und dachte in ihrem Herzen oft darüber nach.
But Mary [did not talk to others about what the angels said]; she just kept thinking very much about it.
20 Die Hirten kehrten dann wieder (zu ihren Herden) zurück: sie priesen und lobten Gott für alles, was sie gehört und dieser Botschaft gemäß auch selbst gesehen hatten.
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 Acht Tage später wurde das Kind beschnitten. Da erhielt es den Namen Jesus, den der Engel schon vor seiner Empfängnis genannt hatte.
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 Als die von dem Gesetz Moses vorgeschriebenen Tage ihrer Reinigung zu Ende waren, brachten sie das Kind nach Jerusalem, um es dem Herrn darzustellen,
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 nach dem Wort im Gesetz des Herrn: Jeder erstgeborene Knabe soll dem Herrn geweiht heißen,
24 und um nach der Vorschrift im Gesetz des Herrn ein Opfer darzubringen: ein Paar Turteltauben oder zwei junge Tauben.
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 Nun lebte damals in Jerusalem ein Mann mit Namen Simeon. Der war gerecht und gottesfürchtig; er wartete auf den Tröster Israels, und der Heilige Geist ruhte auf ihm.
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 Es war ihm auch vom Heiligen Geist kundgetan, er solle den Tod nicht sehen, ehe er den Gesalbten des Herrn geschaut.
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 Vom Geist getrieben, kam er (an jenem Tag) in den Tempel. Als nun die Eltern das Jesuskind hineintrugen, um nach dem Brauch des Gesetzes mit ihm zu verfahren,
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 da nahm er es auf seine Arme, pries Gott und sprach:
So he took Jesus up in his arms and praised God, saying,
29 "Nun läßt du, Herr, deinen Knecht nach deinem Wort in Frieden scheiden;
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 denn meine Augen haben ja dein Heil gesehen,
31 das du bereitet hast vor aller Völker Augen:
32 Es ist ein Licht, das leuchten soll den Heiden, und es soll Israel, dein Volk, verherrlichen."
33 Des Kindes Vater und Mutter staunten über diese Worte, die Simeon von ihm redete.
His parents marveled about what [Simeon] said about [Jesus]. Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary,
34 Dann segnete sie Simeon und sprach zu Maria, seiner Mutter: "Dies Kind hier ist dazu bestimmt, viele in Israel zu Fall zu bringen, aber auch viele aufzurichten; ja es wird ein Zeichen sein, dem man mit solcher Feindschaft widerspricht,
“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 daß auch dir selbst ein Schwert durch deine Seele dringen wird. So sollen sich die Gedanken vieler Herzen offenbaren."
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 Es war auch noch zugegen eine Prophetin Hanna, eine Tochter Phanuels, aus dem Stamm Asser. Die war hochbetagt. Nur sieben Jahre hatte sie nach ihrer Jungfrauenzeit mit ihrem Mann in der Ehe gelebt,
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 und nun war sie eine Witwe von vierundachtzig Jahren. Sie verließ den Tempel nicht, sondern diente Gott mit Fasten und Beten Tag und Nacht.
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 Die kam auch in jenem Augenblick dazu, dankte Gott und redete von dem Kind zu allen, die auf Jerusalems Erlösung warteten.
[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 Als sie alles ausgeführt hatten, was im Gesetz des Herrn vorgeschrieben war, kehrten sie zurück nach Galiläa in ihren Wohnort Nazaret.
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 Der Knabe aber wuchs heran und wurde stark; er ward erfüllt mit Weisheit, und Gottes Gnade waltete über ihm.
As Jesus grew up, he became strong and very wise, and God was very pleased with him.
41 Jedes Jahr reisten seine Eltern nach Jerusalem zum Passahfest.
Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem to [celebrate] the Passover festival.
42 Als er zwölf Jahre alt war, zogen sie auch, wie es Sitte war, zum Fest hinauf.
So when Jesus was twelve years old, they went up [to Jerusalem] as they always did.
43 Nach Ablauf der Festwoche machten sie sich wieder auf den Heimweg. Der Jesusknabe aber blieb in Jerusalem zurück, ohne daß seine Eltern es merkten.
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 Sie meinten vielmehr, er sei unter den Festpilgern, und legten deshalb (unbekümmert) den ersten Reisetag zurück. Da erst suchten sie ihn unter den Verwandten und Bekannten.
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 Als sie ihn dort nicht fanden, kehrten sie nach Jerusalem zurück und suchten überall nach ihm.
They did not find him, so they returned to Jerusalem to search for him.
46 Am dritten Tag endlich fanden sie ihn im Tempel: dort saß er mitten unter den Lehrern, hörte ihrem Vortrag zu und richtete Fragen an sie.
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 Alle aber, die ihn hörten, staunten über die Einsicht, die er durch seine Antworten bewies.
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 Als seine Eltern ihn erblickten, waren sie außer sich, und seine Mutter sprach zu ihm: "Mein Kind, warum hast du uns das angetan? Sieh, dein Vater und ich haben dich voll Angst gesucht."
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 Da entgegnete er ihnen: "Wie habt ihr mich nur suchen können? Habt ihr denn nicht gewußt, daß ich in meines Vaters Werk tätig sein muß?"
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 Dies Wort war jedoch für sie ein Rätsel.
But they did not understand [the meaning of] what he said to them.
51 Dann kehrte er mit ihnen nach Nazaret zurück und war ihnen allezeit gehorsam. Und seine Mutter behielt dies alles fest in ihrem Herzen.
Then he returned with them down to Nazareth. He always obeyed them. But his mother kept thinking about all those things.
52 Jesus aber nahm zu an Weisheit und Leibesgröße sowie an Gunst bei Gott und Menschen.
[As the years passed], Jesus continued to become wiser and he grew taller. God and people continued to approve of him more and more.
