路加福音 2

耶穌基督降生

1 那時，有諭旨從凱撒奧古士督頒發下來，叫普天下的人登記戶口。2 這是第一次戶口登記，是在居里紐作敘利亞總督的時候舉行的。3 眾人各歸各城去登記戶口。4 約瑟本是大衛家族的人，也從加利利的拿撒勒上猶太去，到了大衛的城伯利恆，5 與所聘之妻馬利亞一同登記戶口。那時馬利亞的身孕已經重了。6 他們在那裡的時候，馬利亞的產期到了，

7 生了頭胎兒子，用布包著，放在馬槽裡，因為客店裡沒有地方。

天使向牧羊人報喜信

8 在伯利恆的郊外，有一些牧人在夜間看守羊群。9 主的一位使者站在他們旁邊，主的榮光四面照著他們，他們就非常害怕。10 天使說：“不要怕！看哪！我報給你們大喜的信息，是關於萬民的：11 今天在大衛的城裡，為你們生了救主，就是主基督。12 你們要找到一個嬰孩，包著布，臥在馬槽裡，那就是記號了。”

13 忽然有一大隊天兵，同那天使一起讚美　神說：
14 “在至高之處，榮耀歸與　神！在地上，平安歸與他所喜悅的 人！”
15 眾天使離開他們升天去了，那些牧人彼此說：“我們往伯利恆去，看看主所指示我們已經成就的事。”16 他們急忙去了，找到馬利亞、約瑟和那臥在馬槽裡的嬰孩。17 他們見過以後，就把天使對他們論這孩子的話傳開了。18 聽見的人，都希奇牧人所說的事。19 馬利亞把這一切放在心裡，反覆思想。

20 牧人因為聽見的和看見的，正像天使對他們所說的一樣，就回去了，把榮耀讚美歸與　神。
21 滿了八天，替孩子行割禮的時候，就給他起名叫耶穌，就是他成胎之前，天使所起的。

在聖殿奉獻耶穌

22 滿了潔淨的日子，他們就按著摩西的律法，帶孩子上耶路撒冷去，奉獻給主。23 正如主的律法所記：“所有頭生的男孩，都當稱為聖歸給主。”

24 又照著主的律法所說的獻上祭物，就是一對斑鳩或兩隻雛鴿。
25 在耶路撒冷有一個人，名叫西面，這人公義虔誠，一向期待以色列的安慰者來到，又有聖靈在他身上。26 聖靈?示他，在死前必得見主所應許的基督，27 他又受聖靈感動進了聖殿。那時，耶穌的父母抱著孩子進來，要按著律法的規矩為他行禮。

28 西面就把他接到手上，稱頌　神說：
29 “主啊，現在照你的話，釋放僕人平平安安地去吧！
30 因我的眼睛已經看見你的救恩，31 就是你在萬民面前所預備的，32 為要作外族人?示的光，和你民以色列的榮耀。”
33 他父母因論到他的這些話而希奇。34 西面給他們祝福，對他母親馬利亞說：“看哪！這孩子被立，要叫以色列中許多人跌倒，許多人興起，又要成為反對的目標，35 這樣，許多人心中的意念就要被揭露出來。”36 又有一個女先知，就是亞拿，是亞設支派法內利的女兒。她已經上了年紀，從童女出嫁，和丈夫住了七年，37 就寡居了，直到八十四歲。她沒有離開過聖殿，以禁食和禱告晝夜事奉主。

38 就在那時候，她前來稱謝　神，並且向期待耶路撒冷蒙救贖的眾人，講論孩子的事。
39 他們按著主的律法辦完一切，就回加利利，到自己的城拿撒勒去了。

40 孩子漸漸長大，強壯起來，充滿智慧，有　神的恩典在他身上。
孩童耶穌上耶路撒冷過節
41 每年逾越節，他父母都上耶路撒冷去。42 當他十二歲時，他們按著節期的慣例，照常上去。43 過完了節，他們回去的時候，孩童耶穌仍留在耶路撒冷，他父母卻不知道，44 還以為他在同行的人中間。走了一天，就在親戚和熟人中找他，45 沒有找到，就轉回耶路撒冷找他。46 過了三天，才發現他在聖殿裡，坐在教師中間，一面聽，一面問。47 所有聽見他的人，都希奇他的聰明和應對。48 他父母見了，非常驚奇，他母親說：“孩子，為甚麼這樣對待我們呢？你看，你父親和我都很擔心地在找你呢！”49 他說：“為甚麼找我呢？你們不知道我必須在我父的家裡嗎？”50 但他們不明白他所說的話。

51 他就同他們下去，回到拿撒勒，並且順從他們。他母親把這一切事，都存在心裡。
52 耶穌的智慧和身量，以及　神和人對他的喜愛，都不斷增長。

Luke 2

The Census and the Birth of Jesus

1 Nowt in those days a decrees went out from Caesart Augustuss to registerts all the empiret for taxes.2 This was the first registration, taken when Quirinius was governort of Syria.3 Everyonet went to his own townt to be registered.4 Sot Joseph also went up from the town of Nazarethss in Galilee to Judea, to the cityt of David called Bethlehem,ss because he was of the houses and family linet of David.5 He wentt to be registered with Mary, who was promised in marriage to him,t and who was expecting a child.6 Whilet they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child.t

7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in strips of cloths and laid him in a manger,t because there was no place for them in the inn.ts

The Shepherds’ Visit

8 Nowt there were shepherdss nearbyt living out in the field, keeping guardt over their flock at night.9 Ant angel of the Lordt appeared tot them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were absolutely terrified.ts10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid! Listen carefully,t for I proclaim to you good newst that brings great joy to all the people:11 Todays your Savior is born in the cityt of David.t He is Christts the Lord.12 Thist will be a signs for you: You will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in a manger.”t

13 Suddenlyt a vast, heavenly armyt appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

14 “Glorys to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among peoplet with whom he is pleased!”s
15 Whent the angels left them and went back to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehems and see this thing that has taken place, that the Lords has made known to us.”16 So they hurried off and located Mary and Joseph, and found the baby lying in a manger.t17 Whent they saw him,t they related what they had been toldt about this child,18 and all who heard it were astonishedt at what the shepherds said.19 But Mary treasured up all these words, pondering in her heart what they might mean.t

20 Sot the shepherds returned, glorifying and praisings God for all they had heard and seen; everything was just as they had been told.ts

21 Att the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was named Jesus, the name given by the angels before he was conceived in the womb.

Jesus’ Presentation at the Temple

22 Nowt when the time came for theirsts purification according to the law of Moses, Joseph and Maryt brought Jesust up to Jerusalems to present him to the Lord23 (just as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every firstborn maletwill be set apart to the Lord”s),

24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what is specified in the law of the Lord, a pair of dovessor two young pigeons.s

The Prophecy of Simeon

25 Nowt there was a man in Jerusalems named Simeon who was righteoust and devout, looking for the restorationts of Israel, and the Holy Spirits was upon him.26 Itt had been revealedt to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not diet beforet he had seen the Lord’s Christ.ts27 Sot Simeon,t directed by the Spirit,t came into the temple courts,ts and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what was customary according to the law,t

28 Simeont took him in his arms and blessed God, saying,t

29 “Now, according to your word,s Sovereign Lord,t permits your servantts to departt in peace.

30 For my eyes have seen your salvations

31 that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples:s

32 a light,t
for revelation to the Gentiles,
and for glorys to your people Israel.”
33 Sot the child’st fatherss and mother were amazedt at what was said about him.34 Thent Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, “Listen carefully:t This childt is destined to be the cause of the falling and risings of many in Israel and to be a sign that will be rejected.t

35 Indeed, as a result of him the thoughtst of many hearts will be revealeds – and a swords will pierce your own soul as well!”s

The Testimony of Anna

36 There was also a prophetess, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old,t having been married to her husband for seven years until his death.37 She had lived as a widow since then for eighty-four years.t She never left the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day.s

38 At that moment,t she came up to themt and began to give thanks to God and to speakt about the childt to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.ss
39 Sot when Joseph and Maryt had performedt everything according to the law of the Lord,s they returned to Galilee, to their own townt of Nazareth.s

40 And the child grew and became strong,s filled with wisdom,s and the favort of Gods was upon him.

Jesus in the Temple

41 Nowt Jesus’t parents went to Jerusalems everyt year for the feast of the Passover.s42 Whent he was twelve years old,s they went ups according to custom.43 Butt when the feast was over,t as they were returning home,t the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. Hist parentss did not know it,44 but (because they assumed that he was in their group of travelers)s they went a day’s journey. Thent they began to look for him among their relatives and acquaintances.t45 Whent they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalems to look for him.46 Aftert three dayss they found him in the temple courts,t sitting among the teachers,t listening to them and asking them questions.47 And all who heard Jesust were astonisheds at his understanding and his answers.48 Whent his parentst saw him, they were overwhelmed. Hist mother said to him, “Child,t why have you treatedt us like this? Look, your father and I have been looking for you anxiously.”t49 Butt he replied,t “Why were you looking for me?t Didn’t you know that I must be in my Father’s house?”t50 Yett his parentst did not understands the remarkt he madet to them.

51 Thent he went down with them and came to Nazareth,s and was obedientt to them. Butt his mother kept all these thingst in her heart.s

52 And Jesus increasedt in wisdom and in stature, and in favor with God and with people.