Luke 2

1 AND it came to pass, that in those days there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that the whole world should be enrolled.2 This enrolling was first made by Cyrinus, the governor of Syria.3 And all went to be enrolled, every one into his own city.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 family of David,5 To be enrolled with Mary his espoused wife, who was with child.6 And it came to pass, that when they were there, her days were accomplished, that she should be delivered.7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him up 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 watching, and keeping the night watches over their flock.9 And behold an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the brightness of God shone round about them; and they feared with a great fear.10 And the angel said to them: Fear not; for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, that shall be to all the people:11 For, this day, is born to you a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord, in the city of David.12 And this shall be a sign unto you. You shall find the infant wrapped in swaddling clothes, and laid in a manger.13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly army, praising God, and saying:14 Glory to God in the highest; and on earth peace to men of good will.15 And it came to pass, after the angels departed from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another: Let us go over to Bethlehem, and let us see this word that is come to pass, which the Lord hath shewed to us.16 And they came with haste; and they found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger.17 And seeing, they understood of the word that had been spoken to them concerning this child.18 And all that heard, wondered; and at those things that were told them by the shepherds.19 But Mary kept all these words, pondering them in her heart.20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God, for all the things they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.21 And after eight days were accomplished, that the child should be circumcised, his name was called JESUS, which was called by the angel, before he was conceived in the womb.22 And after the days of her purification, according to the law of Moses, were accomplished, they carried him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord:23 As it is written in the law of the Lord: Every male opening the womb shall be called holy to the Lord:24 And to offer a sacrifice, according as it is written in the law of the Lord, a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons:25 And behold there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Ghost was in him.26 And he had received an answer from the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Christ of the Lord.27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when his parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the law,28 He also took him into his arms, and blessed God, and said:29 Now thou dost dismiss thy servant, O Lord, according to thy word in peace;30 Because my eyes have seen thy salvation,31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples:32 A light to the revelation of the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.33 And his father and mother were wondering at those things which were spoken concerning him.34 And Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary his mother: Behold this child is set for the fall, and for the resurrection of many in Israel, and for a sign which shall be contradicted;35 And thy own soul a sword shall pierce, that, out of many hearts, thoughts may be revealed.36 And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser; she was far advanced in years, and had lived with her husband seven years from her virginity.37 And she was a widow until fourscore and four years; who departed not from the temple, by fastings and prayers serving night and day.38 Now she, at the same hour, coming in, confessed to the Lord; and spoke of him to all that looked for the redemption of Israel.39 And after they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their city Nazareth.40 And the child grew, and waxed strong, full of wisdom; and the grace of God was in him.41 And his parents went every year to Jerusalem, at the solemn day of the pasch,42 And when he was twelve years old, they going up into Jerusalem, according to the custom of the feast,43 And having fulfilled the days, when they returned, the child Jesus remained in Jerusalem; and his parents knew it not.44 And thinking that he was in the company, they came a day's journey, and sought him among their kinsfolks and acquaintance.45 And not finding him, they returned into Jerusalem, seeking him.46 And it came to pass, that, after three days, they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, hearing them, and asking them questions.47 And all that heard him were astonished at his wisdom and his answers.48 And seeing him, they wondered. And his mother said to him: Son, why hast thou done so to us? behold thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.49 And he said to them: How is it that you sought me? did you not know, that I must be about my father's business?50 And they understood not the word that he spoke unto them.51 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them. And his mother kept all these words in her heart.52 And Jesus advanced in wisdom, and age, and grace with God and men.

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.