previous next

بشارة لوقا 2

1 وفي تلك الأيام، أصدر القيصر أغسطس مرسوما بإحصاء كل سكان الإمبراطورية.2 كان هذا هو أول إحصاء، وقد تم لما كان كيرنيوس حاكما على سوريا.3 فذهب كل واحد إلى بلدته ليسجل هناك.4 ويوسف أيضا صعد من مدينة الناصرة في الجليل، إلى بيت لحم، مدينة داود التي في منطقة يهوذا، لأنه كان من بيت داود وعائلته،5 وذلك لكي يسجل هناك مع مريم خطيبته، وهي حبلى.6 وبينما هما في بيت لحم جاء وقتها لتلد.7 فولدت ابنها البكر، ولفته في قطعة من القماش، وأنامته في معلف للبهائم، لأنه لم يكن لهما مكان في الفندق.8 وكان في نفس المنطقة رعاة يبيتون في الحقول، ويتناوبون حراسة قطيعهم في الليل.9 فظهر لهم ملاك، وأضاء جلال الله حولهم، فخافوا جدا.10 فقال لهم الملاك: "لا تخافوا، فأنا أبشركم بخبر يفرح كل الناس جدا.11 اليوم ولد لكم منقذ في مدينة داود هو المسيح مولانا.12 وهذه علامة لكم، أنكم تجدون طفلا ملفوفا في قطعة من القماش ونائما في معلف."13 وفجأة ظهر مع الملاك جمهور من الجند السمائي، يسبحون الله ويقولون:14 "الجلال لله في الأعالي، والسلام في الأرض لمن رضي عنهم من الناس."15 ولما تركتهم الملائكة ورجعت إلى السماء، قال الرعاة بعضهم لبعض: "تعالوا نذهب إلى بيت لحم، ونرى هذا الأمر الذي حدث والذي أخبرنا به الله."16 فذهبوا بسرعة، ووجدوا مريم ويوسف والطفل نائما في المعلف.17 فلما رأوه، أخبروا بالكلام الذي قيل لهم عن هذا الطفل.18 وكل من سمع تعجب مما قاله الرعاة.19 أما مريم فكانت تحفظ كل هذا، وتفكر به في قلبها.20 ورجع الرعاة وهم يسبحون الله ويحمدونه على كل ما سمعوه ورأوه، لأن كل شيء كان كما قال الملاك لهم.21 وفي اليوم الثامن، حان وقت ختانه، ودعوه عيسـى وذلك كما دعاه الملاك قبل ما حبلت به مريم.22 ولما حان وقت تطهيرهما حسب شريعة موسى، أخذه يوسف ومريم إلى القدس لكي يقدماه إلى الله.23 فقد ورد في التوراة أن كل ابن بكر يجب أن يكرس لله.24 وأيضا لكي يقدما ضحية كما ورد في التوراة: يمامتين أو حمامتين صغيرتين.25 وكان في القدس رجل صالح وتقي اسمه سمعان، ينتظر مجيء من سيعزي بني إسرائيل. وكان الروح القدوس عليه،26 فأوحى إليه أنه لن يموت إلا بعدما يرى أولا المسيح الذي يرسله الله.27 فذهب إلى بيت الله منقادا بالروح. ولما دخل الأبوان ومعهما الطفل عيسـى ليعملا له ما فرضته الشريعة،28 حمله سمعان على ذراعيه وبارك الله وقال:29 "يا رب، الآن أطلق عبدك بسلام كما وعدت،30 لأني بعيني رأيت المنقذ الذي من عندك31 الذي أعددته ليراه كل الناس.32 هو نور لهداية الأمم، وإكرام لشعبك بني إسرائيل."33 وكان أبوه وأمه يتعجبان من الكلام الذي قيل عنه.34 وباركهما سمعان وقال لمريم أمه: "هذا الطفل سيكون السبب في سقوط كثيرين وقيام كثيرين في إسرائيل. ويكون آية يرفضونها،35 فتنكشف أفكار ونيات كثيرين. وأنت أيضا ينفذ سيف في قلبك."36 وكانت هناك نبية هي حنة بنت فنوئيل من قبيلة أشير. وهي كبيرة السن، فبعد زواجها عاشت مع رجلها سبع سنين37 ثم ترملت. وفي ذلك الوقت كان عمرها أربعا وثمانين سنة. وكانت لا تترك بيت الله، بل تعبد الله ليلا ونهارا بالصوم والصلاة.38 ففي نفس تلك اللحظة، تقدمت إليهم، وأخذت تسبح الله، وتحدثت عن الطفل مع جميع الذين كانوا ينتظرون تحرير مدينة القدس.39 ولما أتم يوسف ومريم كل ما تفرضه شريعة الله، رجعوا إلى الجليل، إلى بلدتهم الناصرة.40 وكان الطفل ينمو ويتقوى، ممتلئا حكمة، وكانت نعمة الله عليه.41 وكان أبواه يذهـبان إلى القدس كل سـنة في عيد الفصـح.42 ولما كان عمـره اثنتي عشـرة سـنة، ذهـبوا إلى العيد كالعـادة.43 ولما انتهـت أيام العيد ورجـع أبواه، بقي الصـبي عيسـى في القدس وهـما لا يعلمـان،44 بل كانا يظـنان أنه في جماعـة المسـافرين. فسـافرا طول اليوم، ثم أخـذا يبحـثان عنه بين الأقـارب والمعـارف.45 ولما لم يجـداه، رجعا إلى القدس يبحـثان عنه.46 وبعد ثلاثـة أيام وجـداه في بيت الله، جالسا بين علماء الدين يسـتمع إليهم ويطـرح عليهـم الأسـئلة.47 وكل الذين سمعوه تعجـبوا من فهمـه وأجـوبته.48 فلما رآه أبـواه اندهشـا، وقالت له أمـه: "يا ابني، لمـاذا فعلت بنا هـذا؟ أبوك وأنا ظـللنا نبحـث عنك ونحـن في قلق شـديد!"49 فقال لهما: "ولمـاذا تبحـثان عني؟ ألا تعلمان أني يجـب أن أكون في بيت أبي؟"50 فلم يفهـما ما قاله لهـما.51 ثم ذهـب معهـما ورجـع إلى الناصـرة، وكان مطـيعا لهما. وكانت أمه تحفـظ كل هـذه الأمور في قلبهـا.52 وكان عيسى ينمو في الحكمة والقامة، ويزيد رضى الله والناس عليه.

Luke 2

1 Now it came to pass in those days, there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be enrolled.2 This was the first enrolment made when Quirinius was governor of Syria.3 And all went to enrol themselves, every one to his own city.4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David;5 to enrol himself with Mary, who was betrothed to him, being great with child.6 And it came to pass, while they were there, the days were fulfilled that she should be delivered.7 And she brought forth her firstborn son; and she wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.8 And there were shepherds in the same country abiding in the field, and keeping watch by night over their flock.9 And an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.10 And the angel said unto them, Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all the people:11 for there is born to you this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord.12 And this is the sign unto you: Ye shall find a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, and lying in a manger.13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

14 Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men in whom he is well pleased.

15 And it came to pass, when the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing that is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.16 And they came with haste, and found both Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in the manger.17 And when they saw it, they made known concerning the saying which was spoken to them about this child.18 And all that heard it wondered at the things which were spoken unto them by the shepherds.19 But Mary kept all these sayings, pondering them in her heart.20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, even as it was spoken unto them.21 And when eight days were fulfilled for circumcising him, his name was called JESUS, which was so called by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.22 And 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 Lord23 (as it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy 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.25 And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Spirit was upon him.26 And it had been revealed unto him by the Holy Spirit, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.27 And he came in the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, that they might do concerning him after the custom of the law,28 then he received him into his arms, and blessed God, and said,

29 Now lettest thou thy servant depart, Lord, According to thy word, in peace;

30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,

31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples;

32 A light for revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of thy people Israel.

33 And his father and his mother were marvelling at the things which were spoken concerning him;34 and Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the falling and the rising of many in Israel; and for a sign which is spoken against;35 yea and a sword shall pierce through thine own soul; that thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed.36 And 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,37 and she had been a widow even unto fourscore and four years), who departed not from the temple, worshipping with fastings and supplications night and day.38 And coming up at that very hour she gave thanks unto God, and spake of him to all them that were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.39 And when they had accomplished all things that were according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.40 And the child grew, and waxed strong, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.41 And his parents went every year to Jerusalem at the feast of the passover.42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up after the custom of the feast;43 and when they had fulfilled the days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and his parents knew it not;44 but supposing him to be in the company, they went a day’s journey; and they sought for him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance:45 and when they found him not, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking for him.46 And it came to pass, after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both hearing them, and asking them questions:47 and all that heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.48 And when they saw him, they were astonished; and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I sought thee sorrowing.49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? knew ye not that I must be in my Father’s house?50 And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.51 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth; and he was subject unto them: and his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.52 And Jesus advanced in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.