1 A nd it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Cæsar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.

In those days it occurred that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole Roman empire should be registered.

2 ( And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

This was the first enrollment, and it was made when Quirinius was governor of Syria.

3 A nd all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

And all the people were going to be registered, each to his own city or town.

4 A nd Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judæa, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

And Joseph also went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth to Judea, to the town of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David,

5 t o be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

To be enrolled with Mary, his espoused ( married) wife, who was about to become a mother.

6 A nd so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

And while they were there, the time came for her delivery,

7 A nd she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

And she gave birth to her Son, her Firstborn; and she wrapped Him in swaddling clothes and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room or place for them in the inn.

8 A nd there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

And in that vicinity there were shepherds living in the field, watching over their flock by night.

9 A nd, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

And behold, an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord flashed and shone all about them, and they were terribly frightened.

10 A nd the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

But the angel said to them, Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people.

11 F or unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

For to you is born this day in the town of David a Savior, Who is Christ (the Messiah) the Lord!

12 A nd this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And this will be a sign for you: you will find '> after searching] a Baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.

13 A nd suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

Then suddenly there appeared with the angel an army of the troops of heaven ( a heavenly knighthood), praising God and saying,

14 G lory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is well pleased '> men of goodwill, of His favor].

15 A nd it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing ( saying) that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.

16 A nd they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

So they went with haste and '> by searching] found Mary and Joseph, and the Baby lying in a manger.

17 A nd when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

And when they saw it, they made known what had been told them concerning this Child,

18 A nd all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

And all who heard it were astounded and marveled at what the shepherds told them.

19 B ut Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

But Mary was keeping within herself all these things ( sayings), weighing and pondering them in her heart.

20 A nd the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, just as it had been told them.

21 A nd when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

And at the end of eight days, when was to be circumcised, He was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.

22 A nd when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord;

And when the time for their purification came according to the Law of Moses, they brought Him up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord—

23 ( as it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;)

As it is written in the Law of the Lord, Every male that opens the womb shall be set apart and dedicated and called holy to the Lord—

24 a nd to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.

And to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord: a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.

25 A nd, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.

Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, and looking for the Consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him.

26 A nd it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.

And it had been divinely revealed (communicated) to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).

27 A nd he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,

And prompted by the Spirit, he came into the temple '> enclosure]; and when the parents brought in the little child Jesus to do for Him what was customary according to the Law,

28 t hen took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,

took Him up in his arms and praised and thanked God and said,

29 L ord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:

And now, Lord, You are releasing Your servant to depart (leave this world) in peace, according to Your word.

30 f or mine eyes have seen thy salvation,

For with my eyes I have seen Your Salvation,

31 w hich thou hast prepared before the face of all people;

Which You have ordained and prepared before (in the presence of) all peoples,

32 a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.

A Light for revelation to the Gentiles and praise and honor and glory to Your people Israel.

33 A nd Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.

And His father and mother were marveling at what was said about Him.

34 A nd Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against;

And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary His mother, Behold, this Child is appointed and destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is spoken against—

35 ( yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.

And a sword will pierce through your own soul also—that the secret thoughts and purposes of many hearts may be brought out and disclosed.

36 A nd there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;

And there was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old, having lived with her husband seven years from her maidenhood,

37 a nd she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.

And as a widow even for eighty-four years. She did not go out from the temple enclosure, but was worshiping night and day with fasting and prayer.

38 A nd she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

And she too came up at that same hour, and she returned thanks to God and talked of to all who were looking for the redemption (deliverance) of Jerusalem.

39 A nd when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.

And when they had done everything according to the Law of the Lord, they went back into Galilee to their own town, Nazareth.

40 A nd the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.

And the Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace (favor and spiritual blessing) of God was upon Him.

41 N ow his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover.

Now His parents went to Jerusalem every year to the Passover Feast.

42 A nd when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.

And when He was twelve years, they went up, as was their custom.

43 A nd when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it.

And when the Feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem. Now His parents did not know this,

44 B ut they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day’s journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.

But, supposing Him to be in the caravan, they traveled on a day’s journey; and they sought Him among their kinsfolk and acquaintances.

45 A nd when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.

And when they failed to find Him, they went back to Jerusalem, looking for Him all the way.

46 A nd it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.

After three days they found Him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.

47 A nd all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.

And all who heard Him were astonished and overwhelmed with bewildered wonder at His intelligence and understanding and His replies.

48 A nd when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.

And when they saw Him, they were amazed; and His mother said to Him, Child, why have You treated us like this? Here Your father and I have been anxiously looking for You.

49 A nd he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?

And He said to them, How is it that you had to look for Me? Did you not see and know that it is necessary for Me to be in My Father’s house and about My Father’s business?

50 A nd they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.

But they did not comprehend what He was saying to them.

51 A nd he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.

And He went down with them and came to Nazareth and was obedient to them; and his mother kept and closely and persistently guarded all these things in her heart.

52 A nd Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.

And Jesus increased in wisdom (in broad and full understanding) and in stature and years, and in favor with God and man.