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

But it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census should be made of all the habitable world.

2 T his was the first enrollment, and it was made when Quirinius was governor of Syria.

The census itself first took place when Cyrenius had the government of Syria.

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

And all went to be inscribed in the census roll, each to his own city:

4 A nd 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,

and Joseph also went up from Galilee out of the city Nazareth to Judaea, to David's city, the which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David,

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

to be inscribed in the census roll with Mary who was betrothed to him wife, she being great with child.

6 A nd while they were there, the time came for her delivery,

And it came to pass, while they were there, the days of her giving birth were fulfilled,

7 A nd 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.

and she brought forth her first-born son, and wrapped him up in swaddling-clothes and laid him in the manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

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

And there were shepherds in that country abiding without, and keeping watch by night over their flock.

9 A nd 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.

And lo, an angel of Lord was there by them, and glory of Lord shone around them, and they feared great fear.

10 B ut 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.

And the angel said to them, Fear not, for behold, I announce to you glad tidings of great joy, which shall be to all the people;

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

for to-day a Saviour has been born to you in David's city, who is Christ Lord.

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

And this is the sign to you: ye shall find a babe wrapped in swaddling-clothes, and lying in a manger.

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

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

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

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good pleasure in men.

15 W hen 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.

And it came to pass, as the angels departed from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, Let us make our way then now as far as Bethlehem, and let us see this thing that is come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.

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

And they came with haste, and found both Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in the manger;

17 A nd when they saw it, they made known what had been told them concerning this Child,

and having seen they made known about the country the thing which had been said to them concerning this child.

18 A nd all who heard it were astounded and marveled at what the shepherds told them.

And all who heard wondered at the things said to them by the shepherds.

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

But Mary kept all these things, pondering in her heart.

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

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

21 A nd 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.

And when eight days were fulfilled for circumcising him, his name was called Jesus, which was the name given by the angel before he had been conceived in the womb.

22 A nd 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—

And when the days were fulfilled for their purifying according to the law of Moses, they brought him to Jerusalem to present to the Lord

23 A s 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—

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

24 A nd to offer a sacrifice according to what 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 Lord: A pair of turtle doves, or two young pigeons.

25 N ow 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.

And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was just and pious, awaiting the consolation of Israel, and Holy Spirit was upon him.

26 A nd 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).

And it was divinely communicated to him by the Holy Spirit, that he should not see death before he should see Lord's Christ.

27 A nd 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,

And he came in the Spirit into the temple; and as the parents brought in the child Jesus that they might do for him according to the custom of the law,

28 t ook Him up in his arms and praised and thanked God and said,

he received him into his arms, and blessed God, and said,

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

Lord, now thou lettest thy bondman go, according to thy word, in peace;

30 F or with my eyes I have seen Your Salvation,

for mine eyes have seen thy salvation,

31 W hich You have ordained and prepared before (in the presence of) all peoples,

which thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples;

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

a light for revelation of Gentiles and glory of thy people Israel.

33 A nd His father and mother were marveling at what was said about Him.

And his father and mother wondered at the things which were said concerning him.

34 A nd 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—

And Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary his mother, Lo, this is set for the fall and rising up of many in Israel, and for a sign spoken against;

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

(and even a sword shall go through thine own soul;) so that thoughts may be revealed from many hearts.

36 A nd 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,

And there was a prophetess, Anna, daughter of Phanuel, of tribe of Asher, who was far advanced in years, having lived with husband seven years from her virginity,

37 A nd 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.

and herself a widow up to eighty-four years; who did not depart from the temple, serving night and day with fastings and prayers;

38 A nd 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.

and she coming up the same hour gave praise to the Lord, and spoke of him to all those who waited for redemption in Jerusalem.

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

And when they had completed all things according to the law of Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own city Nazareth.

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

And the child grew and waxed strong, filled with wisdom, and God's grace was upon him.

41 N ow His parents went to Jerusalem every year to the Passover Feast.

And his parents went yearly to Jerusalem at the feast of the passover.

42 A nd when He was twelve years, they went up, as was their custom.

And when he was twelve years old, and they went up according to the custom of the feast

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

and had completed the days, as they returned, the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem, and his parents knew not;

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

but, supposing him to be in the company that journeyed together, they went a day's journey, and sought him among their relations and acquaintances:

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

and not having found him they returned to Jerusalem seeking him.

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

And it came to pass, after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers and hearing them and asking them questions.

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

And all who heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.

48 A nd 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.

And when they saw him they were amazed: and his mother said to him, Child, why hast thou dealt thus with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee distressed.

49 A nd 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?

And he said to them, Why that ye have sought me? did ye not know that I ought to be in my Father's business?

50 B ut they did not comprehend what He was saying to them.

And they understood not the thing that he said to them.

51 A nd 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.

And he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and he was in subjection to them. And his mother kept all these things in her heart.

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

And Jesus advanced in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and men.