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

Now in those days, a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be enrolled.

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

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

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

All went to enroll themselves, everyone 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,

Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to David’s city, 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 enroll himself with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him as wife, being pregnant.

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

While they were there, the day had come for her to give birth.

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.

She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a feeding trough, 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.

There were shepherds in the same country staying in the field, 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.

Behold, an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.

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.

The angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will 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 there is born to you today, in David’s city, a Savior, who is Christ the 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.

This is the sign to you: you will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth, lying in a feeding trough.”

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

Suddenly, there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly army 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, on earth peace, good will toward 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.

When the angels went away from them into the sky, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem, now, and see this thing that has happened, 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.

They came with haste, and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby was lying in the feeding trough.

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

When they saw it, they publicized widely the saying which was spoken to them about this child.

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

All who heard it wondered at the things which were spoken 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 sayings, pondering them 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.

The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, just as it was told 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.

When eight days were fulfilled for the circumcision of the child, his name was called Jesus, which was given by the angel before he was 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—

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 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 the Lord, “Every male who 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 that which is said in the law of the Lord, “A pair of turtledoves, 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.

Behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on 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).

It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the 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,

He came in the Spirit into the temple. When the parents brought in the child, Jesus, that they might do concerning him according to the custom of the law,

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

then 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.

“Now you are releasing your servant, Master, according to your word, in peace;

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

for my eyes have seen your salvation,

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

which you have 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 to the nations, and the glory of your people Israel.”

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

Joseph and his mother were marveling at the things which were spoken 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, “Behold, this child is set for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which is 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.

Yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul, that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

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,

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 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 she had been a widow for about eighty-four years), who didn’t depart from the temple, worshiping with fastings and petitions night and day.

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.

Coming up at that very hour, she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of him to all those who were looking 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.

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 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.

The child was growing, and was becoming strong in spirit, being filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him.

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

His parents went every year to Jerusalem at the feast of the Passover.

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

When he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem 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 when they had fulfilled the days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. Joseph and his mother didn’t know it,

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, they went a day’s journey, and they looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances.

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

When they didn’t find him, they returned to Jerusalem, looking for him.

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

After three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the middle of the teachers, both listening to 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.

All who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his 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.

When they saw him, they were astonished, and his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us this way? Behold, your father and I were anxiously looking for you.”

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?

He said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Didn’t you know that I must be in my Father’s house?”

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

They didn’t understand the saying which he spoke 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. He was subject to them, and his mother kept all these sayings 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 increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.