1 B ut 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.

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

2 T he census itself first took place when Cyrenius had the government of Syria.

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

3 A nd all went to be inscribed in the census roll, each to his own city:

All went to enroll themselves, everyone to his own city.

4 a nd 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,

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

to enroll himself with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him as wife, being pregnant.

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

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

7 a nd 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.

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

There were shepherds in the same country staying in the field, and keeping watch by night over their flock.

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

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

10 A nd 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;

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

For there is born to you today, in David’s city, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

12 A nd this is the sign to you: ye shall find a babe 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 A nd suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, 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, good pleasure in men.

“Glory to God in the highest, on earth peace, good will toward men.”

15 A nd 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.

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

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

17 a nd having seen they made known about the country the thing which had been said to 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 wondered at the things said to them by the shepherds.

All who heard it wondered at the things which were spoken to them by the shepherds.

19 B ut Mary kept all these things, pondering 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 things which they had heard and seen, as it had been said to 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 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.

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 days were fulfilled for their purifying according to the law of Moses, they brought him to Jerusalem to present 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 ( as it is written in the law of Lord: Every male that opens the womb shall be 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 Lord: A pair of turtle doves, 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 A nd 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.

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

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 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,

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 h e received him into his arms, and blessed God, and said,

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

29 L ord, now thou lettest thy bondman go, according to thy word, in peace;

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

30 f or mine eyes have seen thy salvation,

for my eyes have seen your salvation,

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

which you have prepared before the face of all peoples;

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

a light for revelation to the nations, and the glory of your people Israel.”

33 A nd his father and mother wondered at the things which were said concerning 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, Lo, this is set for the fall and rising up of many in Israel, and for a sign 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 ( and even a sword shall go through thine own soul;) so that thoughts may be revealed from many hearts.

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

36 A nd 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,

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

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 coming up the same hour gave praise to the Lord, and spoke of him to all those who waited for redemption in 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 completed all things according to the law of Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own city 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 waxed strong, filled with wisdom, and God's grace 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 A nd his parents went yearly to Jerusalem at the feast of the passover.

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

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

When he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast,

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

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 company that journeyed together, they went a day's journey, and sought him among their relations 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 not having found him they returned to Jerusalem seeking him.

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

46 A nd 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.

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 at his understanding and answers.

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 hast thou dealt thus with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee distressed.

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, Why that ye have sought me? did ye not know that I ought to be in 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 A nd they understood not the thing that he said 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 he was in subjection to them. And his mother kept 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 advanced in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and men.

And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.