1 ¶ And it came to pass in those days that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.

And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered.

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

This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria.

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

So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.

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

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

to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child.

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

So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered.

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 brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Glory in the Highest

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

Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.

9 A nd, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the clarity of the Lord shone round about them, and they feared greatly.

And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid.

10 B ut the angel said unto them, Fear not; for, behold, I bring you a gospel of great joy, which shall be to all the people.

Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.

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

For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ 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 the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”

13 A nd suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host 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, good will in man.

“Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

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 unto Bethlehem and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord has made known unto us.

So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing 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 the manger.

And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger.

17 A nd when they had seen it, they made known abroad that which had been told them concerning this child.

Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child.

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

And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

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

But Mary kept all these things and pondered 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.

Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them. Circumcision of Jesus

21 ¶ And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called Jesus, which he was called by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

And when eight days were completed for the circumcision of the Child, His name was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb. Jesus Presented in the Temple

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

Now when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord

23 ( as it is written in the law of the 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 L ord ” ),

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.” Simeon Sees God’s Salvation

25 ¶ And, 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 Spirit was upon him.

And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.

26 A nd it was revealed unto him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he should see the Christ of the Lord.

And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.

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,

So he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law,

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

he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said:

29 L ord, now let thy slave depart in peace, according to thy word,

“Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, According to Your word;

30 f or mine eyes have seen thy saving health,

For my eyes have seen Your salvation

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

Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples,

32 a light to be revealed unto the Gentiles and the glory of thy people Israel.

A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel.”

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

And Joseph and His mother marveled at those things which were spoken of 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

Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against

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

(yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” Anna Bears Witness to the Redeemer

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 her husband seven years from her virginity,

Now there was one, Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity;

37 a nd she was a widow eighty-four years, who departed not from the temple, serving night and day with fastings and prayers.

and this woman was a widow of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.

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

And coming in that instant she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem. The Family Returns to Nazareth

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

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

40 A nd the child grew and was comforted of the 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 of God was upon Him. The Boy Jesus Amazes the Scholars

41 ¶ And his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover.

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

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 old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast.

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

When they had finished the days, as they returned, the Boy Jesus lingered behind in Jerusalem. And Joseph and His mother did not know it;

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 acquaintances.

but supposing Him to have been in the company, they went a day’s journey, and sought Him among their relatives and acquaintances.

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

So when they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking Him.

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.

Now so it was that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both 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 at His understanding and answers.

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.

So when they saw Him, they were amazed; and His mother said to Him, “Son, why have You done this to us? Look, Your father and I have sought You anxiously.”

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

And He said to them, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?”

50 A nd they understood not the word which he spoke unto them.

But they did not understand the statement which He spoke to them. Jesus Advances in Wisdom and Favor

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

Then He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them, but His mother kept all these things in her heart.

52 A nd Jesus increased in wisdom and in age and in grace with God and men.

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