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

Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth.

2 T his census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria.

This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria.

3 S o all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.

And everyone was on his way to register for the census, each to his own city.

4 J oseph 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,

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

5 t o be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child.

in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child.

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

While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth.

7 A nd 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

And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

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

In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night.

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

And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened.

10 T hen 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.

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

11 F or there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

12 A nd this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”

This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and 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 appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

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

“ Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.”

15 S o 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.”

When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened 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 came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger.

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

When they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child.

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

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

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

But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart.

20 T hen 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

The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them. Jesus Presented at the Temple

21 A nd 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

And when eight days had passed, before His circumcision, His name was then called Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.

22 N ow 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

And when the days for their purification according to the law of Moses were completed, 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 who opens the womb shall be called holy to the L ord ” ),

(as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “ Every firstborn 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.” Simeon Sees God’s Salvation

and to offer a sacrifice according to what was 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 devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.

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

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

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 S o 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,

And he came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to carry out for Him the custom of the Law,

28 h e took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said:

then he took Him into his arms, and blessed God, and said,

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

“Now Lord, You are releasing Your bond-servant to depart in peace, According to Your word;

30 F or my eyes have seen Your salvation

For my eyes have seen Your salvation,

31 W hich You have prepared before the face of all peoples,

Which You have prepared in the presence of all peoples,

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

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

33 A nd Joseph and His mother marveled at those things which were spoken of Him.

And His father and mother were amazed at the things which were being said about Him.

34 T hen 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

And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign to be opposed—

35 ( 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

and a sword will pierce even your own soul—to the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”

36 N ow 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;

And there was a prophetess, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years and had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage,

37 a nd 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.

and then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple, serving night and day with fastings and prayers.

38 A nd 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

At that very moment she came up and began giving thanks to God, and continued to speak of Him to all those who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem. Return to Nazareth

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

When they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own city of Nazareth.

40 A nd 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

The Child continued to grow and become strong, increasing in wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him. Visit to Jerusalem

41 H is parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover.

Now 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 according to the custom of the feast.

And when He became twelve, they went up there according to the custom of the Feast;

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

and as they were returning, after spending the full number of days, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. But His parents were unaware of it,

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

but supposed Him to be in the caravan, and went a day’s journey; and they began looking for Him among their relatives and acquaintances.

45 S o when they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking Him.

When they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem looking for Him.

46 N ow 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.

Then, 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 who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers.

And all who heard Him were amazed at His understanding and His answers.

48 S o 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.”

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 have been anxiously looking for You.”

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

And He said to them, “Why is it that you were looking for Me? Did you not know that I had to be in My Father’s house ?”

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

But they did not understand the statement which He had made to them.

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

And He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and He continued in subjection to them; and His mother treasured all these things in her heart.

52 A nd Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.

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