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

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

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

This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria.

3 A ll went to enroll themselves, everyone to his own city.

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

4 J oseph 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;

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

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

6 W hile they were there, the day had come for her to give birth.

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

7 S he 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.

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

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

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

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 T he 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.

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 there is born to you today, in David’s city, a Savior, 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 T his is the sign to you: you will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth, lying in a feeding trough.”

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

13 S uddenly, there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly army praising God, and saying,

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

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

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

15 W hen 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.”

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

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

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

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

18 A ll who heard it wondered at the things which were spoken to 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 sayings, pondering them in her heart.

But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.

20 T he shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, just as it was told 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 W hen 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.

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 W hen 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

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 who 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 B ehold, 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.

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 I t had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should 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 H e 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,

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

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

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

“Lord, now You are letting Your servant 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 before the face of all peoples,

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

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

33 J oseph and his mother were marveling at the things which were spoken concerning him,

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

34 a nd 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.

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 Y es, a sword will pierce through your own soul, 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 T here 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,

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

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 C oming 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.

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 W hen they had accomplished all things that were 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 T he child was growing, and was becoming strong in spirit, being 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 H is parents went every year to Jerusalem at the feast of the Passover.

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

42 W hen he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to 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 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,

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 supposing him to be in the company, they went a day’s journey, and they looked for him among their relatives 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 W hen they didn’t find him, they returned to Jerusalem, looking for him.

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

46 A fter three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the middle of the teachers, both listening to 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 ll who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.

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

48 W hen 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.”

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

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

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

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