1 A nd it came to pass in those days, there went forth a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world be enrolled --

In those days Caesar Augustus sent out word that the name of every person in the Roman nation must be written in the books of the nation.

2 t his enrollment first came to pass when Cyrenius was governor of Syria --

This first writing took place while Quirinius was ruler of Syria.

3 a nd all were going to be enrolled, each to his proper city,

So all the people went to their own cities to have their names written in the books of the nation.

4 a nd Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, that is called Bethlehem, because of his being of the house and family of David,

Joseph went up from the town of Nazareth in the country of Galilee to the town of Bethlehem. It was known as the city of David. He went there because he was from the family of David.

5 t o enroll himself with Mary his betrothed wife, being with child.

Joseph went to have his and Mary’s names written in the books of the nation. Mary was his promised wife and soon to become a mother.

6 A nd it came to pass, in their being there, the days were fulfilled for her bringing forth,

While they were there in Bethlehem, the time came for Mary to give birth to her baby.

7 a nd she brought forth her son -- the first-born, and wrapped him up, and laid him down in the manger, because there was not for them a place in the guest-chamber.

Her first son was born. She put cloth around Him and laid Him in a place where cattle are fed. There was no room for them in the place where people stay for the night. The Shepherds Learn of the Birth of Jesus

8 A nd there were shepherds in the same region, lodging in the field, and keeping the night-watches over their flock,

In the same country there were shepherds in the fields. They were watching their flocks of sheep at night.

9 a nd lo, a messenger of the Lord stood over them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they feared a great fear.

The angel of the Lord came to them. The shining-greatness of the Lord shone around them. They were very much afraid.

10 A nd the messenger said to them, `Fear not, for lo, I bring you good news of great joy, that shall be to all the people --

The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. See! I bring you good news of great joy which is for all people.

11 b ecause there was born to you to-day a Saviour -- who is Christ the Lord -- in the city of David,

Today, One Who saves from the punishment of sin has been born in the city of David. He is Christ the Lord.

12 a nd this to you the sign: Ye shall find a babe wrapped up, lying in the manger.'

There will be something special for you to see. This is the way you will know Him. You will find the Baby with cloth around Him, lying in a place where cattle are fed.”

13 A nd suddenly there came with the messenger a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying,

At once many angels from heaven were seen, along with the angel, giving thanks to God. They were saying,

14 ` Glory in the highest to God, and upon earth peace, among men -- good will.'

“Greatness and honor to our God in the highest heaven and peace on earth among men who please Him.” The Shepherds Go to Bethlehem

15 A nd it came to pass, when the messengers were gone away from them to the heavens, that the men, the shepherds, said unto one another, `We may go over indeed unto Bethlehem, and see this thing that hath come to pass, that the Lord did make known to us.'

The angels went from the shepherds back to heaven. The shepherds said to each other, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see what has happened. The Lord has told us about this.”

16 A nd they came, having hasted, and found both Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in the manger,

They went fast and found Mary and Joseph. They found the Baby lying in a place where cattle are fed.

17 a nd having seen, they made known abroad concerning the saying spoken to them concerning the child.

When they saw the Child, they told what the angel said about Him.

18 A nd all who heard, did wonder concerning the things spoken by the shepherds unto them;

All who heard it were surprised at what the shepherds told them.

19 a nd Mary was preserving all these things, pondering in her heart;

But Mary hid all these words in her heart. She thought about them much.

20 a nd the shepherds turned back, glorifying and praising God, for all those things they heard and saw, as it was spoken unto them.

The shepherds went back full of joy. They thanked God for all they had heard and seen. It happened as the angel had told them. Jesus Taken to the House of God

21 A nd when eight days were fulfilled to circumcise the child, then was his name called Jesus, having been so called by the messenger before his being conceived in the womb.

When eight days were over, they did the religious act of becoming a Jew on the Child. He was named Jesus. This name was given to Him by the angel when Mary was told He was to be born.

22 A nd when the days of their purification were fulfilled, according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem, to present to the Lord,

When the days were over for her to be made pure as it was written in the Law of Moses, they took Jesus to Jerusalem to give Him to the Lord.

23 a s it hath been written in the Law of the Lord, -- `Every male opening a womb shall be called holy to the Lord,'

It is written in the Law of the Lord, “The first-born male born of a woman will be called holy to the Lord.”

24 a nd to give a sacrifice, according to that said in the Law of the Lord, `A pair of turtle-doves, or two young pigeons.'

They were to give a gift of two turtle-doves or two young birds on the altar in worship to the Lord. This was written in the Law of the Lord. Simeon’s Song of Thanks

25 A nd lo, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name Simeon, and this man is righteous and devout, looking for the comforting of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him,

There was a man in Jerusalem by the name of Simeon. He was a good man and very religious. He was looking for the time when the Jewish nation would be saved. The Holy Spirit was on him.

26 a nd it hath been divinely told him by the Holy Spirit -- not to see death before he may see the Christ of the Lord.

The Holy Spirit made it known to Simeon that he would not die before he had seen God’s Chosen One.

27 A nd he came in the Spirit to the temple, and in the parents bringing in the child Jesus, for their doing according to the custom of the law regarding him,

He came to the house of God being led by the Holy Spirit. The parents took Jesus to the house of God. They came to do what the Law said must be done.

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

Then Simeon took Jesus in his arms. He gave honor to Him and thanked God, saying,

29 ` Now Thou dost send away Thy servant, Lord, according to Thy word, in peace,

“Lord, now let me die in peace, as You have said.

30 b ecause mine eyes did see Thy salvation,

My eyes have seen the One Who will save men from the punishment of their sins.

31 w hich Thou didst prepare before the face of all the peoples,

You have made Him ready in the sight of all nations.

32 a light to the uncovering of nations, and the glory of Thy people Israel.'

He will be a light to shine on the people who are not Jews. He will be the shining-greatness of Your people the Jews.”

33 A nd Joseph and his mother were wondering at the things spoken concerning him,

Joseph and the mother of Jesus were surprised and wondered about these words which were said about Jesus.

34 a nd Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, `Lo, this is set for the falling and rising again of many in Israel, and for a sign spoken against --

Simeon honored them and said to Mary the mother of Jesus, “See! This Child will make many people fall and many people rise in the Jewish nation. He will be spoken against.

35 ( and also thine own soul shall a sword pass through) -- that the reasonings of many hearts may be revealed.'

A sword will cut through your soul. By this the thoughts of many hearts will be understood.” Anna Gives Thanks for Jesus

36 A nd there was Anna, a prophetess, daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher, she was much advanced in days, having lived with an husband seven years from her virginity,

Anna was a woman who spoke God’s Word. She was the daughter of Phanuel of the family group of Asher. Anna was many years old. She had lived with her husband seven years after she was married.

37 a nd she a widow of about eighty-four years, who did depart not from the temple, with fasts and supplications serving, night and day,

Her husband had died and she had lived without a husband eighty-four years. Yet she did not go away from the house of God. She served God day and night, praying and going without food so she could pray better.

38 a nd she, at that hour, having come in, was confessing, likewise, to the Lord, and was speaking concerning him, to all those looking for redemption in Jerusalem.

At that time she came and gave thanks to God. She told the people in Jerusalem about Jesus. They were looking for the One to save them from the punishment of their sins and to set them free. They Return to Nazareth

39 A nd when they finished all things, according to the Law of the Lord, they turned back to Galilee, to their city Nazareth;

When Joseph and Mary had done everything the Law said to do, they went back to Nazareth in Galilee.

40 a nd the child grew and was strengthened in spirit, being filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him.

The Child grew and became strong in spirit. He was filled with wisdom and the loving-favor of God was on Him.

41 A nd his parents were going yearly to Jerusalem, at the feast of the passover,

His parents went to Jerusalem every year for the special religious gathering to remember how the Jews left Egypt.

42 a nd when he became twelve years old, they having gone up to Jerusalem, according to the custom of the feast,

When He was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem as they had done before.

43 a nd having finished the days, in their returning the child Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem, and Joseph and his mother did not know,

When the days of the special supper were over, they started back to their town. But the boy Jesus was still in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it.

44 a nd, having supposed him to be in the company, they went a day's journey, and were seeking him among the kindred and among the acquaintances,

They thought Jesus was with the others of the group. They walked for one day. Then they looked for Him among their family and friends.

45 a nd not having found him, they turned back to Jerusalem seeking him.

When they could not find Jesus, they turned back to Jerusalem to look 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, both hearing them and questioning them,

Three days later they found Him in the house of God. He was sitting among the teachers. He was hearing what they said and asking questions.

47 a nd all those hearing him were astonished at his understanding and answers.

All those who heard Him were surprised and wondered about His understanding and at what He said.

48 A nd, having seen him, they were amazed, and his mother said unto him, `Child, why didst thou thus to us? lo, thy father and I, sorrowing, were seeking thee.'

When His parents saw Him, they were surprised. His mother said to Him, “My Son, why have You done this to us? See! Your father and I have had much sorrow looking for You.”

49 A nd he said unto them, `Why that ye were seeking me? did ye not know that in the things of my Father it behoveth me to be?'

He said to them, “Why were you looking for Me? Do you not know that I must be in My Father’s house?”

50 a nd they did not understand the saying that he spake to them,

They did not understand the things He said to them.

51 a nd he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and he was subject to them, and his mother was keeping all these sayings in her heart,

He went with them to Nazareth and obeyed them. But His mother kept all these words in her heart.

52 a nd Jesus was advancing in wisdom, and in stature, and in favour with God and men.

Jesus grew strong in mind and body. He grew in favor with God and men.