Luke 2

The Birth of Jesus Christ

1 In those days a a decree went out from b Caesar Augustus that all the world should be c registered. 2 This was the first d registration when ▼
▼ Or  This was the registration before
 Quirinius f was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up g from Galilee, from the town of h Nazareth, to Judea, to i the city of David, which is called j Bethlehem k because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, ▼
▼ That is, one legally pledged to be married
 who was with child. 6 And m while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and n wrapped him in swaddling cloths and o laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in p the inn.

The Shepherds and the Angels

8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord q appeared to them, and r the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all s the people. 11 For t unto you is born this day in u the city of David v a Savior, who is w Christ x the Lord. 12 And y this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby z wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel aa a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

14  ab “Glory to God ac in the highest,
ad and on earth ae peace af among those with whom he is pleased!” ▼
▼ Some manuscripts  peace, good will among men

15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby ah lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But ai Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned aj glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

21 And ak at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised al he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

Jesus Presented at the Temple

22 And am when the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem an to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in ao the Law of the Lord, ap “Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”) 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in aq the Law of the Lord ar “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.” 25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was as righteous and at devout au waiting for av the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not aw see death before he had seen ax the Lord’s Christ. 27 And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when ay the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, 28 he took him up in his arms and az blessed God and said,

29  “Lord, now you are letting your servant ▼
▼ Greek bondservant
 depart bb in peace,
bc according to your word;
 30 for bd my eyes have seen your be salvation
 31  bf that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
 32  bg a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and bh for glory to bi your people Israel.”

33 And bj his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. 34 And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed bk for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign bl that is opposed 35 (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”

36 And there was bm a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, 37 and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. ▼
▼ Or  as a widow for eighty-four years
 She did not depart from the temple bo worshiping with bp fasting and prayer night and day. 38 And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were bq waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.

The Return to Nazareth

39 And when they had performed everything according to br the Law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own town of bs Nazareth. 40  bt And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him.

The Boy Jesus in the Temple

41 Now bu his parents went bv to Jerusalem every year at bw the Feast of the Passover. 42 And when he was twelve years old bx they went up according to custom. 43 And when the feast by was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. bz His parents did not know it, 44 but supposing him to be in the group they went a day’s journey, but then they began to search for him among their relatives and acquaintances, 45 and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching for him. 46 After three days they found him in the temple ca sitting among cb the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48 And when his parents ▼
▼ Greek they
 saw him, they were astonished. And his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us so? Behold cd your father and I have been searching for you in great distress.” 49 And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that ce I must be in cf my Father’s house?” ▼
▼ Or about my Father’s business
 50 And ch they did not understand the saying that he spoke to them. 51 And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And ci his mother treasured up all these things in her heart.

52 And Jesus cj increased in wisdom and in stature ▼
▼ Or years
 and in cl favor with God and man.

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