Luke 2

1 Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that a census should be taken of the whole empire.

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

2 This was the first census to take place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.

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

3 And everyone went to his own town to register.

3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

4 So Joseph also went up from Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, since he was from the house and line of David.

4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judæa, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to him in marriage and was expecting a child.

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

6 While they were there, the time came for her Child to be born.

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

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

7 And 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.

8 And there were shepherds residing in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks by night.

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

9 Just then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.

9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid! For behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people:

10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

11 Today in the city of David a Savior has been born to you. He is Christ the Lord!

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

12 And this will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”

12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

13 And suddenly there appeared with the angel a great multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying:

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

14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests!”

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

15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”

15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph and the Baby, who was lying in the manger.

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

17 After they had seen the Child, they spread the message they had received about Him.

17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

18 And all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.

18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.

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

20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, which was just as the angel had told them.

20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

21 When the eight days before His circumcision had passed, He was named Jesus, the name the angel had given Him before He was conceived.

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

22 And when the time of purification according to the Law of Moses was complete, His parents brought Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord

22 And 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;

23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord: “Every firstborn male shall be consecrated to the Lord”),

23 (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;)

24 and to offer the sacrifice specified in the Law of the Lord: “A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”

24 And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.

25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.

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 Ghost was upon him.

26 The Holy Spirit had revealed to him that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.

26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.

27 Led by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. And when the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for Him what was customary under the Law,

27 And 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,

28 Simeon took Him in his arms and blessed God, saying:

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

29 “Sovereign Lord, as You have promised, You now dismiss Your servant in peace.

29 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:

30 For my eyes have seen Your salvation,

30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,

31 which You have prepared in the sight of all people,

31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;

32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to Your people Israel.”

32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.

33 The Child’s father and mother were amazed at what was spoken about Him.

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

34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to His mother Mary: “Behold, this Child is appointed to cause the rise and fall of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against,

34 And 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;

35 so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your soul as well.”

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

36 There was also a prophetess named Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher, who was well along in years. She had been married for seven years,

36 And 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 an husband seven years from her virginity;

37 and then was a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying.

37 And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.

38 Coming forward at that moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the Child to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.

38 And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

39 When Jesus’ parents had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth.

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

40 And the Child grew and became strong. He was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon Him.

40 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.

41 Every year His parents went to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover.

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

42 And when He was twelve years old, they went up according to the custom of the Feast.

42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.

43 When those days were over and they were returning home, the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem, but His parents were unaware He had stayed.

43 And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it.

44 Assuming He was in their company, they traveled on for a day before they began to look for Him among their relatives and friends.

44 But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day’s journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.

45 When they could not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for Him.

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

46 Finally, after three days they found Him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.

46 And 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.

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

47 And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.

48 When His parents saw Him, they were astonished. “Child, why have You done this to us?” His mother asked. “Your father and I have been anxiously searching for You.”

48 And 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.

49 “Why were you looking for Me?” He asked. “Did you not know that I had to be in My Father’s house?”

49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?

50 But they did not understand the statement He was making to them.

50 And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.

51 Then He went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But His mother treasured up all these things in her heart.

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

52 And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.

52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.