Luke 2
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1In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.1Now in those days an order was published by Caesar Augustus that the whole world should be registered.
2(This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.)2This was the first registration taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria.
3And everyone went to their own town to register.3So all the people went to their hometowns to be registered.
4So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David.4Joseph, too, went up from the city of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the City of David (called Bethlehem), because he was a descendant of the household and family of David.
5He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.5He went there to be registered with Mary, who had been promised to him in marriage and was pregnant.
6While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born,6While they were there, the time came for her to have her baby,
7and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.7and she gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him in strips of cloth and laid him in a feeding trough, because there was no place for them in the guest quarters.
8And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.8In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, watching their flock during the night.
9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.
10But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.10Then the angel told them, "Stop being afraid! Listen! I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people.
11Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.11Today your Savior, the Lord Messiah, was born in the City of David.
12This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."12And this will be a sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in a feeding trough."
13Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,13Suddenly, a multitude of the Heavenly Army appeared with the angel, praising God by saying,
14"Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests."14"Glory to God in the highest, and peace on earth to people who enjoy his favor!"
15When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."15When the angels had left them and gone back to heaven, the shepherds told one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see what has taken place that the Lord has told us about."
16So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.16So they went quickly and found Mary and Joseph with the baby, who was lying in the feeding trough.
17When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child,17When they saw this, they repeated what they had been told about this child.
18and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.18All who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them.
19But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.19However, Mary continued to treasure all these things in her heart and to ponder them.
20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.20Then the shepherds returned to their flock, glorifying and praising God for everything they had heard and seen, just as it had been told to them.
21On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived.21After eight days had passed, the infant was circumcised and named Jesus, the name given him by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
22When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord22When the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took Jesus up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord,
23(as it is written in the Law of the Lord, "Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord"),23as it is written in the Law of the Lord, "Every firstborn son is to be designated as holy to the Lord."
24and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: "a pair of doves or two young pigeons."24They also offered a sacrifice according to what is specified in the Law of the Lord: "a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons."
25Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him.25Now a man named Simeon was in Jerusalem. This man was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the one who would comfort Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.
26It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Messiah.26It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die until he had seen the Lord's Messiah.
27Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required,27Led by the Spirit, he went into the Temple. When the parents brought the child Jesus to do for him what was customary under the Law,
28Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:28Simeon took the infant in his arms and praised God, saying,
29"Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace.29"Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace according to your promise,
30For my eyes have seen your salvation,30because my eyes have seen your salvation,
31which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:31which you prepared for all people to see—
32a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel."32a light that will reveal salvation to unbelievers and bring glory to your people Israel."
33The child's father and mother marveled at what was said about him.33Jesus' father and mother kept wondering at the things being said about him.
34Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: "This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against,34Then Simeon blessed them and told Mary, his mother, "This infant is destined to cause many in Israel to fall and rise. Also, he will be a sign that will be opposed.
35so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too."35Indeed, a sword will pierce your own soul, too, so that the inner thoughts of many people might be revealed."
36There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage,36Now Anna, a prophetess, was also there. She was a descendant of Phanuel from the tribe of Asher. She was very old, having lived with her husband for seven years after her marriage,
37and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying.37and then as a widow for 84 years. She never left the Temple, but continued to worship there night and day with times of fasting and prayer.
38Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.38Just then she came forward and began to thank God and to speak about Jesus to everyone who was waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.
39When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth.39After doing everything required by the Law of the Lord, Joseph and Mary returned to their hometown of Nazareth in Galilee.
40And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him.40Meanwhile, the child continued to grow and to become strong. He was filled with wisdom, and God's favor rested upon him.
41Every year Jesus' parents went to Jerusalem for the Festival of the Passover.41Every year Jesus' parents would go to Jerusalem for the Passover Festival.
42When he was twelve years old, they went up to the festival, according to the custom.42When Jesus was twelve years old, they went up to the festival as usual.
43After the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it.43When the days of the festival were over, they left for home. The young man Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it.
44Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends.44They thought that he was in their group of travelers. After traveling for a day, they started looking for him among their relatives and friends.
45When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him.45When they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching desperately for him.
46After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.46Three days later, they found him in the Temple sitting among the teachers, listening to them, and posing questions to them.
47Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers.47All who heard him were amazed at his intelligence and his answers.
48When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, "Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you."48When Jesus' parents saw him, they were shocked. His mother asked him, "Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been worried sick looking for you!"
49"Why were you searching for me?" he asked. "Didn't you know I had to be in my Father's house?"49He asked them, "Why were you looking for me? Didn't you know that I had to be in my Father's house?"
50But they did not understand what he was saying to them.50But they did not understand what he told them.
51Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart.51Then he went back with them, returning to Nazareth and remaining in submission to them. His mother continued to treasure all these things in her heart.
52And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.52Meanwhile, Jesus kept on growing wiser and more mature, and in favor with God and his fellow man.
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Luke 1
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