Luke 2

NEW JERUSALEM	KING JAMES BIBLE
1 Now it happened that at this time Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be made ofthe whole inhabited world.	1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.
2 This census -- the first -- took 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 be registered, each to his own town.	3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
4 So Joseph set out from the town of Nazareth in Galilee for Judaea, to David's town cal ed Bethlehem,since he was of David's House and line,	4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
5 in order to be registered together with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.	5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
6 Now it happened that, while they were there, the time came for her to have her child,	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 a son, her first-born. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in amanger because there was no room for them in the living-space.	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 In the countryside close by there were shepherds out in the fields keeping guard over their sheep duringthe watches of the night.	8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 An angel of the Lord stood over them and the glory of the Lord shone round them. 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, 'Do not be afraid. Look, I bring you news of great joy, a joy to be shared by thewhole 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 town of David a Saviour 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 here is a sign for you: you wil find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes 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 all at once with the angel there was a great throng of the hosts of heaven, praising God with thewords:	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 heaven, and on earth peace for those he favours.	14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
15 Now it happened that when the angels had gone from them into heaven, the shepherds said to oneanother, 'Let us go to Bethlehem and see this event 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 away and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger.	16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
17 When they saw the child they repeated what they had been told about him,	17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
18 and everyone who heard it was astonished 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 As for Mary, she treasured all these things and pondered them in her heart.	19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
20 And the shepherds went back glorifying and praising God for al they had heard and seen, just as theyhad been told.	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 eighth day came and the child was to be circumcised, they gave him the name Jesus, thename the angel had given him before his conception.	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 day came for them to be purified in keeping with the Law of Moses, they took him up toJerusalem 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 observing what is written in the Law of the Lord: Every first-born male must be consecrated to theLord-	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 also to offer in sacrifice, in accordance with what is prescribed in the Law of the Lord, a pair ofturtledoves 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 in Jerusalem there was a man named Simeon. He was an upright and devout man; he lookedforward to the restoration of Israel and the Holy Spirit rested on 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 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death until he had set eyes on theChrist of the Lord.	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 Prompted by the Spirit he came to the Temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to dofor him what the Law required,	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 he took him into his arms and blessed God; and he said:	28 Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,
29 Now, Master, you are letting your servant go in peace as you promised;	29 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:
30 for my eyes have seen the salvation	30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,
31 which you have made ready in the sight of the nations;	31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;
32 a light of revelation for the gentiles and glory for your people Israel.	32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
33 As the child's father and mother were wondering at the things that were being said about him,	33 And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.
34 Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, 'Look, he is destined for the fal and for the rise ofmany in Israel, destined to be a sign that is opposed-	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 and a sword wil pierce your soul too -- so that the secret thoughts of many may be laid bare.'	35 (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.
36 There was a prophetess, too, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was wel on inyears. Her days of girlhood over, 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 before becoming a widow. She was now eighty-four years old and never left the Temple, serving Godnight and day with fasting and prayer.	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 She came up just at that moment and began to praise God; and she spoke of the child to al wholooked forward to the deliverance 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 they had done everything the Law of the Lord required, they went back to Galilee, to their owntown 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 as the child grew to maturity, he was filled with wisdom; and God's favour was with 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 used to go to Jerusalem for the feast of the Passover.	41 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover.
42 When he was twelve years old, they went up for the feast as usual.	42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.
43 When the days of the feast were over and they set off home, the boy Jesus stayed behind inJerusalem without his parents knowing it.	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 They assumed he was somewhere in the party, and it was only after a day's journey that they went tolook for him among their relations and acquaintances.	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 failed to find him they went back to Jerusalem looking for him everywhere.	45 And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.
46 It happened that, three days later, they found him in the Temple, sitting among the teachers, listeningto 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 those who heard him were astounded at his intel igence and his replies.	47 And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.
48 They were overcome when they saw him, and his mother said to him, 'My child, why have you donethis to us? See how worried your father and I have been, looking 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 He replied, 'Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must 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 what he meant.	50 And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.
51 He went down with them then and came to Nazareth and lived under their authority. His mother storedup al 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 increased in wisdom, in stature, and in favour with God and with people.	52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.