Luke 2

NEW JERUSALEM	NEW AMERICAN 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 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole world should be enrolled.
2 This census -- the first -- took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria,	2 This was the first enrollment, when Quirinius was governor of Syria.
3 and everyone went to be registered, each to his own town.	3 So all went to be enrolled, each to his own town.
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 too went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth to Judea, to the city of David that is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David,
5 in order to be registered together with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.	5 to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.
6 Now it happened that, while they were there, the time came for her to have her child,	6 While they were there, the time came for her to have her child,
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 gave birth to her firstborn son. She 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 Now there were shepherds in that region living in the fields and keeping the night watch over their flock.
9 An angel of the Lord stood over them and the glory of the Lord shone round them. They were terrified,	9 The angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were struck with great fear.
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 The angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.
11 Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.	11 For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Messiah and 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 will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and 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 a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, 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 to those on whom his favor rests."
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 When the angels went away from them to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go, then, to Bethlehem to see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us."
16 So they hurried away and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger.	16 So they went in haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger.
17 When they saw the child they repeated what they had been told about him,	17 When they saw this, they made known the message that had been told them about this child.
18 and everyone who heard it was astonished at what the shepherds said to them.	18 All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds.
19 As for Mary, she treasured all these things and pondered them in her heart.	19 And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on 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 Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told to 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 When eight days were completed for his circumcision, he was named Jesus, the name given him by 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 When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, they took him up 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 just as it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated 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 the sacrifice of "a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons," in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord.
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 Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, awaiting the consolation of Israel, and the holy Spirit 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 It had been revealed to him by the holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Messiah of the Lord.
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 He came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform the custom of the law in regard to him,
28 he took him into his arms and blessed God; and he said:	28 he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying:
29 Now, Master, you are letting your servant go in peace as you promised;	29 "Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word,
30 for my eyes have seen the salvation	30 for my eyes have seen your salvation,
31 which you have made ready in the sight of the nations;	31 which you prepared in sight of all the peoples,
32 a light of revelation for the gentiles and glory for your people Israel.	32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel."
33 As the child's father and mother were wondering at the things that were being said about him,	33 The child's father and mother were amazed at what was said about 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 to Mary his mother, "Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted
35 and a sword wil pierce your soul too -- so that the secret thoughts of many may be laid bare.'	35 (and you yourself a sword will pierce) so 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 There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage,
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 then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer.
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 coming forward at that very time, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem.
39 When they had done everything the Law of the Lord required, they went back to Galilee, to their owntown of Nazareth.	39 When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions of the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth.
40 And as the child grew to maturity, he was filled with wisdom; and God's favour was with him.	40 The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.
41 Every year his parents used to go to Jerusalem for the feast of the Passover.	41 Each year his parents went to Jerusalem for the feast of 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 according to festival custom.
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 After they had completed its days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know 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 Thinking that he was in the caravan, they journeyed for a day and looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances,
45 When they failed to find him they went back to Jerusalem looking for him everywhere.	45 but not finding him, they returned to Jerusalem to look for 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 After three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions,
47 and all those who heard him were astounded at his intel igence and his replies.	47 and all who heard him were astounded at his understanding and his 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 When his parents saw him, they were astonished, and his mother said to him, "Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety."
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 to them, "Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?"
50 But they did not understand what he meant.	50 But they did not understand what he said to 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 He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them; and his mother kept all these things in her heart.
52 And Jesus increased in wisdom, in stature, and in favour with God and with people.	52 And Jesus advanced (in) wisdom and age and favor before God and man.