Luke 2

NEW JERUSALEM	CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN
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 happened in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, so that the whole world would be enrolled.
2 This census -- the first -- took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria,	2 This was the first enrollment; it was made by the ruler of Syria, Quirinius.
3 and everyone went to be registered, each to his own town.	3 And all went to be declared, each one to 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 Then Joseph also ascended from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which 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 in order to be declared, with Mary his espoused wife, who was with child.
6 Now it happened that, while they were there, the time came for her to have her child,	6 Then it happened that, while they were there, the days were completed, so that she would give birth.
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 she wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them at 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 shepherds in the same region, being vigilant and keeping watch in the night 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 And behold, an Angel of the Lord stood near them, and the brightness of God shone around them, and they were struck with a 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 And the Angel said to them: “Do not be afraid. For, behold, I proclaim to you a great joy, which 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 a Saviour has been born for you in the city of David: he 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 will be a sign for you: you will find the 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 with the Angel a multitude of the celestial army, 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 men of good will.”
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 happened that, when the Angels had departed from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us cross over to Bethlehem and see this word, which has happened, which the Lord has revealed to us.”
16 So they hurried away and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger.	16 And they went quickly. And they found Mary and Joseph; and the infant was lying in a manger.
17 When they saw the child they repeated what they had been told about him,	17 Then, upon seeing this, they understood the word that had been spoken to them about this boy.
18 and everyone who heard it was astonished at what the shepherds said to them.	18 And all who heard it were amazed by this, and by those things which were told to 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 words, pondering 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, just as it was 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 And after eight days were ended, so that the boy would be circumcised, his name was called JESUS, just as he was called 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 And after the days of her purification were fulfilled, according to the law of Moses, they brought him to Jerusalem, in order 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, “For every male opening 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 in order to offer a sacrifice, according to what 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 this man was just and God-fearing, awaiting the consolation of Israel. And the Holy Spirit was with 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 he had received an answer from the Holy Spirit: that he would not see his own death before he had seen the Christ 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 And he went with the Spirit to the temple. And when the child Jesus was brought in by his parents, in order to act on his behalf according to the custom of the law,
28 he took him into his arms and blessed God; and he said:	28 he also took him up, into his arms, and he blessed God and said:
29 Now, Master, you are letting your servant go in peace as you promised;	29 “Now you may dismiss your servant in peace, O Lord, 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 have prepared before the face of all peoples:
32 a light of revelation for the gentiles and glory for your people Israel.	32 the light of revelation to the nations and the glory of your people Israel.”
33 As the child's father and mother were wondering at the things that were being said about him,	33 And his father and mother were wondering over these things, which were spoken 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 he said to his mother Mary: “Behold, this one has been set for the ruin and for the resurrection of many in Israel, and as a sign which 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 a sword will pass through your own soul, 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 And there was a prophetess, Anna, a daughter of Phanuel, from the tribe of Asher. She was very advanced in years, and she had lived with her husband for 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 then she was a widow, even to her eighty-fourth year. And without departing from the temple, she was a servant to fasting and prayer, 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 entering at the same hour, she confessed to the Lord. And she spoke about him to all who were awaiting the redemption of Israel.
39 When they had done everything the Law of the Lord required, they went back to Galilee, to their owntown of Nazareth.	39 And after they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their city, Nazareth.
40 And as the child grew to maturity, he was filled with wisdom; and God's favour was with him.	40 Now the child grew, and he was strengthened with the fullness of wisdom. And the grace of God was in him.
41 Every year his parents used to go to Jerusalem for the feast of the Passover.	41 And his parents went every year to Jerusalem, at the time of the solemnity of Passover.
42 When he was twelve years old, they went up for the feast as usual.	42 And when he had become twelve years old, they ascended to Jerusalem, according to the custom of the feast day.
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 having completed the days, when they returned, the boy Jesus remained in Jerusalem. And his parents did not realize this.
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, supposing that he was in the company, they went a day’s journey, seeking him among their relatives and acquaintances.
45 When they failed to find him they went back to Jerusalem looking for him everywhere.	45 And not finding him, they returned 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 happened that, after three days, they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, listening to them and questioning them.
47 and all those who heard him were astounded at his intel igence and his replies.	47 But all who listened to him were astonished over his prudence and his responses.
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 upon seeing him, they wondered. And his mother said to him: “Son, why have you acted this way toward us? Behold, your father and I were seeking you in sorrow.”
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: “How is it that you were seeking me? For did you not know that it is necessary for me to be in these things which are of my Father?”
50 But they did not understand what he meant.	50 And they did not understand the word that he spoke 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 And he descended with them and went to Nazareth. And he was subordinate to them. And his mother kept all these words 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 in age, and in grace, with God and men.