Luke 2

CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN	Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition
1 And it happened in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, so that the whole world would be enrolled.	1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be enrolled.
2 This was the first enrollment; it was made by the ruler of Syria, Quirinius.	2 This was the first enrollment, when Quirinius was governor of Syria.
3 And all went to be declared, each one to his own city.	3 And all went to be enrolled, each to his own city.
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,	4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David,
5 in order to be declared, with Mary his espoused wife, who was with child.	5 to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.
6 Then it happened that, while they were there, the days were completed, so that she would give birth.	6 And while they were there, the time came for her to be delivered.
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.	7 And she gave birth to her first-born son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
8 And there were shepherds in the same region, being vigilant and keeping watch in the night over their flock.	8 And in that region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
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.	9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear.
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.	10 And the angel said to them, "Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people;
11 For today a Saviour has been born for you in the city of David: he is Christ the Lord.	11 for to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find the infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.”	12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a babe wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger."
13 And suddenly there was with the Angel a multitude of the celestial army, 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 of good will.”	14 "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom he is pleased!"
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.”	15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us."
16 And they went quickly. And they found Mary and Joseph; and the infant was lying in a manger.	16 And they went with haste, and found Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
17 Then, upon seeing this, they understood the word that had been spoken to them about this boy.	17 And when they saw it they made known the saying which had been told them concerning this child;
18 And all who heard it were amazed by this, and by those things which were told to them by the shepherds.	18 and all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them.
19 But Mary kept all these words, pondering them in her heart.	19 But Mary kept all these things, pondering them in her heart.
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.	20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
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.	21 And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
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,	22 And when the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord
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,”	23 (as it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every male that opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord")
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.”	24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, "a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons."
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.	25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.
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.	26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ.
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,	27 And inspired by the Spirit he came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the law,
28 he also took him up, into his arms, and he blessed God and said:	28 he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,
29 “Now you may dismiss your servant in peace, O Lord, according to your word.	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 before the face of all peoples:	31 which thou hast prepared in the presence of all peoples,
32 the light of revelation to the nations and the glory of your people Israel.”	32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to thy people Israel."
33 And his father and mother were wondering over these things, which were spoken about him.	33 And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him;
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.	34 and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, "Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is spoken against
35 And a sword will pass through your own soul, so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”	35 (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed."
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.	36 And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanu-el, of the tribe of Asher; she was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years from her virginity,
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.	37 and as a widow till she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day.
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.	38 And coming up at that very hour she gave thanks to God, and spoke of him to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.
39 And after they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their city, Nazareth.	39 And when they had performed everything according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth.
40 Now the child grew, and he was strengthened with the fullness of wisdom. And the grace of God was in him.	40 And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.
41 And his parents went every year to Jerusalem, at the time of the solemnity of Passover.	41 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the Passover.
42 And when he had become twelve years old, they ascended to Jerusalem, according to the custom of the feast day.	42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom;
43 And having completed the days, when they returned, the boy Jesus remained in Jerusalem. And his parents did not realize this.	43 and when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it,
44 But, supposing that he was in the company, they went a day’s journey, seeking him among their relatives and acquaintances.	44 but supposing him to be in the company they went a day's journey, and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintances;
45 And not finding him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking him.	45 and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking him.
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.	46 After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions;
47 But all who listened to him were astonished over his prudence and his responses.	47 and all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.
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.”	48 And when they saw him they were astonished; and his mother said to him, "Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been looking for you anxiously."
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?”	49 And he said to them, "How is it that you sought me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?"
50 And they did not understand the word that he spoke to them.	50 And they did not understand the saying which he spoke to them.
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.	51 And 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 advanced in wisdom, and in age, and in grace, with God and men.	52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature, and in favor with God and man.