Luke 2

KING JAMES BIBLE	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
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.	1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole world should be enrolled.
2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)	2 This was the first enrollment, when Quirinius was governor of Syria.
3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.	3 So all went to be enrolled, each to his own town.
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:)	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 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.	5 to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.
6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.	6 While they were there, the time came for her to have her child,
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.	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 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.	8 Now there were shepherds in that region living in the fields and keeping the night watch over their flock.
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.	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 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all 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 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which 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 this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, 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 suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,	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, and on earth peace, good will toward men.	14 "Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests."
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.	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 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.	16 So they went in haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger.
17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.	17 When they saw this, they made known the message that had been told them about this child.
18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.	18 All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds.
19 But Mary kept 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 returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.	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 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.	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 days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, 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 (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;)	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 to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, 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 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.	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 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ.	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 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,	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 Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,	28 he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying:
29 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:	29 "Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word,
30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,	30 for my eyes have seen your salvation,
31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;	31 which you prepared in sight of all the peoples,
32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.	32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel."
33 And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.	33 The child's father and mother were amazed at what was said about him;
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;	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 (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.	35 (and you yourself a sword will pierce) so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed."
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;	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 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.	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 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.	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 And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city 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 the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.	40 The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.
41 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover.	41 Each year his parents went to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover,
42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.	42 and when he was twelve years old, they went up according to festival custom.
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.	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 But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.	44 Thinking that he was in the caravan, they journeyed for a day and looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances,
45 And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.	45 but not finding him, they returned to Jerusalem to look for him.
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.	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 that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.	47 and all who heard him were astounded at his understanding and his answers.
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.	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 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?	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 And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.	50 But they did not understand what he said to them.
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.	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 and stature, and in favour with God and man.	52 And Jesus advanced (in) wisdom and age and favor before God and man.