Luke 2

CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN	KING JAMES BIBLE
1 And it happened in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, so that the whole world would be enrolled.	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 was the first enrollment; it was made by the ruler of Syria, Quirinius.	2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
3 And all went to be declared, each one to his own city.	3 And all went to be taxed, every one into 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, 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 declared, with Mary his espoused wife, who was with child.	5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
6 Then it happened that, while they were there, the days were completed, so that she would give birth.	6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should 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 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 And there were shepherds in the same region, being vigilant and keeping watch in the night over their flock.	8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding 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, 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 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 unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For today a Saviour has been born for you in the city of David: 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 this will be a sign for you: you will find the infant 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 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, good will toward men.
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 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 And they went quickly. And they found Mary and Joseph; and the infant was lying in a manger.	16 And they came 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 had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was 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 they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
19 But Mary kept all these words, pondering them in her heart.	19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered 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 the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto 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 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 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 days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him 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 openeth 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 that which 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 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 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 was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, 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 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 also took him up, into his arms, and he blessed God and said:	28 Then took he 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 before the face of all people;
32 the light of revelation to the nations and the glory of your people Israel.”	32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
33 And his father and mother were wondering over these things, which were spoken about him.	33 And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of 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 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 will pass through your own soul, so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”	35 (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 all things 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 waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace 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 to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.
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 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 But, supposing that he was in the company, they went a day’s journey, seeking him among their relatives 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 And not finding him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking him.	45 And when they found him not, they turned back again 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 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 But all who listened to him were astonished over his prudence and his responses.	47 And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and 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 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 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 unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?
50 And they did not understand the word that he spoke to them.	50 And they understood not the saying which he spake unto 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 subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings 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 stature, and in favour with God and man.