Chapter 2
1 Now in those days , a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be enrolled.
2 This was the first enrolment made when Quirinius was governor of Syria .
3 All went to enrol themselves , everyone to his own city .
4 Joseph also went up from Galilee , out of the city of Nazareth , into Judea , to David ’s city , which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David ,
5 to enrol himself with Mary , who was pledged to be married to him as wife, being pregnant.
6 While they were there , the day had come for her to give birth .
7 She gave birth to her firstborn son . She wrapped him in bands of cloth and laid him in a feeding trough, because there was no room for them in the inn .
8 There were shepherds in the same country staying in the field, and keeping watch by night over their flock .
9 Behold, an angel of the Lord stood by them , and the glory of the Lord shone around them , and they were terrified .
10 The angel said to them , "Don’ t be afraid , for behold , I bring you good news of great joy which will be to all the people .
11 For there is born to you today , in David ’ s city , a Saviour , who is Christ the Lord .
12 This is the sign to you : you will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth, lying in a feeding trough."
13 Suddenly , there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly army praising God and saying ,
14 " Glory to God in the highest , on earth peace , good will towards men ."
15 When the angels went away from them into the sky , the shepherds said to one another , " Let ’ s go to Bethlehem, now , and see this thing that has happened , which the Lord has made known to us ."
16 They came with haste and found both Mary and Joseph , and the baby was lying in the feeding trough.
17 When they saw it , they publicised widely the saying which was spoken to them about this child .
18 All who heard it wondered at the things which were spoken to them by the shepherds .
19 But Mary kept all these sayings , pondering them in her heart .
20 The shepherds returned , glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen , just as it was told them .
21 When eight days were fulfilled for the circumcision of the child , his name was called Jesus , which was given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb .
22 When the days of their purification according to the law of Moses were fulfilled, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord
23 ( as it is written in the law of the Lord , " Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy 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 ."
25 Behold , there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon . This man was righteous and devout , looking for the consolation of Israel , and the Holy Spirit was on him .
26 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 He came in the Spirit into the temple . When the parents brought in the child , Jesus , that they might do concerning him according to the custom of the law ,
28 then he received him into his arms and blessed God , and said ,
29 " Now you are releasing your servant , Master , according to your word , in peace ;
30 for my eyes have seen your salvation ,
31 which you have prepared before the face of all peoples ;
32 a light for revelation to the nations , and the glory of your people Israel ."
33 Joseph and his mother were marvelling at the things which were spoken concerning him .
34 Simeon blessed them , and said to Mary , his mother , " Behold , this child is appointed for the falling and the rising of many in Israel , and for a sign which is spoken against .
35 Yes , a sword will pierce through your own soul , that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed."
36 There was one Anna, a prophetess , the daughter of Phanuel , of the tribe of Asher ( she was of a great age , having lived with a husband seven years from her virginity ,
37 and she had been a widow for about eighty-four years ), who didn’ t depart from the temple , worshipping with fastings and petitions night and day .
38 Coming up at that very hour , she gave thanks to the Lord , and spoke of him to all those who were looking for redemption in Jerusalem .
39 When they had accomplished all things that were according to the law of the Lord , they returned into Galilee , to their own city , Nazareth .
40 The child was growing, and was becoming strong in spirit , being filled with wisdom , and the grace of God was upon him .
41 His parents went every year to Jerusalem at the feast of the Passover .
42 When he was twelve years old , they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast ;
43 and when they had fulfilled the days , as they were returning , the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem . Joseph and his mother didn’ t know it ,
44 but supposing him to be in the company , they went a day ’s journey ; and they looked for him amongst their relatives and acquaintances .
45 When they didn’t find him , they returned to Jerusalem , looking for him .
46 After three days they found him in the temple , sitting in the middle of the teachers , both listening to them and asking them questions .
47 All who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.
48 When they saw him , they were astonished ; and his mother said to him , " Son , why have you treated us this way ? Behold , your father and I were anxiously looking for you ."
49 He said to them , " Why were you looking for me ? Didn’ t you know that I must be in my Father ’s house?"
50 They didn’ t understand the saying which he spoke to them .
51 And he went down with them and came to Nazareth . He was subject to them , and his mother kept all these sayings in her heart .
52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature , and in favour with God and men .