1 And it chanced, in those days, that there went out a commandment from Augustus the Emperor, that all the world should be taxed. 2 And this taxing was the first executed, and when Quirinius was leftenant in Syria. 3 And every man went unto his own city, there to be taxed.
4 And Joseph also ascended from Galilee, out of a city called Nazareth, into Jewry: unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem: because he was of the house and lineage of David: 5 to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, which was with child. 6 And it fortuned while they were there, her time was come that she should be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her first begotten son. And wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them within, in the inn.
8 And there were in the same region shepherds abiding in the field, and watching their flock by night. 9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord stood hard by them, and the brightness of the Lord shone round about them, and they were sore afraid. 10 But the angel said unto them, "Be not afraid: For behold, I bring you tidings of great joy, that shall come to all the people: 11 for unto you is born this day in the city of David a saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 12 And take this for a sign: ye shall find the child swaddled, and laid in a manger."
13 And straightway there was with the angel a multitude of heavenly soldiers, lauding God, and saying,
14 "Glory to God on high: and peace on the earth, and unto men, rejoicing."
15 And it fortuned, as soon as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, "Let us go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing that is happened, which the Lord hath showed unto us."
16 And they came with haste, and found Mary and Joseph, and the babe laid in a manger. 17 And when they had seen it, they published abroad the saying, which was told them of that child. 18 And all that heard it wondered, at those things which were told them of the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all those sayings, and pondered them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, praising and lauding God for all that they had heard and seen, even as it was told unto them.
21 And when the eighth day was come that the child should be circumcised, his name was called Jesus, which was named of the angel before he was conceived in the mother's womb. 22 And when the time of their purification, after the law of Moses, was come they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord: 23 As it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every man child that first openeth the matrix, shall be called holy to the Lord": 24 and to offer, as it is said in the law of the Lord, "A pair of turtle doves, or two young pigeons."
25 And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon. And the same man was just and feared God, and longed for the consolation of Israel, and the holy ghost was in him. 26 And an answer was given him of the holy ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 27 And he came by inspiration into the temple. And when the father and mother brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, 28 then took he him up in his arms and said,
29 "Lord, Now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace according to thy promise. 30 For mine eyes have seen the saviour sent from thee: 31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people. 32 A light to lighten the gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel."
33 And his father and mother marveled at those things, which were spoken of him: 34 And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, "Behold, this child shall be the fall, and resurrection, of many in Israel: And a sign which shall be spoken against. 35 And moreover, the sword shall pierce thy soul, that the thoughts of many hearts may be opened."
36 And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel of the tribe of Asher: which was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity. 37 And she had been a widow about four score and four years of age, which went never out of the temple, but served God there with fasting and prayer night and day. 38 And the same came forth that same hour, and praised the Lord, and spake of him to all that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.
39 And as soon as they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee to their own city, Nazareth. 40 And the child grew and waxed strong in spirit, and was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was with him.
41 And his father and mother went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of Easter. 42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast. 43 And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned home, the child Jesus bode still in Jerusalem, unknowing to his father and mother. 44 For they supposed he had been in the company, and therefore came a day's journey, and sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance. 45 When they found him not, they went back again to Jerusalem, and sought him. 46 And it fortuned, after three days, that they found him in the temple sitting in the midst of the doctors: both hearing them, and posing them. 47 And all that heard him marveled at his wit and answers. 48 And when they saw him, they were astonished. 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 unto them, "How is it that ye sought me? Wist ye not that I must go about my father's business?" 50 And they understood not the saying that he spake to them.
51 And he went with them, and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them. But his mother kept all these things in her heart. 52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and age, and in favour with God and man.