1 Now it came to pass, in those days, that there went forth a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the inhabited earth should be enrolled.
2 (This enrolment first was made, when Quirinius was governor of Syria).
3 And all were going to be enrolled, each to his own city.
4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David;
5 to enrol himself with Mary his betrothed wife, being with child.
6 And it came to pass, while they were there, that the days were fulfilled for her to give birth;
7 and she brought forth her Son, the Firstborn, 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 country abiding in the field, and keeping watch by night over their flock.
9 And an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them; and they were greatly frightened.
10 And the angel said to them, "Fear not; for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which, indeed, shall be to all the people;
11 because there was born to-day, in the city of David, a Saviour, Who is Christ the Lord.
12 And this is the sign to you: ye will find a Babe 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,
15 And it came to pass, when the angels went away from them into Heaven, that the shepherds were saying one to another, "Let us go over at once to Bethlehem, and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord made known to us."
16 And, making haste, they went, and found both Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in the manger.
17 And, having seen Him, they made known concerning the saying spoken to them about this Child.
18 And all who heard wondered at the things spoken to them by the shepherds.
19 But Mary was closely keeping all these sayings, pondering them in her heart.
20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they heard and saw, as it was spoken to them.
21 And, when eight days were fulfilled for circumcising Him, His name was called Jesus??hich was so called by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.
22 And, 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 has been written in the law of the Lord??Every male opening the womb shall be called holy to the Lord"");
24 and to offer sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord