Now it happened that in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus to register all the empire.

And everyone went to be registered, each one to his own town.

And there were shepherds in the same region, living out of doors and keeping watch, guarding over their flock by night.

And Jesus was advancing in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and [with] people.

And his parents went every year to Jerusalem for the feast of the Passover.

that today a Savior, who is Christ the Lord, was born for you in the city of David.

And the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring good news to you of great joy which will be for all the people:

"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among people {with whom he is pleased}!"

And when the days of their purification were completed according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present [him] to the Lord

And when eight days were completed {so that he could be circumcised}, he was named Jesus, his name [that] [he] was called by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

And she gave birth to her firstborn son, and wrapped him in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem {whose name was} Simeon, and this man [was] righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.

And the child was growing and becoming strong, filled with wisdom, and the favor of God was upon him.

And there was a prophetess, Anna the daughter of Phanuel of the tribe of Asher (she was advanced {in years}, having lived with [her] husband seven years {after her marriage},

to be registered together with Mary, who was legally promised in marriage to him [and] was pregnant.

And he said to them, "{Why} were you searching for me? Did you not know that it was necessary [for] me to be in the [house] of my Father?"

So Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family line of David,

And they went hurrying and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby who was lying in the manger.

(just as it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every male that opens the womb will be called holy to the Lord")

And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit [that he would] not see death before he would see the Lord's Christ.

And all who heard [it] were astonished concerning what had been said to them by the shepherds.

And [when they] saw [it], they made known the statement that had been told to them about this child.

and to offer a sacrifice according to what was stated in the law of the Lord, "a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons."

And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as it had been told to them.

And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus so that they could do for him according to what was customary under the law,

he took him in [his] arms and praised God and said,

"Now dismiss your slave in peace, Lord, according to your word.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly army, praising God and saying,

a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory to your people Israel."

And an angel of the Lord stood near them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and {they were terribly frightened}.

And Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, "Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed--

And it happened that after three days they found him in the temple [courts], sitting in the midst of the teachers and listening to them and asking them [questions].

and a sword will pierce your own soul also, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed!"

But Mary treasured up all these words, pondering [them] in her heart.

For my eyes have seen your salvation

And it happened that when the angels had departed from them into heaven, the shepherds began to say to one another, "Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has revealed to us!"

and herself [as] a widow up to eighty-four years) who did not depart from the temple with fastings and prayers, serving night and day.

(This first registration took place [when] Quirinius was governor of Syria.)

And when they had completed everything according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth.

And he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was submitting to them. And his mother treasured all these things in her heart.

And when he was twelve years [old], they went up according to the custom of the feast.

And [when they] saw him, they were astounded and his mother said to him, "Child, why have you done this to us? Look, your father and I have been searching for you anxiously!"

And at [that] same hour she approached [and] began to give thanks to God, and to speak about him to all those who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.

And this will be the sign for you: you will find the baby wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in a manger."

And it happened that while they were there, {the time came} for her to give birth.

And his father and mother were astonished at what was said about him.

And [after] the days were completed, while they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. And his parents did not know [it],

And all who heard him were amazed at his insight and [his] answers.

that you have prepared in the presence of all the peoples,

but believing him to be in the group of travelers, they went a day's journey. And they began searching for him among [their] relatives and [their] acquaintances,

And they did not understand the statement that he spoke to them.

and [when they] did not find [him], they returned to Jerusalem to search for him.