The Birth of Jesus
1In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus2:1 Mt 22:17; Lk 3:1 that the whole empire2:1 Or the whole inhabited world should be registered.
2This first registration took place while2:2 Or This registration was the first while, or This registration was before Quirinius was governing Syria.2:2 Mt 4:24
3So everyone went to be registered, each to his own town.
4Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth2:4 Mt 2:23; 4:13; 21:11; Jn 1:45 in Galilee, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem,2:4 Gn 35:19; 48:7; Jos 19:15; Jdg 12:10; 17:7–9; Ru 1:1; 1Sm 16:1; Mc 5:2 because he was of the house and family line of David,2:4 Lk 1:27
5to be registered along with Mary, who was engaged to him2:5 Lit betrothed and was pregnant.
6While they were there, the time came for her to give birth.
7Then she gave birth to her firstborn son, and she wrapped him tightly in cloth and laid him in a manger,2:7 Or feeding trough, also in vv. 12,16 because there was no guest room available for them.
The Shepherds and the Angels
8In the same region, shepherds were staying out in the fields and keeping watch at night over their flock.
9Then an angel of the Lord2:9 Mt 1:20; 2:13,19; 28:2; Lk 1:11; Ac 5:19; 8:26; 12:7; 12:23 stood before them,2:9 Lk 24:4; Ac 12:7 and the glory of the Lord2:9 Ex 24:16; 40:34–35; Lv 9:6,23; Nm 20:6; 1Kg 8:11; Is 35:2; 40:5; 60:1 shone around them, and they were terrified.2:9 Lit they feared a great fear
10But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid,2:10 Mt 14:27 for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people:2:10 Or the whole nation
13Suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host2:13 Lit heavenly army with the angel, praising God and saying:
and peace on earth2:14 Lk 12:51 to people he favors!2:14 Other mss read earth good will to people2:14 Or earth to men of good will2:14 Lk 3:22; Eph 1:9; Php 2:13
15When the angels had left them and returned to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go straight to Bethlehem and see what has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”
16They hurried off and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby who was lying in the manger.
17After seeing them, they reported the message they were told about this child,
The Circumcision and Presentation of Jesus
21When the eight days were completed for his circumcision,2:21 Lk 1:59 he was named Jesus2:21 Lk 1:31 — the name given by the angel before he was conceived.
22And when the days of their purification according to the law of Moses were finished,2:22 Lv 12:6–8 they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord
Simeon’s Prophetic Praise
25There was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout,2:25 Lk 1:6 looking forward to Israel’s consolation,2:25 Ps 135:14; Is 40:1–2,11; 49:10,13; 51:3,12; 57:18; 61:2; 66:13; Jr 31:9; Mk 15:43; Lk 2:38; 23:51 and the Holy Spirit was on him.
26It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit2:26 Mt 2:12 that he would not see death before he saw the Lord’s Messiah.2:26 Ps 89:48; Jn 8:51; Heb 11:5
27Guided by the Spirit, he entered the temple. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform for him what was customary under the law,
28Simeon took him up in his arms, praised God, and said,
29Now, Master,
you can dismiss your servant in peace,
as you promised.
30For my eyes have seen your salvation.2:30 Ps 119:166,174; Is 52:10; Lk 3:6
31You have prepared it
in the presence of all peoples —
and glory to your people Israel.2:32 Is 46:13 LXX
33His father and mother2:33 Other mss read But Joseph and his mother were amazed at what was being said about him.
34Then Simeon blessed them and told his mother Mary, “Indeed, this child is destined to cause the fall and rise of many in Israel2:34 Mt 21:44; 1Co 1:23; 2Co 2:16; 1Pt 2:8 and to be a sign that will be opposed2:34 Or spoken against —
35and a sword will pierce your own soul — that the thoughts2:35 Or schemes of many hearts may be revealed.”
Anna’s Testimony
36There was also a prophetess,2:36 Lk 2:38; Ac 21:9 Anna, a daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher.2:36 Jos 19:24 She was well along in years, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage,2:36 Lit years from her virginity2:36 1Tm 5:9
The Family’s Return to Nazareth
In His Father’s House
41Every year his parents traveled to Jerusalem for the Passover Festival.2:41 Ex 12:11; 23:15; Dt 16:1–6
42When he was twelve years old, they went up according to the custom of the festival.2:42 Dt 16:16–17
43After those days were over,2:43 Ex 12:15 as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents2:43 Other mss read but Joseph and his mother did not know it.
44Assuming he was in the traveling party, they went a day’s journey. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends.
45When they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for him.
46After three days, they found him in the temple sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.
47And all those who heard him were astounded at his understanding and his answers.
49
“Why were you searching for me?” he asked them. “Didn’t you know that it was necessary for me to be in my Father’s house?”2:49 Or be involved in my Father’s interests (or things), or be among my Father’s people
In Favor with God and with People
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