1 Now it happened that in those days a decree went out from Caesar
2 (This first registration took place
3 And everyone went to be registered, each one to his own town.
4 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,
5 to be registered together with Mary, who was legally promised in marriage to him
6 And it happened that while they were there,
7 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.
8 And there were shepherds in the same region, living out of doors and keeping watch, guarding over their flock by night.
9 And an angel of the Lord stood near them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and
10 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:
11 that today a Savior, who is Christ the Lord, was born for you in the city of David.
12 And this will be the sign for you: you will find the baby wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in a manger.”
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly army, praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest,
15 And it happened that when the angels had departed from them into heaven, the shepherds began to say
16 And they went hurrying and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby who was lying in the manger.
17 And
18 And all who heard
19 But Mary treasured up all these words, pondering
20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as it had been told to them.
21 And when eight days were completed
22 And when the days of their purification were completed according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present
23 (just as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every male that opens the womb will be called holy to the Lord”)
24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what was stated in the law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”
25 And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem
26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit
27 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,
28 he took him in
29 “Now dismiss your slave in peace, Lord,
30 For my eyes have seen your salvation
31 that you have prepared in the presence of all the peoples,
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
33 And his father and mother were astonished at what was said about him.
34 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
35 and a sword will pierce your own soul also, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed!”
36 And there was a prophetess, Anna the daughter of Phanuel of the tribe of Asher (she was advanced
37 and herself
38 And at
39 And when they had completed everything according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth.
40 And the child was growing and becoming strong, filled with wisdom, and the favor of God was upon him.
41 And his parents went every year to Jerusalem for the feast of the Passover.
42 And when he was twelve years
43 And
44 but believing him to be in the group of travelers, they went a day’s journey. And they began searching for
45 and
46 And it happened that after three days they found him in the temple
47 And all who heard him were amazed at his insight and
48 And
49 And he said to them, “
50 And they did not understand the statement that he spoke to them.
51 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.
52 And Jesus was advancing in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and