Moses Is Born^(A)

2 And ^(B)a man of the house of Levi went and took as wife a daughter of Levi. ² So the woman conceived and bore a son. And ^(C)when she saw that he was a beautiful child, she hid him three months. ³ But when she could no longer hide him, she took an ark of ^(D)bulrushes for him, daubed it with ^(E)asphalt and ^(F)pitch, put the child in it, and laid it in the reeds ^(G)by the river’s bank. ^4 (H)And his sister stood afar off, to know what would be done to him.

⁵ Then the ^(I)daughter of Pharaoh came down to bathe at the river. And her maidens walked along the riverside; and when she saw the ark among the reeds, she sent her maid to get it. ⁶ And when she opened it, she saw the child, and behold, the baby wept. So she had compassion on him, and said, “This is one of the Hebrews’ children.”

⁷ Then his sister said to Pharaoh’s daughter, “Shall I go and call a nurse for you from the Hebrew women, that she may nurse the child for you?”

⁸ And Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Go.” So the maiden went and called the child’s mother. ⁹ Then Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Take this child away and nurse him for me, and I will give you your wages.” So the woman took the child and nursed him. ¹⁰ And the child grew, and she brought him to Pharaoh’s daughter, and he became ^(J)her son. So she called his name ^[a]Moses, saying, “Because I drew him out of the water.”

Moses Flees to Midian^(K)

¹¹ Now it came to pass in those days, ^(L)when Moses was grown, that he went out to his brethren and looked at their burdens. And he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his brethren.

The Servant, the Light to the Gentiles

¹⁶ But shun profane and ^[a]idle babblings, for they will ^[b]increase to more ungodliness. ¹⁷ And their message will spread like cancer. ^(A)Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort, ¹⁸ who have strayed concerning the truth, ^(B)saying that the resurrection is already past; and they overthrow the faith of some. ¹⁹ Nevertheless ^(C)the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord ^(D)knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of ^[c]Christ depart from iniquity.”

²⁰ But in a great house there are not only ^(E)vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. ²¹ Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, ^[d]sanctified and useful for the Master, ^(F)prepared for every good work. ^22 (G)Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. ²³ But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. ²⁴ And ^(H)a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, ^(I)able to teach, ^(J)patient, ^25 (K)in humility correcting those who are in opposition, ^(L)if God perhaps will grant them repentance, ^(M)so that they may know the truth, ²⁶ and that they may come to their senses and ^(N)escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.

Perilous Times and Perilous Men

3 But know this, that ^(O)in the last days ^[e]perilous times will come:

Circumcision of Jesus

^21 (A)And when eight days were completed ^[a]for the circumcision of the Child, His name was called ^(B)Jesus, the name given by the angel ^(C)before He was conceived in the womb.

Jesus Presented in the Temple

²² Now when ^(D)the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord ^23 (E)(as it is written in the law of the Lord, ^(F)“Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”), ²⁴ and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, ^(G)“A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”

Simeon Sees God’s Salvation

²⁵ And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, ^(H)waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. ²⁶ And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not ^(I)see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. ²⁷ So he came ^(J)by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law, ²⁸ he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said:

^33 [b]And Joseph and His mother marveled at those things which were spoken of Him. ³⁴ Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is destined for the ^(N)fall and rising of many in Israel, and for ^(O)a sign which will be spoken against ³⁵ (yes, ^(P)a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

Anna Bears Witness to the Redeemer

³⁶ Now there was one, Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of ^(Q)Asher. She was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity; ³⁷ and this woman was a widow ^[c]of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers ^(R)night and day. ³⁸ And coming in that instant she gave thanks to ^[d]the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who ^(S)looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

The Family Returns to Nazareth

³⁹ So when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth. ^40 (T)And the Child grew and became strong ^[e]in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.

The Boy Jesus Amazes the Scholars

⁴¹ His parents went to ^(U)Jerusalem ^(V)every year at the Feast of the Passover. ⁴² And when He was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the ^(W)custom of the feast. ⁴³ When they had finished the ^(X)days, as they returned, the Boy Jesus lingered behind in Jerusalem. And ^[f]Joseph and His mother did not know it; ⁴⁴ but supposing Him to have been in the company, they went a day’s journey, and sought Him among their relatives and acquaintances. ⁴⁵ So when they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking Him. ⁴⁶ Now so it was that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. ⁴⁷ And ^(Y)all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers. ⁴⁸ So when they saw Him, they were amazed; and His mother said to Him, “Son, why have You done this to us? Look, Your father and I have sought You anxiously.”

⁴⁹ And He said to them, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be ^(Z)about ^(AA)My Father’s business?” ⁵⁰ But ^(AB)they did not understand the statement which He spoke to them.

Jesus Advances in Wisdom and Favor

⁵¹ Then He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was ^[g]subject to them, but His mother ^(AC)kept all these things in her heart. ⁵² And Jesus ^(AD)increased in wisdom and stature, ^(AE)and in favor with God and men.

John the Baptist Prepares the Way^(AF)

3 Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, ^(AG)Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene,