The Birth of Jesus Christ

2 In those days ^(A)a decree went out from ^(B)Caesar Augustus that all the world should be ^(C)registered. ² This was the first ^(D)registration when^[a] Quirinius ^(E)was governor of Syria. ³ And all went to be registered, each to his own town. ⁴ And Joseph also went up ^(F)from Galilee, from the town of ^(G)Nazareth, to Judea, to ^(H)the city of David, which is called ^(I)Bethlehem, ^(J)because he was of the house and lineage of David, ⁵ to be registered with Mary, his betrothed,^[b] who was with child. ⁶ And ^(K)while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. ⁷ And she gave birth to her firstborn son and ^(L)wrapped him in swaddling cloths and ^(M)laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in ^(N)the inn.^[c]

⁷ for ^(A)we brought nothing into the world, and^[a] we cannot take anything out of the world. ⁸ But ^(B)if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. ⁹ But ^(C)those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, ^(D)into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that ^(E)plunge people into ruin and destruction. ¹⁰ For the love of money is a root of ^(F)all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.

¹⁷ As for the rich in ^(A)this present age, charge them ^(B)not to be haughty, nor ^(C)to set their hopes on ^(D)the uncertainty of riches, but on God, ^(E)who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. ¹⁸ They are to do good, ^(F)to be rich in good works, to be generous and ^(G)ready to share, ¹⁹ thus ^(H)storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may ^(I)take hold of ^(J)that which is truly life.

¹¹ Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be ^(A)content. ¹² I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and ^(B)hunger, abundance and ^(C)need.