耶穌降生伯利恆

那時,凱撒奧古斯都頒下諭旨,命羅馬帝國的人民都辦理戶口登記。 這是第一次戶口登記,正值居里紐任敘利亞總督。 大家都回到本鄉辦理戶口登記。 約瑟因為是大衛家族的人,就從加利利的拿撒勒鎮趕到猶太地區大衛的故鄉伯利恆, 要和已許配給他、懷著身孕的瑪麗亞一起登記。 他們抵達目的地時,瑪麗亞產期到了, 便生下第一胎,是個兒子。她用布把孩子裹好,安放在馬槽裡,因為旅店沒有房間了。

牧羊人和天使

當晚,伯利恆郊外有一群牧羊人正在看守羊群。 忽然,主的天使向他們顯現,主的榮光四面照著他們,他們非常害怕。 10 天使對他們說:「不要怕!我告訴你們一個有關萬民的大喜訊, 11 今天在大衛的城裡有一位救主為你們降生了,祂就是主基督! 12 你們將看見一個嬰孩包著布躺在馬槽裡,這就是給你們的記號。」

13 忽然,有一大隊天軍出現,與那天使一同讚美上帝說:

14 「在至高之處,
願榮耀歸於上帝!
在地上,
願平安臨到祂所喜悅的人!」

15 眾天使離開他們升回天上之後,牧羊人便商議說:「我們現在去伯利恆,察看一下主剛才告訴我們的那件事吧!」 16 他們就連忙進城,找到了瑪麗亞和約瑟以及躺在馬槽裡的嬰孩。 17 他們看過之後,就把天使告訴他們有關這嬰孩的事傳開了。 18 聽見的人都對牧羊人的話感到驚訝。

19 但瑪麗亞把這些事牢記在心裡,反覆思想。 20 牧羊人在歸途中不斷地將榮耀歸於上帝,讚美祂,因為他們的所見所聞跟天使告訴他們的一樣。

奉獻聖嬰

21 在第八天,嬰孩接受了割禮,祂的名字叫耶穌,是瑪麗亞懷孕前天使取的。

22 摩西律法規定的潔淨期滿後,約瑟和瑪麗亞把嬰孩帶到耶路撒冷去獻給主, 23 因為主的律法規定:必須把長子分別出來獻給主。 24 他們又按照主的律法獻上祭物,即一對斑鳩或兩隻雛鴿。 25 耶路撒冷有一位公義敬虔、有聖靈同在的人名叫希緬,他一直期待著以色列的安慰者到來。 26 聖靈曾啟示他:他去世前必能親眼看見主所立的基督。

27 一天,他受聖靈感動進入聖殿,看見約瑟和瑪麗亞抱著嬰孩耶穌進來,要依照律法的規定為祂行奉獻禮, 28 就把祂抱過來,稱頌上帝說:

29 「主啊,現在你的話已經成就,
可以讓你的奴僕安然離世了,
30 因為我已親眼看到你的救恩,
31 就是你為萬民所預備的救恩。
32 這救恩是啟示外族人的光,
也是你以色列子民的榮耀。」

33 約瑟和瑪麗亞聽見這番話,感到驚奇。 34 希緬給他們祝福後,就對孩子的母親瑪麗亞說:「看啊,這孩子必使以色列許多人跌倒、許多人興起。祂將成為眾人攻擊的對象, 35 好叫許多人的心思意念暴露出來,你自己則會心如刀割。」

36-37 亞設支派中有一位八十四歲高齡的女先知名叫亞拿,是法內利的女兒,婚後七年便開始守寡,之後一直住在聖殿裡,禁食禱告,日夜事奉上帝。 38 正在那時,她也前來感謝上帝,並把耶穌的事報告給所有盼望耶路撒冷蒙救贖的人。

39 約瑟和瑪麗亞辦完了主的律法規定的一切事之後,就回到他們的家鄉——加利利的拿撒勒。 40 耶穌漸漸長大,身心強健,充滿智慧,上帝的恩典與祂同在。

少年耶穌聖殿論道

41 約瑟和瑪麗亞每年都上耶路撒冷去過逾越節。 42 耶穌十二歲那年,跟父母照例上去過節。 43 節期完了,約瑟和瑪麗亞便啟程回家,他們並不知道少年耶穌仍然留在耶路撒冷, 44 還以為祂跟在同行的人中間。他們走了一天的路後,才開始在親戚朋友中找祂, 45 結果沒有找到,只好回到耶路撒冷。 46 三天後,他們才在聖殿裡找到耶穌,祂正和教師們坐在一起,一邊聽一邊問問題。 47 祂的知識和對答令聽見的人感到驚奇。 48 約瑟和瑪麗亞看見耶穌在那裡,大為驚奇。

瑪麗亞對祂說:「兒子,你為什麼這樣對我們呢?你父親和我急得到處找你!」

49 耶穌對他們說:「你們為什麼找我呢?難道你們不知道我應該在我父的家嗎?」 50 但他們不明白祂在講什麼。

51 於是,耶穌隨父母回到拿撒勒,並順從他們。瑪麗亞把這一切事牢記在心。 52 耶穌漸漸長大,智慧與日俱增,越來越受上帝和人們的喜愛。

Ang Pagsilang ni Jesus(A)

Nang panahong iyon, iniutos ni Emperador Augusto na magkaroon ng sensus sa lahat ng nasasakupan ng Imperyo ng Roma. Ang unang sensus na ito ay ginawa noong si Cirenio ang gobernador ng Siria. Kaya't umuwi ang mga tao sa sarili nilang bayan upang magpatala.

Mula sa Nazaret, isang lungsod sa Galilea, si Jose ay pumunta sa Judea, sa Bethlehem na bayang sinilangan ni Haring David, sapagkat siya'y mula sa angkan ni David. Kasama rin niyang umuwi upang magpatala si Maria na kanyang magiging asawa, na noon ay nagdadalang-tao. Habang sila'y nasa Bethlehem, sumapit ang oras ng panganganak ni Maria. Isinilang niya ang kanyang panganay, na isang lalaki. Binalot niya sa lampin ang sanggol at inihiga sa isang sabsaban, sapagkat wala nang lugar para sa kanila sa bahay-panuluyan.

Ang mga Pastol at ang mga Anghel

Doon ay may mga pastol na nasa parang at nagbabantay ng kanilang mga tupa nang gabing iyon. At tumayo(B) sa harapan nila ang isang anghel ng Panginoon at nagliwanag sa kapaligiran nila ang kaluwalhatian ng Panginoon. Ganoon na lamang ang kanilang pagkatakot. 10 Ngunit sinabi sa kanila ng anghel, “Huwag kayong matakot! Ako'y may dalang magandang balita para sa inyo na magdudulot ng malaking kagalakan sa lahat ng tao. 11 Isinilang sa inyo ngayon sa bayan ni David ang Tagapagligtas, ang Cristong Panginoon. 12 Ito ang inyong palatandaan: matatagpuan ninyo ang isang sanggol na nababalot ng lampin at nakahiga sa isang sabsaban.”

13 Biglang lumitaw kasama ng anghel ang isang malaking hukbo ng mga anghel sa kalangitan. Sila'y nagpupuri sa Diyos at umaawit,

14 “Papuri sa Diyos sa kaitaasan,
    at sa lupa ay kapayapaan sa mga taong kinalulugdan niya!”

15 Nang makaalis na ang mga anghel pabalik sa langit, ang mga pastol ay nag-usap-usap, “Tayo na sa Bethlehem! Tingnan natin ang pangyayaring ito na ibinalita sa atin ng Panginoon.” 16 Nagmamadali silang pumunta roon at natagpuan nila sina Maria at Jose, at naroon ang sanggol na nakahiga sa sabsaban. 17 Nang makita ng mga pastol ang sanggol, isinalaysay nila ang sinabi ng anghel tungkol dito. 18 Namangha ang lahat ng nakarinig sa sinabi ng mga pastol. 19 Tinandaan ni Maria ang mga bagay na ito, at ito'y kanyang pinagbulay-bulayan.

20 Umalis ang mga pastol na nagpupuri sa Diyos at nagpapahayag ng kanyang kadakilaan dahil sa lahat ng narinig nila at nakita, ayon sa sinabi sa kanila ng anghel.

Pinangalanan si Jesus

21 Pagsapit(C) ng ikawalong araw, tinuli ang bata at pinangalanang Jesus. Ito ang pangalang sinabi ng anghel bago pa siya ipaglihi.

Dinala si Jesus sa Templo

22 Nang(D) sumapit ang araw ng kanilang pagtupad sa seremonya ng paglilinis ayon sa Kautusan ni Moises, pumunta sila sa Jerusalem. Dinala nila ang sanggol upang iharap sa Panginoon, 23 sapagkat(E) ganito ang nasusulat sa Kautusan ng Panginoon, “Bawat panganay na lalaki ay itatalaga sa Panginoon.” 24 Nag-alay din sila ng handog ayon sa nakasaad sa Kautusan ng Panginoon: magkapares na ibong batu-bato, o kaya'y dalawang inakay na kalapati.

25 May isang tao noon sa Jerusalem na ang pangala'y Simeon, isang lalaking matuwid, may takot sa Diyos at naghihintay sa katubusan ng Israel. Nasa kanya ang Espiritu Santo. 26 Ipinahayag ng Espiritu Santo sa kanya na hindi siya mamamatay hangga't hindi niya nakikita ang Cristo na ipinangako ng Panginoon. 27 Sa patnubay ng Espiritu, si Simeon ay pumasok sa Templo. At nang dalhin doon nina Jose at Maria ang sanggol na si Jesus upang tuparin ang ayon sa itinatakda ng Kautusan, 28 kinarga ni Simeon ang sanggol. Pagkatapos, nagpuri siya sa Diyos,

29 “Ngayon, Panginoon, maaari na pong yumaong mapayapa
    ang inyong abang alipin ayon sa inyong pangako.
30 Yamang nakita na po ng aking mga mata ang inyong pagliligtas,
31     na inyong inihanda sa harapan ng lahat ng bansa.
32 Ito(F) po ay liwanag na tatanglaw sa mga Hentil
    at magbibigay-dangal sa inyong bansang Israel.”

33 Namangha ang mga magulang ng sanggol dahil sa sinabi ni Simeon tungkol sa bata. 34 Binasbasan sila ni Simeon, at sinabi kay Maria, “Tandaan mo, ang batang ito'y nakatalaga sa ikapapahamak o ikaliligtas ng marami sa Israel. Siya ang magiging tanda mula sa Diyos ngunit tutuligsain siya ng marami, 35 kaya't mahahayag ang kanilang iniisip. Dahil dito, magdaranas ka ng matinding kapighatiang parang isang patalim na itinarak sa iyong puso.”

36 Naroon(G) din sa Templo ang isang propetang babae na ang pangalan ay Ana, anak ni Fanuel at mula sa lipi ni Asher. Siya'y napakatanda na. Pitong taon lamang silang nagsama ng kanyang asawa, 37 at ngayo'y walumpu't apat na taon na siyang biyuda. Lagi siya sa Templo at araw-gabi'y sumasamba sa Diyos sa pamamagitan ng pag-aayuno at pananalangin. 38 Nang oras na iyon, lumapit siya kina Jose at Maria at nagpasalamat sa Diyos. Nagsalita rin siya tungkol sa sanggol sa lahat ng naghihintay sa pagpapalaya ng Diyos sa Jerusalem.

Ang Pagbalik sa Nazaret

39 Nang(H) maisagawa na nila ang lahat ng ayon sa itinatakda ng kautusan ng Panginoon, umuwi na sila sa bayan ng Nazaret sa Galilea. 40 Ang bata'y lumaking malusog, puspos ng karunungan, at kalugud-lugod sa Diyos.

Ang Batang si Jesus sa Loob ng Templo

41 Taun-taon,(I) tuwing Pista ng Paskwa, ang mga magulang ni Jesus ay pumupunta sa Jerusalem. 42 Nang siya'y labindalawang taon na, dumalo sila sa pista, ayon sa kanilang kaugalian. 43 Sila'y umuwi na pagkatapos ng pista. Ang batang si Jesus ay nagpaiwan sa Jerusalem ngunit hindi ito napansin ng kanyang mga magulang. 44 Sa pag-aakalang siya ay kasama ng pangkat, nagpatuloy sila sa maghapong paglalakbay. Pagkatapos, siya ay hinanap nila sa kanilang mga kamag-anak at mga kakilala, ngunit 45 hindi nila natagpuan si Jesus. Kaya't bumalik sila sa Jerusalem upang doon maghanap. 46 Pagkalipas ng tatlong araw, si Jesus ay natagpuan nila sa loob ng Templo. Siya'y nakaupong kasama ng mga guro. Nakikinig siya at nagtatanong sa kanila, 47 at ang lahat ng nakakarinig sa kanya ay hangang-hanga sa kanyang pang-unawa at mga sagot. 48 Namangha rin ang kanyang mga magulang nang siya'y makita. Sinabi ng kanyang ina, “Anak, bakit mo naman ginawa ito sa amin? Lubha ang aming pag-aalala ng iyong ama sa paghahanap sa iyo.”

49 Sumagot si Jesus, “Bakit po ninyo ako hinahanap? Hindi po ba ninyo alam na ako'y dapat mamalagi sa bahay ng aking Ama?”[a] 50 Ngunit hindi nila naunawaan ang sinabi niyang ito.

51 Siya'y sumama sa kanila pauwi sa Nazaret, at siya'y naging masunurin sa kanila. Ang lahat ng bagay na ito ay iningatan ng kanyang ina sa kanyang puso. 52 Patuloy(J) na lumaki si Jesus sa pangangatawan, lumawak ang kanyang karunungan at lalong naging kalugud-lugod sa Diyos at sa mga tao.

Footnotes

  1. 49 ako'y dapat mamalagi sa bahay ng aking Ama?: o kaya'y dapat kong iukol ang aking panahon sa gawain ng aking Ama?

The Birth of Jesus

In those days Caesar Augustus(A) issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.(B) (This was the first census that took place while[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.)(C) And everyone went to their own town to register.

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem(D) the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him(E) and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel(F) of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid.(G) I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior(H) has been born to you; he is the Messiah,(I) the Lord.(J) 12 This will be a sign(K) to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
    and on earth peace(L) to those on whom his favor rests.”

15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.(M) 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.(N) 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God(O) for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

21 On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child,(P) he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived.(Q)

Jesus Presented in the Temple

22 When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses,(R) Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord”[b]),(S) 24 and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: “a pair of doves or two young pigeons.”[c](T)

25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout.(U) He was waiting for the consolation of Israel,(V) and the Holy Spirit was on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27 Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required,(W) 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:

29 “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,(X)
    you may now dismiss[d] your servant in peace.(Y)
30 For my eyes have seen your salvation,(Z)
31     which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
    and the glory of your people Israel.”(AA)

33 The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother:(AB) “This child is destined to cause the falling(AC) and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, 35 so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”

36 There was also a prophet,(AD) Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 and then was a widow until she was eighty-four.[e](AE) She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying.(AF) 38 Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.(AG)

39 When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth.(AH) 40 And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him.(AI)

The Boy Jesus at the Temple

41 Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Festival of the Passover.(AJ) 42 When he was twelve years old, they went up to the festival, according to the custom. 43 After the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. 44 Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. 45 When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. 46 After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 Everyone who heard him was amazed(AK) at his understanding and his answers. 48 When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother(AL) said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father(AM) and I have been anxiously searching for you.”

49 “Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?”[f](AN) 50 But they did not understand what he was saying to them.(AO)

51 Then he went down to Nazareth with them(AP) and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart.(AQ) 52 And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.(AR)

Footnotes

  1. Luke 2:2 Or This census took place before
  2. Luke 2:23 Exodus 13:2,12
  3. Luke 2:24 Lev. 12:8
  4. Luke 2:29 Or promised, / now dismiss
  5. Luke 2:37 Or then had been a widow for eighty-four years.
  6. Luke 2:49 Or be about my Father’s business

The Birth of Jesus

At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. He took with him Mary, to whom he was engaged, who was now expecting a child.

And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.

The Shepherds and Angels

That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, 10 but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. 11 The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! 12 And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.”

13 Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in highest heaven,
    and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”

15 When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

16 They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. 17 After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. 18 All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished, 19 but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. 20 The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them.

Jesus Is Presented in the Temple

21 Eight days later, when the baby was circumcised, he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel even before he was conceived.

22 Then it was time for their purification offering, as required by the law of Moses after the birth of a child; so his parents took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. 23 The law of the Lord says, “If a woman’s first child is a boy, he must be dedicated to the Lord.”[a] 24 So they offered the sacrifice required in the law of the Lord—“either a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”[b]

The Prophecy of Simeon

25 At that time there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon. He was righteous and devout and was eagerly waiting for the Messiah to come and rescue Israel. The Holy Spirit was upon him 26 and had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27 That day the Spirit led him to the Temple. So when Mary and Joseph came to present the baby Jesus to the Lord as the law required, 28 Simeon was there. He took the child in his arms and praised God, saying,

29 “Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace,
    as you have promised.
30 I have seen your salvation,
31     which you have prepared for all people.
32 He is a light to reveal God to the nations,
    and he is the glory of your people Israel!”

33 Jesus’ parents were amazed at what was being said about him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them, and he said to Mary, the baby’s mother, “This child is destined to cause many in Israel to fall, and many others to rise. He has been sent as a sign from God, but many will oppose him. 35 As a result, the deepest thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your very soul.”

The Prophecy of Anna

36 Anna, a prophet, was also there in the Temple. She was the daughter of Phanuel from the tribe of Asher, and she was very old. Her husband died when they had been married only seven years. 37 Then she lived as a widow to the age of eighty-four.[c] She never left the Temple but stayed there day and night, worshiping God with fasting and prayer. 38 She came along just as Simeon was talking with Mary and Joseph, and she began praising God. She talked about the child to everyone who had been waiting expectantly for God to rescue Jerusalem.

39 When Jesus’ parents had fulfilled all the requirements of the law of the Lord, they returned home to Nazareth in Galilee. 40 There the child grew up healthy and strong. He was filled with wisdom, and God’s favor was on him.

Jesus Speaks with the Teachers

41 Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Passover festival. 42 When Jesus was twelve years old, they attended the festival as usual. 43 After the celebration was over, they started home to Nazareth, but Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents didn’t miss him at first, 44 because they assumed he was among the other travelers. But when he didn’t show up that evening, they started looking for him among their relatives and friends.

45 When they couldn’t find him, they went back to Jerusalem to search for him there. 46 Three days later they finally discovered him in the Temple, sitting among the religious teachers, listening to them and asking questions. 47 All who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.

48 His parents didn’t know what to think. “Son,” his mother said to him, “why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been frantic, searching for you everywhere.”

49 “But why did you need to search?” he asked. “Didn’t you know that I must be in my Father’s house?”[d] 50 But they didn’t understand what he meant.

51 Then he returned to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. And his mother stored all these things in her heart.

52 Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all the people.

Footnotes

  1. 2:23 Exod 13:2.
  2. 2:24 Lev 12:8.
  3. 2:37 Or She had been a widow for eighty-four years.
  4. 2:49 Or “Didn’t you realize that I should be involved with my Father’s affairs?”