Isaiah 9:2-7
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
2 [a]The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light;
those who lived in a land of deep darkness—
on them light has shined.(A)
3 You have multiplied exultation;[b]
you have increased its joy;
they rejoice before you
as with joy at the harvest,
as people exult when dividing plunder.(B)
4 For the yoke of their burden
and the bar across their shoulders,
the rod of their oppressor,
you have broken as on the day of Midian.(C)
5 For all the boots of the tramping warriors
and all the garments rolled in blood
shall be burned as fuel for the fire.(D)
6 For a child has been born for us,
a son given to us;
authority rests upon his shoulders,
and he is named
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.(E)
7 Great will be his authority,[c]
and there shall be endless peace
for the throne of David and his kingdom.
He will establish and uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
from this time onward and forevermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.(F)
Isaiah 9:2-7
New International Version
2 The people walking in darkness(A)
have seen a great light;(B)
on those living in the land of deep darkness(C)
a light has dawned.(D)
3 You have enlarged the nation(E)
and increased their joy;(F)
they rejoice before you
as people rejoice at the harvest,
as warriors rejoice
when dividing the plunder.(G)
4 For as in the day of Midian’s defeat,(H)
you have shattered(I)
the yoke(J) that burdens them,
the bar across their shoulders,(K)
the rod of their oppressor.(L)
5 Every warrior’s boot used in battle
and every garment rolled in blood
will be destined for burning,(M)
will be fuel for the fire.
6 For to us a child is born,(N)
to us a son is given,(O)
and the government(P) will be on his shoulders.(Q)
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor,(R) Mighty God,(S)
Everlasting(T) Father,(U) Prince of Peace.(V)
7 Of the greatness of his government(W) and peace(X)
there will be no end.(Y)
He will reign(Z) on David’s throne
and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
with justice(AA) and righteousness(AB)
from that time on and forever.(AC)
The zeal(AD) of the Lord Almighty
will accomplish this.
Luke 2:1-20
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
The Birth of Jesus
2 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 All went to their own towns to be registered. 4 Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David.(A) 5 He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no place in the guest room.[a]
The Shepherds and the Angels
8 Now in that same region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before 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, for see, I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people:(B) 11 to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah,[b] the Lord.(C) 12 This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.”(D) 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host,[c] praising God and saying,(E)
15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph and the child lying in the manger. 17 When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them, 19 and Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart.(G) 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told them.(H)
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Luke 2:1-20
New International Version
The Birth of Jesus
2 In those days Caesar Augustus(A) issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.(B) 2 (This was the first census that took place while[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.)(C) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.
4 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. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him(E) and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 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.
8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 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.
Footnotes
- Luke 2:2 Or This census took place before
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