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Luke 2
Legacy Standard Bible

Jesus Is Born in Bethlehem

2 Now it happened that in those days a decree went out from (A)Caesar Augustus for a census to be taken of (B)all [a]the inhabited earth. 2 [b]This was the first census taken while [c]Quirinius was governor of (C)Syria. 3 And everyone was going to be registered for the census, each to his own city. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because (D)he was of the house and family of David, 5 in order to register along with Mary, who was betrothed to him, and was with child. 6 Now it happened that while they were there, the days were fulfilled for her to give birth. 7 And she (E)gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a [d]manger, because there was no place for them in the [e]guest room.

8 In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And (F)an angel of the [f]Lord (G)stood before them, and the glory of the [g]Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. 10 But the angel said to them, “(H)Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people. 11 For today in the city of David there has been born for you a (I)Savior, who is [h](J)Christ (K)the Lord. 12 (L)And this will be the sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a [i]manger.” 13 And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

14 “(M)Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace among men [j](N)with whom He is pleased.”

15 And it happened that when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, “Let us go to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 So they went in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the [k]manger. 17 And when they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child. 18 And all who heard it marveled at the things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary (O)was treasuring all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds went back, (P)glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as was told them.

Jesus Presented at the Temple

21 And when (Q)eight days were fulfilled so that they could circumcise Him, (R)His name was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.

22 (S)And when the days for their cleansing according to the Law of Moses were fulfilled, they brought Him up to Jerusalem to present Him to the [l]Lord 23 (as it is written in the Law of the [m]Lord, “(T)Every firstborn male that opens the womb shall be called holy to the [n]Lord”), 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what was said in the Law of the [o]Lord, “(U)A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”

25 And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was (V)righteous and devout, (W)waiting for the [p](X)comfort of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And (Y)it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not (Z)see death before he had seen the [q]Lord’s [r]Christ. 27 And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus [s](AA)to carry out for Him the custom of the Law, 28 then he took Him into his arms and blessed God, and said,

29 “Now Master, You are releasing Your slave in peace,
(AB)According to Your word.
30 For my eyes have (AC)seen Your salvation,
31 Which You prepared in the presence of all peoples,
32 (AD)A Light for revelation to the Gentiles,
And for the glory of Your people Israel.”

33 And His father and (AE)mother were marveling at the things which were being said about Him. 34 And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary (AF)His mother, “Behold, this Child is appointed for (AG)the fall and [t]rise of many in Israel, and for a sign to be opposed— 35 and a sword will pierce through your own soul as well—that the thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”

36 And there was a (AH)prophetess, [u]Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of (AI)the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in [v]years (AJ)having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, 37 and then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple, serving night and day with (AK)fastings and prayers. 38 And at that very [w]moment she came up and began giving thanks to God, and continued to speak of Him to all those who were (AL)waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.

The Return to Nazareth

39 And when they had finished everything according to the Law of the [x]Lord, they returned to Galilee, to (AM)their own city of Nazareth. 40 (AN)Now the Child continued to grow and become strong, being filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.

The Boy Jesus in the Temple

41 And His parents would go to Jerusalem every year at (AO)the Feast of the Passover. 42 And when He became twelve years old, they went up there according to the custom of the Feast; 43 and as they were returning, after finishing the (AP)days of the Feast, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. But His parents did not know. 44 But supposing Him to be in the caravan, they went a day’s journey, and they began searching for Him among their relatives and acquaintances. 45 When they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem searching for Him. 46 And it happened 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 all who heard Him (AQ)were astounded at His understanding and His answers. 48 When they saw Him, they were astonished, and (AR)His mother said to Him, “Child, why have You treated us this way? Behold, (AS)Your father and I [y]have been anxiously searching for You.” 49 And He said to them, “Why is it that you were searching for Me? Did you not know that (AT)I had to be in My Father’s [z]house?” 50 But (AU)they did not understand the statement which He had spoken to them. 51 And He went down with them and came to (AV)Nazareth, and He continued in subjection to them, and (AW)His mother (AX)was treasuring all these [aa]things in her heart.

52 And Jesus was advancing in wisdom and [ab]stature, and in (AY)favor with God and men.

Footnotes

  1. Luke 2:1 The Roman empire
  2. Luke 2:2 Or This took place as a first census
  3. Luke 2:2 Gr Kyrenios
  4. Luke 2:7 Or feeding trough
  5. Luke 2:7 Gr kataluma, cf. 22:11; some versions inn
  6. Luke 2:9 In OT, Yahweh, cf. Ex 40:34; 2 Kin 1:3
  7. Luke 2:9 In OT, Yahweh, cf. Ex 40:34; 2 Kin 1:3
  8. Luke 2:11 Messiah
  9. Luke 2:12 Or feeding trough
  10. Luke 2:14 Or of good will; lit of good pleasure
  11. Luke 2:16 Or feeding trough
  12. Luke 2:22 In OT, Yahweh, cf. Lev 14:11
  13. Luke 2:23 In OT, Yahweh, cf. Ps 19:7; Ex 13:2
  14. Luke 2:23 In OT, Yahweh, cf. Ps 19:7; Ex 13:2
  15. Luke 2:24 In OT, Yahweh, cf. Ps 19:7
  16. Luke 2:25 Or consolation
  17. Luke 2:26 In OT, Yahweh, cf. 1 Sam 2:10
  18. Luke 2:26 Messiah
  19. Luke 2:27 Lit to do for Him according to
  20. Luke 2:34 Or resurrection
  21. Luke 2:36 Or Hannah
  22. Luke 2:36 Lit days
  23. Luke 2:38 Lit hour
  24. Luke 2:39 In OT, Yahweh, cf. Ps 19:7
  25. Luke 2:48 Lit are anxiously looking
  26. Luke 2:49 Or affairs; lit in the things of My Father
  27. Luke 2:51 Lit words
  28. Luke 2:52 Or age
Close ASV

Luke 2
American Standard Version

2 Now it came to pass in those days, there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all [a]the world should be enrolled. 2 This was the first enrolment made when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to enrol themselves, every one to his own city. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David; 5 to enrol himself with Mary, who was betrothed to him, being great with child. 6 And it came to pass, while they were there, the days were fulfilled that she should be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn son; and she wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

8 And there were shepherds in the same country abiding in the field, and keeping [b]watch by night over their flock. 9 And an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 10 And the angel said unto them, Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all the people: 11 for there is born to you this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is [c]Christ the Lord. 12 And this is the sign unto you: Ye shall find a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, and lying in a manger. 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

14 Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth [d]peace among [e]men in whom he is well pleased.

15 And it came to pass, when the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this [f]thing that is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. 16 And they came with haste, and found both Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in the manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known concerning the saying which was spoken to them about this child. 18 And all that heard it wondered at the things which were spoken unto them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these [g]sayings, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, even as it was spoken unto them.

21 And when eight days were fulfilled for circumcising him, his name was called Jesus, which was so called by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

22 And when the days of their purification [h]according to the law of Moses were fulfilled, they brought him up to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the law of the Lord, [i]Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord), 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, [j]A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons. 25 And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been revealed unto him by the Holy Spirit, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27 And he came in the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, that they might do concerning him after the custom of the law, 28 then he received him into his arms, and blessed God, and said,

29 Now lettest thou thy [k]servant depart, [l]Lord,
According to thy word, in peace;
30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,
31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples;
32 A light for [m]revelation to the Gentiles,
And the glory of thy people Israel.

33 And his father and his mother were marvelling at the things which were spoken concerning him; 34 and Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the falling and the rising of many in Israel; and for a sign which is spoken against; 35 yea and a sword shall pierce through thine own soul; that thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed. 36 And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher (she was [n]of a great age, having lived with a husband seven years from her virginity, 37 and she had been a widow even unto fourscore and four years), who departed not from the temple, worshipping with fastings and supplications night and day. 38 And coming up at that very hour she gave thanks unto God, and spake of him to all them that were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem. 39 And when they had accomplished all things that were according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.

40 And the child grew, and waxed strong, [o]filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.

41 And his parents went every year to Jerusalem at the feast of the passover. 42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up after the custom of the feast; 43 and when they had fulfilled the days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and his parents knew it not; 44 but supposing him to be in the company, they went a day’s journey; and they sought for him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance: 45 and when they found him not, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking for him. 46 And it came to pass, after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the [p]teachers, both hearing them, and asking them questions: 47 and all that heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48 And when they saw him, they were astonished; and his mother said unto him, [q]Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I sought thee sorrowing. 49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? knew ye not that I must be [r]in my Father’s house? 50 And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them. 51 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth; and he was subject unto them: and his mother kept all these [s]sayings in her heart.

52 And Jesus advanced in wisdom and [t]stature, and in [u]favor with God and men.

Footnotes

  1. Luke 2:1 Greek the inhabited earth.
  2. Luke 2:8 Or, night-watches
  3. Luke 2:11 Or, Anointed Lord
  4. Luke 2:14 Many ancient authorities read peace, good pleasure among men.
  5. Luke 2:14 Greek men of good pleasure.
  6. Luke 2:15 Or, saying
  7. Luke 2:19 Or, things
  8. Luke 2:22 Lev. 12:2–6.
  9. Luke 2:23 Ex. 13:2, 12.
  10. Luke 2:24 Lev. 12:8; 5:11.
  11. Luke 2:29 Greek bondservant.
  12. Luke 2:29 Greek Master.
  13. Luke 2:32 Or, the unveiling of the Gentiles
  14. Luke 2:36 Greek advanced in many days.
  15. Luke 2:40 Greek becoming full of wisdom.
  16. Luke 2:46 Or, doctors. See 5:17; Acts 5:34.
  17. Luke 2:48 Greek Child.
  18. Luke 2:49 Or, about my Father’s business. Greek in the things of my Father.
  19. Luke 2:51 Or, things
  20. Luke 2:52 Or, age
  21. Luke 2:52 Or, grace
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