Jesus Presented in the Temple

²² Now when ^(A)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 (B)(as it is written in the law of the Lord, ^(C)“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, ^(D)“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, ^(E)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 ^(F)see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. ²⁷ So he came ^(G)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 [a]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 ^(K)fall and rising of many in Israel, and for ^(L)a sign which will be spoken against ³⁵ (yes, ^(M)a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

Preaching in Galilee^(A)

³⁵ Now ^(B)in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a ^[a]solitary place; and there He ^(C)prayed. ³⁶ And Simon and those who were with Him searched for Him. ³⁷ When they found Him, they said to Him, ^(D)“Everyone ^(E)is looking for You.”

³⁸ But He said to them, ^(F)“Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also, because ^(G)for this purpose I have come forth.”

^39 (H)And He was preaching in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and ^(I)casting out demons.

Jesus Cleanses a Leper^(J)

^40 (K)Now a leper came to Him, imploring Him, kneeling down to Him and saying to Him, “If You are willing, You can make me clean.”

⁴¹ Then Jesus, moved with ^(L)compassion, stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, “I am willing; be cleansed.” ⁴² As soon as He had spoken, ^(M)immediately the leprosy left him, and he was cleansed. ⁴³ And He strictly warned him and sent him away at once, ⁴⁴ and said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone; but go your way, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing those things ^(N)which Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.”

^45 (O)However, he went out and began to proclaim it freely, and to spread the matter, so that Jesus could no longer openly enter the city, but was outside in deserted places; ^(P)and they came to Him from every direction.