25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was (A)righteous and (B)devout, (C)waiting for (D)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 (E)see death before he had seen (F)the Lord's Christ. 27 And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when (G)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 (H)blessed God and said,

29 “Lord, now you are letting your servant[a] depart (I)in peace,
    (J)according to your word;
30 for (K)my eyes have seen your (L)salvation
31     (M)that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
32 (N)a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
    and (O)for glory to (P)your people Israel.”

33 And (Q)his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. 34 And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed (R)for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign (S)that is opposed 35 (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”

36 And there was (T)a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, 37 and then as a widow until she was eighty-four.[b] She did not depart from the temple, (U)worshiping with (V)fasting and prayer night and day. 38 And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were (W)waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.

The Return to Nazareth

39 And when they had performed everything according to (X)the Law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own town of (Y)Nazareth. 40 (Z)And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him.

The Boy Jesus in the Temple

41 Now (AA)his parents went (AB)to Jerusalem every year at (AC)the Feast of the Passover. 42 And when he was twelve years old, (AD)they went up according to custom. 43 And when the feast (AE)was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. (AF)His parents did not know it, 44 but supposing him to be in the group they went a day's journey, but then they began to search for him among their relatives and acquaintances, 45 and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching for him. 46 After three days they found him in the temple, (AG)sitting among (AH)the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48 And when his parents[c] saw him, they were astonished. And his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, (AI)your father and I have been searching for you in great distress.” 49 And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that (AJ)I must be in (AK)my Father's house?”[d] 50 And (AL)they did not understand the saying that he spoke to them. 51 And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And (AM)his mother treasured up all these things in her heart.

52 And Jesus (AN)increased in wisdom and in stature[e] and in (AO)favor with God and man.

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Footnotes

  1. Luke 2:29 Or bondservant
  2. Luke 2:37 Or as a widow for eighty-four years
  3. Luke 2:48 Greek they
  4. Luke 2:49 Or about my Father's business
  5. Luke 2:52 Or years

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