³⁸ At that moment she came and began to praise God and to speak about the child^[a] to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.^(A)

²⁵ Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him.^(A)

¹⁵ Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!^(A)

²¹ But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel.^[a] Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things took place.^(A)

Spiritual Blessings in Christ

³ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places,^[a](A)

⁵¹ had not agreed to their plan and action. He came from the Jewish town of Arimathea, and he was waiting expectantly for the kingdom of God.^(A)

²⁸ Simeon^[a] took him in his arms and praised God, saying,

⁶⁴ Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue freed, and he began to speak, praising God. ⁶⁵ Fear came over all their neighbors, and all these things were talked about throughout the entire hill country of Judea. ⁶⁶ All who heard them pondered them and said, “What then will this child become?” For indeed the hand of the Lord was with him.^(A)

Mary’s Song of Praise

⁴⁶ And Mary^[a] said,