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And while they were there, the time came for her to be delivered. And she gave birth to her first-born[a] son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

The Shepherds and the Angels

And in that region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people; 11 for to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a babe wrapped in swaddling cloths 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 peace among men with whom he is pleased!”[b]

15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste, and found Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it they made known the saying which had been told them concerning this child; 18 and all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary kept all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

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Footnotes

  1. 2.7 first-born: The term connotes possession of certain rights, privileges, and obligations; cf. Ex 13.1-2, 11-16. The word is used even in modem times without necessarily implying subsequent births.
  2. Luke 2:14 Other ancient authorities read peace, good will among men

So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And (A)she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a [a]manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Glory in the Highest

Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And [b]behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, (B)and they were greatly afraid. 10 Then the angel said to them, (C)“Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy (D)which will be to all people. 11 (E)For there is born to you this day in the city of David (F)a Savior, (G)who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a [c]manger.”

13 (H)And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:

14 “Glory(I) to God in the highest,
And on earth (J)peace, (K)goodwill[d] toward men!”

15 So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. 17 Now when they had seen Him, they made [e]widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. 18 And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 (L)But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and (M)praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.

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Footnotes

  1. Luke 2:7 feed trough
  2. Luke 2:9 NU omits behold
  3. Luke 2:12 feed trough
  4. Luke 2:14 NU toward men of goodwill
  5. Luke 2:17 NU omits widely