Luke 2
Lexham English Bible
The Birth of Jesus Christ
2 Now it happened that in those days a decree went out from Caesar[a] Augustus to register all the empire. 2 (This first registration took place when[b] Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to be registered, each one to his own town. 4 So Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family line of David, 5 to be registered together with Mary, who was legally promised in marriage to him and[c] was pregnant. 6 And it happened that while they were there, the time came[d] for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son, and wrapped him in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
The Shepherds and the Angels
8 And there were shepherds in the same region, living out of doors and keeping watch, guarding over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord stood near them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terribly frightened.[e] 10 And the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring good news to you of great joy which will be for all the people: 11 that today a Savior, who is Christ the Lord, was born for you in the city of David. 12 And this will be the sign for you: you will find the baby wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly army, praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace
among people with whom he is pleased!”[f]
15 And it happened that when the angels had departed from them into heaven, the shepherds began to say[g] to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has revealed to us!” 16 And they went hurrying and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby who was lying in the manger. 17 And when they[h] saw it,[i] they made known the statement that had been told to them about this child. 18 And all who heard it[j] were astonished concerning what had been said to them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary treasured up all these words, pondering them[k] in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as it had been told to them.
21 And when eight days were completed so that he could be circumcised,[l] he was named Jesus, his name that he was called by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
The Presentation of Jesus at the Temple
22 And when the days of their purification were completed according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him[m] to the Lord 23 (just as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every male that opens the womb will be called holy to the Lord”)[n] 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what was stated in the law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”[o]
The Prophecy of Simeon
25 And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was[p] Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to 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 see death before he would see the Lord’s Christ.[q] 27 And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus so that they could do for him according to what was customary under the law, 28 he took him in his[r] arms and praised God and said,
29 “Now dismiss your slave in peace, Lord,
according to your word.
30 For my eyes have seen your salvation
31 that you have prepared in the presence of all the peoples,
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and glory to your people Israel.”
33 And his father and mother were astonished at what was said about him. 34 And Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed[s]— 35 and a sword will pierce your own soul also, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed!”
The Testimony of Anna
36 And there was a prophetess, Anna the daughter of Phanuel of the tribe of Asher (she was advanced in years,[t] having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage,[u] 37 and herself as a widow up to eighty-four years)[v] who did not depart from the temple with fastings and prayers, serving night and day. 38 And at that same hour she approached and[w] began to give thanks[x] to God, and to speak about him to all those who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.
39 And when they had completed everything according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. 40 And the child was growing and becoming strong, filled with wisdom, and the favor of God was upon him.
Jesus in the Temple at Twelve Years Old
41 And his parents went every year to Jerusalem for the feast of the Passover. 42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to the custom of the feast. 43 And after[y] the days were completed, while they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. And his parents did not know it,[z] 44 but believing him to be in the group of travelers, they went a day’s journey. And they began searching for[aa] him among their[ab] relatives and their[ac] acquaintances, 45 and when they[ad] did not find him,[ae] they returned to Jerusalem to search for him. 46 And it happened that after three days they found him in the temple courts,[af] sitting in the midst of the teachers and listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And all who heard him were amazed at his insight and his[ag] answers. 48 And when they[ah] saw him, they were astounded and his mother said to him, “Child, why have you done this to us? Look, your father and I have been searching for you anxiously!” 49 And he said to them, “Why[ai] were you searching for me? Did you not know that it was necessary for me to be in the house[aj] of my Father?” 50 And they did not understand the statement that he spoke to them. 51 And he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was submitting to them. And his mother treasured all these things in her heart.
52 And Jesus was advancing in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and with people.
Footnotes
- Luke 2:1 Or “the emperor”
- Luke 2:2 Or perhaps “before”; here “when” is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle (“was governor”)
- Luke 2:5 Here “and” is supplied in keeping with English style
- Luke 2:6 Literally “the days were completed”
- Luke 2:9 Literally “they were afraid with great fear”
- Luke 2:14 Literally “of good pleasure”
- Luke 2:15 The imperfect tense has been translated as ingressive here (“began to say”)
- Luke 2:17 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“saw”) which is understood as temporal
- Luke 2:17 *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
- Luke 2:18 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
- Luke 2:19 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
- Luke 2:21 Literally “to circumcise him”
- Luke 2:22 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
- Luke 2:23 An allusion to Exod 13:2, 12, 15
- Luke 2:24 A quotation from Lev 5:11; 12:8
- Luke 2:25 Literally “to whom the name”
- Luke 2:26 Or “Messiah”
- Luke 2:28 Literally “the”; the Greek article is used here as a possessive pronoun
- Luke 2:34 Or “rejected”
- Luke 2:36 Literally “with many days”
- Luke 2:36 Literally “from her virginity”
- Luke 2:37 Or “eighty-four years as a widow”
- Luke 2:38 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“approached”) has been translated as a finite verb
- Luke 2:38 The imperfect tense has been translated as ingressive here (“began to give thanks”)
- Luke 2:43 Here “after” is supplied as a component of the participle (“were completed”) which is understood as temporal
- Luke 2:43 *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
- Luke 2:44 The imperfect tense has been translated as ingressive here (“began searching for”)
- Luke 2:44 Literally “the”; the Greek article is used here as a possessive pronoun
- Luke 2:44 Literally “the”; the Greek article is used here as a possessive pronoun
- Luke 2:45 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“find”) which is understood as temporal
- Luke 2:45 *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
- Luke 2:46 *Here “courts” is supplied to distinguish this area from the interior of the temple building itself
- Luke 2:47 This is an understood repetition of “his” due to English style
- Luke 2:48 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“saw”) which is understood as temporal
- Luke 2:49 Literally “what is it that”
- Luke 2:49 Or “things” (= business)
Luke 2
King James Version
2 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.
2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and 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 in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, 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, good will toward men.
15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
21 And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called Jesus, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
22 And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord;
23 (As it is written in the law of the Lord, 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, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.
25 And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.
26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ.
27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,
28 Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,
29 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:
30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,
31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;
32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
33 And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.
34 And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against;
35 (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.
36 And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;
37 And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.
38 And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.
39 And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.
40 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.
41 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover.
42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.
43 And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it.
44 But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.
45 And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.
46 And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.
47 And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.
48 And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.
49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?
50 And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.
51 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.
52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.
Luke 2
Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition
The Birth of Jesus
2 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be enrolled. 2 This was the first enrollment, when Quirin′i-us was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be enrolled, 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 he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to be delivered. 7 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
8 And in that region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 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.
Jesus Is Named
21 And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
Jesus Is Presented in the Temple
22 And when the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every male that 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, “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.” 25 Now 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 to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27 And inspired by the Spirit[c] he came 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,
29 “Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace,
according to thy word;
30 for mine eyes have seen thy salvation
31 which thou hast prepared in the presence of all peoples,
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and for glory to thy people Israel.”
33 And 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 set for the fall[d] and rising of many in Israel,
and for a sign that is spoken against
35 (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also),
that thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed.”
36 And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phan′u-el, of the tribe of Asher; she was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years from her virginity, 37 and as a widow till she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. 38 And coming up at that very hour she gave thanks to God, and spoke of him to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.
The Return to Nazareth
39 And when they had performed everything according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth. 40 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 his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the Passover. 42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom; 43 and when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it, 44 but supposing him to be in the company they went a day’s journey, and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintances; 45 and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking him. 46 After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among 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 they saw him they were astonished; and his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been looking for you anxiously.” 49 And he said to them, “How is it that you sought me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?”[e] 50 And they did not understand the saying which he spoke to them. 51 And he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them; and his mother kept all these things in her heart.
52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature,[f] and in favor with God and man.
Footnotes
- 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.
- Luke 2:14 Other ancient authorities read peace, good will among men
- Luke 2:27 Or in the Spirit
- 2.34 for the fall: i.e., in the sense that by rejecting his claims many would sin grievously.
- 2.49 Jesus stresses the priority of his duty to his Father, which involves a high degree of independence of earthly ties.
- Luke 2:52 Or years
路加福音 2
Chinese Union Version Modern Punctuation (Traditional)
耶穌降生
2 當那些日子，愷撒奧古斯都有旨意下來，叫天下人民都報名上冊。 2 這是居里扭做敘利亞巡撫的時候，頭一次行報名上冊的事。 3 眾人各歸各城，報名上冊。 4 約瑟也從加利利的拿撒勒城上猶太去，到了大衛的城，名叫伯利恆，因他本是大衛一族一家的人， 5 要和他所聘之妻馬利亞一同報名上冊。那時馬利亞的身孕已經重了。 6 他們在那裡的時候，馬利亞的產期到了， 7 就生了頭胎的兒子，用布包起來，放在馬槽裡，因為客店裡沒有地方。
天使報喜信給牧羊的人
8 在伯利恆之野地裡有牧羊的人，夜間按著更次看守羊群。 9 有主的使者站在他們旁邊，主的榮光四面照著他們，牧羊的人就甚懼怕。 10 那天使對他們說：「不要懼怕，我報給你們大喜的信息，是關乎萬民的。 11 因今天在大衛的城裡，為你們生了救主，就是主基督。 12 你們要看見一個嬰孩，包著布，臥在馬槽裡，那就是記號了。」 13 忽然有一大隊天兵，同那天使讚美神說： 14 「在至高之處榮耀歸於神！在地上平安歸於他所喜悅的人[a]！」
15 眾天使離開他們升天去了，牧羊的人彼此說：「我們往伯利恆去，看看所成的事，就是主所指示我們的。」 16 他們急忙去了，就尋見馬利亞和約瑟，又有那嬰孩臥在馬槽裡。 17 既然看見，就把天使論這孩子的話傳開了。 18 凡聽見的，就詫異牧羊之人對他們所說的話。 19 馬利亞卻把這一切的事存在心裡，反覆思想。 20 牧羊的人回去了，因所聽見、所看見的一切事正如天使向他們所說的，就歸榮耀於神，讚美他。
21 滿了八天，就給孩子行割禮，與他起名叫耶穌，這就是沒有成胎以前天使所起的名。
獻頭生子於主
22 按摩西律法滿了潔淨的日子，他們帶著孩子上耶路撒冷去，要把他獻於主， 23 正如主的律法上所記：「凡頭生的男子，必稱聖歸主。」 24 又要照主的律法上所說，「或用一對斑鳩，或用兩隻雛鴿」獻祭。
西面見嬰孩願安然去世
25 在耶路撒冷有一個人名叫西面，這人又公義又虔誠，素常盼望以色列的安慰者來到，又有聖靈在他身上。 26 他得了聖靈的啟示，知道自己未死以前，必看見主所立的基督。 27 他受了聖靈的感動，進入聖殿，正遇見耶穌的父母抱著孩子進來，要照律法的規矩辦理。 28 西面就用手接過他來，稱頌神，說： 29 「主啊，如今可以照你的話，釋放僕人安然去世！ 30 因為我的眼睛已經看見你的救恩， 31 就是你在萬民面前所預備的， 32 是照亮外邦人的光，又是你民以色列的榮耀。」 33 孩子的父母因這論耶穌的話就稀奇。 34 西面給他們祝福，又對孩子的母親馬利亞說：「這孩子被立，是要叫以色列中許多人跌倒、許多人興起，又要做毀謗的話柄， 35 叫許多人心裡的意念顯露出來。你自己的心也要被刀刺透。」
女先知亞拿稱謝神
36 又有女先知名叫亞拿，是亞設支派法內力的女兒，年紀已經老邁，從做童女出嫁的時候，同丈夫住了七年就寡居了， 37 現在已經八十四歲[b]，並不離開聖殿，禁食、祈求，晝夜侍奉神。 38 正當那時，她進前來稱謝神，將孩子的事對一切盼望耶路撒冷得救贖的人講說。 39 約瑟和馬利亞照主的律法辦完了一切的事，就回加利利，到自己的城拿撒勒去了。
40 孩子漸漸長大，強健起來，充滿智慧，又有神的恩在他身上。
孩童耶穌在聖殿聽道
41 每年到逾越節，他父母就上耶路撒冷去。 42 當他十二歲的時候，他們按著節期的規矩上去。 43 守滿了節期，他們回去，孩童耶穌仍舊在耶路撒冷，他的父母並不知道， 44 以為他在同行的人中間。走了一天的路程，就在親族和熟識的人中找他， 45 既找不著，就回耶路撒冷去找他。 46 過了三天，就遇見他在殿裡，坐在教師中間，一面聽一面問。
順從父母
47 凡聽見他的，都稀奇他的聰明和他的應對。 48 他父母看見就很稀奇。他母親對他說：「我兒，為什麼向我們這樣行呢？看哪，你父親和我傷心來找你！」 49 耶穌說：「為什麼找我呢？豈不知我應當以我父的事為念嗎？[c]」 50 他所說的這話，他們不明白。 51 他就同他們下去，回到拿撒勒，並且順從他們。他母親把這一切的事都存在心裡。
52 耶穌的智慧和身量[d]，並神和人喜愛他的心，都一齊增長。
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