Luke 2
Christian Standard Bible
The Birth of Jesus
2 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus(A) that the whole empire[a] should be registered. 2 This first registration took place while[b] Quirinius was governing Syria.(B) 3 So everyone went to be registered, each to his own town.
4 Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth(C) in Galilee, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem,(D) because he was of the house and family line of David,(E) 5 to be registered along with Mary, who was engaged to him[c] and was pregnant. 6 While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 Then she gave birth to her firstborn son, and she wrapped him tightly in cloth and laid him in a manger,[d] because there was no guest room available for them.
The Shepherds and the Angels
8 In the same region, shepherds were staying out in the fields and keeping watch at night over their flock. 9 Then an angel of the Lord(F) stood before them,(G) and the glory of the Lord(H) shone around them, and they were terrified.[e] 10 But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid,(I) for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people:[f] 11 Today in the city of David a Savior(J) was born for you, who is the Messiah,(K) the Lord.(L) 12 This will be the sign for you:(M) You will find a baby wrapped tightly in cloth and lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host[g] with the angel, praising God and saying:
15 When the angels had left them and returned to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go straight to Bethlehem and see what has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”
16 They hurried off and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby who was lying in the manger. 17 After seeing them, they reported the message they were told about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed(Q) at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary was treasuring up all these things in her heart(R) and meditating on them. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God(S) for all the things they had seen and heard, which were just as they had been told.
The Circumcision and Presentation of Jesus
21 When the eight days were completed for his circumcision,(T) he was named Jesus(U)—the name given by the angel before he was conceived. 22 And when the days of their purification according to the law of Moses were finished,(V) they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (just as it is written in the law of the Lord, Every firstborn male will be dedicated[j] to the Lord[k](W)) 24 and to offer a sacrifice (according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons[l](X)).
Simeon’s Prophetic Praise
25 There was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout,(Y) looking forward to Israel’s consolation,(Z) and the Holy Spirit was on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit(AA) that he would not see death before he saw the Lord’s Messiah.(AB) 27 Guided by the Spirit, he entered the temple. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform for him what was customary under the law, 28 Simeon took him up in his arms, praised God, and said,
29 Now, Master,
you can dismiss your servant in peace,
as you promised.
30 For my eyes have seen your salvation.(AC)
31 You have prepared it
in the presence of all peoples—
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles[m](AD)
and glory to your people Israel.(AE)
33 His father and mother[n] were amazed at what was being said about him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them and told his mother Mary, “Indeed, this child is destined to cause the fall and rise of many in Israel(AF) and to be a sign that will be opposed[o]— 35 and a sword will pierce your own soul—that the thoughts[p] of many hearts may be revealed.”
Anna’s Testimony
36 There was also a prophetess,(AG) Anna, a daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher.(AH) She was well along in years, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage,[q](AI) 37 and was a widow for eighty-four years.[r] She did not leave the temple, serving God night and day with fasting and prayers.(AJ) 38 At that very moment,[s] she came up and began to thank God and to speak about him to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.[t](AK)
The Family’s Return to Nazareth
39 When they had completed everything according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth.(AL) 40 The boy grew up and became strong, filled with wisdom, and God’s grace was on him.(AM)
In His Father’s House
41 Every year his parents traveled to Jerusalem for the Passover Festival.(AN) 42 When he was twelve years old, they went up according to the custom of the festival.(AO) 43 After those days were over,(AP) as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents[u] did not know it. 44 Assuming he was in the traveling party, they went a day’s journey. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. 45 When they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for 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 those who heard him were astounded at his understanding and his answers. 48 When his parents saw him, they were astonished, and his mother said to him,(AQ) “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.”(AR)
49 “Why were you searching for me?” he asked them. “Didn’t you know that it was necessary for me to be in my Father’s house?”[v] 50 But they did not understand what he said to them.(AS)
In Favor with God and with People
51 Then he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was obedient to them. His mother kept all these things in her heart.(AT) 52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and with people.(AU)
Footnotes
- 2:1 Or the whole inhabited world
- 2:2 Or This registration was the first while, or This registration was before
- 2:5 Lit betrothed
- 2:7 Or feeding trough, also in vv. 12,16
- 2:9 Lit they feared a great fear
- 2:10 Or the whole nation
- 2:13 Lit heavenly army
- 2:14 Other mss read earth good will to people
- 2:14 Or earth to men of good will
- 2:23 Lit be called holy
- 2:23 Ex 13:2,12
- 2:24 Lv 5:11; 12:8
- 2:32 Or the nations
- 2:33 Other mss read But Joseph and his mother
- 2:34 Or spoken against
- 2:35 Or schemes
- 2:36 Lit years from her virginity
- 2:37 Or she was a widow until the age of eighty-four
- 2:38 Lit very hour
- 2:38 Other mss read in Jerusalem
- 2:43 Other mss read but Joseph and his mother
- 2:49 Or be involved in my Father’s interests (or things), or be among my Father’s people
Luke 2
Modern English Version
The Birth of Jesus(A)
2 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the entire inhabited earth should be taxed. 2 This taxation was first made when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And everyone went to his own city to be taxed.
4 So Joseph also departed from the city of Nazareth in Galilee to the City of David which is called Bethlehem, in Judea, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be taxed with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. 6 So while they were there, the day came 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 room for them in the inn.
The Shepherds and the Angels
8 And in the same area there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And then an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were very afraid. 10 But the angel said to them, “Listen! Do not fear. For I bring you good news of great joy, which will be to all people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign to you: You will find the Baby wrapped in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly there was with the angel a company of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace, and good will toward men.”
15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see what has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”
16 So they came hurrying and found Mary and Joseph, and the Baby lying in a manger. 17 When they had seen Him, they made widely known the word which was told them concerning this Child. 18 And all those who heard it marveled at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple
21 When eight days had passed and the Child was circumcised, He was named JESUS, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.
22 When 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 (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male shall be called holy to the Lord”[a]) 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.”[b]
25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 It was revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27 Led by the Spirit, 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 received Him in his arms and blessed God and said:
29 “Lord, now let Your servant depart in peace,
according to Your word;
30 for my eyes have seen Your salvation
31 which You have prepared in the sight of all people,
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and the glory of Your people Israel.”
33 Joseph and His mother were amazed at those things which were spoken about Him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary His mother, “Listen, this Child is destined to cause the fall and rising of many in Israel and to be a sign which will be spoken against, 35 so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed. And a sword will pierce through your own soul also.”
36 And there was Anna a prophetess, a daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age and had lived with her husband seven years from her virginity. 37 And she was a widow of about eighty-four years of age who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fasting and prayer night and day. 38 Coming at that moment she gave thanks to the Lord and spoke of Him to all those who looked for the redemption of Jerusalem.
The Return to Nazareth
39 When they had performed everything according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own city of Nazareth. 40 And the Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom. And the grace 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 When He was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast. 43 When the days of the feast were complete, as they returned, the Child Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem. And Joseph and His mother did not know of it. 44 But supposing Him to be in their company, they went a day’s journey. Then they searched for Him among their relatives and acquaintances. 45 When they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching for Him. 46 After three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 All who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and His answers. 48 When they saw Him, they were amazed. And His mother said to Him, “Son, why have You dealt with us like this? Look, Your father and I have anxiously searched for You.”
49 He said to them, “How is it that you searched for Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” 50 But they did not understand the word which He spoke to them.
51 Then He went down with them and came to Nazareth and was obedient to them. But His mother kept all these words in her heart. 52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and men.
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The Holy Bible, Modern English Version. Copyright © 2014 by Military Bible Association. Published and distributed by Charisma House.