Luke 2
Common English Bible
Jesus’ birth
2 In those days Caesar Augustus declared that everyone throughout the empire should be enrolled in the tax lists. 2 This first enrollment occurred when Quirinius governed Syria. 3 Everyone went to their own cities to be enrolled. 4 Since Joseph belonged to David’s house and family line, he went up from the city of Nazareth in Galilee to David’s city, called Bethlehem, in Judea. 5 He went to be enrolled together with Mary, who was promised to him in marriage and who was pregnant. 6 While they were there, the time came for Mary to have her baby. 7 She gave birth to her firstborn child, a son, wrapped him snugly, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the guestroom.
Announcement to shepherds
8 Nearby shepherds were living in the fields, guarding their sheep at night. 9 The Lord’s angel stood before them, the Lord’s glory shone around them, and they were terrified.
10 The angel said, “Don’t be afraid! Look! I bring good news to you—wonderful, joyous news for all people. 11 Your savior is born today in David’s city. He is Christ the Lord. 12 This is a sign for you: you will find a newborn baby wrapped snugly and lying in a manger.” 13 Suddenly a great assembly of the heavenly forces was with the angel praising God. They said, 14 “Glory to God in heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors.”
15 When the angels returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go right now to Bethlehem and see what’s happened. Let’s confirm what the Lord has revealed to us.” 16 They went quickly and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. 17 When they saw this, they reported what they had been told about this child. 18 Everyone who heard it was amazed at what the shepherds told them. 19 Mary committed these things to memory and considered them carefully. 20 The shepherds returned home, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. Everything happened just as they had been told.
Jesus’ circumcision, naming, and temple presentation
21 When eight days had passed, Jesus’ parents circumcised him and gave him the name Jesus. This was the name given to him by the angel before he was conceived. 22 When the time came for their ritual cleansing, in accordance with the Law from Moses, they brought Jesus up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. (23 It’s written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male will be dedicated to the Lord.”) 24 They offered a sacrifice in keeping with what’s stated in the Law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.[a]
Simeon’s response to Jesus
25 A man named Simeon was in Jerusalem. He was righteous and devout. He eagerly anticipated the restoration of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. 26 The Holy Spirit revealed to him that he wouldn’t die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27 Led by the Spirit, he went into the temple area. Meanwhile, Jesus’ parents brought the child to the temple so that they could do what was customary under the Law. 28 Simeon took Jesus in his arms and praised God. He said,
29 “Now, master, let your servant go in peace according to your word,
30 because my eyes have seen your salvation.
31 You prepared this salvation in the presence of all peoples.
32 It’s a light for revelation to the Gentiles
and a glory for your people Israel.”
33 His father and mother were amazed by what was said about him. 34 Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “This boy is assigned to be the cause of the falling and rising of many in Israel and to be a sign that generates opposition 35 so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your innermost being too.”
Anna’s response to Jesus
36 There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, who belonged to the tribe of Asher. She was very old. After she married, she lived with her husband for seven years. 37 She was now an 84-year-old widow. She never left the temple area but worshipped God with fasting and prayer night and day. 38 She approached at that very moment and began to praise God and to speak about Jesus to everyone who was looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.
Jesus as a child in Nazareth
39 When Mary and Joseph had completed everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to their hometown, Nazareth in Galilee. 40 The child grew up and became strong. He was filled with wisdom, and God’s favor was on him.
Jesus in the temple at Passover
41 Each year his parents went to Jerusalem for the Passover Festival. 42 When he was 12 years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to their custom. 43 After the festival was over, they were returning home, but the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents didn’t know it. 44 Supposing that he was among their band of travelers, they journeyed on for a full day while looking for him among their family and friends. 45 When they didn’t find Jesus, they returned to Jerusalem to look for him. 46 After three days they found him in the temple. He was sitting among the teachers, listening to them and putting questions to them. 47 Everyone who heard him was amazed by his understanding and his answers. 48 When his parents saw him, they were shocked.
His mother said, “Child, why have you treated us like this? Listen! Your father and I have been worried. We’ve been looking for you!”
49 Jesus replied, “Why were you looking for me? Didn’t you know that it was necessary for me to be in my Father’s house?” 50 But they didn’t understand what he said to them.
51 Jesus went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. His mother cherished every word in her heart. 52 Jesus matured in wisdom and years, and in favor with God and with people.
Luke 2
Revised Geneva Translation
2 And it happened in those days that there came a decree from Augustus Caesar that all the world should be registered.
2 (This first registration was made when Quirinius was Governor of Syria.)
3 Therefore, all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.
4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee (out of a city called Nazareth) into Judea (to the city of David - which is called Bethlehem - because he was of the House and lineage of David)
5 to register with Mary (his betrothed), who was with child.
6 And so it was that while they were there, the days were completed that she should be delivered.
7 And she brought forth her first begotten Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a feeding trough (because there was no room for them in the inn).
8 And there were in that same country, shepherds, abiding in the field, and 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 about them. And they were very afraid.
10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid! For behold, I bring you glad tidings of great joy, which shall be 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 shall be a sign to you - you shall find the Baby swaddled and laid in a feeding trough.”
13 And immediately, there was with the Angel a multitude of Heavenly soldiers, praising God, and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the High Heaven! Peace on Earth, and to man, according to His good pleasure!”
15 And it came to pass, when the angels had gone away from them into Heaven, the shepherds said one to another, “Let us go to Bethlehem, then, and see this thing which has happened, which the Lord has shown to us.”
16 So they came quickly, and found both Mary and Joseph, and the Baby laid in the feeding trough.
17 And when they had seen it, they made known the thing which was told to them about that Child.
18 And all who heard it, marveled at the things which were told to them by the shepherds.
19 But Mary preserved all those sayings and pondered them in her heart.
20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen as it was spoken to them.
21 And when the eighth day had come (on which they circumcised the Child), His Name was then called “Jesus” - which was named by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.
22 And when the days of her purification were completed (according to the Law of Moses), 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.”)
24 and to give an oblation - as is commanded 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. This man was just and feared God and waited for the consolation of Israel. And the Holy Ghost was upon him.
26 And it was declared to him from God by the Holy Ghost that he should not see death before he had seen the Anointed of the Lord.
27 And he was led by the Spirit into the Temple. And when the parents brought in the Baby Jesus, to do for Him after the custom of the Law,
28 he then took Him in his arms and praised 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 before the face of all people);
32 “a Light to be revealed to the Gentiles and the Glory of Your people, Israel!”
33 And Joseph and his mother marveled at those things which were spoken about Him.
34 And Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary, His mother, “Behold, this Child is appointed for the fall and rising again of many in Israel, and for a sign which shall be spoken against,
35 Yes, and a sword shall pierce through your soul, so that the thoughts of many hearts may be opened.”
36 And there was a prophetess - one Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher - who was of a great age (after she had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity).
37 And she had been widowed for about 84 years and had never left the Temple; but had served God with fasting and prayers night and day.
38 Then, coming upon them at that same instant, she likewise confessed the Lord, and spoke of Him to all who looked for redemption in Jerusalem.
39 And when they had performed all things according to the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth.
40 And the Child grew, and became strong in Spirit, and was filled with wisdom. And the grace of God was with Him.
41 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover.
42 And when He was twelve years old, and they had come up to Jerusalem (after the custom of the feast),
43 and had finished the days and were returning, the child Jesus remained in Jerusalem. And neither Joseph nor his mother, Mary, knew.
44 But they, supposing that He had been in their company, went a day’s journey and sought Him among their kinsfolk and acquaintances.
45 And when they did not find Him, they turned back to Jerusalem and sought Him.
46 And it happened that after three days they found Him in the Temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, hearing them and asking them questions.
47 And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers.
48 So when they saw Him, they were amazed. And His mother said to Him, “Son, why have You dealt with us like this? Behold, Your father and I have sought You with very heavy hearts.”
49 Then He said to them, “How is it that you sought Me? Did you not know that I must go about My Father’s business?”
50 But they did not understand the Word that He spoke to them.
51 Then He went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them. And His mother kept all these sayings in her heart.
52 And Jesus increased in wisdom, and stature, and in favor with God and man.
Copyright © 2011 by Common English Bible
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