The Shepherds and the Angels

In the same region, shepherds were staying out in the fields and keeping watch at night over their flock. Then an angel of the Lord(A) stood before them,(B) and the glory of the Lord(C) shone around them, and they were terrified.[a] 10 But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid,(D) for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people:[b] 11 Today in the city of David a Savior(E) was born for you, who is the Messiah,(F) the Lord.(G) 12 This will be the sign for you:(H) You will find a baby wrapped tightly in cloth and lying in a manger.”

13 Suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host[c] with the angel, praising God and saying:

14 Glory to God in the highest heaven,(I)
and peace on earth(J) to people he favors![d][e](K)

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(L) at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary was treasuring up all these things in her heart(M) and meditating on them. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God(N) for all the things they had seen and heard, which were just as they had been told.

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Footnotes

  1. 2:9 Lit they feared a great fear
  2. 2:10 Or the whole nation
  3. 2:13 Lit heavenly army
  4. 2:14 Other mss read earth good will to people
  5. 2:14 Or earth to men of good will

The Shepherds and the Angels

Now in that same region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for see, I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people:(A) 11 to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah,[a] the Lord.(B) 12 This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.”(C) 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host,[b] praising God and saying,(D)

14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
    and on earth peace among those whom he favors!”[c](E)

15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph and the child lying in the manger. 17 When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them, 19 and Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart.(F) 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told them.(G)

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Footnotes

  1. 2.11 Or the Christ
  2. 2.13 Gk army
  3. 2.14 Other ancient authorities read peace, goodwill among people