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Luke 2:1-20
Holman Christian Standard Bible
Luke 2:1-20
Holman Christian Standard Bible
The Birth of Jesus
2 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus[a](A) that the whole empire[b] should be registered. 2 This first registration took place while[c] Quirinius was governing Syria.(B) 3 So everyone went to be registered, each to his own town.
4 And Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family line of David,(C) 5 to be registered along with Mary, who was engaged to him[d] 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 snugly in cloth and laid Him in a feeding trough—because there was no room for them at the lodging place.
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(D) stood before[e] them,(E) and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.[f] 10 But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid,(F) for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people:[g] 11 Today a Savior,(G) who is Messiah(H) the Lord,(I) was born for you in the city of David. 12 This will be the sign for you:(J) You will find a baby wrapped snugly in cloth and lying in a feeding trough.”
13 Suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host 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 feeding trough. 17 After seeing them, they reported the message they were told about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary was treasuring up all these things[j] in her heart(N) and meditating on them. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God(O) for all they had seen and heard, just as they had been told.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Luke 2:1 Emperor who ruled the Roman Empire 27 b.c.–a.d. 14; also known as Octavian, he established the peaceful era known as the Pax Romana; Caesar was a title of Roman emperors.
- Luke 2:1 Or the whole inhabited world
- Luke 2:2 Or This registration was the first while, or This registration was before
- Luke 2:5 Other mss read was his engaged wife
- Luke 2:9 Or Lord appeared to
- Luke 2:9 Lit they feared a great fear
- Luke 2:10 Or the whole nation
- Luke 2:14 Other mss read earth good will to people
- Luke 2:14 Or earth to men of good will
- Luke 2:19 Lit these words
Luke 2:1-20
New International Version
Luke 2:1-20
New International Version
The Birth of Jesus
2 In those days Caesar Augustus(A) issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.(B) 2 (This was the first census that took place while[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.)(C) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.
4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem(D) the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him(E) and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel(F) of the Lord appeared to 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.(G) I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior(H) has been born to you; he is the Messiah,(I) the Lord.(J) 12 This will be a sign(K) to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace(L) to those on whom his favor rests.”
15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.(M) 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.(N) 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God(O) for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
Footnotes
- Luke 2:2 Or This census took place before
Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
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