There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth.

But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.

And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth.

And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.

To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.

And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus.

And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda;

For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.

And his mother answered and said, Not so; but he shall be called John.

And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marvelled all.

And fear came on all that dwelt round about them: and all these sayings were noised abroad throughout all the hill country of Judaea.

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:)

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

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.

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;

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.

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,

And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.

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.

Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover.

And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.

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.

But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.