Book of Common Prayer
May You Walk Worthily of God, Who Transferred Us Into The Kingdom of His Son
9 For this reason we also, from which day we heard, do not cease praying for you and asking that you may be filled with the knowledge[a] of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding[b], 10 so that you may walk worthily of the Lord, toward total[c] pleasing [of Him]— bearing-fruit in every good work and growing in[d] the knowledge of God; 11 being empowered with all power according-to[e] the might of [f] His glory, toward total[g] endurance and patience; with joy[h] 12 giving-thanks to the Father having qualified you for your part[i] of the share[j] of [k] the saints[l] in the light[m], 13 Who delivered[n] us out of the authority[o] of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of the Son of [p] His love, 14 in Whom we have the redemption, the forgiveness of sins—
The Son Is The Preeminent Head of All Creation, Because He Created All Things
15 ... Who is the image[q] of the invisible God, the firstborn[r] of [s] all creation[t], 16 because all things were created by[u] Him in the heavens and on the earth, the visible things and the invisible things— whether thrones or lordships or rulers or authorities. All things have been created through Him and for Him. 17 And He Himself is before all things, and all things have existence[v] in Him. 18 And He Himself is the head of the body, the church.
The Son Is First In Everything, Because God Reconciled All Things Through Him
... Who is the beginning[w], the firstborn from the dead, in order that He Himself might come-to-be holding-first-place in all things, 19 because the Father[x] was well-pleased that all the fullness[y] should dwell in Him 20 and that He should reconcile all things through Him to Himself, having made-peace through the blood of His cross— through Him, whether the things on the earth or the things in the heavens.
The Parents Bring Jesus To The Temple To Redeem Him Before The Lord
22 And when the days of their purification according to the Law of Moses were fulfilled[a], they brought Him up to Jerusalem so as to present Him to the Lord 23 just as it has been written in the Law of the Lord [in Ex 13:2], that “every male opening the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”; 24 and that she might give a sacrifice in accordance with the thing having been said in the Law of the Lord [in Lev 12:8]: “a pair of turtledoves or two young ones of pigeons”.
Simeon Recognizes The Child As The Messiah, But a Sword Will Pierce Mary’s Soul
25 And behold— a man was in Jerusalem for whom the name was Simeon. And this man was righteous and reverent[b], waiting-for the consolation of Israel. And the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he would see the Christ of the Lord. 27 And he came in the Spirit into the temple. And at the parents bringing-in the child Jesus that they might do for Him according to the thing[c] having become-a-custom from the Law, 28 he also took Him into his arms. And he blessed God, and said, 29 “Now You are releasing Your slave in peace in accordance with Your word, Master, 30 because my eyes saw Your salvation 31 which You prepared in the presence of all the peoples— 32 the light for the revelation of the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel”. 33 And His father and mother were marveling at the things being spoken about Him. 34 And Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, “Behold— this One is appointed[d] for[e] the falling and rising of many in Israel, and for[f] a sign being spoken-against[g]— 35 and indeed a sword will pierce the soul of you yourself— so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed”.
Anna The Prophet Thanks God For the Child
36 And there was Anna— a prophet, a daughter of Phanuel, from the tribe of Asher. This one was advanced in her many days, having lived with a husband seven years from her virginity, 37 and herself being a widow up-to[h] eighty four years, who was not departing from the temple, serving[i] night and day with fastings and prayers. 38 And having come-upon them at the very hour, she was returning-thanks to God, and was speaking about Him to all the ones waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.
The Family Returns To Nazareth In Galilee
39 And when they finished all the things according to the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee— to their own city, Nazareth. 40 And the Child was growing and becoming strong, while being filled with wisdom. And the grace of God was upon Him.
Disciples' Literal New Testament: Serving Modern Disciples by More Fully Reflecting the Writing Style of the Ancient Disciples, Copyright © 2011 Michael J. Magill. All Rights Reserved. Published by Reyma Publishing