Old/New Testament
25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon. He was righteous and devout, waiting for God to comfort Israel, and the holy spirit was upon him. 26 He had been told by the holy spirit that he would not die until he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27 Led by the spirit, he came into the Temple. As Jesus’ parents brought him in, to do for him what the law’s regulations required, 28 he took the baby in his arms and blessed God with these words:
29 “Now, Master, you are dismissing your servant in peace,
just as you said.
30 These eyes of mine have seen your salvation,
31 which you made ready in the presence of all peoples:
32 a light for revelation to the nations,
and glory for your people Israel.”
33 His father and mother were astonished at the things that were said about him. 34 Simeon blessed them.
“Listen,” he said to Mary his mother, “this child has been placed here to make many in Israel fall and rise again, and as a sign that will be spoken against 35 (yes, a sword will go through your own soul as well), so that the thoughts of many hearts may be disclosed.”
36 There was also a prophetess called Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having been widowed after a seven-year marriage, 37 and was now eighty-four. She never left the Temple, but worshiped with fasting and prayer night and day. 38 She came up at that moment and gave thanks to God, and spoke about Jesus to everyone who was waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.
39 So when they had finished everything according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their town of Nazareth. 40 The child grew and became strong, and was full of wisdom, and God’s grace was upon him.
The boy Jesus
41 Jesus’ parents used to go to Jerusalem every year for the Passover festival. 42 When he was twelve years old, they went up as usual for the festival. 43 When the feast days were over, they began the journey back, but the boy Jesus remained in Jerusalem. His parents didn’t know; 44 they thought he was in the traveling party. They went a day’s journey before looking for him among their relatives and friends.
45 When they didn’t find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. 46 And so it happened that after three days they found him in the Temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 Everyone who heard him was astonished at his understanding and his answers.
48 When they saw him they were quite overwhelmed.
“Child,” said his mother, “why did you do this to us? Look—your father and I have been in a terrible state looking for you!”
49 “Why were you looking for me?” he replied. “Didn’t you know that I would have to be involved with my father’s work?”
50 They didn’t understand what he had said to them. 51 He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and lived under their authority. And his mother kept all these things in her heart.
52 So Jesus became wiser and taller, gaining favor both with God and with the people.
Scripture quotations from The New Testament for Everyone are copyright © Nicholas Thomas Wright 2011, 2018, 2019.