Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)
4 But when the fullness of time arrived, God sent out his son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 so that he might redeem those under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.
6 And, because you are sons, God sent out the spirit of his son into our hearts, calling out “Abba, Father!” 7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son! And, if you’re a son, you are an heir, through God.
22 When the time came for them to be purified according to the law of Moses, they took him up to Jerusalem to present him before the Lord. 23 That’s what the law of the Lord says: “Every firstborn male shall be called holy to the Lord.” 24 They also came to offer sacrifice, according to what it says in the law of the Lord: “A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”
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.
Scripture quotations from The New Testament for Everyone are copyright © Nicholas Thomas Wright 2011, 2018, 2019.