The Birth of Jesus
(Matthew 1:18–25)

1And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus to register all the world.† 2This registration first came to pass† in the governing of Syria of Quirinius. 3And all were going to be registered, each to his own city.

4And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the City of David, which is called Bethlehem, because of his being of the house and family of David, 5to register with Mary, the one betrothed to him,† she being pregnant.

6And it came to pass in their being there that the days of her giving birth were fulfilled. 7And she gave birth to her Son, the firstborn, and she wrapped Him in swaddling cloths and laid Him in a manger,† because there was no place for them in the inn.†

The Shepherds and the Angels

8And there were shepherds in the same region, lodging in the fields and keeping watch by night over their flock. 9And† an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they feared with great fear. 10And the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring good news to you⁺ of great joy that will be to all the people. 11For today in the City of David a Savior was born to you⁺, who is Christ the Lord. 12And this is the sign† to you⁺: You⁺ will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.†”

13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying:

14“Glory to God in the highest,

and on earth peace among men

with whom He is well pleased!†”

15And it came to pass, as the angels went away from them into heaven, that the shepherds were saying to one another, “Let us go through indeed as far as Bethlehem, and let us see this saying that has come to pass, which the Lord made known to us.”

16And having hurried, they came and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. 17And having seen Him, they made known concerning the saying having been spoken to them concerning this Child. 18And all those having heard marveled concerning the things having been spoken to them by the shepherds. 19But Mary was preserving all these matters, pondering them in her heart.

20And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all things that they heard and saw, just as it was said to them.

Jesus Presented at the Temple

21And when eight days to circumcise Him† were fulfilled, then His name was called Jesus, which He had been called by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.

22And when the days of their purification† were fulfilled according to the Law of Moses, they brought Him up to Jerusalem to present to the Lord 23(just as it has been written in the Law of the Lord: “Every male opening a womb will be called holy to the Lord”†), 24and to give a sacrifice according to that said in the Law of the Lord: “A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”†

The Prophecy of Simeon

25And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. And this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26And it was divinely revealed to him by the Holy Spirit not to see death before he should see the Christ of the Lord. 27And he went in the Spirit into the temple.† And in the parents bringing in the child Jesus for them to do according to that having become customary by the Law concerning Him, 28then he took Him into the arms and blessed God, and he said:

29“Now, Lord, You dismiss Your servant in peace,

according to Your word.

30For my eyes saw Your salvation,

31which You prepared before the face of all the peoples,

32a light for revelation of the Gentiles,

and glory of Your people Israel.”

33And His father and mother† were marveling at the things having been spoken concerning Him. 34And Simeon blessed them and said to His mother Mary:

“Behold, this Child is appointed

for the falling and rising up of many in Israel,

and for a sign spoken against—

35and a sword also† will go through your own soul—

so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

The Prophecy of Anna

36And there was Anna, a prophetess, daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher; she was advanced in many days, having lived with a husband seven years from her virginity, 37and she was a widow until eighty-four years,† who did not depart the temple, serving with fastings and petitions night and day.

38And having come up at that hour, she was giving praise to God† and was speaking concerning Him to all those waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.†

The Return to Nazareth
(Matthew 2:19–23)

39And when they accomplished everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their city, Nazareth.

40And the Child continued to grow and become strong,† being filled with wisdom. And the grace of God was upon Him.

The Boy Jesus at the Temple

41And His parents were going every year to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover. 42And when He was twelve years old, on their having gone up† according to the custom of the Feast

43and having completed the days, in their returning, the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem, and His parents† did not know. 44And having supposed Him to be in their company, they went a day’s journey and began seeking Him among the relatives and the acquaintances.

45And not having found Him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking Him. 46And it came to pass after three days that they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both hearing them and questioning them. 47And all those hearing Him were amazed at His understanding and answers.

48And having seen Him, they were astonished, and His mother said to Him, “Child, why did You do thus to us? Behold, Your father and I were seeking You, distressing.”

49And He said to them, “Why is it that you⁺ were seeking Me? Did you⁺ not know that it is necessary for Me to be in the house of My Father?”† 50And they did not understand the word that He spoke to them.

51And He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and He was subject to them. And His mother was keeping all these matters in her heart.

52And Jesus continued to advance in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.

Footnotes:

1 Or the whole empire
2 Or This registration came to pass before
5 BYZ and TR his betrothed wife
7 BYZ and TR in the manger
7 Or guest room; Greek katalymati
9 BYZ and TR include behold.
12 WH a sign
12 TR the manger
14 BYZ and TR peace, good will among men
21 GOC and TR the Child
22 Scrivener TR her purification
23 Exodus 13:2
24 Leviticus 12:8
27 Or the temple courts; also in verse 46
33 BYZ and TR Joseph and His mother
35 WH does not include also.
37 Or was a widow to the age of eighty-four
38 BYZ and TR to the Lord
38 BYZ and TR redemption in Jerusalem
40 BYZ and TR became strong in spirit
42 BYZ and TR include to Jerusalem.
43 BYZ and TR and Joseph and His mother
49 Or in the things of My Father