Christian Standard Bible

New American Standard Bible 1995

1In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole empire should be registered.

1Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth.

2This first registration took place while Quirinius was governing Syria.

2This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria.

3So everyone went to be registered, each to his own town.

3And everyone was on his way to register for the census, each to his own city.

4Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family line of David,

4Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David,

5to be registered along with Mary, who was engaged to him and was pregnant.

5in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child.

6While they were there, the time came for her to give birth.

6While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth.

7Then she gave birth to her firstborn Son, and she wrapped him tightly in cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

7And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

8In the same region, shepherds were staying out in the fields and keeping watch at night over their flock.

8In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night.

9Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.

9And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened.

10But the angel said to them, "Don't be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people:

10But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people;

11Today in the city of David a Savior was born for you, who is the Messiah, the Lord.

11for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

12This will be the sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped tightly in cloth and lying in a manger."

12"This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

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

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

14Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to people he favors!

14"Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased."

15When the angels had left them and returned to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go straight to Bethlehem and see what has happened, which the Lord has made known to us."

15When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, "Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us."

16They hurried off and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby who was lying in the manger.

16So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger.

17After seeing them, they reported the message they were told about this child,

17When they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child.

18and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.

18And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds.

19But Mary was treasuring up all these things in her heart and meditating on them.

19But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart.

20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had seen and heard, which were just as they had been told.

20The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.

21When the eight days were completed for his circumcision, he was named Jesus--the name given by the angel before he was conceived.

21And when eight days had passed, before His circumcision, His name was then called Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.

22And when the days of their purification according to the law of Moses were finished, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord

22And when the days for their purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord

23(just as it is written in the law of the Lord, Every firstborn male will be dedicated to the Lord )

23(as it is written in the Law of the Lord, "EVERY firstborn MALE THAT OPENS THE WOMB SHALL BE CALLED HOLY TO THE LORD "),

24and to offer a sacrifice (according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons ).

24and to offer a sacrifice according to what was said in the Law of the Lord, "A PAIR OF TURTLEDOVES OR TWO YOUNG PIGEONS."

25There was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, looking forward to Israel's consolation, and the Holy Spirit was on him.

25And there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him.

26It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he saw the Lord's Messiah.

26And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ.

27Guided by the Spirit, he entered the temple. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform for him what was customary under the law,

27And he came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to carry out for Him the custom of the Law,

28Simeon took him up in his arms, praised God, and said,

28then he took Him into his arms, and blessed God, and said,

29Now, Master, you can dismiss your servant in peace, as you promised.

29"Now Lord, You are releasing Your bond-servant to depart in peace, According to Your word;

30For my eyes have seen your salvation.

30For my eyes have seen Your salvation,

31You have prepared it in the presence of all peoples--

31Which You have prepared in the presence of all peoples,

32a light for revelation to the Gentiles and glory to your people Israel.

32A LIGHT OF REVELATION TO THE GENTILES, And the glory of Your people Israel."

33His father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him.

33And His father and mother were amazed at the things which were being said about Him.

34Then Simeon blessed them and told his mother Mary: "Indeed, this child is destined to cause the fall and rise of many in Israel and to be a sign that will be opposed--

34And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary His mother, "Behold, this Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign to be opposed--

35and a sword will pierce your own soul--that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed."

35and a sword will pierce even your own soul-- to the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed."

36There was also a prophetess, Anna, a daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was well along in years, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage,

36And there was a prophetess, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years and had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage,

37and was a widow for eighty-four years. She did not leave the temple, serving God night and day with fasting and prayers.

37and then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple, serving night and day with fastings and prayers.

38At that very moment, she came up and began to thank God and to speak about him to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.

38At that very moment she came up and began giving thanks to God, and continued to speak of Him to all those who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.

39When they had completed everything according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth.

39When they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own city of Nazareth.

40The boy grew up and became strong, filled with wisdom, and God's grace was on him.

40The Child continued to grow and become strong, increasing in wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.

41Every year his parents traveled to Jerusalem for the Passover Festival.

41Now His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover.

42When he was twelve years old, they went up according to the custom of the festival.

42And when He became twelve, they went up there according to the custom of the Feast;

43After those days were over, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it.

43and as they were returning, after spending the full number of days, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. But His parents were unaware of it,

44Assuming he was in the traveling party, they went a day's journey. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends.

44but supposed Him to be in the caravan, and went a day's journey; and they began looking for Him among their relatives and acquaintances.

45When they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for him.

45When they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem looking for Him.

46After three days, they found him in the temple sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.

46Then, after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions.

47And all those who heard him were astounded at his understanding and his answers.

47And all who heard Him were amazed at His understanding and His answers.

48When his parents saw him, they were astonished, and his mother said to him, "Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you."

48When they saw Him, they were astonished; and His mother said to Him, "Son, why have You treated us this way? Behold, Your father and I have been anxiously looking for You."

49"Why were you searching for me?" he asked them. "Didn't you know that it was necessary for me to be in my Father's house?"

49And He said to them, "Why is it that you were looking for Me? Did you not know that I had to be in My Father's house?"

50But they did not understand what he said to them.

50But they did not understand the statement which He had made to them.

51Then he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was obedient to them. His mother kept all these things in her heart.

51And He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and He continued in subjection to them; and His mother treasured all these things in her heart.

52And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and with people.

52And Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.

The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission.

New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit //www.lockman.org