Luke 2
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Holman Christian Standard BibleNew International Version
1In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole empire should be registered. 1In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.
2This first registration took place while Quirinius was governing Syria.2(This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.)
3So everyone went to be registered, each to his own town. 3And everyone went to their own town to register.
4And Joseph 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,4So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David.
5to be registered along with Mary, who was engaged to him and was pregnant. 5He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.
6While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 6While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born,
7Then she gave birth to her firstborn Son, and she wrapped Him snugly in cloth and laid Him in a feeding trough--because there was no room for them at the lodging place. 7and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
8In the same region, shepherds were staying out in the fields and keeping watch at night over their flock. 8And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.
9Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.
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. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.
11Today a Savior, who is Messiah the Lord, was born for you in the city of David. 11Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.
12This will be the sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in cloth and lying in a feeding trough." 12This will be a sign to 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: 13Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, 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 heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests."
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 left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."
16They hurried off and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby who was lying in the feeding trough. 16So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.
17After seeing them, they reported the message they were told about this child, 17When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what 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 were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.
19But Mary was treasuring up all these things in her heart and meditating on them.19But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.
20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had seen and heard, just as they had been told. 20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
21When the eight days were completed for His circumcision, He was named Jesus--the name given by the angel before He was conceived.21On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived.
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 Lord22When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took him 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 is to be consecrated 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 in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: "a pair of doves 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. 25Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him.
26It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he saw the Lord's Messiah.26It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Messiah.
27Guided by the Spirit, he entered the temple complex. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform for Him what was customary under the law, 27Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required,
28Simeon took Him up in his arms, praised God, and said: 28Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:
29Now, Master, You can dismiss Your slave in peace, as You promised. 29"Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace.
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 sight of all nations:
32a light for revelation to the Gentiles and glory to Your people Israel. 32a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel."
33His father and mother were amazed at what was being said about Him. 33The child's father and mother marveled at what was 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--34Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: "This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against,
35and a sword will pierce your own soul--that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed." 35so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too."
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,36There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage,
37and was a widow for 84 years. She did not leave the temple complex, serving God night and day with fasting and prayers.37and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying.
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. 38Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to 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 Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth.
40The boy grew up and became strong, filled with wisdom, and God's grace was on Him. 40And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him.
41Every year His parents traveled to Jerusalem for the Passover Festival.41Every year Jesus' parents went to Jerusalem for the Festival of the Passover.
42When He was 12 years old, they went up according to the custom of the festival.42When he was twelve years old, they went up to the festival, according to the custom.
43After those days were over, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but His parents did not know it. 43After the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they 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. 44Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends.
45When they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for Him. 45When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him.
46After three days, they found Him in the temple complex sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 46After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.
47And all those who heard Him were astounded at His understanding and His answers. 47Everyone who heard him was 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 his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, "Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you."
49"Why were you searching for Me?" He asked them. "Didn't you know that I had to be in My Father's house?"49"Why were you searching for me?" he asked. "Didn't you know I had to be in my Father's house?"
50But they did not understand what He said to them. 50But they did not understand what he was saying 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.51Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But 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 grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.
Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission.New International Version (NIV)

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Luke 1
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