International Standard Version

King James Bible

1Now in those days an order was published by Caesar Augustus that the whole world should be registered.

1And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.

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

2(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

3So all the people went to their hometowns to be registered.

3And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

4Joseph, too, went up from the city of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the City of David (called Bethlehem), because he was a descendant of the household and family of David.

4And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

5He went there to be registered with Mary, who had been promised to him in marriage and was pregnant.

5To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

6While they were there, the time came for her to have her baby,

6And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

7and she gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him in strips of cloth and laid him in a feeding trough, because there was no place for them in the guest quarters.

7And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

8In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, watching their flock during the night.

8And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.

9And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

10Then the angel told them, "Stop being afraid! Listen! I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people.

10And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

11Today your Savior, the Lord Messiah, was born in the City of David.

11For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

12And this will be a sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in a feeding trough."

12And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

13Suddenly, a multitude of the Heavenly Army appeared with the angel, praising God by saying,

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 peace on earth to people who enjoy his favor!"

14Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

15When the angels had left them and gone back to heaven, the shepherds told one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see what has taken place that the Lord has told us about."

15And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

16So they went quickly and found Mary and Joseph with the baby, who was lying in the feeding trough.

16And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

17When they saw this, they repeated what they had been told about this child.

17And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

18All who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them.

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

19However, Mary continued to treasure all these things in her heart and to ponder them.

19But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

20Then the shepherds returned to their flock, glorifying and praising God for everything they had heard and seen, just as it had been told to them.

20And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

21After eight days had passed, the infant was circumcised and named Jesus, the name given him by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

21And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

22When the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took Jesus up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord,

22And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord;

23as it is written in the Law of the Lord, "Every firstborn son is to be designated as holy to the Lord."

23(As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;)

24They also offered a sacrifice according to what is specified in the Law of the Lord: "a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons."

24And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.

25Now a man named Simeon was in Jerusalem. This man was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the one who would comfort Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.

25And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.

26It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die until he had seen the Lord's Messiah.

26And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ.

27Led by the Spirit, he went into the Temple. When the parents brought the child Jesus to do for him what was customary under the Law,

27And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,

28Simeon took the infant in his arms and praised God, saying,

28Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,

29"Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace according to your promise,

29Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:

30because my eyes have seen your salvation,

30For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,

31which you prepared for all people to see—

31Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;

32a light that will reveal salvation to unbelievers and bring glory to your people Israel."

32A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.

33Jesus' father and mother kept wondering at the things being said about him.

33And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.

34Then Simeon blessed them and told Mary, his mother, "This infant is destined to cause many in Israel to fall and rise. Also, he will be a sign that will be opposed.

34And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against;

35Indeed, a sword will pierce your own soul, too, so that the inner thoughts of many people might be revealed."

35(Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.

36Now Anna, a prophetess, was also there. She was a descendant of Phanuel from the tribe of Asher. She was very old, having lived with her husband for seven years after her marriage,

36And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;

37and then as a widow for 84 years. She never left the Temple, but continued to worship there night and day with times of fasting and prayer.

37And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.

38Just then she came forward and began to thank God and to speak about Jesus to everyone who was waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.

38And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

39After doing everything required by the Law of the Lord, Joseph and Mary returned to their hometown of Nazareth in Galilee.

39And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.

40Meanwhile, the child continued to grow and to become strong. He was filled with wisdom, and God's favor rested upon him.

40And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.

41Every year Jesus' parents would go to Jerusalem for the Passover Festival.

41Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover.

42When Jesus was twelve years old, they went up to the festival as usual.

42And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.

43When the days of the festival were over, they left for home. The young man Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it.

43And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it.

44They thought that he was in their group of travelers. After traveling for a day, they started looking for him among their relatives and friends.

44But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.

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

45And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.

46Three days later, they found him in the Temple sitting among the teachers, listening to them, and posing questions to them.

46And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.

47All who heard him were amazed at his intelligence and his answers.

47And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.

48When Jesus' parents saw him, they were shocked. His mother asked him, "Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been worried sick looking for you!"

48And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.

49He asked them, "Why were you looking for me? Didn't you know that I had to be in my Father's house?"

49And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?

50But they did not understand what he told them.

50And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.

51Then he went back with them, returning to Nazareth and remaining in submission to them. His mother continued to treasure all these things in her heart.

51And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.

52Meanwhile, Jesus kept on growing wiser and more mature, and in favor with God and his fellow man.

52And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.

The Holy Bible: International Standard Version® Release 2.1 Copyright © 1996-2012 The ISV Foundation ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY.

King James Bible, text courtesy of BibleProtector.com.