| New King James Version | King James Bible |
| 1And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the 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 census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. | 2(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) |
| 3So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. | 3And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. |
| 4Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage 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:) |
| 5to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. | 5To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. |
| 6So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. | 6And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. |
| 7And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. | 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. |
| 8Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. | 8And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. |
| 9And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. | 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 said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all 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. |
| 11For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. | 11For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. |
| 12And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” | 12And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. |
| 13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and 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 on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” | 14Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. |
| 15So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” | 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. |
| 16And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. | 16And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. |
| 17Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. | 17And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. |
| 18And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. | 18And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. |
| 19But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. | 19But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. |
| 20Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told 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. |
| 21And when eight days were completed for the circumcision of the Child, His name was called JESUS, the name given 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. |
| 22Now when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him 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; |
| 23(as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every male who opens the womb shall be called 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;) |
| 24and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said 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. |
| 25And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of 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. |
| 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. | 26And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ. |
| 27So he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of 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, |
| 28he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said: | 28Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, |
| 29“Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, According to Your word; | 29Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: |
| 30For my eyes have seen Your salvation | 30For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, |
| 31Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, | 31Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; |
| 32A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel.” | 32A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel. |
| 33And Joseph and His mother marveled at those things which were spoken of Him. | 33And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him. |
| 34Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against | 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; |
| 35(yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” | 35(Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed. |
| 36Now there was one, Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity; | 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 this woman was a widow of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. | 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. |
| 38And coming in that instant she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in 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. |
| 39So when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth. | 39And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth. |
| 40And the Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him. | 40And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him. |
| 41His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. | 41Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover. |
| 42And when He was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast. | 42And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast. |
| 43When they had finished the days, as they returned, the Boy Jesus lingered behind in Jerusalem. And Joseph and His mother 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. |
| 44but supposing Him to have been in the company, they went a day’s journey, and sought Him among their relatives and acquaintances. | 44But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance. |
| 45So when they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking Him. | 45And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him. |
| 46Now so it was that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. | 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. |
| 47And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers. | 47And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. |
| 48So when they saw Him, they were amazed; and His mother said to Him, “Son, why have You done this to us? Look, Your father and I have sought You anxiously.” | 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. |
| 49And He said to them, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” | 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 the statement which He spoke to them. | 50And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them. |
| 51Then He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them, but His mother kept 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. |
| 52And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men. | 52And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man. |
| The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved. | King James Bible, text courtesy of BibleProtector.com. |
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