New King James Version

New Living Translation

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

1At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire.

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

2(This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.)

3So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.

3All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census.

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 because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee.

5to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child.

5He took with him Mary, to whom he was engaged, who was now expecting a child.

6So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered.

6And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born.

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.

7She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them. The Shepherds and Angels

8Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.

8That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep.

9And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid.

9Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified,

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.

10but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people.

11For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

11The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!

12And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”

12And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.”

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

13Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying,

14“Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

14“Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”

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.”

15When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

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

16They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger.

17Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child.

17After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child.

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

18All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished,

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

19but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often.

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

20The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them. Jesus Is Presented in the Temple

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.

21Eight days later, when the baby was circumcised, he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel even before he was conceived.

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

22Then it was time for their purification offering, as required by the law of Moses after the birth of a child; so his parents took 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 ” ),

23The law of the Lord says, “If a woman’s first child is a boy, he must be dedicated 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.”

24So they offered the sacrifice required in the law of the Lord—“either 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 just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.

25At that time there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon. He was righteous and devout and was eagerly waiting for the Messiah to come and rescue Israel. The Holy Spirit 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 had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord’s Messiah.

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,

27That day the Spirit led him to the Temple. So when Mary and Joseph came to present the baby Jesus to the Lord as the law required,

28he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said:

28Simeon was there. He took the child in his arms and praised God, saying,

29“Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, According to Your word;

29“Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace, as you have promised.

30For my eyes have seen Your salvation

30I have seen your salvation,

31Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples,

31which you have prepared for all people.

32A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel.”

32He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and he is the glory of your people Israel!”

33And Joseph and His mother marveled at those things which were spoken of Him.

33Jesus’ parents were amazed at what was being said about 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

34Then Simeon blessed them, and he said to Mary, the baby’s mother, “This child is destined to cause many in Israel to fall, and many others to rise. He has been sent as a sign from God, but many will oppose him.

35(yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

35As a result, the deepest thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your very soul.” The Prophecy of Anna

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;

36Anna, a prophet, was also there in the Temple. She was the daughter of Phanuel from the tribe of Asher, and she was very old. Her husband died when they had been married only seven years.

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.

37Then she lived as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the Temple but stayed there day and night, worshiping God with fasting and prayer.

38And coming in that instant she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

38She came along just as Simeon was talking with Mary and Joseph, and she began praising God. She talked about the child to everyone who had been waiting expectantly for God to rescue Jerusalem.

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

39When Jesus’ parents had fulfilled all the requirements of the law of the Lord, they returned home to Nazareth in Galilee.

40And the Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.

40There the child grew up healthy and strong. He was filled with wisdom, and God’s favor was on him. Jesus Speaks with the Teachers

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

41Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Passover festival.

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

42When Jesus was twelve years old, they attended the festival as usual.

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;

43After the celebration was over, they started home to Nazareth, but Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents didn’t miss him at first,

44but supposing Him to have been in the company, they went a day’s journey, and sought Him among their relatives and acquaintances.

44because they assumed he was among the other travelers. But when he didn’t show up that evening, they started looking for him among their relatives and friends.

45So when they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking Him.

45When they couldn’t find him, they went back to Jerusalem to search for him there.

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.

46Three days later they finally discovered him in the Temple, sitting among the religious teachers, listening to them and asking questions.

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

47All who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his 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.”

48His parents didn’t know what to think. “Son,” his mother said to him, “why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been frantic, searching for you everywhere.”

49And He said to them, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?”

49 “But why did you need to search?” he asked. “Didn’t you know that I must be in my Father’s house?”

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

50But they didn’t understand what he meant.

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.

51Then he returned to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. And his mother stored all these things in her heart.

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

52Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all the people.

The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved.

Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.