1It followed in those days: that there went out a commandment from August the Emperor, that all the world should be valued. 2This taxing was first executed when Syrenus was leftenant in Syria. 3And every man went into his own shire town, there to be taxed. 4And Ioseph also ascended from Galilee, out of a city called Nazareth, into jewry: into the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David 5to be taxed with Mary his wedded wife, which was with child. 6And it fortuned while they were there, her time was come that she should be delivered. 7And she brought forth her first begotten son. And wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them within, in the hostry.

8And there were in the same region shepherds abiding in the field, and watching their flock by night. 9And lo: the angel of the Lord stood hard by them, and the brightness of the Lord shone round about them, and they were sore afraid. 10And the angel said unto them: Be not afraid: Behold I bring you tidings of great joy, that shall come to all the people: 11for unto you is born this day in the city of David a saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 12And take this for a sign: ye shall find the child swaddled, and laid in a manger. 13And straight way there was with the angel a multitude of heavenly soldiers, lauding God, and saying:

14Glory to God on high, and peace on the earth: and unto men rejoicing.

15And it fortuned, as soon as the angels were gone away into heaven, the shepherds said one to another: let us go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing that is happened, which the Lord hath shewed unto us. 16And they came with haste, and found Mary and Ioseph, and the babe laid in a manger. 17And when they had seen it, they published abroad the saying, which was told them of that child. 18And all that heard it wondered, at those things which were told them of the shepherds. 19But Mary kept all those sayings, and pondered them in her heart. 20And the shepherds returned, praising and lauding God for all that they had heard and seen, even as it was told unto them.

21And when the eighth day was come that the child should be circumcised, his name was called Iesus, which was named of the angel before he was conceived in the mother's womb.

22And when the time of their purification (after the law of Moses) was come they brought him to Hierusalem, to present him to the Lord 23(As it is written in the law of the Lord: every man child that first openeth the matrix, shall be called holy to the Lord) 24and to offer (as it is said in the law of the Lord) a pair of turtle doves, or ij. young pigeons.

25And behold there was a man in Hierusalem, whose name was Simeon. And the same man was just and feared God, and longed for the consolation of Israhel, and the holy ghost was in him. 26And an answer was given him of the holy ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 27And he came by inspiration into the temple. And as the father and mother brought in the child Iesus, to do for him after the custom of the law. 28Then took he him up in his arms and said:

29Lord Now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace according to thy promise.

30For mine eyes have seen the saviour sent from thee

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

32A light to lighten the gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israhel.

33And his father and mother marvelled at those things, which were spoken of him: 34And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother: behold, this child shall be the fall, and resurrection of many in Israhel: And a sign which shall be spoken against. 35And moreover the sword shall pierce the very heart of thee, that the thoughts of many hearts may be opened.

36And there was Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel of tribe of Aser. And she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband. vij. year from her virginity. 37And this widow about iiij. score and iiij. year of age, which went never out of the temple, but served there with fasting and prayer night and day. 38And she came forth that same hour, and praised God, and spake of him to all that looked for redemption in Hierusalem.

39And as soon as they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galile into their own city Nazareth. 40And the child grew and waxed strong in spirit, and was full of wisdom, and the favour of God was with him.

41And his father and mother went to Hierusalem every year at the feast of ester. 42And when he was xij. years old, they went up to Hierusalem after the custom of the feast. 43And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned home, the child Iesus bode still in Hierusalem, unknowing to his father and mother. 44For they supposed he had been in the company. They came a day's journey, and sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance, 45and found him not They went back again to Hierusalem, and sought him. 46And it fortuned after iij. days, they found him in the temple sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and posing them. 47And all that heard him marvelled at his wit and answers. 48And when they saw him, they were astonied. And his mother said unto him: son why hast thou thus dealt with us? Behold thy father and I have sorowed and sought thee. 49And he said unto them: how is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must go about my father's business? 50And they understood not the saying that he spake to them. 51And he went with them, and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them. His mother kept all these things in her heart.

52And Iesus increased in wisdom and age, and in favour with God and man.