Luke

The Gospel according to Saint Luke, chapter 2, New English Translation and King James Version

Chapter 2 New English Translation

The Census and the Birth of Jesus

   1 Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus to register all the empire for taxes. 2 This was the first registration, taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 Everyone went to his own town to be registered. 4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family line of David. 5 He went to be registered with Mary, who was promised in marriage to him, and who was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

The Shepherds' Visit

   8 Now there were shepherds nearby living out in the field, keeping guard over their flock at night. 9 An angel of the LORD appeared to them, and the glory of the LORD shone around them, and they were absolutely terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid! Listen carefully, for I proclaim to you good news that brings great joy to all the people: 11 Today your Savior is born in the city of David. He is Christ the LORD. 12 This will be a sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in a manger." 13 Suddenly a vast, heavenly army appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
   14 "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among people with whom he is pleased!"
   15 When the angels left them and went back to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, that the LORD has made known to us." 16 So they hurried off and located Mary and Joseph, and found the baby lying in a manger. 17 When they saw him, they related what they had been told about this child, 18 and all who heard it were astonished at what the shepherds said. 19 But Mary treasured up all these words, pondering in her heart what they might mean. 20 So the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen; everything was just as they had been told.
   21 At the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was named Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

Jesus' Presentation at the Temple

   22 Now when the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, Joseph and Mary brought Jesus up 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 set apart to the LORD"), 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what is specified in the law of the LORD, a pair of doves or two young pigeons.

The Prophecy of Simeon

   25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon who was righteous and devout, looking for the restoration of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the LORD's Christ. 27 So Simeon, directed by the Spirit, came into the temple courts, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what was customary according to the law, 28 Simeon took him in his arms and blessed God, saying,
   29 "Now, according to your word, Sovereign LORD, permit your servant to depart in peace.
   30 For my eyes have seen your salvation
   31 that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples:
   32 a light, for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel."
   33 So the child's father and mother were amazed at what was said about him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, "Listen carefully: This child is destined to be the cause of the falling and rising of many in Israel and to be a sign that will be rejected. 35 Indeed, as a result of him the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed - and a sword will pierce your own soul as well!"

The Testimony of Anna

   36 There was also a prophetess, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old, having been married to her husband for seven years until his death. 37 She had lived as a widow since then for eighty-four years. She never left the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. 38 At that moment, she came up to them and began to give thanks to God and to speak about the child to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.
   39 So when Joseph and Mary had performed everything according to the law of the LORD, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. 40 And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom, and the favor of God was upon him.

Jesus in the Temple

   41 Now Jesus' parents went to Jerusalem every year for the feast of the Passover. 42 When he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom. 43 But when the feast was over, as they were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it, 44 but (because they assumed that he was in their group of travelers) they went a day's journey. Then they began to look for him among their relatives and acquaintances. 45 When they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem to look for him. 46 After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And all who heard Jesus were astonished at his understanding and his answers. 48 When his parents saw him, they were overwhelmed. His mother said to him, "Child, why have you treated us like this? Look, your father and I have been looking for you anxiously." 49 But he replied, "Why were you looking for me? Didn't you know that I must be in my Father's house?" 50 Yet his parents did not understand the remark he made to them. 51 Then he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them. But his mother kept all these things in her heart.
   52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature, and in favor with God and with people.

King James Version

   1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.
   2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
   3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
   4 And 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:)
   5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
   6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
   7 And 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.
   8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
   9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
   10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
   11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
   12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
   13 And 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, good will toward men.
   15 And 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.
   16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
   17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
   18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
   19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
   20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
   21 And 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.
   22 And 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 that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;)
   24 And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.
   25 And, 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.
   26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ.
   27 And 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,
   28 Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,
   29 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:
   30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,
   31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;
   32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
   33 And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.
   34 And 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 (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.
   36 And 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;
   37 And 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.
   38 And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.
   39 And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.
   40 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.
   41 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover.
   42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.
   43 And 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.
   44 But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.
   45 And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.
   46 And 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.
   47 And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.
   48 And 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.
   49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?
   50 And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.
   51 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.
   52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.