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Jesus’ Birth in Bethlehem
Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth.
Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth.
The Birth of Jesus
At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire.
At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire.
This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria.
(This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.)
And everyone was on his way to register for the census, each to his own city.
All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census.
Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David,
And 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.
in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child.
He took with him Mary, to whom he was engaged, who was now expecting a child.
While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth.
And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born.
And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
She 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.
In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night.
The Shepherds and Angels
That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep.
And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened.
Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified,
But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people;
but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people.
for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
The Savior — yes, the Messiah, the Lord — has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!
“This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.”
And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others — the armies of heaven — praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.”
And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.”
“Glory to God in highest heaven,
and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”
and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”
When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.”
When 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.”
So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger.
They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger.
When they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child.
After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child.
And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds.
All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished,
But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart.
but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often.
The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.
The 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 Presented at the Temple
And when eight days had passed, before His circumcision, His name was then called Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.
Jesus Is Presented in the Temple
Eight days later, when the baby was circumcised, he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel even before he was conceived.
And when the days for their purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord
Then 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.
(as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “EVERY firstborn MALE THAT OPENS THE WOMB SHALL BE CALLED HOLY TO THE LORD”),
and to offer a sacrifice according to what was said in the Law of the Lord, “A PAIR OF TURTLEDOVES OR TWO YOUNG PIGEONS.”
And there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him.
The Prophecy of Simeon
At 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
And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.
and had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord’s Messiah.
And he came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to carry out for Him the custom of the Law,
That 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,
then he took Him into his arms, and blessed God, and said,
Simeon was there. He took the child in his arms and praised God, saying,
“Now Lord, You are releasing Your bond-servant to depart in peace,
According to Your word;
According to Your word;
“Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace,
as you have promised.
as you have promised.
Which You have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
which you have prepared for all people.
A LIGHT OF REVELATION TO THE GENTILES,
And the glory of Your people Israel.”
And the glory of Your people Israel.”
He is a light to reveal God to the nations,
and he is the glory of your people Israel!”
and he is the glory of your people Israel!”
And His father and mother were amazed at the things which were being said about Him.
Jesus’ parents were amazed at what was being said about him.
And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign to be opposed —
Then 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.
and a sword will pierce even your own soul — to the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”
As a result, the deepest thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your very soul.”
And there was a prophetess, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years and had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage,
The Prophecy of Anna
Anna, 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.
and then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple, serving night and day with fastings and prayers.
At that very moment she came up and began giving thanks to God, and continued to speak of Him to all those who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.
She 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.
Return to Nazareth
When they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own city of Nazareth.
When Jesus’ parents had fulfilled all the requirements of the law of the Lord, they returned home to Nazareth in Galilee.
The Child continued to grow and become strong, increasing in wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.
There the child grew up healthy and strong. He was filled with wisdom, and God’s favor was on him.
Visit to Jerusalem
Now His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover.
Jesus Speaks with the Teachers
Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Passover festival.
And when He became twelve, they went up there according to the custom of the Feast;
When Jesus was twelve years old, they attended the festival as usual.
and as they were returning, after spending the full number of days, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. But His parents were unaware of it,
After the celebration was over, they started home to Nazareth, but Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents didn’t miss him at first,
but supposed Him to be in the caravan, and went a day’s journey; and they began looking for Him among their relatives and acquaintances.
because 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.
When they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem looking for Him.
When they couldn’t find him, they went back to Jerusalem to search for him there.
Then, after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions.
Three days later they finally discovered him in the Temple, sitting among the religious teachers, listening to them and asking questions.
And all who heard Him were amazed at His understanding and His answers.
All who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.
When they saw Him, they were astonished; and His mother said to Him, “Son, why have You treated us this way? Behold, Your father and I have been anxiously looking for You.”
His 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.”
And He said to them, “Why is it that you were looking for Me? Did you not know that I had to be in My Father’s house?”
But they did not understand the statement which He had made to them.
But they didn’t understand what he meant.
And He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and He continued in subjection to them; and His mother treasured all these things in her heart.
Then he returned to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. And his mother stored all these things in her heart.