New King James Version

English Standard Version

Christ Born of Mary

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

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The Birth of Jesus Christ

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered.

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This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria.

2

This was the first registration whena Quirinius was governor of Syria.

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

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And all went to be registered, each to his own town.

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Joseph 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,

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And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David,

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to be registered with Mary, his betrothed [a]wife, who was with child.

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

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

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And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth.

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And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a [b]manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

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And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.c

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Glory in the Highest

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

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The Shepherds and the Angels

And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

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

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And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear.

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Then 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.

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And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.

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

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

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

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And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”

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

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

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

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“Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”d

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So 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.”

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When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”

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

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And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger.

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

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And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child.

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

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And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them.

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

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But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.

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

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And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

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Circumcision of Jesus

And when eight days were completed [g]for the circumcision of the Child, His name was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.

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And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

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Jesus Presented in the Temple

Now 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

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Jesus Presented at the Temple

And when the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord

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(as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”),

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(as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”)

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and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, “A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”

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and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.”

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Simeon Sees God’s Salvation

And 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.

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Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.

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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.

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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.

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So 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,

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And he came in 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,

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

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he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,

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

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“Lord, now you are letting your servante depart in peace,
according to your word;

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For my eyes have seen Your salvation

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for my eyes have seen your salvation

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Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples,

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that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,

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

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a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and for glory to your people Israel.”

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[h]And Joseph and His mother marveled at those things which were spoken of Him.

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And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him.

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Then 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

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And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed

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

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(and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”

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Anna Bears Witness to the Redeemer

Now 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;

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And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin,

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and this woman was a widow [i]of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.

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and then as a widow until she was eighty-four.f She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day.

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

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And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.

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The Family Returns to Nazareth

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

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The Return to Nazareth

And when they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth.

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

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And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him.

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The Boy Jesus Amazes the Scholars

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

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The Boy Jesus in the Temple

Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover.

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

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And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom.

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When they had finished the days, as they returned, the Boy Jesus lingered behind in Jerusalem. And [l]Joseph and His mother did not know it;

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And when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it,

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

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but supposing him to be in the group they went a day’s journey, but then they began to search for him among their relatives and acquaintances,

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

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and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching for him.

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Now 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.

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After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.

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

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And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.

48

So 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.”

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And when his parentsg saw him, they were astonished. And his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress.”

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

49

And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?”h

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

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And they did not understand the saying that he spoke to them.

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Jesus Advances in Wisdom and Favor

Then He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was [m]subject to them, but His mother kept all these things in her heart.

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And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart.

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

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And Jesus increased in wisdom and in staturei and in favor with God and man.

Parallel

New King James Version

English Standard Version

Luke 2

Luke 2