Luke 2
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.
