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.

1. At that time the emperor issued a decree for a census of the whole empire to be taken.

2. ([And] this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

2. This first census was taken while Quirinus was governor of Syria.

3. And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

3. Everyone had to be registered in his own town. So everyone set out for 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:)

4. Joseph too set out from Nazareth of Galilee. As he belonged to the family of David, being a descendant of his, he went to Judea to David's town of Bethlehem

5. To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

5. to be registered with Mary, his wife, who was with child.

6. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

6. They were in Bethlehem when the time came for her to have her child,

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.

7. and she gave birth to a son, her firstborn. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in the manger, because there was no place for them in the living room.

8. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

8. There were shepherds camping in the countryside, taking turns to watch over their flocks 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.

9. Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared to them, with the Glory of the Lord shining around them. As they were terrified,

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.

10. the angel said to them, "Don't be afraid; I am here to give you good news, great joy for all the people.

11. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

11. Today a Savior has been born to you in David's town; he is the Messiah and the Lord.

12. And this [shall be] a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

12. Let this be a sign to you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger."

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

13. Suddenly the angel was surrounded by many more heavenly spirits, praising God and saying,

14. Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

14. "Glory to God in the highest; peace on earth for God is blessing humankind."

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.

15. When the angels had left them and gone back to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go as far as Bethlehem and see what the Lord has made known to us."

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

16. So they came hurriedly and found Mary and Joseph with the baby lying in the manger.

17. And when they had seen [it], they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

17. On seeing this they related what they had been told about the child,

18. And all they that heard [it] wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

18. and all were astonished on hearing the shepherds.

19. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered [them] in her heart.

19. As for Mary, she treasured all these messages and continually pondered over them.

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.

20. The shepherds then returned giving glory and praise to God for all they had heard and seen, just as the angels had told 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.

21. On the eighth day the circumcision of the baby had to be performed; he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived.

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;

22. When the day came for the purification according to the law of Moses, they brought the baby up 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;)

23. as it is written in the law of the Lord: Every firstborn male shall be consecrated to God.

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.

24. And they offered a sacrifice as ordered 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.

25. There lived in Jerusalem at this time a very upright and devout man named Simeon; the Holy Spirit was in him. He looked forward to the time when the Lord would comfort Israel,

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.

26. and he had been assured by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before seeing the Messiah of the Lord.

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,

27. So he was led into the Temple by the Holy Spirit at the time the parents brought the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law.

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

28. Simeon took the child in his arms and blessed God, saying,

29. Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:

29. "Now, O Lord, you can dismiss your servant in peace, for you have fulfilled your word

30. For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,

30. and my eyes have seen your salvation,

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

31. which you display for all the people to see.

32. A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.

32. Here is the light you will reveal to the nations and the glory of your people Israel."

33. And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.

33. His father and mother wondered at what was said about the child.

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;

34. Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother, "See him; he will be for the rise or fall of the multitudes of Israel. He shall stand as a sign of contradiction,

35. (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.

35. while a sword will pierce your own soul. Then the secret thoughts of many may be brought to light."

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;

36. There was also a prophetess named Anna, daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. After leaving her father's home, she had been seven years with her husband, and since then she had been continually about the Temple, serving God as a widow night and day in fasting and prayer.

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.

37. She was now eighty-four.

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.

38. Coming up at that time, she gave praise to God and spoke of the child to all who looked forward to the deliverance of 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.

39. When the parents had fulfilled all that was required by the law of the Lord, they returned to their town, Nazareth in Galilee.

40. And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.

40. There the child grew in stature and strength and was filled with wisdom: the grace of God was upon him.

41. Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover.

41. Every year the parents of Jesus went to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover, as was customary.

42. And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.

42. And when Jesus was twelve years old, he went up with them according to the custom for this 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].

43. After the festival was over, they returned, but the boy Jesus remained in Jerusalem and his parents did not know 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.

44. They thought he was in the company and after walking the whole day they looked for him among their relatives and friends.

45. And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.

45. As they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem searching for 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.

46. and on the third day they found him in the Temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking questions.

47. And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.

47. And all the people were amazed at his understanding and his 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.

48. His parents were very surprised when they saw him and his mother said to him, "Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I were very worried while searching for you."

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?

49. Then he said to them, "Why were you looking for me? Do you not know that I must be in my Father's house?"

50. And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.

50. But they did not understand this answer.

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.

51. Jesus went down with them, returning to Nazareth, and he continued to be subject to them. As for his mother, she kept all these things in her heart.

52. And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.

52. And Jesus increased in wisdom and age, and in divine and human favor.