Jesus’ Birth in Bethlehem

1Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all [a]the inhabited earth. 2[b]This was the first census taken while [c]Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3And all the people were on their way to register for the census, each to his own city. 4Now 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, 5in order to register along with Mary, who was [d]betrothed to him, and was pregnant. 6While they were there, the [e]time came for her to give birth. 7And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a [f]manger, because there was no [g]room for them in the inn.

8In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock at night. 9And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood near them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. 10And so 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; 11for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is [h]Christ the Lord. 12And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a [i]manger.” 13And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly [j]army of angels praising God and saying,

14“Glory to God in the highest,

And on earth peace among people [k]with whom He is pleased.”

15When the angels had departed from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, “Let’s go straight to Bethlehem, then, and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16And they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the [l]manger. 17When they had seen Him, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child. 18And all who heard it were amazed about the things which were told them by the shepherds. 19But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20And the shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.

Jesus Presented at the Temple

21And when eight days were completed [m]so that it was time for His circumcision, He was also named Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.

22And when the days for [n]their purification according to the Law of Moses were completed, they brought Him up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord 23(as it is written in the Law of the Lord: “EVERY FIRSTBORN MALE THAT OPENS THE WOMB SHALL BE CALLED HOLY TO THE LORD”), 24and to offer a sacrifice according to what has been stated in the Law of the Lord: “A PAIR OF TURTLEDOVES OR TWO YOUNG DOVES.”

25And there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s [o]Christ. 27And he came [p]by the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, [q]to carry out for Him the custom of the Law, 28then he took Him in his arms, and blessed God, and said,

29“Now, Lord, You are letting Your bond-servant depart in peace,

According to Your word;

30For my eyes have seen Your salvation,

31Which You have prepared in the presence of all the peoples:

32A light for revelation [r]for the Gentiles,

And the glory of Your people Israel.”

33And His father and mother were amazed at the things which were being said about Him. 34And Simeon blessed them and said to His mother Mary, “Behold, this Child is appointed for the fall and [s]rise of many in Israel, and as a sign to be [t]opposed— 35and a sword will pierce your own soul—to the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”

36And there was a prophetess, [u]Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in [v]years and had lived with her husband for seven years after her [w]marriage, 37and then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She did not leave the temple grounds, serving night and day with fasts and prayers. 38And at that very [x]moment she came up and began giving thanks to God, and continued to speak about Him to all those who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.

Return to Nazareth

39And when His parents had completed everything in accordance with the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own city of Nazareth. 40Now the Child continued to grow and to become strong, [y]increasing in wisdom; and the favor of God was upon Him.

Visit to Jerusalem

41His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. 42And when He was twelve years old, they went up there according to the custom of the feast; 43and as they were returning, after spending the full number of days required, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but His parents were unaware of it. 44Instead, they thought that He was somewhere in the caravan, and they went a day’s journey; and then they began looking for Him among their relatives and acquaintances. 45And when they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem, looking for Him. 46Then, after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. 47And all who heard Him were amazed at His understanding and His answers. 48When Joseph and Mary saw Him, they were bewildered; 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!” 49And 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 [z]house?” 50And yet they on their part did not understand the statement which He had [aa]made to them. 51And He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and He continued to be subject to them; and His mother treasured all these [ab]things in her heart.

52And Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and [ac]stature, and in favor with God and people.

[a] 1 I.e., the Roman Empire
[b] 2 Or This took place as a first census
[c] 2 Gr Kyrenios
[d] 5 Unlike engagement, a betrothed couple was considered married, but did not yet live together
[e] 6 Lit days were completed
[f] 7 Or feeding trough
[g] 7 Or space
[h] 11 I.e., the Messiah
[i] 12 Or feeding trough
[j] 13 Or host
[k] 14 Lit of good pleasure; or of goodwill
[l] 16 Or feeding trough
[m] 21 Lit so as to circumcise Him
[n] 22 I.e., Mary’s, with Joseph’s support
[o] 26 I.e., Messiah
[p] 27 Or in
[q] 27 Lit to do for Him according to
[r] 32 Lit of the Gentiles
[s] 34 Or resurrection
[t] 34 Or refused
[u] 36 Or Hannah
[v] 36 Lit days
[w] 36 Lit virginity
[x] 38 Lit hour
[y] 40 Lit becoming full of
[z] 49 Or affairs; or business; lit in the things of My Father
[aa] 50 Lit spoken
[ab] 51 Lit words
[ac] 52 Or age