| [an error occurred while processing this directive] | Berean Study Bible |
| 1[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 1Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that a census should be taken of the whole empire. |
| 2[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 2This was the first census to take place while Quirinius was governor of Syria. |
| 3[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 3And everyone went to his own town to register. |
| 4[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 4So Joseph also went up from Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, since he was from the house and line of David. |
| 5[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 5He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to him in marriage and was expecting a child. |
| 6[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 6While they were there, the time came for her Child to be born. |
| 7[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 7And she gave birth to her firstborn, a Son. She wrapped Him in swaddling cloths and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. |
| 8[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 8And there were shepherds residing in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks by night. |
| 9[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 9Just then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. |
| 10[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 10But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid! For behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: |
| 11[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 11Today in the city of David a Savior has been born to you. He is Christ the Lord! |
| 12[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 12And this will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” |
| 13[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 13And suddenly there appeared with the angel a great multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying: |
| 14[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 14“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests!” |
| 15[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 15When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” |
| 16[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 16So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph and the Baby, who was lying in the manger. |
| 17[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 17After they had seen the Child, they spread the message they had received about Him. |
| 18[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 18And all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. |
| 19[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 19But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. |
| 20[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, which was just as the angel had told them. |
| 21[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 21When the eight days until His circumcision had passed, He was named Jesus, the name the angel had given Him before He had been conceived. |
| 22[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 22And when the time of purification according to the Law of Moses was complete, His parents brought Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord |
| 23[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 23(as it is written in the Law of the Lord: “Every firstborn male shall be consecrated to the Lord”), |
| 24[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 24and to offer the sacrifice specified in the Law of the Lord: “A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.” |
| 25[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 25Now there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. |
| 26[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 26The Holy Spirit had revealed to him that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. |
| 27[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 27Led by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. And when the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for Him what was customary under the Law, |
| 28[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 28Simeon took Him in his arms and blessed God, saying: |
| 29[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 29“Sovereign Lord, as You have promised, You now dismiss Your servant in peace. |
| 30[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 30For my eyes have seen Your salvation, |
| 31[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 31which You have prepared in the sight of all people, |
| 32[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 32a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to Your people Israel.” |
| 33[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 33The Child’s father and mother were amazed at what was spoken about Him. |
| 34[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 34Then Simeon blessed them and said to His mother Mary: “Behold, this Child is appointed to cause the rise and fall of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, |
| 35[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 35so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your soul as well.” |
| 36[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 36There was also a prophetess named Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher, who was well along in years. She had been married for seven years, |
| 37[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 37and then was a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. |
| 38[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 38Coming forward at that moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the Child to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem. |
| 39[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 39When Jesus’ parents had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. |
| 40[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 40And the Child grew and became strong. He was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon Him. |
| 41[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 41Every year His parents went to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover. |
| 42[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 42And when He was twelve years old, they went up according to the custom of the Feast. |
| 43[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 43When those days were over and they were returning home, the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem, but His parents were unaware He had stayed. |
| 44[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 44Assuming He was in their company, they traveled on for a day before they began to look for Him among their relatives and friends. |
| 45[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 45When they could not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for Him. |
| 46[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 46Finally, after three days they found Him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. |
| 47[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 47And all who heard Him were astounded at His understanding and His answers. |
| 48[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 48When His parents saw Him, they were astonished. “Child, why have You done this to us?” His mother asked. “Your father and I have been anxiously searching for You.” |
| 49[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 49“Why were you looking for Me?” He asked. “Did you not know that I had to be in My Father’s house?” |
| 50[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 50But they did not understand the statement He was making to them. |
| 51[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 51Then He went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But His mother treasured up all these things in her heart. |
| 52[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 52And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man. |
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