English Standard Version

Christian Standard Bible

1In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered.

1In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole empire should be registered.

2This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria.

2This first registration took place while Quirinius was governing Syria.

3And all went to be registered, each to his own town.

3So everyone went to be registered, each to his own town.

4And 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,

4Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family line of David,

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

5to be registered along with Mary, who was engaged to him and was pregnant.

6And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth.

6While they were there, the time came for her to give birth.

7And 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.

7Then she gave birth to her firstborn Son, and she wrapped him tightly in cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

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

8In the same region, shepherds were staying out in the fields and keeping watch at night over their flock.

9And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear.

9Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.

10And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.

10But the angel said to them, "Don't be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people:

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

11Today in the city of David a Savior was born for you, who is the Messiah, the Lord.

12And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”

12This will be the sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped tightly in cloth and lying in a manger."

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

13Suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying:

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

14Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to people he favors!

15When 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.”

15When the angels had left them and returned to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go straight to Bethlehem and see what has happened, which the Lord has made known to us."

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

16They hurried off and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby who was lying in the manger.

17And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child.

17After seeing them, they reported the message they were told about this child,

18And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them.

18and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.

19But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.

19But Mary was treasuring up all these things in her heart and meditating on them.

20And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had seen and heard, which were just as they had been told.

21And 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.

21When the eight days were completed for his circumcision, he was named Jesus--the name given by the angel before he was conceived.

22And 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

22And when the days of their purification according to the law of Moses were finished, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord

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

23(just as it is written in the law of the Lord, Every firstborn male will be dedicated to the Lord )

24and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.”

24and to offer a sacrifice (according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons ).

25Now 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.

25There was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, looking forward to Israel's consolation, and the Holy Spirit was on 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 Christ.

26It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he saw the Lord's Messiah.

27And 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,

27Guided by the Spirit, he entered the temple. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform for him what was customary under the law,

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

28Simeon took him up in his arms, praised God, and said,

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

29Now, Master, you can dismiss your servant in peace, as you promised.

30for my eyes have seen your salvation

30For my eyes have seen your salvation.

31that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,

31You have prepared it in the presence of all peoples--

32a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.”

32a light for revelation to the Gentiles and glory to your people Israel.

33And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him.

33His father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him.

34And 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

34Then Simeon blessed them and told his mother Mary: "Indeed, this child is destined to cause the fall and rise of many in Israel and to be a sign that will be opposed--

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

35and a sword will pierce your own soul--that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed."

36And 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,

36There was also a prophetess, Anna, a daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was well along in years, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage,

37and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day.

37and was a widow for eighty-four years. She did not leave the temple, serving God night and day with fasting and prayers.

38And 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.

38At that very moment, she came up and began to thank God and to speak about him to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.

39And when they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth.

39When they had completed everything according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth.

40And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him.

40The boy grew up and became strong, filled with wisdom, and God's grace was on him.

41Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover.

41Every year his parents traveled to Jerusalem for the Passover Festival.

42And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom.

42When he was twelve years old, they went up according to the custom of the festival.

43And when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it,

43After those days were over, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it.

44but 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,

44Assuming he was in the traveling party, they went a day's journey. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends.

45and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching for him.

45When they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for him.

46After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.

46After three days, they found him in the temple sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.

47And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.

47And all those who heard him were astounded at his understanding and his answers.

48And when his parents 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.”

48When his parents saw him, they were astonished, and his mother said to him, "Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you."

49And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?”

49"Why were you searching for me?" he asked them. "Didn't you know that it was necessary for me to be in my Father's house?"

50And they did not understand the saying that he spoke to them.

50But they did not understand what he said to them.

51And 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.

51Then he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was obedient to them. His mother kept all these things in her heart.

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

52And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and with people.

ESV Text Edition: 2016. The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®) copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. The ESV® text has been reproduced in cooperation with and by permission of Good News Publishers. Unauthorized reproduction of this publication is prohibited. All rights reserved.

The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission.