| [an error occurred while processing this directive] | Holman Christian Standard Bible |
| 1[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 1In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole empire should be registered. |
| 2[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 2This first registration took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. |
| 3[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 3So everyone went to be registered, each to his own town. |
| 4[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 4And Joseph 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, |
| 5[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 5to be registered along with Mary, who was engaged to him and was pregnant. |
| 6[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 6While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. |
| 7[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 7Then she gave birth to her firstborn Son, and she wrapped Him snugly in cloth and laid Him in a feeding trough--because there was no room for them at the lodging place. |
| 8[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 8In the same region, shepherds were staying out in the fields and keeping watch at night over their flock. |
| 9[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 9Then 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, "Don't be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: |
| 11[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 11Today a Savior, who is Messiah the Lord, was born for you in the city of David. |
| 12[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 12This will be the sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in cloth and lying in a feeding trough." |
| 13[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 13Suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: |
| 14[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 14Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to people He favors! |
| 15[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 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." |
| 16[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 16They hurried off and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby who was lying in the feeding trough. |
| 17[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 17After seeing them, they reported the message they were told about this child, |
| 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 was treasuring up all these things in her heart and meditating on them. |
| 20[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had seen and heard, just as they had been told. |
| 21[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 21When the eight days were completed for His circumcision, He was named Jesus--the name given by the angel before He was conceived. |
| 22[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 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[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 23(just as it is written in the law of the Lord: Every firstborn male will be dedicated to the Lord) |
| 24[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 24and to offer a sacrifice (according to what is stated in the law of the Lord: a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons). |
| 25[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 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. |
| 26[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 26It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he saw the Lord's Messiah. |
| 27[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 27Guided by the Spirit, he entered the temple complex. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform for Him what was customary under the law, |
| 28[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 28Simeon took Him up in his arms, praised God, and said: |
| 29[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 29Now, Master, You can dismiss Your slave in peace, as You promised. |
| 30[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 30For my eyes have seen Your salvation. |
| 31[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 31You have prepared it in the presence of all peoples-- |
| 32[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 32a light for revelation to the Gentiles and glory to Your people Israel. |
| 33[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 33His father and mother were amazed at what was being said about Him. |
| 34[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 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[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 35and a sword will pierce your own soul--that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed." |
| 36[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 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, |
| 37[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 37and was a widow for 84 years. She did not leave the temple complex, serving God night and day with fasting and prayers. |
| 38[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 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. |
| 39[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 39When they had completed everything according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. |
| 40[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 40The boy grew up and became strong, filled with wisdom, and God's grace was on Him. |
| 41[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 41Every year His parents traveled to Jerusalem for the Passover Festival. |
| 42[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 42When He was 12 years old, they went up according to the custom of the festival. |
| 43[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 43After those days were over, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but His parents did not know it. |
| 44[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 44Assuming He was in the traveling party, they went a day's journey. Then they began looking for Him among their relatives and friends. |
| 45[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 45When they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for Him. |
| 46[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 46After three days, they found Him in the temple complex sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. |
| 47[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 47And all those 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, and His mother said to Him, "Son, why have You treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for You." |
| 49[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 49"Why were you searching for Me?" He asked them. "Didn't you know that I had to be in My Father's house?" |
| 50[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 50But they did not understand what He said to them. |
| 51[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 51Then He went down with them and came to Nazareth and was obedient to them. His mother kept all these things in her heart. |
| 52[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 52And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and with people. |
|
