King James Bible

New American Standard Bible 1995

1And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.

1Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth.

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

2This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria.

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

3And everyone was on his way to register for the census, each to his own city.

4And 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:)

4Joseph 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,

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

5in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child.

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

6While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth.

7And 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.

7And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

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

8In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night.

9And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

9And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened.

10And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

10But 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 unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

11for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

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

12"This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

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

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

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

14"Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased."

15And 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.

15When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, "Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us."

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

16So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger.

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

17When they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child.

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

18And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds.

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

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

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

20The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.

21And 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.

21And when eight days had passed, before His circumcision, His name was then called Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.

22And 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;

22And when the days for 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 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 THAT OPENS THE WOMB SHALL BE CALLED HOLY TO THE LORD "),

24And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.

24and to offer a sacrifice according to what was said in the Law of the Lord, "A PAIR OF TURTLEDOVES OR TWO YOUNG PIGEONS."

25And, 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.

25And there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him.

26And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ.

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.

27And 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,

27And he came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to carry out for Him the custom of the Law,

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

28then he took Him into his arms, and blessed God, and said,

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

29"Now Lord, You are releasing Your bond-servant to depart in peace, According to Your word;

30For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,

30For my eyes have seen Your salvation,

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

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

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

32A LIGHT OF REVELATION TO THE GENTILES, And the glory of Your people Israel."

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

33And His father and mother were amazed at the things which were being said about Him.

34And 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;

34And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary His mother, "Behold, this Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign to be opposed--

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

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

36And 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;

36And there was a prophetess, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years and had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage,

37And 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.

37and then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple, serving night and day with fastings and prayers.

38And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

38At that very moment she came up and began giving thanks to God, and continued to speak of Him to all those who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.

39And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.

39When they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own city of Nazareth.

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

40The Child continued to grow and become strong, increasing in wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.

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

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

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

42And when He became twelve, they went up there according to the custom of the Feast;

43And 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.

43and as they were returning, after spending the full number of days, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. But His parents were unaware of it,

44But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.

44but supposed Him to be in the caravan, and went a day's journey; and they began looking for Him among their relatives and acquaintances.

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

45When they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem looking for Him.

46And 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.

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 that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.

47And all who heard Him were amazed at His understanding and His answers.

48And 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.

48When they saw Him, they were astonished; 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 unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?

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 house?"

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

50But they did not understand the statement which He had made to them.

51And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.

51And He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and He continued in subjection to them; and His mother treasured all these things in her heart.

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

52And Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.

King James Bible, text courtesy of BibleProtector.com.

New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit //www.lockman.org