| [an error occurred while processing this directive] | New International Version |
| 1[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 1In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. |
| 2[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 2(This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) |
| 3[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 3And everyone went to their own town to register. |
| 4[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 4So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to 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 be married to him and was expecting a child. |
| 6[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 6While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, |
| 7[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 7and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. |
| 8[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 8And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. |
| 9[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 9An angel of the Lord appeared to 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. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. |
| 11[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 11Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. |
| 12[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 12This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." |
| 13[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 13Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, |
| 14[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 14"Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those 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's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about." |
| 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] | 17When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them 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 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 the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. |
| 21[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 21On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived. |
| 22[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 22When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took 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 is to be consecrated to the Lord"), |
| 24[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 24and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: "a pair of doves or two young pigeons." |
| 25[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 25Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, 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 die before he had seen the Lord's Messiah. |
| 27[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 27Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, |
| 28[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 28Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: |
| 29[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 29"Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may 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 nations: |
| 32[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 32a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel." |
| 33[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 33The child's father and mother marveled at what was said about him. |
| 34[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 34Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: "This child is destined to cause the falling and rising 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 own soul too." |
| 36[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 36There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, |
| 37[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 37and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. |
| 38[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 38Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem. |
| 39[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 39When Joseph and Mary 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 on him. |
| 41[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 41Every year Jesus' parents went to Jerusalem for the Festival of the Passover. |
| 42[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 42When he was twelve years old, they went up to the festival, according to the custom. |
| 43[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 43After the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. |
| 44[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 44Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. 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 went back to Jerusalem to look for him. |
| 46[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 46After 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] | 47Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. |
| 48[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 48When his parents saw him, they were astonished. 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. "Didn't you know I had to be in my Father's house?" |
| 50[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 50But they did not understand what he was saying 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 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. |
| [an error occurred while processing this directive] | New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. |
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