| New International Version | NET Bible |
| 1In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. | 1Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus to register all the empire for taxes. |
| 2(This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) | 2This was the first registration, taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria. |
| 3And everyone went to their own town to register. | 3Everyone went to his own town to be registered. |
| 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. | 4So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family line of David. |
| 5He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. | 5He went to be registered with Mary, who was promised in marriage to him, and who was expecting a child. |
| 6While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, | 6While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. |
| 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. | 7And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. |
| 8And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. | 8Now there were shepherds nearby living out in the field, keeping guard over their flock at night. |
| 9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. | 9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were absolutely terrified. |
| 10But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. | 10But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid! Listen carefully, for I proclaim to you good news that brings great joy to all the people: |
| 11Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. | 11Today your Savior is born in the city of David. He is Christ the Lord. |
| 12This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." | 12This will be a sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in a manger." |
| 13Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, | 13Suddenly a vast, heavenly army appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, |
| 14"Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests." | 14"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among people with whom he is pleased!" |
| 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." | 15When the angels left them and went back to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, that the Lord has made known to us." |
| 16So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. | 16So they hurried off and located Mary and Joseph, and found the baby lying in a manger. |
| 17When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, | 17When they saw him, they related what they had been told about this child, |
| 18and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. | 18and all who heard it were astonished at what the shepherds said. |
| 19But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. | 19But Mary treasured up all these words, pondering in her heart what they might mean. |
| 20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. | 20So the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen; everything was just as they had been told. |
| 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. | 21At the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was named Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. |
| 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 | 22Now when the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, Joseph and Mary brought Jesus up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord |
| 23(as it is written in the Law of the Lord, "Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord"), | 23(just as it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every firstborn male will be set apart to the Lord"), |
| 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." | 24and to offer a sacrifice according to what is specified in the law of the Lord, a pair of doves or two young pigeons. |
| 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. | 25Now there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon who was righteous and devout, looking for the restoration of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. |
| 26It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Messiah. | 26It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Christ. |
| 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, | 27So Simeon, directed by the Spirit, came into the temple courts, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what was customary according to the law, |
| 28Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: | 28Simeon took him in his arms and blessed God, saying, |
| 29"Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. | 29"Now, according to your word, Sovereign Lord, permit your servant to depart in peace. |
| 30For my eyes have seen your salvation, | 30For my eyes have seen your salvation |
| 31which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: | 31that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples: |
| 32a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel." | 32a light, for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel." |
| 33The child's father and mother marveled at what was said about him. | 33So the child's father and mother were amazed at what was said about him. |
| 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, | 34Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, "Listen carefully: This child is destined to be the cause of the falling and rising of many in Israel and to be a sign that will be rejected. |
| 35so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too." | 35Indeed, as a result of him the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed--and a sword will pierce your own soul as well!" |
| 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, | 36There was also a prophetess, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old, having been married to her husband for seven years until his death. |
| 37and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. | 37She had lived as a widow since then for eighty-four years. She never left the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. |
| 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. | 38At that moment, she came up to them and began to give thanks to God and to speak about the child to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem. |
| 39When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. | 39So when Joseph and Mary had performed 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; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him. | 40And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom, and the favor of God was upon him. |
| 41Every year Jesus' parents went to Jerusalem for the Festival of the Passover. | 41Now Jesus' parents went to Jerusalem every year for the feast of the Passover. |
| 42When he was twelve years old, they went up to the festival, according to the custom. | 42When he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom. |
| 43After the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. | 43But when the feast was over, as they were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it, |
| 44Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. | 44but (because they assumed that he was in their group of travelers) they went a day's journey. Then they began to look for him among their relatives and acquaintances. |
| 45When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. | 45When they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem to look for him. |
| 46After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. | 46After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. |
| 47Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. | 47And all who heard Jesus were astonished at his understanding and his answers. |
| 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." | 48When his parents saw him, they were overwhelmed. His mother said to him, "Child, why have you treated us like this? Look, your father and I have been looking for you anxiously." |
| 49"Why were you searching for me?" he asked. "Didn't you know I had to be in my Father's house?" | 49But he replied, "Why were you looking for me? Didn't you know that I must be in my Father's house?" |
| 50But they did not understand what he was saying to them. | 50Yet his parents did not understand the remark he made to them. |
| 51Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. | 51Then he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them. But his mother kept all these things in her heart. |
| 52And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man. | 52And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature, and in favor with God and with people. |
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