Luke 2 Parallel Bible

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	AMP Amplified Bible	ESV English Standard Version	NIV New International Version
1	Now in those days a decree went out from [the emperor] Caesar Augustus, that all the inhabited world (the Roman Empire) should be registered [in a census].	In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered.	In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.
2	This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria.	This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria.	(This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.)
3	And everyone went to register for the census, each to his own city.	And all went to be registered, each to his own town.	And everyone went to their own town to register.
4	So Joseph 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,	And 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,	So 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	in order to register with Mary, who was betrothed to him, and was with child.	to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.	He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.
6	While they were there [in Bethlehem], the time came for her to give birth,	And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth.	While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born,
7	and she gave birth to her Son, her firstborn; and she wrapped Him in [swaddling] cloths and laid Him in a manger, because there was no [private] room for them in the inn.	And 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.	and 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	In the same region there were shepherds staying out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.	And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.	And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.
9	And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord flashed and shone around them, and they were terribly frightened.	And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear.	An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.
10	But 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.	And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.	But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.
11	For this day in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord (the Messiah).	For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.	Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.
12	And this will be a sign for you [by which you will recognize Him]: you will find a Baby wrapped in [swaddling] cloths and lying in a manger.”	And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”	This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
13	Then suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host (angelic army) praising God and saying,	And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,	Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14	“Glory to God in the highest [heaven], And on earth peace among men with whom He is well-pleased.”	“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”	“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
15	When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying one to another, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem, and see this [wonderful] thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.”	When 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.”	When 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	So they went in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the Baby as He lay in the manger.	And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger.	So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.
17	And when they had seen this, they made known what had been told them about this Child,	And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child.	When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child,
18	and all who heard it were astounded and wondered at what the shepherds told them.	And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them.	and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.
19	But Mary treasured all these things, giving careful thought to them and pondering them in her heart.	But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.	But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.
20	The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as it had been told them.	And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.	The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
21	At the end of eight days, when He was to be circumcised, He was named Jesus, the name given [to Him] by the angel [Gabriel] before He was conceived in the womb.	And 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.	On 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	And when the time for their purification came [that is, the mother’s purification and the baby’s dedication] according to the Law of Moses, they brought Him up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord [set apart as the Firstborn]	And 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	When 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	(as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “EVERY firstborn MALE THAT OPENS THE WOMB SHALL BE CALLED HOLY [set apart and dedicated] TO THE LORD)”	(as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”)	(as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord”),
24	and [they came also] to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord [to be appropriate for a family of modest means], “A PAIR OF TURTLEDOVES OR TWO YOUNG PIGEONS.”	and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.”	and 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	Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout [carefully observing the divine Law], and looking for the Consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him.	Now 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.	Now 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	It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed).	And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.	It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah.
27	Prompted by the Spirit, he came into the temple [enclosure]; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for Him the custom required by the Law,	And 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,	Moved 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	Simeon took Him into his arms, and blessed and praised and thanked God, and said,	he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,	Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:
29	“Now, Lord, You are releasing Your bond-servant to leave [this world] in peace, According to Your word;	“Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word;	“Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace.
30	For my eyes have seen Your Salvation,	for my eyes have seen your salvation	For my eyes have seen your salvation,
31	Which You have prepared in the presence of all peoples,	that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,	which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:
32	A LIGHT FOR REVELATION TO THE GENTILES [to disclose what was previously unknown], And [to bring] the praise and honor and glory of Your people Israel.”	a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.”	a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.”
33	And His [legal] father and His mother were amazed at what was said about Him.	And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him.	The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him.
34	Simeon blessed them and said to Mary His mother, “Listen carefully: this Child is appointed and destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign that is to be opposed—	And 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	Then 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	and a sword [of deep sorrow] will pierce through your own soul—so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”	(and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”	so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”
36	There was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old, and had lived with her husband for seven years after her marriage,	And 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,	There 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	and then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She did not leave the [area of the] temple, but was serving and worshiping night and day with fastings and prayers.	and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day.	and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying.
38	She, too, came up at that very moment and began praising and giving thanks to God, and continued to speak of Him to all who were looking for the redemption and deliverance of Jerusalem.	And 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.	Coming 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	And when they had done everything [in connection with Jesus’ birth] according to the Law of the Lord, they went back to Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth.	And when they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth.	When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth.
40	And the Child continued to grow and become strong [in spirit], filled with wisdom; and the grace (favor, spiritual blessing) of God was upon Him.	And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him.	And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him.
41	Now His parents went to Jerusalem every year for the Passover Feast.	Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover.	Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Festival of the Passover.
42	And when He was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem, according to the custom of the Feast;	And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom.	When he was twelve years old, they went up to the festival, according to the custom.
43	and as they were returning [to Nazareth], after spending the required number of days [at the Feast], the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem. Now His parents did not know this,	And when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it,	After the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it.
44	but supposed Him to be in the caravan, and traveled a day’s journey; and [then] they began searching [anxiously] for Him among their relatives and acquaintances.	but 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,	Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends.
45	When they did not find Him, they went back to Jerusalem looking for Him [everywhere].	and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching for him.	When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him.
46	Three days later they found Him in the [court of the] temple, sitting among the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions.	After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.	After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.
47	All who heard Him were amazed by His intelligence and His understanding and His answers.	And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.	Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers.
48	When they saw Him, they were overwhelmed; and His mother said to Him, “Son, why have You treated us like this? Listen, Your father and I have been [greatly distressed and] anxiously looking for You.”	And 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.”	When 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	And He answered, “Why did you have to look for Me? Did you not know that I had to be in My Father’s house?”	And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?”	“Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?”
50	But they did not understand what He had said to them.	And they did not understand the saying that he spoke to them.	But they did not understand what he was saying to them.
51	He went down to Nazareth with them, and was continually submissive and obedient to them; and His mother treasured all these things in her heart.	And 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.	Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart.
52	And Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and in stature, and in favor with God and men.	And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.	And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.
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Luke 2 Parallel Bible Translations