Luke 2

 

1 And it came to pass in those days that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus (who unknowingly served God’s plan) so that all the world should be taxed (and enrolled, even the Savior of the whole world).

 

2 {And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.}

 

3 And all went to be taxed, everyone (traveling) into his own city.

4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; {because he was of the house and lineage of David (the fulfillment of that which the Lord Yahweh spoke to Jeremiah, that from David shall come the righteous Branch and the King who shall reign and prosper, and shall execute His judgment and justice in the earth, He shall be called Yahweh the Lord our righteousness)}:

 

5 To be taxed with Mary, his espoused wife, being great with (the Holy) child (of whom the angel spoke so that scripture would be fulfilled that from out of Bethlehem the child should come).

 

6 And so it was, that, while they were there (to be registered), the days were accomplished that she should deliver.

 

7 And she brought forth her firstborn son (who would feed all humanity with the Bread of Life, the Lord from heaven) and she wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger (the feeding trough that fed all the beasts, which signified how He would also feed the Gentiles, the Jews thought of as beasts); because there was no room for them in the inn.

 

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

 

9 And behold (suddenly), an angel of the Lord came upon them, and the (Shechinah) glory (the manifest divine presence) of the Lord shone round about them (with extreme brightness), and they were very afraid.

 

10 And the angel said to them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be (good news and joy) to all people (of every tongue and every nation).

 

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior (to all the world), who is Christ the Lord (from heaven).

 

12 And this shall be a sign to you; You shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger (a food trough).

 

13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying (in complete amazement),

 

14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace (and unity), goodwill toward men (for God has become a man).

 

15 And it came to pass, as the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even to Bethlehem, and see this thing (for ourselves) which has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.

 

16 And they came in a hurry, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger (just as the angel proclaimed).

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

20 And the shepherds returned (to their fields), glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told to them (by the angel).

 

21 And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcision of the child (according to the law that He might redeem those under the law), His name was called JESUS, which was so named by the angel before He was conceived (by the Holy Spirit) in the womb (for He shall save the people from their sin).

 

22 And when the days of her purification (forty days) according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought Him to Jerusalem, to present Him to the Lord;

 

23 {As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that opens the womb shall be called holy (set apart) to the Lord;}

 

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

 

25 And, 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 on him.

 

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

 

27 And 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,

 

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

 

29 Lord, now let your servant depart in peace, according to your word:

 

30 For my eyes have seen your salvation,

 

31 Which you have prepared before the face of all people;

 

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

 

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

 

34 And Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set (both a sanctuary and a stone of stumbling) for the fall and rising again (to life and glory) of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against (by many);

 

35 {Yes, a sword shall pierce through your own soul also,} so that the thoughts (and contradictions) of many hearts may be revealed.

 

36 And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was very old, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity;

 

37 And she was a widow of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.

 

38 And she came in that instant, gave thanks likewise to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those that looked for redemption (from bondage) in Jerusalem.

 

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

 

40 And the child grew, becoming strong in spirit, being filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was (always) on Him.

 

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

 

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

 

43 And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and His mother did not know about it.

 

44 But they, supposing Him to have been in the company, went on a day's journey; and they looked for Him among their kinsfolk and acquaintances.

 

45 And when they did not find Him, they returned again to Jerusalem, looking for Him.

 

46 And it came to pass, that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the middle of the teachers, both hearing them, and asking them questions (which was an established Hebrew method of learning).

 

47 And all that heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers.

 

48 And when they saw Him, they were amazed: and His mother said to Him, Son, why have you dealt with us like this? Behold, your father and I have looked for you in distress.

 

49 And He said to them, How is it that you were looking for Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father's business? (Where else would a child be but in his father's house?)

 

50 And they did not understand the saying which He spoke to them (about His Father).

 

51 And He went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was submitted to them: but His mother kept all these sayings (close) in her heart.

 

52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God (His Father) and man.