| 2:1 | Now* in those days a decree* went out from Caesar* Augustus* to register* all the empire* for taxes. |
| 2:2 | This was the first registration, taken when Quirinius was governor* of Syria. |
| 2:3 | Everyone* went to his own town* to be registered. |
| 2:4 | So* 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. |
| 2:5 | He went* to be registered with Mary, who was promised in marriage to him,* and who was expecting a child. |
| 2:6 | While* they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child.* |
| 2:7 | And 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.* |
| 2:8 | Now* there were shepherds* nearby* living out in the field, keeping guard* over their flock at night. |
| 2:9 | An* angel of the Lord* appeared to* them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were absolutely terrified.* |
| 2:10 | But 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: |
| 2:11 | Today* your Savior is born in the city* of David.* He is Christ* the Lord. |
| 2:12 | This* will be a sign* for you: You will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in a manger.”* |
| 2:13 | Suddenly* a vast, heavenly army* appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, |
| 2:14 | “Glory* to God in the highest, and on earth peace among people* with whom he is pleased!”* |
| 2:15 | When* 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.” |
| 2:16 | So they hurried off and located Mary and Joseph, and found the baby lying in a manger.* |
| 2:17 | When* they saw him,* they related what they had been told* about this child, |
| 2:18 | and all who heard it were astonished* at what the shepherds said. |
| 2:19 | But Mary treasured up all these words, pondering in her heart what they might mean.* |
| 2:20 | So* the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising* God for all they had heard and seen; everything was just as they had been told.* |
| 2:21 | At* 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. |
| 2:22 | Now* 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 |
| 2:23 | (just as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male* will be set apart to the Lord”*), |
| 2:24 | and to offer a sacrifice according to what is specified in the law of the Lord, a pair of doves* or two young pigeons.* |
| 2:25 | Now* 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. |
| 2:26 | It* had been revealed* to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die* before* he had seen the Lord’s Christ.* |
| 2:27 | So* 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,* |
| 2:28 | Simeon* took him in his arms and blessed God, saying,* |
| 2:29 | “Now, according to your word,* Sovereign Lord,* permit* your servant* to depart* in peace. |
| 2:30 | For my eyes have seen your salvation* |
| 2:31 | that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples:* |
| 2:32 | a light,* for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory* to your people Israel.” |
| 2:33 | So* the child’s* father* and mother were amazed* at what was said about him. |
| 2:34 | Then* 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.* |
| 2:35 | Indeed, as a result of him the thoughts* of many hearts will be revealed* – and a sword* will pierce your own soul as well!”* |
| 2:36 | There 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. |
| 2:37 | She had lived as a widow since then for eighty-four years.* She never left the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day.* |
| 2:38 | At 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.* |
| 2:39 | So* when Joseph and Mary* had performed* everything according to the law of the Lord,* they returned to Galilee, to their own town* of Nazareth.* |
| 2:40 | And the child grew and became strong,* filled with wisdom,* and the favor* of God* was upon him. |
| 2:41 | Now* Jesus’* parents went to Jerusalem* every* year for the feast of the Passover.* |
| 2:42 | When* he was twelve years old,* they went up* according to custom. |
| 2:43 | But* when the feast was over,* as they were returning home,* the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His* parents* did not know it, |
| 2:44 | but (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.* |
| 2:45 | When* they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem* to look for him. |
| 2:46 | After* three days* they found him in the temple courts,* sitting among the teachers,* listening to them and asking them questions. |
| 2:47 | And all who heard Jesus* were astonished* at his understanding and his answers. |
| 2:48 | When* 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.”* |
| 2:49 | But* he replied,* “Why were you looking for me?* Didn’t you know that I must be in my Father’s house?”* |
| 2:50 | Yet* his parents* did not understand* the remark* he made* to them. |
| 2:51 | Then* he went down with them and came to Nazareth,* and was obedient* to them. But* his mother kept all these things* in her heart.* |
| 2:52 | And Jesus increased* in wisdom and in stature, and in favor with God and with people. |
Luke 2 - NET Bible [draft]
