1IN THOSE DAYS a decree was issued by the Emperor Augustus for a registration throughout the Roman world. 2This was the first registration of its kind; it took place when Quirinius [Or: This was the first registration carried out while Quirinius ...] was governor of Syria. 3For this purpose everyone made his way to his own town; 4and so Joseph went up to Judaea from the town of Nazareth in Galilee, 5to register at the city of David, called Bethlehem, [4.] because he was of the house of David by descent; [5.] and with him went Mary who was betrothed to him. She was expecting a child, 6and while they were there the time came for her child to be born, 7and she gave birth to a son, her first-born. She wrapped him in his swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them to lodge in the house.
8Now in this same district there were shepherds out in the fields, keeping watch through the night over their flock, 9when suddenly there stood before them an angel of the Lord, and the splendour of the Lord shone round them. 10They were terror-stricken, but the angel said, 'Do not be afraid; I have good news for you: there is great joy coming to the whole people. 11Today in the city of David a deliverer has been born to you?the Messiah, the Lord. [Some witnesses read: to you—the Lord's Messiah.] 12And this is your sign: you will find a baby lying lying wrapped in his swaddling clothes, in a manger.' 13All at once there was with the angel a great company of the heavenly host, singing the praises of God:
21Eight days later the time came to circumcise him, and he was given the name Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived.
22Then, after their purification had been completed in accordance with the Law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 [ Lv.12.3. ] (as prescribed in the law of the Lord: 'Every first-born male shall be deemed to belong to the Lord'), 24 [ Ex.13.2-15. ] and also to make the offering as stated in the law: 'A pair of turtle doves or two young pigeons.'
25There was at that time in Jerusalem a man called Simeon. This man was upright and devout, one who watched and waited for the restoration of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26It had been disclosed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death until he had seen the Lord's Messiah. 27Guided by the Spirit he came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what was customary under the Law, 28he took him in his arms, praised God, and said:
36There was also a prophetess, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was a very old woman, who had lived seven years with her husband after she was first married, 37and then alone as a widow to the age of eighty-four. [Or: widow for another eighty-four years.] She never left the temple, but worshipped day and night, fasting and praying. 38Coming up at that very moment, she returned thanks to God; and she talked about the child to all who were looking for the liberation of Jerusalem.
39When they had done everything prescribed in the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. 40The child grew big and strong and full of wisdom; and God's favour was upon him.
41Now it was the practice of his parents to go to Jerusalem every year for the Passover festival; 42and when he was twelve, they made the pilgrimage as usual. 43When the festive season was over and they started for home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. 44His parents did not know of this; but thinking that he was with the party they journeyed on for a whole day, and only then did they begin looking for him among their friends and relations. 45As they could not find him they returned to Jerusalem to look for him; 46and after three days they found him sitting in the temple surrounded by the teachers, listening to them and putting questions; 47and all who heard him were amazed at his intelligence and the answers he gave. 48His parents were astonished to see him there, and his mother said to him, 'My son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been searching for you in great anxiety.' 49'What made you search?' he said. 'Did you not know that I was bound to be in my Father's house?' 50But they did not understand what he meant. 51Then he went back with them to Nazareth, and continued to be under their authority; his mother treasured up all these things in her heart. 52 [ 1Sm.2.26, Pr.3.4. ] As Jesus grew up he advanced in wisdom and in favour with God and men.
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