1
But it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census should be made of all the habitable world.
2
The census itself first took place when Cyrenius had the government of Syria.
3
And all went to be inscribed in the census roll, each to his own city:
4
and Joseph also went up from Galilee out of the city Nazareth to Judaea, to David's city, the which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David,
5
to be inscribed in the census roll with Mary who was betrothed to him [as his] wife, she being great with child.
6
And it came to pass, while they were there, the days of her giving birth [to her child] were fulfilled,
7
and she brought forth her first-born son, and wrapped him up in swaddling-clothes and laid him in the manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
8
And there were shepherds in that country abiding without, and keeping watch by night over their flock.