Luke 2:1-52 (New American Standard)

Jesus' Birth in Bethlehem

1 Now in those days a decree went out from ¹Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of ²all ^athe inhabited earth. 2 ^bThis was the first census taken while ^cQuirinius was governor of ³Syria. 3 And everyone was on his way to register for the census, each to his own city. 4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because ⁴he was of the house and family of David, 5 in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child. 6 While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth. 7 And she ⁵gave birth to her firstborn son ; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a ^dmanger, because there was no room for them in the inn. 8 In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And ⁶an angel of the Lord suddenly ⁷stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. 10 But the angel said to them, "⁸Do not be afraid ; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people ; 11 for today in the city of David there has been born for you a ⁹Savior, who is ^e10Christ ¹¹the Lord. 12 "¹²This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a ^fmanger." 13 And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 14 "¹³Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men ^g14with whom He is pleased." 15 When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, "Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us." 16 So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the ^hmanger. 17 When they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary ¹⁵treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 The shepherds went back, ¹⁶glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.

Jesus Presented at the Temple

21 And when ¹⁷eight days had passed, ⁱbefore His circumcision, ¹⁸His name was then called Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb. 22 ¹⁹And when the days for their purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, "²⁰EVERY firstborn MALE THAT OPENS THE WOMB SHALL BE CALLED HOLY TO THE LORD "), 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what was said in the Law of the Lord, "²¹A PAIR OF TURTLEDOVES OR TWO YOUNG PIGEONS." 25 And there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon ; and this man was ²²righteous and devout, ²³looking for the consolation of Israel ; and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And ²⁴it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not ²⁵see death before he had seen the Lord's ^jChrist. 27 And he came in the Spirit into the temple ; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, ^k26to carry out for Him the custom of the Law, 28 then he took Him into his arms, and blessed God, and said, 29 "Now Lord, You are releasing Your bond-servant to depart in peace, ²⁷According to Your word ; 30 For my eyes have ²⁸seen Your salvation, 31 Which You have prepared in the presence of all peoples, 32 ²⁹A LIGHT ^lOF REVELATION TO THE GENTILES, And the glory of Your people Israel." 33 And His father and ³⁰mother were amazed at the things which were being said about Him. 34 And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary ³¹His mother, "Behold, this Child is appointed for ³²the fall and ^mrise of many in Israel, and for a sign to be opposed - 35 and a sword will pierce even your own soul -to the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed." 36 And there was a ³³prophetess, ⁿAnna the daughter of Phanuel, of ³⁴the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in ^oyears ³⁵and had lived with her husband seven years after her ^pmarriage, 37 and then as a widow to the age of eighty-four . She never left the temple, serving night and day with ³⁶fastings and prayers. 38 At that very ^qmoment she came up and began giving thanks to God, and continued to speak of Him to all those who were ³⁷looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.

Return to Nazareth

39 When they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to ³⁸their own city of Nazareth. 40 ³⁹The Child continued to grow and become strong, ^rincreasing in wisdom ; and the grace of God was upon Him.

Visit to Jerusalem

41 Now His parents went to Jerusalem every year at ⁴⁰the Feast of the Passover. 42 And when He became twelve, they went up there according to the custom of the Feast ; 43 and as they were returning, after spending the ⁴¹full number of days, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. But His parents were unaware of it, 44 but supposed Him to be in the caravan, and went a day's journey ; and they began looking for Him among their relatives and acquaintances. 45 When they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem looking for Him. 46 Then, after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And all who heard Him ⁴²were amazed at His understanding and His answers. 48 When they saw Him, they were astonished ; and ⁴³His mother said to Him, "^sSon, why have You treated us this way ? Behold, ⁴⁴Your father and I ^thave been anxiously looking for You." 49 And He said to them, "Why is it that you were looking for Me? Did you not know that ⁴⁵I had to be in My Father's ^uhouse?" 50 But ⁴⁶they did not understand the statement which He ^vhad made to them. 51 And He went down with them and came to ⁴⁷Nazareth, and He continued in subjection to them; and ⁴⁸His mother ⁴⁹treasured all these ^wthings in her heart. 52 And Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and ^xstature, and in ⁵⁰favor with God and men.