1Now in thosedays a decreewent out from 1CaesarAugustus, that a census be taken of 2all the inhabitedearth.
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This was the firstcensustaken while Quirinius was governor of 3Syria.
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And everyone was on his way to register for the census, each to his owncity.
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Josephalsowent up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of Davidwhich is calledBethlehem, because4he was of the house and family of David,
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in order to registeralong with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child.
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While they were there, the days were completed for her to givebirth.
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And she 5gavebirth to her firstbornson; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was noroom for them in the inn.
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In the sameregion there were some shepherdsstaying out in the fields and keepingwatchover their flock by night.
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And 6an angel of the Lord suddenly 7stoodbefore them, and the glory of the Lordshonearound them; and they were terriblyfrightened.
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But the angelsaid to them, "8Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you goodnews of greatjoywhich will be for all the people;
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for today in the city of David there has been born for you a 9Savior, who is 10Christ11the Lord.
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"12This will be a sign for you: you will find a babywrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
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And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenlyhostpraisingGod and saying,
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"13Glory to God in the highest, And on earthpeaceamongmen14with whom He is pleased."
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When the angels had goneaway from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to oneanother, "Let us gostraight to Bethlehemthen, and seethisthing that has happenedwhich the Lord has madeknown to us."
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So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger.
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When they had seen this, they madeknown the statement which had been told them aboutthisChild.
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And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds.
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But Mary15treasuredallthesethings, pondering them in her heart.
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The shepherdswentback, 16glorifying and praisingGod for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.
Jesus Presented at the Temple
21 And when17eightdays had passed, before His circumcision, 18His name was then calledJesus, the namegiven by the angelbefore He was conceived in the womb.
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19And when the days for their purificationaccording to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord
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(as it is written in the Law of the Lord, "20EVERY firstborn MALE THAT OPENS THE WOMB SHALL BE CALLEDHOLY TO THE LORD "),
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and to offer a sacrificeaccording to what was said in the Law of the Lord, "21A PAIR OF TURTLEDOVESORTWOYOUNGPIGEONS."