English Standard Version ESV
New International Version NIV
1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered.
1
In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.
2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria.
2
(This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.)
3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town.
3
And everyone went to their own town to register.
4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David,
4
So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David.
5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.
5
He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.
6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth.
6
While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born,
7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
7
and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.