GOD'S WORD Translation GW
New International Version NIV
1 At that time the Emperor Augustus ordered a census of the Roman Empire.
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 census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria.
2
(This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.)
3 All the people went to register in the cities where their ancestors had lived.
3
And everyone went to their own town to register.
4 So Joseph went from Nazareth, a city in Galilee, to a Judean city called Bethlehem. Joseph, a descendant of King David, went to Bethlehem because David had been born there.
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 Joseph went there to register with Mary. She had been promised to him in marriage and was pregnant.
5
He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.
6 While they were in Bethlehem, the time came for Mary to have her child.
6
While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born,
7 She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger because there wasn't any room 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.
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