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."
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And there was a man in Jerusalemwhosename was Simeon; and thisman was 22righteous and devout, 23looking for the consolation of Israel; and the HolySpirit was upon him.
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And 24it had beenrevealed to him by the HolySpirit that he would not 25seedeathbefore he had seen the Lord'sChrist.
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And he came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parentsbrought in the childJesus, 26to carry out for Him the custom of the Law,
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then he took Him into his arms, and blessedGod, and said,
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"NowLord, You are releasing Your bond-servant to depart in peace, 27According to Your word;
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Which You have prepared in the presence of allpeoples,
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29A LIGHT OF REVELATION TO THE GENTILES, And the glory of Your peopleIsrael."
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And His father and 30mother were amazed at the things which were being saidabout Him.
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And Simeonblessed them and said to Mary31His mother, "Behold, this Child is appointed for 32the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign to be opposed -
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and a sword will pierceeven your ownsoul -to the end that thoughts from manyhearts may be revealed."
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And there was a 33prophetess, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of 34the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years35and had lived with her husbandsevenyearsafter her marriage,
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and then as a widow to the age of eighty-four*. She neverleft the temple, servingnight and day with 36fastings and prayers.
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At that verymoment she came up and began givingthanks to God, and continued to speak of Him to allthose who were 37looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.