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When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us."
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So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger.
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When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child;
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and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them.
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But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart.
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The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
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After eight days had passed, it was time to circumcise the child; and he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
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When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, 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, "Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord"),
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and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, "a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons."
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Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him.
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It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Messiah.
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Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law,
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Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying,
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"Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word;
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for my eyes have seen your salvation,
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which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
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a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel."
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And the child's father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him.
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Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, "This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed
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so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul too."