27
Led by the Spirit, he entered the Temple. As the parents of the child Jesus brought him in to carry out the rituals of the Law,
28
Simeon took him into his arms and blessed God:
29
God, you can now release your servant; release me in peace as you promised.
30
With my own eyes I've seen your salvation;
31
it's now out in the open for everyone to see:
32
A God-revealing light to the non-Jewish nations, and of glory for your people Israel.
33
Jesus' father and mother were speechless with surprise at these words.
34
Simeon went on to bless them, and said to Mary his mother, This child marks both the failure and the recovery of many in Israel, A figure misunderstood and contradicted -
35
the pain of a sword-thrust through you - But the rejection will force honesty, as God reveals who they really are.
36
Anna the prophetess was also there, a daughter of Phanuel from the tribe of Asher. She was by now a very old woman. She had been married seven years
37
and a widow for eighty-four. She never left the Temple area, worshiping night and day with her fastings and prayers.