Revised Standard Version RSV
New International Version NIV
1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be enrolled.
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 enrollment, when Quirin'i-us was governor of Syria.
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(This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.)
3 And all went to be enrolled, each to his own city.
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And everyone went to their own town to register.
4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David,
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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 enrolled 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 be delivered.
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While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born,
7 And she gave birth to her first-born son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
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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.
8 And in that region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
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And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.
9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear.
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An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.
10 And the angel said to them, "Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people;
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But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.
11 for to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
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Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.
12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a babe wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger."
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This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
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Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14 "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom he is pleased!"
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“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us."
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When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
16 And they went with haste, and found Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
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So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.
17 And when they saw it they made known the saying which had been told them concerning this child;
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When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child,
18 and all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them.
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and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.
19 But Mary kept all these things, pondering them in her heart.
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But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.
20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
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The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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.