English Standard Version ESV
King James Version KJV
1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered.
1
And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.
2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria.
2
(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town.
3
And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David,
4
And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.
5
To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth.
6
And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
7
And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
8
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by 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 great fear.
9
And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.
10
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
11
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger. ”
12
And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
13
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased! ”
14
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
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. ”
15
And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger.
16
And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child.
17
And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them.
18
And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.
19
But Mary kept 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.
20
And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
21 And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
21
And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
22 And 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
22
And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord;
23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”)
23
(As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;)
24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons. ”
24
And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.
25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.
25
And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.
26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.
26
And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ.
27 And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law,
27
And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,
28 he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,
28
Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,
29 “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word;
29
Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:
30 for my eyes have seen your salvation
30
For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,
31 that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
31
Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel. ”
32
A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
33 And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him.
33
And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.
34 And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed
34
And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against;
35 (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed. ”
35
(Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.
36 And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin,
36
And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;
37 and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day.
37
And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.
38 And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.
38
And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.
39 And when they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth.
39
And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.
40 And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him.
40
And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.
41 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover.
41
Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover.
42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom.
42
And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.
43 And when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it,
43
And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it.
44 but supposing him to be in the group they went a day’s journey, but then they began to search for him among their relatives and acquaintances,
44
But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.
45 and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching for him.
45
And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.
46 After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.
46
And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.
47 And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.
47
And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.
48 And when his parents saw him, they were astonished. And his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress. ”
48
And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.
49 And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house? ”
49
And he said unto them,How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?
50 And they did not understand the saying that he spoke to them.
50
And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.
51 And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart.
51
And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.
52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.
52
And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®) © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved. ESV Text Edition: 2025
The King James Version is in the public domain.