24
They also went to offer a sacrifice of a pair of doves or two young pigeons, as required by the law of the Lord.
1
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At that time there was a man named Simeon living in Jerusalem. He was a good, God-fearing man and was waiting for Israel to be saved. The Holy Spirit was with him
26
and had assured him that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's promised Messiah.
27
Led by the Spirit, Simeon went into the Temple. When the parents brought the child Jesus into the Temple to do for him what the Law required,
28
Simeon took the child in his arms and gave thanks to God:
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"Now, Lord, you have kept your promise, and you may let your servant go in peace.
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With my own eyes I have seen your salvation,
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which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples:
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A light to reveal your will to the Gentiles
2 and bring glory to your people Israel."
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The child's father and mother were amazed at the things Simeon said about him.
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Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother, "This child is chosen by God for the destruction and the salvation of many in Israel. He will be a sign from God which many people will speak against
35
and so reveal their secret thoughts. And sorrow, like a sharp sword, will break your own heart."
36
There was a very old prophet, a widow named Anna, daughter of Phanuel of the tribe of Asher. She had been married for only seven years and was now eighty-four years old. She never left the Temple; day and night she worshiped God, fasting and praying.
3
38
That very same hour she arrived and gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were waiting for God to set Jerusalem free.
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When Joseph and Mary had finished doing all that was required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to their hometown of Nazareth in Galilee.
4
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The child grew and became strong; he was full of wisdom, and God's blessings were upon him.
41
Every year the parents of Jesus went to Jerusalem for the Passover Festival.
5
42
When Jesus was twelve years old, they went to the festival as usual.
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When the festival was over, they started back home, but the boy Jesus stayed in Jerusalem. His parents did not know this;
44
they thought that he was with the group, so they traveled a whole day and then started looking for him among their relatives and friends.