Luke 2 — TCENT

The Birth of Jesus

2Verse 1In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered in a census.^{Verse 2}This was the first census, and it took place when Quirinius was governor of Syria.^{Verse 3}So everyone went to be registered, each to his own town.^{Verse 4}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 family of David,^{Verse 5}to register himself along with Mary, his betrothed⁺wife, who was with child.^{Verse 6}While they were there, the days were fulfilled for her to give birth,^{Verse 7}and she gave birth to her firstborn son. Then she wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in⁺the manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Angels Announce Jesus' Birth to Shepherds

^{Verse 8}In the same region there were shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.^{Verse 9}And⁺behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear.^{Verse 10}But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy, which will be for all the people.^{Verse 11}For to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.^{Verse 12}This will be⁺the sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in⁺a manger.”^{Verse 13}Suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying,^{Verse 14}“Glory to God in the highest,
and peace on⁺earth,
good will among men.”^{Verse 15}When the angels had gone 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.”^{Verse 16}So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger.^{Verse 17}After seeing him, they made⁺widely known what they had been told about the child,^{Verse 18}and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them.^{Verse 19}But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.^{Verse 20}Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.^{Verse 21}When the eight days were completed for⁺his circumcision, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

Jesus Presented at the Temple

^{Verse 22}When the days of⁺their purification were completed according to the law of Moses, Joseph and Mary brought Jesus up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord^{Verse 23}(just as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”).^{Verse 24}They also went up to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord: “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”^{Verse 25}And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.^{Verse 26}It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ.^{Verse 27}So he came in the Spirit into the temple courts, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what was customary under the law,^{Verse 28}Simeon took him in his arms and blessed God, saying,^{Verse 29}“Now, Master, yoʋ are releasing yoʋr servant in peace
according to yoʋr word,
^{Verse 30}for my eyes have seen yoʋr salvation,
^{Verse 31}which yoʋ have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
^{Verse 32}a light for revelation to the Gentiles
and for the glory of yoʋr people Israel.”^{Verse 33+}Joseph and the child's mother were amazed at what was being said about him.^{Verse 34}Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, the child's mother, “Behold, this child is appointed to bring about the falling and rising of many in Israel and to be a sign that will be spoken against,^{Verse 35}so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce yoʋr own soul⁺as well.”^{Verse 36}There was also a prophetess, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was far advanced in days. Her husband had died seven years after they were married,^{Verse 37}and she⁺was a widow of about eighty-four years of age. She did not depart from the temple, but served night and day with fasting and prayer.^{Verse 38}She came at that very hour and began giving praise to⁺the Lord and speaking about the child to all who were waiting for⁺redemption in Jerusalem.

The Return to Nazareth

^{Verse 39}When Joseph and Mary had finished everything that was required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth.^{Verse 40}And the child grew and became strong⁺in spirit; he was filled with wisdom, and the favor of God was upon him.

The Boy Jesus at the Temple

^{Verse 41}Now Jesus' parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the Passover.^{Verse 42}When he was twelve years old, they went up⁺to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast.^{Verse 43}And when they had completed their days there and started returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. But⁺Joseph did not know it, and neither did Jesus' mother.^{Verse 44}They assumed that he was in the company of travelers, so they went a day's journey before they began looking for him among their relatives and acquaintances.^{Verse 45}When they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, looking for him.^{Verse 46}After three days, they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.^{Verse 47}And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.^{Verse 48}When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, “Child, why have yoʋ treated us like this? Behold, yoʋr father and I have been looking for yoʋ in great distress.”^{Verse 49}He said to them,“Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?”^{Verse 50}But they did not understand what he said to them.^{Verse 51}Then he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was obedient to them. And his mother kept all these things in her heart.^{Verse 52}And Jesus advanced in wisdom and in stature, and in favor with God and men.