1And it came to pass in those days that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be registered.

2(This registering was the first made while Quirinius was governor of Syria.)

3And all went to be registered, each to his own city.

4And Joseph also went up from Galilee out of the city of Nazareth into Judaea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David,

5to be registered with Mary who had been betrothed to him, who was with child.

6And it came to pass, while they were there, that the days for her delivery were completed.

7And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swathing-clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

8And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, and keeping watch over their flock by night.

9And an angel of the Lord came to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were in great fear.

10And the angel said to them, Fear not; for lo! I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to the whole people;

11for to you hath been born this day, in the city of David, a Saviour, who is the Christ, the Lord.

12And this shall be the sign to you: Ye shall find a babe wrapped in swathing-clothes, [[lying]] in a manger.

13And 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 men of good will!”

15And it came to pass, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said one to another, Let us go at once to Bethlehem, and see that which hath come to pass, which the Lord hath made known to us.

16And they came with haste, and found Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in the manger.

17And when they had seen it, they made known abroad what had been told them concerning this child.

18And all who heard wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds.

19But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

20And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all which they had heard and seen, as had been told them.

21And when eight days were completed for him to be circumcised, his name was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

22And when the days of their purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord,

23as it is written in the law of the Lord: “Every first-born male shall be called holy to the Lord,”

24and to offer a sacrifice, according to what is directed in the law of the Lord: “A pair of turtle doves, or two young pigeons.”

25And lo! there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and he was a righteous and devout man, waiting for the consolation of Israel. And the Holy Spirit was upon him;

26and it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit, that he should not see death before he had seen the Christ of the Lord.

27And 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,

28he took him in his arms, and blessed God, and said,

29Lord! now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word;

30for mine eyes have seen thy salvation,

31which thou hast prepared before the face of all the peoples;

32a light to enlighten the gentiles, and to be the glory of thy people Israel.

33And his father and his mother marveled at what was spoken concerning him.

34And 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 will be spoken against;—

35yea, a sword will pierce through thine own soul,—that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.

36And there was Anna, a prophetess, daughter of Phanuel: of the tribe of Asher; she was of great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity;

37and she was a widow eighty-four years old, who never left the temple, worshipping with fastings and prayers night and day.

38And she came up at this very time, and gave thanks to God, and spoke of him to all that were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.

39And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.

40And the child grew, and waxed strong, being filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon him.

41Now his parents used to go yearly to Jerusalem at the feast of the passover.

42And when he was twelve years old, and they went up, after the custom of the feast,

43and had completed the days, on their returning, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and his parents did not know it,

44but, supposing him to be in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance;

45and not finding him, they returned to Jerusalem in search of him.

46And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions.

47And all who heard him were astonished at his understanding and his answers.

48And when they saw him, they were amazed; and his mother said to him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have been seeking thee in much distress.

49And he said to them, Why is it that ye have been seeking me? Did ye not know that I must be about my Father's business?

50And they understood not what he spoke to them.

51And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them. And his mother kept all these things in her heart.

52And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.