| King James Bible | Christian Standard Bible |
| 1And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. | 1In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole empire should be registered. |
| 2(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) | 2This first registration took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. |
| 3And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. | 3So everyone went to be registered, each to his own town. |
| 4And 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:) | 4Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family line of David, |
| 5To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. | 5to be registered along with Mary, who was engaged to him and was pregnant. |
| 6And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. | 6While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. |
| 7And 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. | 7Then she gave birth to her firstborn Son, and she wrapped him tightly in cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. |
| 8And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. | 8In the same region, shepherds were staying out in the fields and keeping watch at night over their flock. |
| 9And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. | 9Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. |
| 10And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. | 10But the angel said to them, "Don't be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: |
| 11For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. | 11Today in the city of David a Savior was born for you, who is the Messiah, the Lord. |
| 12And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. | 12This will be the sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped tightly in cloth and lying in a manger." |
| 13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, | 13Suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: |
| 14Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. | 14Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to people he favors! |
| 15And 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. | 15When the angels had left them and returned to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go straight to Bethlehem and see what has happened, which the Lord has made known to us." |
| 16And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. | 16They hurried off and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby who was lying in the manger. |
| 17And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. | 17After seeing them, they reported the message they were told about this child, |
| 18And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. | 18and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. |
| 19But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. | 19But Mary was treasuring up all these things in her heart and meditating on them. |
| 20And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them. | 20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had seen and heard, which were just as they had been told. |
| 21And 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. | 21When the eight days were completed for his circumcision, he was named Jesus--the name given by the angel before he was conceived. |
| 22And 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; | 22And when the days of their purification according to the law of Moses were finished, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him 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;) | 23(just as it is written in the law of the Lord, Every firstborn male will be dedicated to the Lord ) |
| 24And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons. | 24and to offer a sacrifice (according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons ). |
| 25And, 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. | 25There was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, looking forward to Israel's consolation, and the Holy Spirit was on him. |
| 26And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ. | 26It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he saw the Lord's Messiah. |
| 27And 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, | 27Guided by the Spirit, he entered the temple. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform for him what was customary under the law, |
| 28Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, | 28Simeon took him up in his arms, praised God, and said, |
| 29Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: | 29Now, Master, you can dismiss your servant in peace, as you promised. |
| 30For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, | 30For my eyes have seen your salvation. |
| 31Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; | 31You have prepared it in the presence of all peoples-- |
| 32A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel. | 32a light for revelation to the Gentiles and glory to your people Israel. |
| 33And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him. | 33His father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. |
| 34And 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; | 34Then Simeon blessed them and told his mother Mary: "Indeed, this child is destined to cause the fall and rise of many in Israel and to be a sign that will be opposed-- |
| 35(Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed. | 35and a sword will pierce your own soul--that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed." |
| 36And 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; | 36There was also a prophetess, Anna, a daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was well along in years, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, |
| 37And 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. | 37and was a widow for eighty-four years. She did not leave the temple, serving God night and day with fasting and prayers. |
| 38And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem. | 38At that very moment, she came up and began to thank God and to speak about him to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem. |
| 39And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth. | 39When they had completed everything according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. |
| 40And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him. | 40The boy grew up and became strong, filled with wisdom, and God's grace was on him. |
| 41Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover. | 41Every year his parents traveled to Jerusalem for the Passover Festival. |
| 42And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast. | 42When he was twelve years old, they went up according to the custom of the festival. |
| 43And 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. | 43After those days were over, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. |
| 44But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance. | 44Assuming he was in the traveling party, they went a day's journey. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. |
| 45And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him. | 45When they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for him. |
| 46And 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. | 46After three days, they found him in the temple sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. |
| 47And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. | 47And all those who heard him were astounded at his understanding and his answers. |
| 48And 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. | 48When his parents saw him, they were astonished, and his mother said to him, "Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you." |
| 49And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business? | 49"Why were you searching for me?" he asked them. "Didn't you know that it was necessary for me to be in my Father's house?" |
| 50And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them. | 50But they did not understand what he said to them. |
| 51And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. | 51Then he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was obedient to them. His mother kept all these things in her heart. |
| 52And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man. | 52And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and with people. |
| King James Bible, text courtesy of BibleProtector.com. | The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. |
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