| King James Bible | New International Version |
| 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 Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. |
| 2(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) | 2(This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) |
| 3And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. | 3And everyone went to their own town to register. |
| 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:) | 4So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. |
| 5To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. | 5He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. |
| 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 the baby to be born, |
| 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. | 7and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed 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. | 8And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. |
| 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. | 9An angel of the Lord appeared to 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, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy 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 town of David a Savior has been born to you; he 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 a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." |
| 13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, | 13Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, |
| 14Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. | 14"Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests." |
| 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 gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about." |
| 16And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. | 16So they hurried off and found 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. | 17When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them 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 treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. |
| 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 heard and seen, 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. | 21On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him 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; | 22When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took him 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(as it is written in the Law of the Lord, "Every firstborn male is to be consecrated 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 in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: "a pair of doves 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. | 25Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, 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 die before he had seen 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, | 27Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, |
| 28Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, | 28Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: |
| 29Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: | 29"Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. |
| 30For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, | 30For my eyes have seen your salvation, |
| 31Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; | 31which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: |
| 32A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel. | 32a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel." |
| 33And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him. | 33The child's father and mother marveled at what was 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 said to Mary, his mother: "This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, |
| 35(Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed. | 35so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too." |
| 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 prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had 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 then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. |
| 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. | 38Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child 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 Joseph and Mary had done everything required by 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. | 40And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him. |
| 41Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover. | 41Every year Jesus' parents went to Jerusalem for the Festival of the Passover. |
| 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 to the festival, according to the custom. |
| 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 the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of 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. | 44Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. 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 went back to Jerusalem to look 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 courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. |
| 47And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. | 47Everyone who heard him was amazed 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. 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. "Didn't you know I had 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 was saying 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 to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. |
| 52And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man. | 52And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man. |
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