| NET Bible | Holman Christian Standard Bible |
| 1Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus to register all the empire for taxes. | 1In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole empire should be registered. |
| 2This was the first registration, taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria. | 2This first registration took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. |
| 3Everyone went to his own town to be registered. | 3So everyone went to be registered, each to his own town. |
| 4So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family line of David. | 4And Joseph 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, |
| 5He went to be registered with Mary, who was promised in marriage to him, and who was expecting a child. | 5to be registered along with Mary, who was engaged to him and was pregnant. |
| 6While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. | 6While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. |
| 7And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. | 7Then she gave birth to her firstborn Son, and she wrapped Him snugly in cloth and laid Him in a feeding trough--because there was no room for them at the lodging place. |
| 8Now there were shepherds nearby living out in the field, keeping guard over their flock at night. | 8In the same region, shepherds were staying out in the fields and keeping watch at night over their flock. |
| 9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were absolutely terrified. | 9Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. |
| 10But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid! Listen carefully, for I proclaim to you good news that brings great joy to all the 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: |
| 11Today your Savior is born in the city of David. He is Christ the Lord. | 11Today a Savior, who is Messiah the Lord, was born for you in the city of David. |
| 12This will be a sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in a manger." | 12This will be the sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in cloth and lying in a feeding trough." |
| 13Suddenly a vast, heavenly army appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, | 13Suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: |
| 14"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among people with whom he is pleased!" | 14Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to people He favors! |
| 15When the angels left them and went back to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, that the Lord has made known to 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." |
| 16So they hurried off and located Mary and Joseph, and found the baby lying in a manger. | 16They hurried off and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby who was lying in the feeding trough. |
| 17When they saw him, they related what they had been told about this child, | 17After seeing them, they reported the message they were told about this child, |
| 18and all who heard it were astonished at what the shepherds said. | 18and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. |
| 19But Mary treasured up all these words, pondering in her heart what they might mean. | 19But Mary was treasuring up all these things in her heart and meditating on them. |
| 20So the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen; everything was just as they had been told. | 20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had seen and heard, just as they had been told. |
| 21At the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was named Jesus, the name given by 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. |
| 22Now when the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, Joseph and Mary brought Jesus up 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(just as it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every firstborn male will be set apart 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 what is specified in the law of the Lord, a pair of doves 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). |
| 25Now there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon who was righteous and devout, looking for the restoration of Israel, and the Holy Spirit 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. |
| 26It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die 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. |
| 27So Simeon, directed by the Spirit, came into the temple courts, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what was customary according to the law, | 27Guided by the Spirit, he entered the temple complex. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform for Him what was customary under the law, |
| 28Simeon took him in his arms and blessed God, saying, | 28Simeon took Him up in his arms, praised God, and said: |
| 29"Now, according to your word, Sovereign Lord, permit your servant to depart in peace. | 29Now, Master, You can dismiss Your slave in peace, as You promised. |
| 30For my eyes have seen your salvation | 30For my eyes have seen Your salvation. |
| 31that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples: | 31You have prepared it in the presence of all peoples-- |
| 32a light, for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel." | 32a light for revelation to the Gentiles and glory to Your people Israel. |
| 33So the child's father and mother were amazed at what was said about him. | 33His father and mother were amazed at what was being said about Him. |
| 34Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, "Listen carefully: This child is destined to be the cause of the falling and rising of many in Israel and to be a sign that will be rejected. | 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-- |
| 35Indeed, as a result of him the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed--and a sword will pierce your own soul as well!" | 35and a sword will pierce your own soul--that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed." |
| 36There was also a prophetess, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old, having been married to her husband for seven years until his death. | 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, |
| 37She had lived as a widow since then for eighty-four years. She never left the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. | 37and was a widow for 84 years. She did not leave the temple complex, serving God night and day with fasting and prayers. |
| 38At that moment, she came up to them and began to give thanks to God and to speak about the child to all who were waiting for the redemption of 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. |
| 39So when Joseph and Mary had performed everything according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of 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 became strong, filled with wisdom, and the favor of God was upon him. | 40The boy grew up and became strong, filled with wisdom, and God's grace was on Him. |
| 41Now Jesus' parents went to Jerusalem every year for the feast of the Passover. | 41Every year His parents traveled to Jerusalem for the Passover Festival. |
| 42When he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom. | 42When He was 12 years old, they went up according to the custom of the festival. |
| 43But when the feast was over, as they were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know 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 (because they assumed that he was in their group of travelers) they went a day's journey. Then they began to look for him among their relatives and acquaintances. | 44Assuming He was in the traveling party, they went a day's journey. Then they began looking for Him among their relatives and friends. |
| 45When they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem to look for him. | 45When they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for Him. |
| 46After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. | 46After three days, they found Him in the temple complex sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. |
| 47And all who heard Jesus were astonished at his understanding and his answers. | 47And all those who heard Him were astounded at His understanding and His answers. |
| 48When his parents saw him, they were overwhelmed. His mother said to him, "Child, why have you treated us like this? Look, your father and I have been looking for you anxiously." | 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." |
| 49But he replied, "Why were you looking for me? Didn't you know that I must be in my Father's house?" | 49"Why were you searching for Me?" He asked them. "Didn't you know that I had to be in My Father's house?" |
| 50Yet his parents did not understand the remark he made to them. | 50But they did not understand what He said to them. |
| 51Then he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them. But his mother kept all these things 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 in stature, and in favor with God and with people. | 52And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and with people. |
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