| New King James Version | Holman Christian Standard Bible |
| 1And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. | 1In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole empire should be registered. |
| 2This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. | 2This first registration took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. |
| 3So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. | 3So everyone went to be registered, each to his own town. |
| 4Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage 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, |
| 5to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. | 5to be registered along with Mary, who was engaged to him and was pregnant. |
| 6So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to 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 cloths, 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 snugly in cloth and laid Him in a feeding trough--because there was no room for them at the lodging place. |
| 8Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, 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 behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. | 9Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. |
| 10Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will 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 there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. | 11Today a Savior, who is Messiah the Lord, was born for you in the city of David. |
| 12And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, 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." |
| 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: |
| 14“Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” | 14Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to people He favors! |
| 15So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which 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." |
| 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 feeding trough. |
| 17Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. | 17After seeing them, they reported the message they were told about this child, |
| 18And all those who heard it marveled 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. |
| 20Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them. | 20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had seen and heard, just as they had been told. |
| 21And when eight days were completed for the circumcision of the Child, His name was called 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 days of her purification according to the law of Moses were completed, 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 who opens 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 what 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 this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation 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. |
| 26And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would 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. |
| 27So he came by 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, | 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, |
| 28he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said: | 28Simeon took Him up in his arms, praised God, and said: |
| 29“Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, According to Your word; | 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. |
| 31Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, | 31You have prepared it in the presence of all peoples-- |
| 32A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel.” | 32a light for revelation to the Gentiles and glory to Your people Israel. |
| 33And Joseph and His mother marveled at those things which were spoken of Him. | 33His father and mother were amazed at what was being said about Him. |
| 34Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will 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(yes, a sword will pierce through your 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." |
| 36Now there was one, Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, and had lived with a 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 this woman was a widow of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers 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. |
| 38And coming in that instant she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who 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. |
| 39So when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned to 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 became 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. |
| 41His 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 according to the custom of the feast. | 42When He was 12 years old, they went up according to the custom of the festival. |
| 43When they had finished the days, as they returned, the Boy Jesus lingered behind in Jerusalem. And Joseph and His mother 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 supposing Him to have been in the company, they went a day’s journey, and sought 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. |
| 45So when they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking Him. | 45When they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for Him. |
| 46Now so it was 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. | 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 Him were astonished at His understanding and answers. | 47And all those who heard Him were astounded at His understanding and His answers. |
| 48So when they saw Him, they were amazed; and His mother said to Him, “Son, why have You done this to us? Look, Your father and I have sought 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." |
| 49And He said to them, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” | 49"Why were you searching for Me?" He asked them. "Didn't you know that I had to be in My Father's house?" |
| 50But they did not understand the statement which He spoke to them. | 50But they did not understand what He said to them. |
| 51Then He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was subject 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 stature, and in favor with God and men. | 52And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and with people. |
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