2:1 At that time an order came from Caesar Augustus for a census of the Roman lands.
2:2 This was the first census taken during the governorship of Quirinius of Syria.
2:3 So everyone traveled to their own towns to register for the census.
2:4 Joseph also traveled from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, into the town of David – named Bethlehem because he was within the order and following of David.
2:5 He registered with Mary, who was engaged to him and carrying a child.
2:6 While they were there, the time arrived for her to give birth.
2:7 So she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in blankets and laid him in a manger because there was no room for them at the inn.
2:8 In that area some shepherds were staying in the fields at night, keeping watch over their flock.
2:9 Then an angel of the LORD appeared before them and the splendor of the LORD shined about them, and they were greatly afraid.
2:10 But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, because I am bringing tidings of great joy for everyone.
2:11 Because today, in the town of David, a Savior has been brought forth to you, who is the Anointed of God [Messiah, Christ].
2:12 The sign of this for you will be finding a baby wrapped in blankets and lying in a manger.”
2:13 Then suddenly there appeared with the angel an assembly from the spiritual realm, praising God and saying:
2:14 “Praise be to God in the spiritual realm! And may tranquility be upon the people of the earth with whom He is pleased.”
2:15 When the angels departed from them into the spiritual realm, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go directly to Bethlehem now and see what has happened – about which the LORD has informed us.”
2:16 So they hurriedly found their way to Mary and Joseph and the child as he lay in the manger.
2:17 After they saw him, they spread the word about what they heard about this child.
2:18 And everyone who heard this was amazed at what they were told by the shepherds.
2:19 But Mary kept within herself those things she felt from her heart.
2:20 The shepherds returned glorifying and praising God for everything they had heard and seen – just as it had been described to them.
2:21 After eight days passed, he was circumcised and was named Jesus – the name given to him by the angel that appeared prior to his being conceived in the womb.
2:22 After the purification period according to Moses’ instructions was completed, they took him to Jerusalem to be presented to the LORD:
2:23 As written in the Scriptures of the LORD, every firstborn male of the womb will be sanctified before the LORD –
2:24 and a sacrifice is offered – according to what is held in the Scriptures of the LORD – a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.
2:25 There was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon. He was devoted and righteous, and gave the guidance of Israel – and the Holy Spirit was upon him.
2:26 And it was revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not experience death before seeing the LORD’s Anointed.
2:27 By the Spirit he entered the temple, and then the parents brought in the child Jesus in order to complete the Scriptural injunctions.
2:28 He took him in his arms and praised God and said –
2:29 “Now LORD, You are delivering to Your servant the freedom to be in harmony according to Your Teachings –
2:30 because my eyes have seen Your salvation –
2:31 which You have provided in the presence of all the people:
2.32 The illumination of enlightenment for the multitudes and the glory of the followers of Israel.
2:33 His father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him.
2:34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary: “Look, this child will stand over the rise and fall of many in Israel and will refute signs –
2:35 and a sword will pierce your own soul in the end so the purpose of many hearts will be revealed.”
2:36 Then there was a Prophetess, Anna, a student of Phanuel from the order of Asher. She was advanced with many years and had been a chaste wife for seven years –
2:37 but then was widowed until the age of 84. She never left the Temple – serving with devotion night and day with prayers and fasting.
2:38 At that time she approached and began praising God and spoke of him to all those who were seeking the deliverance of Jerusalem.
2:39 When Mary and Joseph had performed everything according to the Scripture of the LORD, they returned to Galilee to their village of Nazareth.
2:40 The child grew up and became strong. His wisdom also grew and the grace of God was with him.
2:41 Each year his parents would go to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover.
2:42 So when he was twelve years old they traveled there according to the tradition of the feast.
2:43 Then as they were returning after the appropriate number of days, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents were unaware of this.
2:44 They supposed he was with the caravan and traveled for a day. They searched for him among their family members and friends.
2:45 When they couldn’t find him they went back to Jerusalem and looked for him.
2:46 Then after three days they found him in the Temple, sitting among the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions.
2:47 Everyone who heard him there were amazed at his understanding whenever he replied.
2:48 When they saw him they were amazed – so his mother said to him, “Son, why have you done this to us – your father and I have been worried sick looking for you!”
2:49 He replied, “Why were you looking for me? Didn’t you know that I had to be in my LORD’s house?”
2:50 But they didn’t understand what he was trying to tell them.
2:51 Then he departed with them and traveled to Nazareth and continued to obey them. His mother treasured all these things within her heart.
2:52 And Jesus continued to advance in wisdom and maturity; receiving the mercy of God and His angels.1
Footnote:
1. Verse 2:52. The Greek word ἄνθρωπος (anthrōpos) typically refers to people or humans, but can also mean, according to the lexicon, “to distinguish man from beings of a different order – of the angels”
2:2 This was the first census taken during the governorship of Quirinius of Syria.
2:3 So everyone traveled to their own towns to register for the census.
2:4 Joseph also traveled from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, into the town of David – named Bethlehem because he was within the order and following of David.
2:5 He registered with Mary, who was engaged to him and carrying a child.
2:6 While they were there, the time arrived for her to give birth.
2:7 So she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in blankets and laid him in a manger because there was no room for them at the inn.
2:8 In that area some shepherds were staying in the fields at night, keeping watch over their flock.
2:9 Then an angel of the LORD appeared before them and the splendor of the LORD shined about them, and they were greatly afraid.
2:10 But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, because I am bringing tidings of great joy for everyone.
2:11 Because today, in the town of David, a Savior has been brought forth to you, who is the Anointed of God [Messiah, Christ].
2:12 The sign of this for you will be finding a baby wrapped in blankets and lying in a manger.”
2:13 Then suddenly there appeared with the angel an assembly from the spiritual realm, praising God and saying:
2:14 “Praise be to God in the spiritual realm! And may tranquility be upon the people of the earth with whom He is pleased.”
2:15 When the angels departed from them into the spiritual realm, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go directly to Bethlehem now and see what has happened – about which the LORD has informed us.”
2:16 So they hurriedly found their way to Mary and Joseph and the child as he lay in the manger.
2:17 After they saw him, they spread the word about what they heard about this child.
2:18 And everyone who heard this was amazed at what they were told by the shepherds.
2:19 But Mary kept within herself those things she felt from her heart.
2:20 The shepherds returned glorifying and praising God for everything they had heard and seen – just as it had been described to them.
2:21 After eight days passed, he was circumcised and was named Jesus – the name given to him by the angel that appeared prior to his being conceived in the womb.
2:22 After the purification period according to Moses’ instructions was completed, they took him to Jerusalem to be presented to the LORD:
2:23 As written in the Scriptures of the LORD, every firstborn male of the womb will be sanctified before the LORD –
2:24 and a sacrifice is offered – according to what is held in the Scriptures of the LORD – a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.
2:25 There was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon. He was devoted and righteous, and gave the guidance of Israel – and the Holy Spirit was upon him.
2:26 And it was revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not experience death before seeing the LORD’s Anointed.
2:27 By the Spirit he entered the temple, and then the parents brought in the child Jesus in order to complete the Scriptural injunctions.
2:28 He took him in his arms and praised God and said –
2:29 “Now LORD, You are delivering to Your servant the freedom to be in harmony according to Your Teachings –
2:30 because my eyes have seen Your salvation –
2:31 which You have provided in the presence of all the people:
2.32 The illumination of enlightenment for the multitudes and the glory of the followers of Israel.
2:33 His father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him.
2:34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary: “Look, this child will stand over the rise and fall of many in Israel and will refute signs –
2:35 and a sword will pierce your own soul in the end so the purpose of many hearts will be revealed.”
2:36 Then there was a Prophetess, Anna, a student of Phanuel from the order of Asher. She was advanced with many years and had been a chaste wife for seven years –
2:37 but then was widowed until the age of 84. She never left the Temple – serving with devotion night and day with prayers and fasting.
2:38 At that time she approached and began praising God and spoke of him to all those who were seeking the deliverance of Jerusalem.
2:39 When Mary and Joseph had performed everything according to the Scripture of the LORD, they returned to Galilee to their village of Nazareth.
2:40 The child grew up and became strong. His wisdom also grew and the grace of God was with him.
2:41 Each year his parents would go to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover.
2:42 So when he was twelve years old they traveled there according to the tradition of the feast.
2:43 Then as they were returning after the appropriate number of days, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents were unaware of this.
2:44 They supposed he was with the caravan and traveled for a day. They searched for him among their family members and friends.
2:45 When they couldn’t find him they went back to Jerusalem and looked for him.
2:46 Then after three days they found him in the Temple, sitting among the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions.
2:47 Everyone who heard him there were amazed at his understanding whenever he replied.
2:48 When they saw him they were amazed – so his mother said to him, “Son, why have you done this to us – your father and I have been worried sick looking for you!”
2:49 He replied, “Why were you looking for me? Didn’t you know that I had to be in my LORD’s house?”
2:50 But they didn’t understand what he was trying to tell them.
2:51 Then he departed with them and traveled to Nazareth and continued to obey them. His mother treasured all these things within her heart.
2:52 And Jesus continued to advance in wisdom and maturity; receiving the mercy of God and His angels.1
Footnote:
1. Verse 2:52. The Greek word ἄνθρωπος (anthrōpos) typically refers to people or humans, but can also mean, according to the lexicon, “to distinguish man from beings of a different order – of the angels”
