Luke:2

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* But it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus , that a census should be made of all the habitable world . * The census itself first took place when Cyrenius had the government of Syria . * And all went to be inscribed in the census roll , each to his own city : * and Joseph also went up from Galilee out of the city Nazareth to Judaea , to David 's city , the which is called Bethlehem , because he was of the house and family of David , * to be inscribed in the census roll with Mary who was betrothed to him [as his ] wife , she being great with child . * And it came to pass , while they were there , the days of her giving birth [to her child ] were fulfilled , * and she brought forth her first-born son , and wrapped him up in swaddling-clothes and laid him in the manger , because there was no room for them in the inn . * And there were shepherds in that country abiding without , and keeping watch by night over their flock . * And lo , an angel of [the ] Lord was there by them , and [the ] glory of [the ] Lord shone around them , and they feared [with ] great fear . * And the angel said to them , Fear not , for behold , I announce to you glad tidings of great joy , which shall be to all the people ; * for to-day a Saviour has been born to you in David 's city , who is Christ [the ] Lord . * And this is the sign to you : ye shall find a babe wrapped in swaddling-clothes , and lying in a manger . * And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host , praising God and saying , * Glory to God in the highest , and on earth peace , good pleasure in men . * And it came to pass , as the angels departed from them into heaven , that the shepherds said to one another , Let us make our way then now as far as Bethlehem , and let us see this thing that is come to pass , which the Lord has made known to us . * And they came with haste , and found both Mary and Joseph , and the babe lying in the manger ; * and having seen [it ] they made known about the country the thing which had been said to them concerning this child . * And all who heard [it ] wondered at the things said to them by the shepherds . * But Mary kept all these things [in her mind ], pondering [them ] in her heart . * And the shepherds returned , glorifying and praising God for all things which they had heard and seen , as it had been said to them . * And when eight days were fulfilled for circumcising him , his name was called Jesus , which was the name given by the angel before he had been conceived in the womb . * And when the days were fulfilled for their purifying according to the law of Moses , they brought him to Jerusalem to present [him ] to the Lord * (as it is written in the law of [the ] Lord : Every male that opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord ), * and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of [the ] Lord : A pair of turtle doves , or two young pigeons . * And behold , there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon ; and this man was just and pious , awaiting the consolation of Israel , and [the ] Holy Spirit was upon him . * And it was divinely communicated to him by the Holy Spirit , that he should not see death before he should see [the ] Lord 's Christ . * And he came in the Spirit into the temple ; and as the parents brought in the child Jesus that they might do for him according to the custom of the law , * he received him into his arms , and blessed God , and said , * Lord , now thou lettest thy bondman go , according to thy word , in peace ; * for mine eyes have seen thy salvation , * which thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples ; * a light for revelation of [the ] Gentiles and [the ] glory of thy people Israel . * And his father and mother wondered at the things which were said concerning him . * And Simeon blessed them , and said to Mary his mother , Lo , this [child ] is set for the fall and rising up of many in Israel , and for a sign spoken against ; * (and even a sword shall go through thine own soul ;) so that [the ] thoughts may be revealed from many hearts . * And there was a prophetess , Anna , daughter of Phanuel , of [the ] tribe of Asher , who was far advanced in years , having lived with [her ] husband seven years from her virginity , * and herself a widow up to eighty-four years ; who did not depart from the temple , serving night and day with fastings and prayers ; * and she coming up the same hour gave praise to the Lord , and spoke of him to all those who waited for redemption in Jerusalem . * And when they had completed all things according to the law of [the ] Lord , they returned to Galilee to their own city Nazareth . * And the child grew and waxed strong [in spirit ], filled with wisdom , and God 's grace was upon him . * And his parents went yearly to Jerusalem at the feast of the passover . * And when he was twelve years old , and they went up [to Jerusalem ] according to the custom of the feast * and had completed the days , as they returned , the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem , and his parents knew not [of it ]; * but , supposing him to be in the company that journeyed together , they went a day 's journey , and sought him among their relations and acquaintances : * and not having found him they returned to Jerusalem seeking him . * And it came to pass , after three days they found him in the temple , sitting in the midst of the teachers and hearing them and asking them questions . * And all who heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers . * And when they saw him they were amazed : and his mother said to him , Child , why hast thou dealt thus with us ? behold , thy father and I have sought thee distressed . * And he said to them , Why [is it ] that ye have sought me ? did ye not know that I ought to be [occupied ] in my Father 's business ? * And they understood not the thing that he said to them . * And he went down with them and came to Nazareth , and he was in subjection to them . And his mother kept all these things in her heart . * And Jesus advanced in wisdom and stature , and in favour with God and men .

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