Luke:2

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* And it came to pass in those days that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus , that all the world should be registered . * (This registering was the first made while Quirinius was governor of Syria .) * And all went to be registered , each to his own city . * And Joseph also went up from Galilee out of the city of Nazareth into Judaea , to the city of David , which is called Bethlehem , because he was of the house and lineage of David , * to be registered with Mary who had been betrothed to him , who was with child . * And it came to pass , while they were there , that the days for her delivery were completed . * And she brought forth her firstborn son , and wrapped him in swathing –clothes , and laid him in a manger , because there was no room for them in the inn . * And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field , and keeping watch over their flock by night . * And an angel of the Lord came to them , and the glory of the Lord shone around them ; and they were in great fear . * And the angel said to them , Fear not ; for lo ! I bring you good tidings of great joy , which shall be to the whole people ; * for to you hath been born this day , in the city of David , a Saviour , who is the Christ , the Lord . * And this shall be the sign to you : Ye shall find a babe wrapped in swathing –clothes , 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 among men of good will !" * And it came to pass , when the angels had gone away from them into heaven , that the shepherds said one to another , Let us go at once to Bethlehem , and see that which hath come to pass , which the Lord hath made known to us . * And they came with haste , and found Mary and Joseph , and the babe lying in the manger . * And when they had seen it , they made known abroad what had been told them concerning this child . * And all who heard wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds . * But Mary kept all these things , and pondered them in her heart . * And the shepherds returned , glorifying and praising God for all which they had heard and seen , as had been told them . * And when eight days were completed for him to be circumcised , his name was called Jesus , the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb . * And when the days of their purification according to the law of Moses were completed , they brought him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord , * as it is written in the law of the Lord : "Every first –born male shall be called holy to the Lord ," * and to offer a sacrifice , according to what is directed in the law of the Lord : "A pair of turtle doves , or two young pigeons ." * And lo ! there was a man in Jerusalem , whose name was Simeon ; and he was a righteous and devout man , waiting for the consolation of Israel . And the Holy Spirit was upon him ; * and it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit , that he should not see death before he had seen the Christ of the Lord . * And he came in 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 , * he took him in his arms , and blessed God , and said , * Lord ! now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace , according to thy word ; * for mine eyes have seen thy salvation , * which thou hast prepared before the face of all the peoples ; * a light to enlighten the gentiles , and to be the glory of thy people Israel . * And his father and his mother marveled at what was spoken concerning him . * And Simeon blessed them , and said to Mary his mother , Behold , this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel , and for a sign that will be spoken against ; –– * yea , a sword will pierce through thine own soul ,––that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed . * And there was Anna , a prophetess , daughter of Phanuel : of the tribe of Asher ; she was of great age , and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity ; * and she was a widow eighty –four years old , who never left the temple , worshipping with fastings and prayers night and day . * And she came up at this very time , and gave thanks to God , and spoke of him to all that were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem . * And when they had performed 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 , being filled with wisdom ; and the grace of God was upon him . * Now his parents used to go yearly to Jerusalem at the feast of the passover . * And when he was twelve years old , and they went up , after the custom of the feast , * and had completed the days , on their returning , the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem ; and his parents did not know it , * but , supposing him to be in the company , went a day ’s journey ; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance ; * and not finding him , they returned to Jerusalem in search of him . * And it came to pass , 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 . * And all who heard him were astonished at his understanding and his answers . * And when they saw him , they were amazed ; and his mother said to him , Son , why hast thou thus dealt with us ? behold , thy father and I have been seeking thee in much distress . * And he said to them , Why is it that ye have been seeking me ? Did ye not know that I must be about my Father ’s business ? * And they understood not what he spoke to them . * And he went down with them , and came to Nazareth , and was subject to them . And his mother kept all these things in her heart . * And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature , and in favor with God and men .

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