Luke:2

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* In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that a census should be taken of all the world . * This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria . * And all went to be registered , everyone to his own city . * And Joseph also went up from Galilee , from the city of Nazareth , to Judea , to the city of David , which is called Bethlehem , because he was of the house and lineage of David , * to be registered with Mary , his betrothed wife , who was with child . * And while they were there , the time came for her to be delivered . * And she gave birth to her first-born son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths , and laid him in a manger , because there was no room for them in the inn . * And in that region there were shepherds living out in the fields , keeping watch over their flock by night . * And an angel of the Lord appeared to them , and the glory of the Lord shone around them , and they were filled with fear . * Then the angel said to them , »Do not be afraid , for behold , I bring you good news of great joy which will be to all the people . * For to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior , who is Christ the Lord . * And this will be a sign to you : you will find a babe wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger .« * And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying , tcent @Luke:2:14 " /> * When the angels had gone away from them into heaven , the shepherds said to one another , »Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened , which the Lord has made known to us .« * And they went with haste , and found Mary and Joseph , and the babe lying in a manger . * Now when they had seen him , they made widely known the saying which had been told them concerning this child . * And all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them . * But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart . * Then the shepherds returned , glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen , as it had been told them . * And at the end of eight days , when he was circumcised , he was called Jesus , the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb . * And when the time of their purification according to the law of Moses was completed , they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord * (as it is written in the law of the Lord , »Every male who 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 turtledoves , or two young pigeons .« * Now there was a man in Jerusalem , whose name was Simeon , and this man was righteous and devout , 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 would not see death before he had seen the Lord 's Christ . * So 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 , * he took him up in his arms and blessed God , and said : tcent @Luke:2:29 " /> tcent @Luke:2:30 " /> tcent @Luke:2:31 " /> tcent @Luke:2:32 " /> * And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him . * Then 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 that will be spoken against * (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also ), so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed .« * And there was a prophetess , Anna , the daughter of Phanuel , of the tribe of Asher . She was of a great age , and had lived with her husband seven years from her virginity , * and as a widow till she was eighty-four . She did not depart from the temple , but worshipped with fasting and prayer night and day . * And coming up at that very hour she gave thanks to God , and spoke of him to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem . * And when they had performed everything according to the law of the Lord , they returned to Galilee , to their own city , Nazareth . * And the child grew and became strong ; he was filled with wisdom , and the grace of God was upon him . * His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover . * And when he was twelve years old , they went up to the Feast , according to the custom . * And when the feast was over , as they were returning , the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem . His parents did not know it , * but supposing him to be in the company , they went a day 's journey , and they sought him among their relatives and acquaintances . * And when they did not find him , they returned to Jerusalem , seeking him . * After three days they found him in the temple , sitting among the teachers , listening to them and asking them questions . * And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers . * And when they saw him they were astonished ; and his mother said to him , »Son , why have you treated us so ? Behold , your father and I have been looking for you anxiously .« * And he said to them , »Why did you seek me ? Did you not know that I must be in my Father 's house ?« * But they did not understand the saying which he spoke to them . * Then he went down with them and came to Nazareth , and was obedient to them , but 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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