1 And it happened that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, in those days, that all the world should be taxed.
2 (the first time this taxing took place was when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
4 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:)
5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the guest room.
8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone on every side of them: and they were greatly in awe.
10 And the angel said to them, Fear not: for, look, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.
12 And this shall be a sign to you; you shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14 Glory to God in the highest, and on Earth peace, good will toward men.
15 As the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even to Bethlehem, and see this utterance which has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.
16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the utterance which was told them concerning this child.
18 And all those who heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
19 But Mary kept all these utterances, and pondered them in her innermost mind.
20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told to them.
21 And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
22 And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought Him to Jerusalem, to present Him to the Lord;
23 (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;)
24 And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.
25 And, look, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.
26 And it was revealed to him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ.
27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for Him after the custom of the law,
28 Then took he Him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,
29 Lord, now let Your servant depart in peace, according to Your utterance:
30 For my eyes have seen Your salvation,
31 Which You have prepared before the face of all people;
32 A light to unveil the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel. *
33 And Joseph and his mother marveled at those things which were spoken of Him.
34 And Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary his mother, Look, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be opposed and spoken against.
35 (Yea, a sword shall pierce through your own soul also,) that the thoughts of many innermost minds may be unveiled. *
36 And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity;
37 And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which did not depart from the temple, but served God with fasts and prayers night and day.
38 And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for release from bondage to sin and from the penalty for sin in Jerusalem.
39 And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.
40 And the child grew, and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the divine power for righteousness, holiness, and redemption of God was upon Him.
41 Now His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the Passover.
42 And when He was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.
43 And when they had Fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother did not know of it.
44 But they, supposing Him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought Him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.
45 And when they found Him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking Him.
46 After three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.
47 And all that heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers.
48 And when they saw Him, they were amazed: and His mother said to Him, Son, why have you thus dealt with us? Your father and I have sought You sorrowing.
49 And he said to them, How is it that you sought me? Perceive you not that I must be about my Father's business?
50 And they did not understood the saying which He utterance to them.
51 And He went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them: but His mother continually kept all these utterances in her innermost mind.
52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in divine power for righteousness, holiness, and redemption with God and man.