1   Now in those days ^note an ^note edict was published by Augustus Cesar, that all ^note the world should be enrolled or taxed, 2   (this tax was first ^note levied when Cyrenius was governor of Syria) and they all went to be enrolled, 3   every one to his own city: 4   so Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem (because he 5   was of the house and line of David) to be enrolled with Mary his espoused wife, who was big with child. 6   And ^note while they were there, the days of her delivery were fulfilled, 7   and she brought forth her son, the first-born, and wrapped him in swaddling cloths, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

8   And there were in the same country shepherds out in the fields, ^{note note} keeping watch over their flock by night: and lo, 9   an angel of the Lord stood over them, and the glory of the Lord shone round them, and they were greatly terrified: 10   and the angel said to them, Be not affrighted; for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to ^note all people, 11   that this day is born,

in the city of David, your Saviour ^note Christ the Lord. 12   And this ^note shall be a sign to you, Ye shall find the child wrapped in swaddling bands lying in a manger. 13   And on a sudden there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, 14   praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good-will towards men. 15   And ^note when the angels went ^note from them into heaven, ^note the shepherds said to one another, Let us go ^note to Bethlehem, and see ^note this which hath been told us, which the Lord hath made known unto us. 16   And they came with speed, and found both Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger: 17   and when they had seen it, they divulged ^note what had been told them concerning this child: 18   and all that heard it, were amazed at the things which were ^note related to them by the shepherds. 19   But Mary treasured up all these words, pondering them in her heart. 20   And the shepherds returned glorifying and praising God for all the things which they had heard and seen, according as it had been told unto them ^note.

21   And when eight days were fulfilled for the circumcising of the child, ^note his name was called JESUS, having been so called ^note by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.

22   And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were fulfilled, they brought Him to Jerusalem to present Him before the Lord: 23   (as it is written in the law of the Lord, That every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord:) and to offer a sacrifice, 24   according to what is ^note required in the law of the Lord, a pair of turtle-doves or two young pigeons.

25   And ^note there was a man at Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and he was a just and a religious man, who expected the ^note consolation of Israel; and the holy Spirit was upon him. 26   And it was revealed to him by the holy Spirit, that he should not ^note die before he had seen the ^note Anointed of the Lord. 27   And he came by the

influence of the Spirit into the temple, ^note as his parents brought in the child Jesus to do concerning Him according to the custom of the law: 28   and he took Him into his arms, 29   and blessed God, and said, “Now, Lord, thou ^note dismissest thy servant in peace, according to thy word; 30   for mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast provided in the sight of all people, 31   a light for the enlightening of the Gentiles, 32   and the glory of thy people Israel.” 33   And Joseph and his mother were amazed at the things that were spoken concerning Him. 34   And Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary his mother, Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising again of many in Israel, and for a sign which shall be spoken against, 35   (and a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also) that the ^note thoughts of many hearts may be discovered.

36   And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser; ^note who was of a great age, having lived with a husband seven years from her ^note first marrying, 37   and had been a widow ^note about eighty four years; who departed not from the temple; serving God with fastings and prayers night and day. 38   And ^note coming in at the very same time, gave thanks unto the Lord, and spake of Him to all that were looking for redemption in ^note 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, being filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.

41   Now his parents went every year to Jerusalem at the feast of the passover: 42   and when He was twelve years old, going up to Jerusalem, ^note as usual at the feast, and having finished the ^note time, 43   when they returned, the child Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem: and Joseph and his mother did not know it; 44   but supposing Him to be in the company, went a day's journey, and then sought for Him among their kindred and acquaintance: 45   and not finding Him they returned to Jerusalem seeking for Him: 46   and ^note after ^note three days they found Him in the

temple, sitting in the midst of the ^note doctors, ^note attending to them and asking them questions. 47   And all that heard Him were astonished at his understanding and his answers. 48   And when they saw Him, they were amazed. And his mother said to Him, Son, why didst thou ^note deal thus with us? behold, thy father and I with ^note grief have been seeking for thee. 49   And He said to them, Why did ye so seek me? Did not ye know that I ought to be in my Father's ^note house? 50   but they did not understand the word which He spake to them.

51    ^noteThen He went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them. And his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. 52   And Jesus increased in wisdom and ^note stature, and in favor with God and men.

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