Luke 2:1-52 It came to pass in those days, a decree went out from Augustus Caesar, to enroll all the world.

Godbey⁽ⁱ⁾ ¹ It came to pass in those days, a decree went out from Augustus Caesar, to enroll all the world. ² This was the first enrollment, Cyrenius being governor of Syria. ³ And all were going forth to enroll, each one into his own city. ⁴ And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city Nazareth, into Judea, into the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, ⁵ to enroll himself along with Mary, the wife having been betrothed to him, being in an advanced state of pregnancy. ⁶ And it came to pass while they were there the days of her parturition were fulfilled. ⁷ And she brought forth her firstborn son, and she wrapped Him in swaddling clothes and laid Him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. ⁸ And the shepherds were in that country, tenting out and keeping guard over their flock by night. ⁹ And behold an angel of the Lord stood over them and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they feared with great fear. ¹⁰ And the angel said to them; Fear not; for behold, I preach unto you the gospel of great joy, which shall be to all people; ¹¹ because this day a Savior is born unto you, who is Christ the Lord, in the city of David. ¹² And this shall be the sign unto you; you shall find an infant lying in a manger, wrapped in swaddling clothes. ¹³ And immediately a multitude of the heavenly host was with the angel, praising God and saying; ¹⁴ Glory to God in the highest, and peace on earth; good will among men. ¹⁵ And it came to pass, when the angels departed from them into heaven, indeed, the shepherds said to one another; Now let us go unto Bethlehem and see this word which has taken place, which the Lord made known to us. ¹⁶ They went making haste, and found both Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. ¹⁷ And seeing, they made known concerning the word which was spoken to them about this little child. ¹⁸ And all hearing wondered concerning the things which were spoken to them by the shepherds. ¹⁹ And Mary kept all these words laying them up in her heart. ²⁰ And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God, for all things which they heard and saw, as it was spoken to them. ²¹ And when the eight days of circumcising Him were fulfilled, and His name was called Jesus, having been called by the angel before He was conceived in the womb. ²² And when the days of their purification were fulfilled, according to the law of Moses, they carried him up into Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord, ²³ as it was written in the law of the Lord; That every male opening the womb shall be called holy to the Lord; ²⁴ and to offer a sacrifice according to that which has been written in the law of the Lord, a pair of turtle-doves, or two young pigeons. ²⁵ And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and the same man was righteous and godly, awaiting the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him; ²⁶ and it was revealed unto him by the Holy Spirit, that he should not see death before he may see the Christ of the Lord. ²⁷ And he came in the Spirit into the temple; and while the parents are bringing in the little child Jesus, that they may do according to the provisions of law concerning Him, ²⁸ he received Him into his arms and blessed God and said; ²⁹ Now, O Lord, thou art letting thy servant depart, in peace according to thy word; ³⁰ because mine eyes saw thy salvation, ³¹ which thou didst prepare before the face of all peoples; ³² a light unto the revelation of the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel. ³³ And His father and His mother were marveling at the words spoken concerning Him. ³⁴ And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, His mother; Behold, he is appointed unto the fall and rising of many in Israel, and unto a sign which is spoken against; ³⁵ and a sword shall go through thy soul, in order that the reasonings of many hearts may be revealed. ³⁶ And Anna was a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel of the tribe of Asher, herself being advanced in many days, having lived with her husband seven years from her virginity; ³⁷ and she a widow of about fourscore years, who did not depart from the temple, worshiping night and day with fastings and prayers. ³⁸ And she, at the same hour, standing up continued to praise the Lord, and speak concerning Him to all those awaiting the redemption in Jerusalem. ³⁹ And when they finished all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee into their own city Nazareth. ⁴⁰ And the child continued to grow and waxed strong in spirit, being full of wisdom; and the grace of God was on Him. ⁴¹ And His parents were going, according to custom, into Jerusalem at the feast of the passover. ⁴² And when He was twelve years old, they going up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast, ⁴³ and having completed the days, while they were returning the boy Jesus remained in Jerusalem. And His parents knew it not. ⁴⁴ And thinking that He is in the crowd, they came a day's journey, and were seeking Him among His relatives and acquaintances. ⁴⁵ And not having found Him; they returned to Jerusalem seeking Him. ⁴⁶ And it came to pass, after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both hearing them and asking them questions. ⁴⁷ And all hearing Him were astonished at His wisdom and answers. ⁴⁸ And seeing Him they were astonished, and His mother said to Him; Child, why did you thus do unto us? Behold, thy father and I were seeking thee, sorrowful. ⁴⁹ And He said to them, Why were you seeking after me? Did you not know that it behooved me to be in the affairs of my Father? ⁵⁰ And they did not understand the word which He spoke unto them. ⁵¹ And He went down with them and came to Nazareth; and was subject unto them. And His mother continued to keep all these words in her heart. ⁵² And Jesus continued to grow in wisdom and stature and favor with God and men.