Luk 2 | NASB2020 | STEP | Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus , that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth .

Luke 2

Jesus’ Birth in Bethlehem

1 Now in those days a decree went out from ^aCaesar Augustus, that a census be taken of ^ball ^{▼▼I.e., the Roman Empire}the inhabited earth. 2 ^{▼▼Or This took place as a first census}This was the first census taken while ^{▼▼Gr Kyrenios}Quirinius was governor of ^fSyria. 3 And all the people were on their way to register for the census, each to his own city. 4 Now Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because ^ghe was of the house and family of David, 5 in order to register along with Mary, who was ^{▼▼Unlike engagement, a betrothed couple was considered married, but did not yet live together}betrothed to him, and was pregnant. 6 While they were there, the ^{▼▼Lit days were completed}time came for her to give birth. 7 And she ^jgave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a ^{▼▼Or feeding trough}manger, because there was no ^{▼▼Or space}room for them in the inn.

8 In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock at night. 9 And ^man angel of the Lord suddenly ⁿstood near them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. 10 And so the angel said to them, “ ^oDo not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; 11 for today in the city of David there has been born for you a ^pSavior, who is ^{▼▼I.e., the Messiah
,} ^rChrist ^sthe Lord. 12 And ^tthis will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a ^{▼▼Or feeding trough}manger.” 13 And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly ^{▼▼Or host}army of angels praising God and saying,

14 “ ^wGlory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace among people ^{▼▼Lit of good pleasure; or of goodwill
,} ^ywith whom He is pleased.”
15 When the angels had departed from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, “Let’s go straight to Bethlehem, then, and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the ^{▼▼Or feeding trough}manger. 17 When they had seen Him, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child. 18 And all who heard it were amazed about the things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary ^aatreasured all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds went back, ^abglorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.

Jesus Presented at the Temple

21 And when ^aceight days were completed ^{▼▼Lit so as to circumcise Him}so that it was time for His circumcision, ^aeHe was also named Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.

22 ^afAnd when the days for ^{▼▼I.e., Mary’s, with Joseph’s support}their purification according to the Law of Moses were completed, they brought Him up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord: “ ^ahEvery firstborn male that opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”), 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what has been stated in the Law of the Lord: “ ^aiA pair of turtledoves or two young doves.”

25 And there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was ^ajrighteous and devout, ^aklooking forward to the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And ^alit had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not ^amsee death before he had seen the Lord’s ^{▼▼I.e., Messiah}Christ. 27 And he came ^{▼▼Or in}by the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, ^{▼▼Lit to do for Him according to
,} ^aqto carry out for Him the custom of the Law, 28 then he took Him in his arms, and blessed God, and said,

29 “Now, Lord, You are letting Your bond-servant depart in peace,
^arAccording to Your word;
30 For my eyes have ^asseen Your salvation,
31 Which You have prepared in the presence of all the peoples:
32 ^atA light for revelation ^{▼▼Lit of the Gentiles}for the Gentiles,
And the glory of Your people Israel.”
33 And His father and ^avmother were amazed at the things which were being said about Him. 34 And Simeon blessed them and said to ^awHis mother Mary, “Behold, this Child is appointed for ^axthe fall and ^{▼▼Or resurrection}rise of many in Israel, and as a sign to be ^{▼▼Or refused}opposed-- 35 and a sword will pierce your own soul --to the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”

36 And there was a ^baprophetess, ^{▼▼Or Hannah}Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of ^bcthe tribe of Asher. She was advanced in ^{▼▼Lit days}years ^beand had lived with her husband for seven years after her ^{▼▼Lit virginity}marriage, 37 and then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She did not leave the temple grounds, serving night and day with ^bgfasts and prayers. 38 And at that very ^{▼▼Lit hour}moment she came up and began giving thanks to God, and continued to speak about Him to all those who were ^bilooking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.

Return to Nazareth

39 And when His parents had completed everything in accordance with the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to ^bjtheir own city of Nazareth. 40 ^bkNow the Child continued to grow and to become strong, ^{▼▼Lit becoming full of}increasing in wisdom; and the favor of God was upon Him.

Visit to Jerusalem

41 His parents went to Jerusalem every year at ^bmthe Feast of the Passover. 42 And when He was twelve years old, they went up there according to the custom of the feast; 43 and as they were returning, after spending the ^bnfull number of days required, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but His parents were unaware of it. 44 Instead, they thought that He was somewhere in the caravan, and they went a day’s journey; and then they began looking for Him among their relatives and acquaintances. 45 And when they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem, looking for Him. 46 Then, after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And all who heard Him ^bowere amazed at His understanding and His answers. 48 When Joseph and Mary saw Him, they were bewildered; and ^bpHis mother said to Him, “Son, why have You treated us this way? Behold, ^bqYour father and I have been anxiously looking for You!” 49 And He said to them, “Why is it that you were looking for Me? Did you not know that ^brI had to be in My Father’s ^{▼▼Or affairs; or business; lit in the things of My Father}house?” 50 And yet ^btthey on their part did not understand the statement which He had ^{▼▼Lit spoken}made to them. 51 And He went down with them and came to ^bvNazareth, and He continued to be subject to them; and ^bwHis mother ^bxtreasured all these ^{▼▼Lit words}things in her heart.

52 And Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and ^{▼▼Or age}stature, and in ^cafavor with God and people.