Luke 2 in different translations
Majority Standard
2:1
MSB
Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that a census should be taken of the whole empire.
2:2
MSB
This was the first census to take place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.
2:3
MSB
And everyone went to his own town to register.
2:4
MSB
So Joseph also went up from Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, since he was from the house and line of David.
2:5
MSB
He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to him in marriage and was expecting a child.
2:6
MSB
While they were there, the time came for her Child to be born.
2:7
MSB
And she gave birth to her firstborn, a Son. She wrapped Him in swaddling cloths and laid Him in the manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
2:8
MSB
And there were shepherds residing in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks by night.
2:9
MSB
And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.
2:10
MSB
But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid! For behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people:
2:11
MSB
Today in the city of David a Savior has been born to you. He is Christ the Lord!
2:12
MSB
And this will be the sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”
2:13
MSB
And suddenly there appeared with the angel a great multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying:
2:14
MSB
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men!”
2:15
MSB
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”
2:16
MSB
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph and the Baby, who was lying in the manger.
2:17
MSB
After they had seen the Child, they spread widely the message they had received about Him.
2:18
MSB
And all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.
2:19
MSB
But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.
2:20
MSB
The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, which was just as the angel had told them.
2:21
MSB
When the eight days before His circumcision had passed, He was named Jesus, the name the angel had given Him before He was conceived.
2:22
MSB
And when the time of their purification according to the Law of Moses was complete, His parents brought Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord
2:23
MSB
(as it is written in the Law of the Lord: “Every firstborn male shall be consecrated to the Lord”),
2:24
MSB
and to offer the sacrifice specified in the Law of the Lord: “A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”
2:25
MSB
Now there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.
2:26
MSB
The Holy Spirit had revealed to him that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.
2:27
MSB
Led by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. And when the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for Him what was customary under the Law,
2:28
MSB
Simeon took Him in his arms and blessed God, saying:
2:29
MSB
“Sovereign Lord, as You have promised, You now dismiss Your servant in peace.
2:30
MSB
For my eyes have seen Your salvation,
2:31
MSB
which You have prepared in the sight of all people,
2:32
MSB
a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to Your people Israel.”
2:33
MSB
And Joseph and the Child’s mother were amazed at what was spoken about Him.
2:34
MSB
Then Simeon blessed them and said to His mother Mary: “Behold, this Child is appointed to cause the rise and fall of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against,
2:35
MSB
so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed — and a sword will pierce your soul as well.”
2:36
MSB
There was also a prophetess named Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher, who was well along in years. She had been married for seven years,
2:37
MSB
and then was a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying.
2:38
MSB
Coming forward at that moment, she gave thanks to the Lord and spoke about the Child to all who were waiting for redemption in Jerusalem.
2:39
MSB
When Jesus’ parents had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth.
2:40
MSB
And the Child grew and became strong in spirit. He was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon Him.
2:41
MSB
Every year His parents went to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover.
2:42
MSB
And when He was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the Feast.
2:43
MSB
When those days were over and they were returning home, the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem, but Joseph and His mother were unaware He had stayed.
2:44
MSB
Assuming He was in their company, they traveled on for a day before they began to look for Him among their relatives and friends.
2:45
MSB
When they could not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for Him.
2:46
MSB
Finally, after three days they found Him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.
2:47
MSB
And all who heard Him were astounded at His understanding and His answers.
2:48
MSB
When His parents saw Him, they were astonished. “Child, why have You done this to us?” His mother asked. “Your father and I have been anxiously searching for You.”
2:49
MSB
“Why were you looking for Me?” He asked. “Did you not know that I had to be in My Father’s house?”
2:50
MSB
But they did not understand the statement He was making to them.
2:51
MSB
Then He went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But His mother treasured up all these things in her heart.
2:52
MSB
And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.