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