2Luke 2

The Birth of Jesus

1At that time Emperor Augustus ordered a census to be taken throughout the Roman Empire.Select Luke 2:1

2When this first census took place, Quirinius was the governor of Syria.Select Luke 2:2

3Everyone, then, went to register himself, each to his own hometown.Select Luke 2:3

4Joseph went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to the town of Bethlehem in Judea, the birthplace of King David. Joseph went there because he was a descendant of David.Select Luke 2:4

5He went to register with Mary, who was promised in marriage to him. She was pregnant,Select Luke 2:5

6and while they were in Bethlehem, the time came for her to have her baby.Select Luke 2:6

7She gave birth to her first son, wrapped him in cloths and laid him in a manger—there was no room for them to stay in the inn.Select Luke 2:7

The Shepherds and the Angels

8There were some shepherds in that part of the country who were spending the night in the fields, taking care of their flocks.Select Luke 2:8

9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone over them. They were terribly afraid,Select Luke 2:9

10but the angel said to them, “Don't be afraid! I am here with good news for you, which will bring great joy to all the people.Select Luke 2:10

11This very day in David's town your Savior was born—Christ the Lord!Select Luke 2:11

12And this is what will prove it to you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”Select Luke 2:12

13Suddenly a great army of heaven's angels appeared with the angel, singing praises to God:Select Luke 2:13

14“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom he is pleased!”Select Luke 2:14

15When the angels went away from them back into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us.”Select Luke 2:15

16So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph and saw the baby lying in the manger.Select Luke 2:16

17When the shepherds saw him, they told them what the angel had said about the child.Select Luke 2:17

18All who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said.Select Luke 2:18

19Mary remembered all these things and thought deeply about them.Select Luke 2:19

20The shepherds went back, singing praises to God for all they had heard and seen; it had been just as the angel had told them.Select Luke 2:20

Jesus Is Named

21A week later, when the time came for the baby to be circumcised, he was named Jesus, the name which the angel had given him before he had been conceived.Select Luke 2:21

Jesus Is Presented in the Temple

22The time came for Joseph and Mary to perform the ceremony of purification, as the Law of Moses commanded. So they took the child to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord,Select Luke 2:22

23as it is written in the law of the Lord: “Every first-born male is to be dedicated to the Lord.”Select Luke 2:23

24They also went to offer a sacrifice of a pair of doves or two young pigeons, as required by the law of the Lord.Select Luke 2:24

25At that time there was a man named Simeon living in Jerusalem. He was a good, God-fearing man and was waiting for Israel to be saved. The Holy Spirit was with himSelect Luke 2:25

26and had assured him that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's promised Messiah.Select Luke 2:26

27Led by the Spirit, Simeon went into the Temple. When the parents brought the child Jesus into the Temple to do for him what the Law required,Select Luke 2:27

28Simeon took the child in his arms and gave thanks to God:Select Luke 2:28

29“Now, Lord, you have kept your promise, and you may let your servant go in peace.Select Luke 2:29

30With my own eyes I have seen your salvation,Select Luke 2:30

31which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples:Select Luke 2:31

32A light to reveal your will to the Gentiles and bring glory to your people Israel.”Select Luke 2:32

33The child's father and mother were amazed at the things Simeon said about him.Select Luke 2:33

34Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother, “This child is chosen by God for the destruction and the salvation of many in Israel. He will be a sign from God which many people will speak againstSelect Luke 2:34

35and so reveal their secret thoughts. And sorrow, like a sharp sword, will break your own heart.”Select Luke 2:35

37There was a very old prophet, a widow named Anna, daughter of Phanuel of the tribe of Asher. She had been married for only seven years and was now eighty-four years old. She never left the Temple; day and night she worshiped God, fasting and praying.Select Luke 2:37

38That very same hour she arrived and gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were waiting for God to set Jerusalem free.Select Luke 2:38

The Return to Nazareth

39When Joseph and Mary had finished doing all that was required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to their hometown of Nazareth in Galilee.Select Luke 2:39

40The child grew and became strong; he was full of wisdom, and God's blessings were upon him.Select Luke 2:40

The Boy Jesus in the Temple

41Every year the parents of Jesus went to Jerusalem for the Passover Festival.Select Luke 2:41

42When Jesus was twelve years old, they went to the festival as usual.Select Luke 2:42

43When the festival was over, they started back home, but the boy Jesus stayed in Jerusalem. His parents did not know this;Select Luke 2:43

44they thought that he was with the group, so they traveled a whole day and then started looking for him among their relatives and friends.Select Luke 2:44

45They did not find him, so they went back to Jerusalem looking for him.Select Luke 2:45

46On the third day they found him in the Temple, sitting with the Jewish teachers, listening to them and asking questions.Select Luke 2:46

47All who heard him were amazed at his intelligent answers.Select Luke 2:47

48His parents were astonished when they saw him, and his mother said to him, “Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been terribly worried trying to find you.”Select Luke 2:48

49He answered them, “Why did you have to look for me? Didn't you know that I had to be in my Father's house?”Select Luke 2:49

50But they did not understand his answer.Select Luke 2:50

51So Jesus went back with them to Nazareth, where he was obedient to them. His mother treasured all these things in her heart.Select Luke 2:51

52Jesus grew both in body and in wisdom, gaining favor with God and people.Select Luke 2:52