(KJV) Luke 2¹

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⥃The Birth of Jesus ^{[ Matthew 1:18–25 ]}

[1] And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Cesar² Augustus, that all³ the world should be taxed⁴. [2] ([And] this taxing⁵ was first made when Cyrenius was governor⁶ of Syria.) [3] And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. [4] And Joseph⁷ also went up from Galilee, out of the city⁸ of Nazareth, into Judea, unto⁹ the city of David, which is called Beth–lehem; (because he was¹⁰ of the house and lineage of David:) [5] To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.¹¹ [6] And so¹² it was, that, while they were there, the days¹³ were accomplished that she should be delivered.¹⁴ [7] And she¹⁵ brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped¹⁶ him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn¹⁷.

⥃The Shepherds and the Angels

[8] And there were in the same country shepherds abiding¹⁸ in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night¹⁹. [9] And, lo²⁰, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the²¹ glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they²² were sore afraid. [10] And the angel said unto them, Fear not²³: for, behold, I bring²⁴ you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to²⁵ all people. [11] For unto²⁶ you is born this day in²⁷ the city of David a Saviour, which²⁸ is Christ the Lord²⁹. [12] And this [shall be] a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.³⁰ [13] And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude³¹ of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, [14] Glory³² to God in the highest, and³³ on earth peace, good³⁴ will toward men. [15] And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into³⁵ heaven, the shepherds³⁶ said one to another, Let³⁷ us now go even unto Beth–lehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. [16] And they came with³⁸ haste, and found³⁹ Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. [17] And when they had seen [it], they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.⁴⁰ [18] And all they that heard [it] wondered⁴¹ at those things which were told them by the shepherds. [19] But Mary kept all these things, and pondered [them] in her heart.⁴² [20] And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.⁴³

⥃Jesus Presented at the Temple

[21] And when eight⁴⁴ days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was⁴⁵ called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb. [22] And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present [him] to the Lord;⁴⁶ [23] (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every⁴⁷ male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;) [24] And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair⁴⁸ of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.

⥃The Prophecy of Simeon

[25] And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name [was] Simeon; and the same man [was] just⁴⁹ and devout, waiting⁵⁰ for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost⁵¹ was upon him. [26] And it⁵² was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death⁵³, before he had seen the Lord’s⁵⁴ Christ. [27] And he came by⁵⁵ the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents⁵⁶ brought in the child Jesus, to⁵⁷ do for him after the custom of the law, [28] Then took⁵⁸ he him up in his arms, and⁵⁹ blessed God, and said, [29] Lord, now⁶⁰ lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according⁶¹ to thy word: [30] For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,⁶² [31] Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;⁶³ [32] A light⁶⁴ to lighten the Gentiles, and⁶⁵ the glory of thy people Israel. [33] And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.⁶⁶ [34] And Simeon blessed⁶⁷ them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this [child] is set⁶⁸ for the fall and rising⁶⁹ again of many in Israel; and for a⁷⁰ sign which shall be spoken against; [35] (Yea, a sword⁷¹ shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that⁷² the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.

⥃The Prophecy of Anna

[36] And there was one Anna, a prophetess⁷³, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser⁷⁴: she⁷⁵ was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity; [37] And she [was] a widow of about fourscore and four years, which⁷⁶ departed not from the temple, but⁷⁷ served [God] with fastings and prayers night and day. [38] And she coming⁷⁸ in that instant gave⁷⁹ thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked⁸⁰ for redemption in Jerusalem⁸¹.

⥃The Return to Nazareth ^{[ Matthew 2:19–23 ]}

[39] And when they had performed⁸² all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned⁸³ into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth⁸⁴. [40] And the child⁸⁵ grew, and waxed strong⁸⁶ in spirit, filled⁸⁷ with wisdom: and the grace⁸⁸ of God was upon him.

⥃The Boy Jesus at the Temple

[41] Now his parents went⁸⁹ to Jerusalem every year at the⁹⁰ feast of the passover.⁹¹ [42] And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast. [43] And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not [of it].⁹² [44] But they, supposin⁹³g him to have been in the company, went a day’s journey; and they sought him among [their] kinsfolk and acquaintance. [45] And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him. [46] And it came to pass, that after⁹⁴ three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors⁹⁵, both⁹⁶ hearing them, and asking them questions. [47] And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.⁹⁷ [48] And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. [49] And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my⁹⁸ Father’s business? [50] And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.⁹⁹ [51] And he went down with them, and came¹⁰⁰ to Nazareth, and was¹⁰¹ subject unto them: but his mother kept¹⁰² all these sayings in her heart. [52] And Jesus¹⁰³ increased in wisdom and stature¹⁰⁴, and in¹⁰⁵ favour with God and man.

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