Luke 2

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.

1Long ago, Caesar Augustus was the ruler of Rome. He made a rule. Everyone in the land had to be counted and written on a list.

NoteIn the King James Bible, "taxed" here means being counted and written on a list. It is a head count of the people, not a payment of money.

2(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

2This was the first time people were counted this way. Cyrenius was the governor of Syria then.

3And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

3So everyone went to his own town to be put on the list.

4And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

4Joseph lived in Nazareth, a town in Galilee. He traveled to Judea, to Bethlehem, the town of King David. Joseph came from David's family.

5To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

5Mary went with him to be put on the list. She was promised to marry Joseph. She was going to have a baby very soon.

6And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

6While they were in Bethlehem, the time came for her baby to be born.

7And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

7She gave birth to her first son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth. She laid him in a manger, a box that holds food for animals. There was no room for them in the inn, the place where travelers slept.

8And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

8Shepherds were out in the fields nearby. They watched over their sheep all night.

9And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

9An angel of the Lord came and stood by them. The bright glory of the Lord shone all around them. The shepherds were very afraid.

10And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

10The angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news. It will make all the people very glad."

11For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

11"Today in Bethlehem, King David's town, a Savior was born for you. A Savior is someone who saves people. He is Christ the Lord, the special king God promised to send."

12And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

12"Here is how you will know him. You will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth, lying in a manger."

13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

13All at once, many more angels from heaven were there with him. They were praising God and saying:

14Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

14"Glory to God in the highest heaven! Peace on earth, and good will toward people!"

15And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

15The angels went back into heaven. The shepherds said to each other, "Let's go to Bethlehem. Let's see this thing the Lord has told us about."

16And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

16They hurried away. They found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger.

17And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

17When they had seen him, they told other people what the angel had said about this child.

18And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

18Everyone who heard the shepherds was amazed at what they said.

19But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

19But Mary kept all these things and thought about them in her heart.

20And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

20The shepherds went back to their fields. They praised God for all they had heard and seen. It happened just as the angel had said.

21And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

21When the baby was eight days old, he was circumcised, as God's law told his people to do. He was named Jesus. The angel had given that name before the baby began to grow inside Mary.

22And 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;

22Then it was time for Mary to be made clean, as the law of Moses said. Moses was the leader who gave God's people their laws long ago. Joseph and Mary took Jesus to Jerusalem to give him to the Lord.

23(As it is written in the law of the LORD, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;)

23God's law says this: "Every firstborn boy belongs to the Lord in a special way."

24And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.

24They also brought a gift for God, just as the law said: two turtledoves or two young pigeons.

25And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.

25A man named Simeon lived in Jerusalem. He did what was right, and he loved God. He was waiting for God to comfort the people of Israel. God's Holy Spirit was with him.

26And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.

26The Holy Spirit had told Simeon something. He would not die before he saw the Lord's Christ, the king God promised.

27And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,

27The Spirit led Simeon into the temple, God's house in Jerusalem. Jesus' parents brought the child in to do what the law said.

28Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,

28Simeon took the baby in his arms. He thanked God and said:

29Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:

29"Lord, you have kept your promise. Now you may let me, your servant, go in peace."

30For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,

30"With my own eyes I have seen the one you sent to save people."

31Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;

31"You have made him ready for all people to see."

32A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.

32"He is a light to show the way to people who are not Jewish. He brings honor to your people, Israel."

33And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.

33Joseph and Jesus' mother were amazed at what Simeon said about him.

34And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against;

34Simeon asked God to bless them. He said to Mary, "Because of this child, many people in Israel will fall, and many will rise. People will speak against him."

35(Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.

35"And a sword will cut through your own heart too. All of this will show what people are really thinking inside."

36And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;

36Anna was there too. She was a prophetess, a woman who told people what God said. Her father was Phanuel, from the family of Aser. She was very old. She had been married for seven years.

37And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.

37Then her husband died. She lived alone until she was eighty-four years old. She never left the temple. She served God night and day. She prayed, and she went without food to pray.

NoteThe King James Bible says "fourscore and four." A score means twenty, so this means eighty-four.

38And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

38Right then Anna came up and thanked God too. She told about the child to everyone who was waiting for God to set Jerusalem free.

39And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.

39Joseph and Mary did everything the Lord's law said. Then they went home to Nazareth in Galilee.

40And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.

40The child grew and became strong. He was full of wisdom. God's kindness was on him.

41Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover.

41Every year his parents went to Jerusalem for the Passover feast. That feast helped people remember how God saved them long ago.

42And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.

42When Jesus was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem for the feast as always.

43And 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.

43When the feast days were over, they started home. But Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. Joseph and his mother did not know it.

44But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day’s journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.

44They thought he was somewhere in the group of travelers. They walked a whole day. Then they looked for him among their family and friends.

45And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.

45They could not find him. So they went back to Jerusalem to keep looking.

46And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.

46After three days they found him in the temple. He was sitting with the teachers, listening to them and asking questions.

47And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.

47Everyone who heard him was surprised. He understood so much, and his answers were wise.

48And 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.

48His parents were amazed to see him there. His mother said, "Son, why did you do this to us? Your father and I have been sad and worried, looking for you."

49And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?

49He said to them, "Why were you looking for me? Did you not know I had to be in my Father's house?"

NoteThe King James Bible says "about my Father's business." The words can also mean "in my Father's house," which is the temple where they found him. Modern translations usually say "house."

50And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.

50But they did not understand what he was telling them.

51And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.

51He went home to Nazareth with them and obeyed them. His mother kept all these things in her heart.

52And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.

52Jesus grew wiser and taller. God was pleased with him, and people were too.