Joseph

18Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.

This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. His mother Mary was promised in marriage to Joseph. Before they lived together as husband and wife, she was found to be expecting a child by the Holy Spirit.

19Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.

Joseph, the man she was promised to, was a good and fair man. He did not want to shame her in front of everyone, so he planned to end the marriage quietly.

20But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.

But while he was thinking about this, an angel of the Lord came to him in a dream. The angel said, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife. The child inside her is from the Holy Spirit.

21And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

She will give birth to a son, and you are to name him Jesus. He will save his people from their sins."

22Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,

All of this happened so that what the Lord had said through the prophet would come true. The prophet had said:

23Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

"Look, a virgin will be expecting a child and will give birth to a son. People will call his name Emmanuel." That name means "God with us."

24Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:

When Joseph woke up from his sleep, he did what the angel of the Lord had told him to do. He took Mary home as his wife.

25And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

But he did not sleep with her until she had given birth to her first son. And he named him Jesus.

13And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.

After they left, an angel of the Lord came to Joseph in a dream. The angel said, "Get up. Take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you to leave. Herod is going to look for the child so he can kill him."

14When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt:

So Joseph got up, took the child and his mother during the night, and left for Egypt.

15And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.

He stayed there until Herod died. This happened so that what the Lord had said through the prophet would come true: "I called my son out of Egypt."

19But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt,

After Herod died, an angel of the Lord came to Joseph in a dream while he was in Egypt.

20Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child’s life.

The angel said, "Get up. Take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel. The men who wanted to kill the child are dead."

21And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel.

So Joseph got up, took the child and his mother, and went to the land of Israel.

22But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judaea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee:

But he heard that Archelaus was now ruling Judea in his father Herod's place, and he was afraid to go there. God warned him in a dream, so he went instead to the region of Galilee.

23And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.

He went and lived in a town called Nazareth. This happened so that what the prophets had said would come true: "He will be called a Nazarene."

1And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.

About that time, Caesar Augustus, the Roman emperor, gave an order. Everyone in his empire had to be counted and registered.

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

This was the first count of the people, taken while Quirinius was the governor of Syria.

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

So everyone went to his own hometown to sign 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:)

Joseph left the town of Nazareth in Galilee and traveled to Judea. He went to Bethlehem, the town of King David, because he came from David's family.

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

He went to register along with Mary, who was promised to him in marriage. 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.

While 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.

She gave birth to her first son. She wrapped Him snugly in strips of cloth and laid Him in a feeding box, because there was no room for them at the inn.

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.

When the angels had left them and gone back to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, "Let's go to Bethlehem and 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.

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the feeding box.

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

After they saw Him, they told everyone 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.

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

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

But Mary held on to all these things and thought about them again and again.

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

The shepherds went back to their sheep, giving glory and praise to God. Everything they had heard and seen was just as the angel had told them.

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.

In Jerusalem there was a man named Simeon. He did what was right and honored God. He was waiting for God to comfort Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on 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.

The Holy Spirit had shown him that he would not die before he saw the Lord's Christ.

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,

Led by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple. Jesus' parents brought the child in to do what the law required for Him.

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

Simeon took the child in his arms and praised God. He said,

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

"Lord, you may now let me, your servant, go in peace, just as you promised."

30For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,

"My own eyes have seen the salvation you have sent."

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

"You have made it ready where all people can see it."

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

"He is a light to show the truth to people who are not Jews, and He is the glory of your people Israel."

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

Joseph and the child's 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;

Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, His mother, "This child will cause many in Israel to fall and many to rise. He will be a sign that people speak against."

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

"A sword will pierce your own heart too. All this will bring out the hidden thoughts of many people."

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

Every year His parents went to Jerusalem for the Passover festival.

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

When Jesus was twelve years old, they went up to the festival as they always did.

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.

When the days of the festival were over, they started home. But the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, and His parents 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.

They thought He was somewhere in the group of travelers. After a whole day's walk, they started looking for Him among their relatives and friends.

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

When they could not find Him, they went back to Jerusalem to search for Him.

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.

After three days they found Him at the temple. He was sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.

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

Everyone who heard Him was amazed at how much He understood and at the answers He gave.

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.

When His parents saw Him, they were shocked. His mother said, "Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been worried sick 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?

He said to them, "Why were you looking for me? Didn't you know that I had to be in my Father's house?"

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

But they did not understand what He meant.

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.

Then He went back 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.

Jesus kept growing wiser and taller, and God and people thought well of Him.