Mary

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.

Here is how Jesus Christ was born. His mother Mary had promised to marry Joseph. Before they lived together, people learned she was going to have a baby. The baby was hers 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 was going to be her husband, and he was a good man. He did not want to shame her in front of everyone. So he planned to end the marriage promise 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.

While Joseph was thinking about this, he had a dream. An angel, a messenger from God, came to him and said, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife. The baby 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 have a son. 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 would come true. He had said it long before through a prophet, someone who told people what God 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 have a baby. She will give birth to a son. People will call him Immanuel." 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:

Then Joseph woke up. He did just what the angel of the Lord had told him. 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 come together with her as her husband until her son was born. And Joseph named the boy Jesus.

1Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,

Jesus was born in the town of Bethlehem, in the land of Judea. Herod was king at that time. Wise men from a country in the east came to Jerusalem.

2Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.

They asked, "Where is the baby who was born to be king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east. We have come to worship him."

3When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.

When King Herod heard this, he was upset. Everyone in Jerusalem was upset too.

4And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.

Herod called together the leading priests and the scribes, the men who studied and copied God's writings. He asked them where the Christ, God's promised king, would be born.

5And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet,

They told him, "In Bethlehem, in Judea. A prophet, a man who told people what God said, wrote it this way:

6And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.

'Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, you are not the smallest of Judah's leading towns. A ruler will come out of you. He will care for my people Israel like a shepherd.'"

7Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.

Then Herod called the wise men to meet him in secret. He asked them carefully when the star first appeared.

8And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.

He sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and look hard for the child. When you find him, come and tell me. Then I can go and worship him too."

9When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.

After they listened to the king, they left. The star they had seen in the east went ahead of them. It stopped over the place where the child was.

10When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.

When they saw the star, they were filled with great joy.

11And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.

They went into the house. They saw the child with Mary his mother. They bowed down to the ground and worshipped him. Then they opened their treasure bags. They gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

12And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.

God warned them in a dream not to go back to Herod. So they went home to their own country by a different road.

54And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works?

He went to his hometown. He taught the people in their meeting place, and they were amazed. They asked, "Where did this man get such wisdom and such power?"

55Is not this the carpenter’s son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?

"Isn't he the carpenter's son? Isn't his mother named Mary? Aren't James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas his brothers?"

56And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things?

"And aren't all his sisters here with us? So where did this man get all this?"

57And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house.

They would not accept him. But Jesus said, "People honor a prophet everywhere except in his hometown and his own home."

58And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.

He did not do many miracles there, because the people did not believe.

1And he went out from thence, and came into his own country; and his disciples follow him.

Jesus left that place and went to his hometown. His disciples, his close followers, went with him.

2And when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands?

On the Sabbath, the day of rest, Jesus taught in the synagogue, the place where people met to worship. Many who heard him were very surprised. They said, "Where did this man get all this? What kind of wisdom has he been given? How can he do such powerful things?"

3Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him.

"Isn't this the carpenter, the man who builds things from wood? Isn't he Mary's son? Isn't he the brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? Don't his sisters live right here with us?" So they would not accept him.

4But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house.

Jesus said to them, "A prophet, someone who tells people what God says, is honored everywhere. But he is not honored in his own town, or by his own family, or in his own house."

5And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them.

So he could not do any powerful miracles there. He only put his hands on a few sick people and healed them.

6And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching.

He was amazed that they would not believe. Then he went from village to village, teaching the people.

26And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,

When Elisabeth had been pregnant six months, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee.

27To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.

God sent him to a young woman named Mary. She had never been with a man. She had promised to marry Joseph, who came from King David's family.

28And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.

The angel came to her and said, "Hello! God has been very kind to you. The Lord is with you. God has blessed you more than other women."

29And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.

When Mary saw him, his words troubled her. She wondered what this greeting could mean.

30And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.

The angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary. God is pleased with you."

31And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.

"Listen. You are going to have a baby boy. You will name him Jesus."

32He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:

"He will be great. People will call him the Son of the Most High God. The Lord God will make him king, as his father David was king."

33And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

"He will rule over Jacob's family forever. His kingdom will never end."

34Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?

Then Mary asked the angel, "How can this happen? I have never been with a man."

35And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come to you. The power of the Most High God will cover you. So the holy child born to you will be called the Son of God."

36And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.

"Look at your relative Elisabeth. She is going to have a son, even though she is old. People said she could not have a baby. She is now six months along."

37For with God nothing shall be impossible.

"Nothing is too hard for God."

38And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.

Mary said, "I am the Lord's servant. Let it happen to me just as you said." Then the angel left her.

39And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda;

Soon after, Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hills of Judah.

40And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth.

She went into the house of Zacharias and said hello to Elisabeth.

41And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:

When Elisabeth heard Mary's greeting, her baby jumped inside her. Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.

42And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.

She called out in a loud voice, "God has blessed you more than other women! And God has blessed the baby you will have!"

43And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?

"Why is this happening to me? The mother of my Lord has come to visit me!"

44For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.

"As soon as I heard you say hello, the baby inside me jumped for joy."

45And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.

"God has blessed you because you believed. What the Lord told you will really happen."

46And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,

Then Mary said, "My whole heart tells how great the Lord is."

47And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.

"My spirit is full of joy, because God is my Savior. He is the one who saves me."

48For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.

"He noticed me, his lowly servant. From now on, people in every time will call me blessed."

49For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.

"God is strong, and he has done great things for me. His name is holy."

50And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.

"He is kind to those who honor him. He is kind to them in every time, always."

51He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.

"He has shown how strong his arm is. He has scattered proud people who think only of themselves."

52He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.

"He has pulled powerful rulers down from their thrones. He has lifted up humble people."

53He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.

"He has given hungry people plenty of good food. He has sent rich people away with nothing."

54He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy;

"He has helped Israel, his servant. He remembered to be kind."

55As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.

"He promised this long ago to our fathers, to Abraham and his family forever."

56And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house.

Mary stayed with Elisabeth about three months. Then she went back home.

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

Long 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.

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

This 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.

So 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:)

Joseph 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.

Mary 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.

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. 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.

Shepherds 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.

An 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.

The 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.

"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.

"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,

All 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.

"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.

The 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.

They 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.

When 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.

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 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.

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