1 In those days, a decree {dogma: Authoritative Decree} was issued by Caesar Augustus ordering that the whole inhabited world {oikoumene: Roman Empire} be registered.
2 This registration {apographe: official census process} was the first to take place while Quirinius was governing {hegemonuo: provincial governor} Syria.
3 And all were traveling to be registered {apographesthai: officially enrolled}, each to his own city {polin: urban center}.
4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to David’s city—called Bethlehem—because he was from the house {oikou: dynastic line} and lineage of David {Dauid: royal forefather}.
5 He went to be registered with Mary, who was betrothed {emnesteumene: legally engaged} to him and was pregnant {engyo: childbearing}.
6 While they were there, it happened that the days {hemerai: appointed period} were fulfilled {eplesthesan: reached completion} for her to give birth.
7 She gave birth to her son, her firstborn, and wrapped Him {Iesous, Newborn King} in swaddling clothes, and placed Him in a manger, since there was no place for them in the lodging {katalymati: guest room/inn}.
8 In that same region {chora: countryside area} there were shepherds, staying in the open fields and keeping watch over their flock through the watches of the night {nyktos: nighttime hours}.
9 An angel of the Lord {Kyrios, Sovereign Lord} stood beside them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were afraid with great fear {phobos: overwhelming dread}.
10 And the angel {angelos: heavenly messenger} said to them, “Do not be afraid. Look, I proclaim good news of great joy {charan: cause for rejoicing} that will be for all the people.”
11 Today, in David’s city, a Savior {soter: Divine Deliverer} has been born for you; He is Christ the Lord {Christos Kyrios, Anointed Ruler}.
12 And this will be your sign {semeion: confirming token}: you will find a newborn wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger {phatne: feeding trough}.
13 At once, there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host {stratiâs: vast angelic army} praising God {Theos, Exalted Recipient of Praise} and saying,
14 Glory to God {Theos, Supreme Glory Recipient} in the highest, and on earth peace among men {anthropois: all humanity} who are the objects of His good pleasure.
15 When the angels had gone from them into heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing {rhema: momentous announcement} that has happened, which the Lord {Kyrios, Heavenly Revealer} has made known to us.”
16 They went quickly {speusantes: with urgent speed} and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger {phatnē: feeding trough}.
17 After seeing it, they made known the saying {rhema: spoken message} that had been told to them about this child {paidion: very young}.
18 Everyone who heard was wondering {thaumazo: to marvel} about what the shepherds {poimenon: those who tend flocks} were saying.
19 But Mary {Maria: Messiah’s mother} kept all these words {rhemata: spoken messages}, reflecting on them in her heart.
20 The shepherds {poimenes: pastoral keepers} went back, glorifying and praising God {Theos, Worthy Of Praise} for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been announced to them.
21 And when eight days were fulfilled for circumcising Him, His name was called Jesus {Iesous, God’s Salvation}, which the angel {angelos: heavenly herald} had given before He was conceived in the womb.
22 And when the days of their purification {katharismou: ritual cleansing} according to the law of Moses were fulfilled, they brought Him up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord {Kyrios, Covenant Lawgiver}.
23 In accordance with the Lord’s {Kyrios, Covenant Lawgiver} law, every male who opens the womb shall be called holy {hagion: set apart} to the Lord.
24 They also offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord {Kyrios, Covenant Lawgiver}: a pair of turtledoves or two young {nossous: pigeon chicks} pigeons.
25 And behold, in Jerusalem there was a man named Simeon {Symeon: righteous worshiper}; he was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit {pneuma hagion, Empowering Presence} was upon him.
26 The Holy Spirit {pneuma hagion, Divine Revealer} had revealed to him that he would not see death before he should see the Christ of the Lord {christos kyriou, Promised Messiah}.
27 He came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus {Iesous, Promised Savior}, they did for Him according to what was customary {eithismenon: established practice} in the law concerning Him.
28 He took Him {Iesous, Incarnate Redeemer} into his arms, blessed God {Theos, Faithful Promise-Keeper}, and said,
29 Now, Master {despota, Sovereign Ruler}, You are dismissing Your servant in peace {eirene: harmony and wholeness}, according to Your word.
30 For my eyes have seen Your {Theos, Source Of Salvation} salvation {soterion: deliverance and rescue}.
31 Which You {Theos, Universal Revealer} prepared before the face {prosopon: face-to-face setting} of all the peoples.
32 A light for revelation to the nations {ethnon: non-Jewish peoples}, and glory for Your {sou: Reverent Address} people Israel.
33 And His {Iesous, Promised Savior} father and mother were marveling at the things being spoken {laloumenois: public declarations} about Him.
34 And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall {ptosin: judicial downfall} and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign {semeion: divine indication} that will be spoken against.”
35 And a sword {rhomphaia: heavy war blade} will pass through your own soul {psyche: inner life} also, so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.
36 And there was Anna, a prophetess, daughter of Phanuel from the tribe of Asher. This woman was advanced in years {probebēkuîa: progressed in years} and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity {parthenias: maiden state}.
37 She was a widow {chera: bereaved woman} until eighty-four years old; she did not depart from the temple, serving with fastings {nesteiais: devotional abstinence} and prayers night and day.
38 At that very hour she came near and gave thanks to God {Theos, Worthy Of Praise}, and she spoke about Him to all who were waiting for the redemption {lytrosis: promised deliverance} of Jerusalem.
39 When they had fulfilled everything according to the law of the Lord {Kyrios, Covenant Lawgiver}, they returned to Galilee, to their own city {polis: home settlement} Nazareth.
40 The child continued growing and becoming strong, being filled with wisdom {sophia: divinely given insight}, and the grace of God {Theos, Present Favor Bestower} was upon Him.
41 Each year His {Iesous, Obedient Son} parents were traveling to Jerusalem for the feast of the Passover {pascha: covenant rescue feast}.
42 When He {Iesous, Maturing Messiah} became twelve years old, they went up according to the custom of the feast {heorte: pilgrimage festival}.
43 When the days were completed and they were returning, the child Jesus {Iesous, Growing Son} stayed behind in Jerusalem, and His parents {goneis: biological guardians} did not know it.
44 Supposing Him {Iesous, Sought Son} to be in the company {synodia: Festival Caravan}, they traveled a day’s journey; then they were seeking Him among the relatives and the acquaintances.
45 When they failed to find Him {Iesous, Sought Son}, they turned back to Jerusalem, earnestly seeking {anazetountes: searching intently} Him.
46 After three days, they found Him {Iesous, Inquisitive Learner} in the temple, sitting among the teachers {didaskalon: learned instructors}, listening to them and asking them questions.
47 All who heard Him {Iesous, Insightful Young Teacher} were astonished at His understanding {synesis: keen insight} and at His answers.
48 When they saw Him {Christos, Incarnate Son}, they were overcome with astonishment, and His mother addressed Him, “Child, why have You done this to us? See, your father and I have been searching for You in anguish {odunomenoi: deep emotional pain}.”
49 He {Iesous, Devoted Son} said to them, “Why were you seeking Me? Did you not know that it is necessary for Me to be in the things of My Father {patros, Heavenly Source}?”
50 They did not understand the word {rhema: specific saying} that He {Iesous, Revealing Teacher} spoke to them.