Luke 2

1

And it came to passe in those dayes, that there went out a decree from Cesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.

2

(And this taxing was first made whē Cyrenius was gouernor of Syria)

3

And all went to bee taxed, euery one into his owne citie.

4

And Ioseph also wēt vp frō Galilee, out of the citie of Nazareth, into Iudea, vnto the citie of Dauid, which is called Bethlehem, (because he was of the house and linage of Dauid,)

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

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And so it was, that while they were there, the dayes were accomplished that she should be deliuered.

7

And she brought foorth her first borne sonne, and wrapped him in swadling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no roome for them in the Inne.

8

And there were in the same countrey shepheards abiding in þ field, keeping watch ouer their flocke by night.

9

And loe, the Angel of the Lord came vpon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them, and they were sore afraid.

10

And the Angel said vnto them, Feare not: For behold, I bring you good tidings of great ioy, which shall be to all people.

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For vnto you is borne this day, in the citie of Dauid, a Sauiour, which is Christ the Lord.

12

And this shall be a signe vnto you; yee shall find the babe wrapped in swadling clothes lying in a manger.

13

And suddenly there was with the Angel a multitude of the heauenly hoste praising God, and saying,

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Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good wil towards men.

15

And it came to passe, as the Angels were gone away from them into heauen, the shepheards said one to another, Let vs now goe euen vnto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to passe, which the Lord hath made knowen vnto vs.

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

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And when they had seene it, they made knowen abroad the saying, which was told them, concerning this child.

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And all they that heard it, wondered at those things, which were tolde them by the shepheards.

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

20

And the shepheards returned, glorifying & praising God for all the things that they had heard and seene, as it was told vnto them.

21

And when eight dayes were accomplished for the circumcising of the childe, his name was called Iesus, which was so named of the Angel before he was conceiued in the wombe.

22

And when the dayes of her purification according to the law of Moses, were accomplished, they brought him to Hierusalem, to present him to the Lord,

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(As it is written in the law of the Lord, Euery male that openeth the wombe, shalbe called holy to the Lord)

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And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the Law of the Lord, a paire of turtle doues, or two yong pigeons.

25

And behold, there was a man in Hierusalem, whose name was Simeon, and the same man was iust and deuout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the holy Ghost was vpon him.

26

And it was reuealed vnto him by the holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seene the Lords Christ.

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And hee came by the spirit into the Temple: and when the parents brought in the child Iesus, to doe for him after the custome of the Lawe,

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Then tooke hee him vp in his armes, and blessed God, and said,

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Lord now lettest thou thy seruant depart in peace, according to thy word.

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For mine eyes haue seene thy saluation.

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Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people.

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

33

And Ioseph and his mother marueiled at those things which were spoken of him.

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And Simeon blessed them, and said vnto Marie his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising againe of many in Israel: and for a signe which shall be spoken against,

35

(Yea a sword shall pearce thorow thy owne soule also) that the thoughts of many hearts may be reuealed.

36

And there was one Anna a Prophetesse, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser; she was of a great age, and had liued with an husband seuen yeeres from her virginitie.

37

And she was a widow of about fourescore and foure yeeres, which departed not from the Temple, but serued God with fastings and prayers night and day.

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And she comming in that instant, gaue thankes likewise vnto the Lord, and spake of him to al them that looked for redemption in Hierusalem.

39

And when they had performed all things according to the Lawe of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their owne citie Nazareth.

40

And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit filled with wisedome, and the grace of God was vpon him.

41

Now his parents went to Hierusalem euery yeere, at the feast of the Passeouer.

42

And when he was twelue yeeres old, they went vp to Hierusalem, after the custome of the feast.

43

And when they had fulfilled the dayes, as they returned, the childe Iesus taried behind in Hierusalem, and Ioseph and his mother knew not of it.

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But they supposing him to haue bene in the company, went a daies iourney, and they sought him among their kinsefolke and acquaintance.

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And when they found him not, they turned backe againe to Hierusalem, seeking him.

46

And it came to passe, that after three daies they found him in the Temple, sitting in the midst of the Doctours, both hearing them, and asking them questions.

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And all that heard him were astonished at his vnderstanding, and answeres.

48

And when they sawe him, they were amazed: and his mother said vnto him, Sonne, why hast thou thus dealt with vs? Behold, thy father and I haue sought thee sorrowing.

49

And he said vnto them, How is it that ye sought me? Wist yee not that I must bee about my fathers businesse?

50

And they vnderstood not the saying which he spake vnto them.

51

And he went downe with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subiect vnto them: But his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.

52

And Iesus increased in wisedom and stature, and in fauour with God and man.