Self-interpreting Bible

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Luke 2

1Augustus taxeth all the Roman empire: Joseph goeth with Mary to be taxed at Bethlehem. 6The birth of Christ: 8an angel bringeth news thereof to the shepherds: the heavenly host praise God. 15The shepherds, finding it to be as the angel had said, glorify God. 21The circumcision of Christ. 22The purifying of Mary. 25Simeon's prophecy, 36and Anna's, concerning Christ. 39Jesus groweth, and increaseth in wisdom. 41At twelve years of age he goeth with his parents to Jerusalem, and questioneth with the doctors in the temple: 51he is obedient to his parents.

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

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

3 And all went to be 2taxed, every one into his own city.

  • 2: Or, inrolled.

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

5 To be 3taxed with Mary his espoused gwife, being great with child.

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

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

8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping 4watch over their flock by night.

9 And, lo, kthe angel of the Lord came lupon them, and the mglory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were *sore afraid.

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

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

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

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

14 sGlory to God in the highest, and on earth tpeace, ugood will toward men.

15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, 5the shepherds said one to another, vLet us now go even unto wBethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

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

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

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

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

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

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

22 eAnd when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, fthey brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord;

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

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

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

26 lAnd it was revealed unto him by the Holy *Ghost, that he should not msee death, before he had seen nthe Lord's Christ.

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

28 Then qtook he him up in his arms, and rblessed God, and said,

29 Lord, snow lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, taccording to thy word:

30 For mine eyes have seen uthy salvation,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

38 And she coming in that instant hgave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that ilooked for jredemption in 6Jerusalem.

39 And when they had kperformed all things according to the law of the Lord, they lreturned into Galilee, to mtheir own city Nazareth.

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

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

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

    43 And when they had fulfilled pthe days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it.

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

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

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

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

      48 And 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.

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

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

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

        52 And yJesus increased in wisdom and 7stature, and in favour with God and man.