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¹ And in those days it occurred, that a decree went forth from Augustus Caesar, that all the people of his dominion should be enrolled.² And this enrollment was first made under the presidency of Quirinus in Syria.³ And everyone went to his own city to be enrolled.⁴ And Joseph also went up from Nazareth of Galilee to Judaea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David,⁵ with Mary his espoused, then pregnant, to be enrolled.⁶ And it was while they were there, that the days for her to bring forth were completed.⁷ And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in bandages, and laid him in the stall; for they had no place where they could lodge.

⁸ And there were shepherds in that region, who abode there and kept watch of their flocks by night.⁹ And lo, the angel of God came to them, and the glory of the Lord shone upon them: and they feared with great fear.¹⁰ And the angel said to them: Fear not; for, behold I announce to you great joy, which will be to all the world.¹¹ For there is born to you this day a deliverer, who is the Lord Messiah, in the city of David¹² And this is the sign for you: Ye will find the babe wrapped in bandages, and placed in a stall.¹³ And instantly there were seen with the angel, the many hosts of heaven, praising God, and saying:¹⁴ Glory to God in the highest [fn] , and on earth peace and good hope for men. ¹⁵ And it was so, that when the angels had gone from them into heaven, the shepherds conferred with one another, and said: Let us go down to Bethlehem, and see this thing which hath occurred, as the Lord hath made known to us.¹⁶ And they came hastily, and found Mary and Joseph, and the babe laid in the stall.¹⁷ And when they saw, they made known the information which was given to them concerning the child.¹⁸ And all that heard, wondered at the things that were told them by the shepherds.¹⁹ And Mary laid up all these things, and pondered them in her heart.²⁰ And the shepherds returned glorifying and praising God for all that they had seen and heard, as it was told them.

²¹ And when the eight days for the circumcision of the child were completed, his name was called JESUS; as he was named by the angel, before he was conceived in the womb²² And when the days of their purification were completed, according to the law of Moses, they carried him to Jerusalem, to present him before the Lord:²³ (as it is written in the law of the Lord, that every male opening the womb shall be called holy to the Lord:)²⁴ and to offer a sacrifice, according as it is written in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtle-doves, or two young pigeons.

²⁵ And there was a certain man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon. This man was upright and just, and was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.²⁶ And it had been told him by the Holy Spirit, that he would not see death, until he should see the Messiah of the Lord.²⁷ This man came, by the Spirit, into the temple; and when his parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him as is commanded in the law,²⁸ he took him in his arms, and blessed God, and said:²⁹ My Lord, now release thou thy servant in peace, as thou hast said:³⁰ for lo, my eyes have seen thy mercy,³¹ which thou hast prepared in the presence of all nations,³² a light for a revelation to the Gentiles, and a glory for thy people Israel.³³ And Joseph and his mother were astonished at those things which were spoken concerning him.³⁴ And Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary his mother: Behold, this [fn] is set forth for the fall and for the rising of many in Israel, and for a standard of contention; ³⁵ (and also a dart will pierce thy own soul); that the thoughts of the hearts of many may be disclosed.³⁶ And Hanna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher, she also was aged in days, and, from her maidenhood, had lived seven years with her husband,³⁷ and was a widow of about eighty and four years, and departed not from the temple, but worshipped by day and by night with fasting and prayer;³⁸ and she too stood up, in that hour, and gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of him to every one that waited for the redemption of Jerusalem.³⁹ And when they had accomplished all things, according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their city Nazareth.⁴⁰ And the child grew, and was strengthened in spirit, and was filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon him.

⁴¹ And his people went up to Jerusalem every year, at the feast of the passover.⁴² And when he was twelve years old, they went up to the feast, as they were accustomed.⁴³ And when the days were completed, they returned: but the child Jesus remained at Jerusalem, and Joseph and his mother knew not [fn] ; ⁴⁴ for they supposed he was with his companions. And when they had travelled a day's journey, they sought him among their people, and [fn] of every one that knew them. ⁴⁵ And they did not find him. And they returned again to Jerusalem, searching for him.⁴⁶ And after three days, they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, and listening to them, and asking them questions.⁴⁷ And all they that heard him, were astonished at his wisdom and his answers.⁴⁸ And when they saw him they were amazed. And his mother said to him: My son, why hast thou done so to us? For lo, I and thy father have been seeking for thee with great anxiety.⁴⁹ He said to them: Why did ye seek me? Do ye not know, that it behooveth me to be in my Father's house?⁵⁰ But they did not comprehend the word that he spoke to them.⁵¹ And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them. And his mother laid up all these things in her heart.⁵² And Jesus increased in stature, and in wisdom, and in grace, before God and men.