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¹ Now it came to pass, in those days, that there went forth a decree from Caesar Augustus, for all the inhabited earth to be enrolled:² this enrolment, first was made while Cyrenius was governor of Syria:³ and all were journeying to be enrolled, each one unto his own city.⁴ And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of a city Nazareth, into Judaea, into the city of David which is called Bethlehem; because he was of the house and family of David:⁵ to enrol himself with Mary who was betrothed to him, she being with child.⁶ And it came to pass, while they were there, that the days were fulfilled for her to give birth;⁷ and she gave birth to 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.

⁸ And there were, shepherds, in the same country, dwelling in the fields, and keeping the watches of the night over their flock.⁹ And, a messenger of the Lord, stood over them, and, a glory of the Lord, shone round about them; and they feared, a great fear.¹⁰ And the messenger said unto them - Be not afraid! For lo! I bring you good tidings of a great joy, the which shall be for all the people:¹¹ That there hath been born unto you, this day, a saviour, - Who is Christ the Lord - in the city of David!¹² And, this, to you is, a sign: Ye shall find a babe, wrapped in swaddling clothes, and lying in a manger.¹³ And, suddenly, there came to be, with the messenger, the throng of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying - ¹⁴ Glory, in the highest, unto God! And, on earth, peace, among men of goodwill.¹⁵ And it came to pass, when the messengers had departed from them into heaven, that, the shepherds, began to say one to another - Let us go through forthwith as far as to Bethlehem, and see this thing which hath come to pass, which the Lord hath made known to us.¹⁶ And they came, with haste, and found both Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in the manger.¹⁷ Now, when they beheld, they made known concerning the thing which had been told them as to this child.¹⁸ And, all who heard, marvelled concerning the things which had been told by the shepherds unto them;¹⁹ but, Mary, was closely observing, all, these things, putting them together in her heart.²⁰ And the shepherds returned, giving glory and singing praise unto God, over all things which they had heard and seen, according as it had been told unto them.

²¹ And, when eight days were fulfilled for circumcising him, then was his name called, Jesus, - which it was called by the messenger, before he was conceived in the womb.²² And, when the days of their purification, according to the law of Moses, were fulfilled, they took him up into Jerusalem, to present him unto the Lord, - ²³ according as it is written in the law of the Lord - Every male that is a firstborn, Holy unto the Lord, shall be called,²⁴ and to give a sacrifice, according to that which is said in the law of the Lord - A pair of turtle-doves, or two young pigeons.

²⁵ And lo! there was, a man, in Jerusalem, whose name, was Symeon; and, this man, was righteous and devout, awaiting the consolation of Israel, and Holy Spirit was upon him;²⁶ and it had been intimated to him by the Holy Spirit, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Christ of the Lord.²⁷ And he came, in the Spirit, into the temple; and, when the parents brought in the child Jesus, that they might do according to that which was customary by the law concerning it,²⁸ even he, welcomed it into his arms, and blessed God, and said - ²⁹ Now, dost thou dismiss thy servant, O Sovereign, according to thy declaration - in peace;³⁰ Because mine eyes have seen thy salvation,³¹ Which thou hast prepared in face of all the peoples:³² A light for the unveiling of nations, and the glory of thy people Israel.³³ And his father and mother were marvelling over the things which were being spoken concerning him.³⁴ And Symeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother - Lo! this one, is being set for the falling and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign to be spoken against;³⁵ And, thou! through thy very soul, shall pass a sword, that, reasonings, may be revealed, out of many hearts.³⁶ And there was one Anna, a prophetess, daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher; - the same, advanced in many days; having lived with a husband seven years from her virginity,³⁷ and, she, had been a widow for as long as eighty-four years, - who left not the temple, with fastings and supplications, rendering divine service night and day; - ³⁸ and, in that very hour, coming near, she began to give thanks unto God, and to speak concerning him unto all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.³⁹ And, when they had finished all things that were according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, into their own city, Nazareth.⁴⁰ And, the child, went on growing, and waxing strong, becoming filled with wisdom; and, the favour of God, was upon it.

⁴¹ And his parents used to journey yearly into Jerusalem, at the feast of the passover.⁴² And, when he became twelve years, and they went up, according to the custom of the feast,⁴³ and completed the days, and then were returning, the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem, - and his parents noticed it not;⁴⁴ but, supposing him to be in the company, went a day's journey, and then began to seek for him among their kinsfolk and acquaintances,⁴⁵ and, not finding him, returned unto Jerusalem, seeking him.⁴⁶ And it came to pass, that, after three days, they found him in the temple, sitting amidst the teachers, - both hearkening unto them, and questioning them.⁴⁷ Now all who heard him were beside themselves, because of his understanding and his answers.⁴⁸ And, when they behold him, they were astounded, and his mother said unto him - Child! why, hast thou dealt with us, thus? Lo! thy father and I, in anguish, were seeking thee.⁴⁹ And he said unto them - Why was it that ye were seeking me? Perceived ye not, that, in the courts of my Father, I must needs be?⁵⁰ And, they, understood not the thing which he spake to them.⁵¹ And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was submitting himself unto them. And, his mother, was closely observing all these things in her heart.⁵² And, Jesus, went on advancing in wisdom, and in stature, and in favour with God and men.