Luke 2
Bible in Basic English (BBE)
1 Ref Now it came about in those days that an order went out from Caesar Augustus that there was to be a numbering of all the world.
2 Ref This was the first numbering, which was made when Quirinius was ruler of Syria.
3 And all men went to be numbered, everyone to his town.
4 Ref And Joseph went up from Galilee, out of the town of Nazareth, into Judaea, to Beth-lehem, the town of David, because he was of the house and family of David,
5 Ref To be put on the list with Mary, his future wife, who was about to become a mother.
6 Ref And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth.
7 Ref And she had her first son; and folding him in linen, she put him to rest in the place where the cattle had their food, because there was no room for them in the house.
8 Ref And in the same country there were keepers of sheep in the fields, watching over their flock by night.
9 Ref And an angel of the Lord came to them, and the glory of the Lord was shining round about them: and fear came on them.
10 Ref And the angel said, Have no fear; for truly, I give you good news of great joy which will be for all the people:
11 Ref For on this day, in the town of David, a Saviour has come to birth, who is Christ the Lord.
12 Ref And this is the sign to you: you will see a young child folded in linen, in the place where the cattle have their food.
13 Ref And suddenly there was with the angel a great band of spirits from heaven, giving praise to God, and saying,
14 Ref Glory to God in the highest, and on the earth peace among men with whom he is well pleased.
15 Ref And when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the keepers of the sheep said to one another, Let us go now to Beth-lehem, and see this thing which has come about, which the Lord has made clear to us.
16 Ref And they came quickly, and saw Mary and Joseph, and the child in the place where the cattle had their food.
17 Ref And when they saw it, they gave them an account of the things which had been said to them about the child.
18 Ref And all those to whose ears it came were full of wonder at the things said by the keepers of the sheep.
19 Ref But Mary kept all these words in her heart, and gave much thought to them.
20 Ref Then the keepers of the sheep went back, giving glory and praise to God for all the things which had come to their ears and which they had seen, as it had been said to them.
21 Ref And when, after eight days, the time came for his circumcision, he was named Jesus, the name which the angel had given to him before his birth.
22 Ref And when the necessary days for making them clean by the law of Moses had come to an end, they took him to Jerusalem to give him to the Lord
23 Ref (As it says in the law of the Lord, Every mother's first male child is to be holy to the Lord),
24 Ref And to make an offering, as it is ordered in the law of the Lord, of two doves or other young birds.
25 Ref And there was then in Jerusalem a man whose name was Simeon; and he was an upright man, fearing God and waiting for the comfort of Israel: and the Holy Spirit was on him.
26 Ref And he had knowledge, through the Holy Spirit, that he would not see death till he had seen the Lord's Christ.
27 Ref And full of the Spirit he came into the Temple; and when the father and mother came in with the child Jesus, to do with him what was ordered by the law,
28 Ref Then he took him in his arms and gave praise to God and said,
29 Ref Now you are letting your servant go in peace, O Lord, as you have said;
30 Ref For my eyes have seen your salvation,
31 Ref Which you have made ready before the face of all nations;
32 Ref A light of revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.
33 Ref And his father and mother were full of wonder at the things which were said about him.
34 Ref And Simeon gave them his blessing and said to Mary, his mother, See, this child will be the cause of the downfall and the lifting up of great numbers of people in Israel, and he will be a sign against which hard words will be said;
35 Ref (And a sword will go through your heart;) so that the secret thoughts of men may come to light.
36 Ref And there was one, Anna, a woman prophet, the daughter of Phanuel, of the family of Asher (she was very old, and after seven years of married life
37 Ref She had been a widow for eighty-four years); she was in the Temple at all times, worshipping with prayers and going without food, night and day.
38 Ref And coming up at that time, she gave praise to God, talking of him to all those who were waiting for the freeing of Jerusalem.
39 Ref And when they had done all the things which were ordered by the law of the Lord, they went back to Galilee, to Nazareth, the town where they were living.
40 Ref And the child became tall and strong and full of wisdom, and the grace of God was on him.
41 Ref And every year his father and mother went to Jerusalem at the feast of the Passover.
42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up, as their way was, to the feast;
43 Ref And when the days of the feast came to an end and they were going back, the boy Jesus was still in Jerusalem, but they had no knowledge of it:
44 Ref And in the belief that he was with some of their number, they went a day's journey; and after looking for him among their relations and friends,
45 And seeing that he was not there, they went back to Jerusalem, to make search for him.
46 Ref And after three days they came across him in the Temple, seated among the wise men, giving ear to their words and putting questions to them.
47 Ref And all to whose ears it came were full of wonder at his knowledge and the answers which he gave.
48 Ref And when they saw him they were surprised, and his mother said to him, Son, why have you done this to us? see, your father and I have been looking for you with sorrow.
49 Ref And he said to them, Why were you looking for me? was it not clear to you that my right place was in my Father's house?
50 Ref And his words seemed strange to them.
51 Ref And he went down with them and came to Nazareth; and did as he was ordered: and his mother kept all these words in her heart.
52 Ref And Jesus was increasing in wisdom and in years, and in grace before God and men.
World English Bible (WEB)
1 Ref Now it happened in those days, that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be enrolled.
2 Ref This was the first enrollment made when Quirinius was governor of Syria.
3 All went to enroll themselves, everyone to his own city.
4 Ref Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David;
5 Ref to enroll himself with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him as wife, being pregnant.
6 Ref It happened, while they were there, that the day had come that she should give birth.
7 Ref She brought forth her firstborn son, and she wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a feeding trough, because there was no room for them in the inn.
8 Ref There were shepherds in the same country staying in the field, and keeping watch by night over their flock.
9 Ref Behold, an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.
10 Ref The angel said to them, "Don't be afraid, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be to all the people.
11 Ref For there is born to you, this day, in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
12 Ref This is the sign to you: you will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth, lying in a feeding trough."
13 Ref Suddenly, there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14 Ref "Glory to God in the highest, On earth peace, good will toward men."
15 Ref It happened, when the angels went away from them into the sky, that the shepherds said one to another, "Let's go to Bethlehem, now, and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us."
16 Ref They came with haste, and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby was lying in the feeding trough.
17 Ref When they saw it, they publicized widely the saying which was spoken to them about this child.
18 Ref All who heard it wondered at the things which were spoken to them by the shepherds.
19 Ref But Mary kept all these sayings, pondering them in her heart.
20 Ref The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, just as it was told them.
21 Ref When eight days were fulfilled for the circumcision of the child, his name was called Jesus, which was given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
22 Ref When the days of their purification according to the law of Moses were fulfilled, they brought him up to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord
23 Ref (as it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord"),
24 Ref and to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, "A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons."
25 Ref Behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him.
26 Ref It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ.{"Christ" (Greek) and "Messiah" (Hebrew) both mean "Anointed One"}
27 Ref He came in the Spirit into the temple. When the parents brought in the child, Jesus, that they might do concerning him according to the custom of the law,
28 Ref then he received him into his arms, and blessed God, and said,
29 Ref "Now you are releasing your servant, Master, According to your word, in peace;
30 Ref For my eyes have seen your salvation,
31 Ref Which you have prepared before the face of all peoples;
32 Ref A light for revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of your people Israel."
33 Ref Joseph and his mother were marveling at the things which were spoken concerning him,
34 Ref and Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary, his mother, "Behold, this child is set for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which is spoken against.
35 Ref Yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul, that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed."
36 Ref There was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher (she was of a great age, having lived with a husband seven years from her virginity,
37 Ref and she had been a widow for about eighty-four years), who didn't depart from the temple, worshipping with fastings and petitions night and day.
38 Ref Coming up at that very hour, she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of him to all those who were looking for redemption in Jerusalem.
39 Ref When they had accomplished all things that were according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth.
40 Ref The child was growing, and was becoming strong in spirit, being filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him.
41 Ref His parents went every year to Jerusalem at the feast of the Passover.
42 When he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast,
43 Ref and when they had fulfilled the days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. Joseph and his mother didn't know it,
44 Ref but supposing him to be in the company, they went a day's journey, and they looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances.
45 When they didn't find him, they returned to Jerusalem, looking for him.
46 Ref It happened after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them, and asking them questions.
47 Ref All who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.
48 Ref When they saw him, they were astonished, and his mother said to him, "Son, why have you treated us this way? Behold, your father and I were anxiously looking for you."
49 Ref He said to them, "Why were you looking for me? Didn't you know that I must be in my Father's house?"
50 Ref They didn't understand the saying which he spoke to them.
51 Ref And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth. He was subject to them, and his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.
52 Ref And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.
King James Version (KJV)
1 Ref And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.
2 Ref (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
4 Ref And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
5 Ref To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
6 Ref And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
7 Ref And she brought forth 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 Ref And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 Ref And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10 Ref And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 Ref For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12 Ref And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13 Ref And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14 Ref Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
15 Ref And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
16 Ref And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
17 Ref And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
18 Ref And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
19 Ref But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
20 Ref And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
21 Ref And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
22 Ref And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord;
23 Ref (As it is written in the law of the LORD, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;)
24 Ref And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.
25 Ref And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.
26 Ref And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ.
27 Ref And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,
28 Ref Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,
29 Ref Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:
30 Ref For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,
31 Ref Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;
32 Ref A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
33 Ref And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.
34 Ref And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against;
35 Ref (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.
36 Ref And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;
37 Ref And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.
38 Ref And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.
39 Ref And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.
40 Ref And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.
41 Ref Now his parents went to Jerusalem every 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 Ref And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it.
44 Ref But they, supposing him to have been in the 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 Ref And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.
47 Ref And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.
48 Ref 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 Ref And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?
50 Ref And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.
51 Ref And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.
52 Ref And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.
