AND it came to pass, in those days there came forth an edict from Caesar Augustus, that the whole world should be enrolled. ²This first enrolling was made by the President of Syria Cyrinus. ³And all went to be enrolled, every one into his own city. ⁴And Joseph also went up from Galilee out of the city of Nazareth into Jewry, to the city of David that is called Beth-lehem: for because he was of the house and family of David, ⁵to be enrolled with Mary his despoused wife that was with child. ⁶And it came to pass, when they were there, her days were fully come that she should be delivered. ⁷And she brought forth her first begotten Son, and swaddled him in clothes, and laid him down in a manger; because there was not place for them in the inn.

⁸And there were in the same country shepherds watching, and keeping the night watches over their flock. ⁹And behold, an Angel of our Lord stood beside them, and the brightness of God did shine round about them, and they feared with a great fear. ¹⁰And the Angel said to them: Fear not; for behold I evangelise to you great joy, that shall be to all the People: ¹¹because this day is born to you a Saviour which is Christ our Lord, in the city of David. ¹²And this shall be a sign to you; You shall find the infant swaddled in clothes, and laid in a manger. ¹³And suddenly there was with the Angel a multitude of the heavenly army, praising God, and saying, ¹⁴Glory in the highest to God: and in earth peace to • men of good will. ^{15 b} And it came to pass, after the Angels departed from them into Heaven, the shepherds spoke one to another: Let us go over to Bethlehem, and let us see this Word that is done, which our Lord hath showed to us. ¹⁶And they came with speed; and they found Mary and Joseph, and the infant laid in the manger. ¹⁷And seeing it, they understood of the Word that had been spoken to them concerning this child. ¹⁸And all that heard, did marvel; and concerning those things that were reported to them by the shepherds. ¹⁹But Mary • kept all these words, conferring them in her heart. ²⁰And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God in all things that they had heard, and seen, as it was said to them.

^{21 c} And * after eight days were expired, that the child should be circumcised; his name was called Jesus, which was * called by the Angel, before that he was conceived in the womb.

^{22 d} And after the days were fully ended of her purification according to the law of Moyses, they carried him into Jerusalem, to present him to our Lord ²³as it is written in the law of our Lord, That every male opening the matrix, shall be called holy to the Lord. ²⁴and to give a sacrifice * according as it is written in the law of our Lord, a pair of turtles, or two young pigeons. ²⁵And behold there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon, and this man was just and religious, expecting the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was in him. ²⁶And he had received an answer of the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death unless he saw first the ^e Christ of our Lord. ²⁷And he came in Spirit into the temple. And when his parents brought in the child Jesus, to do according to the custom of the Law for him, ²⁸he also took him into his arms, and blessed God, and said,

²⁹Now thou doest dismiss thy servant O Lord, according to thy word in peace.

³⁰Because my eyes have seen thy Salvation,

³¹Which thou hast prepared before the face of all Peoples:

³²A light to the revelation of the Gentiles, and the glory of thy People Israel.

³³And his father and mother were marvelling upon those things which were spoken concerning him. ³⁴And Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary his mother: Behold this is set • unto the ruin, and unto the resurrection of many in Israel, and for a sign which shall be contradicted, ³⁵and ^[a] thine own soul shall a sword pierce, that out of many hearts cogitations may be revealed. ³⁶And there was Anne a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was far stricken in days, and had lived with her husband seven years from her virginity. ³⁷And she was • a widow until eighty and four years; who departed not from the Temple, • by fastings and prayers serving night and day. ³⁸And she at the same hour suddenly coming in, confessed to our Lord; and spoke of him to all that expected the redemption of Israel. ³⁹And after they had wholly done all things according to the law of our Lord, they returned into Galilee, into their city Nazareth.

⁴⁰And the child grew, and waxed ′strong: full of wisdom, and the grace of God was in him. ⁴¹And his parents went every year unto Jerusalem, at the solemn day of Pasche. ^{42 f} And when he was twelve years old, they going up into Jerusalem according to the custom of the festival day; ⁴³and having ended the days, when they returned, the child Jesus remained in Jerusalem: and his parents knew it not. ⁴⁴And thinking that he was in the company, they came a day’s journey, and sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintances. ⁴⁵And not finding him, they returned into Jerusalem, seeking him. ⁴⁶And it came to pass, after three days they found him in the Temple sitting in the midst of the Doctors, hearing them and asking them. ⁴⁷And all were astonished that heard him, upon his wisdom and answers.

⁴⁸And seeing him, they wondered. And his mother said to him: Son, why hast thou so done to us? behold thy father and I sorrowing did seek thee. ⁴⁹And he said to them: What is it that you sought me? did you not know, that I must be about those things, which are my Fathers? ⁵⁰And they understood not the word that he spoke unto them. ⁵¹And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth: and was • subject to them. And his mother kept all these words in her heart. ⁵²And Jesus proceeded in wisdom and age, and grace with God and men.