The Birth of Jesus (Matthew 1:18–25)
2 DRA This enrolling was first made by Cyrinus, the governor of Syria. BSB BSB: This was the first census to take place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.
3 DRA And all went to be enrolled, every one into his own city. BSB BSB: And everyone went to his own town to register.
4 DRA And 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, BSB BSB: So Joseph also went up from Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, since he was from the house and line of David.
5 DRA To be enrolled with Mary his espoused wife, who was with child. BSB BSB: He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to him in marriage and was expecting a child.
6 DRA And it came to pass, that when they were there, her days were accomplished, that she should be delivered. BSB BSB: While they were there, the time came for her Child to be born.
7 DRA And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him up in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. BSB BSB: And she gave birth to her firstborn, a Son. She wrapped Him in swaddling cloths and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
The Shepherds and the Angels 8 DRA And there were in the same country shepherds watching, and keeping the night watches over their flock. BSB BSB: And there were shepherds residing in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks by night.
9 DRA And behold an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the brightness of God shone round about them; and they feared with a great fear. BSB BSB: Just then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.
10 DRA And the angel said to them: Fear not; for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, that shall be to all the people: BSB BSB: But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid! For behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people:
11 DRA For, this day, is born to you a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord, in the city of David. BSB BSB: Today in the city of David a Savior has been born to you. He is Christ the Lord!
12 DRA And this shall be a sign unto you. You shall find the infant wrapped in swaddling clothes, and laid in a manger. BSB BSB: And this will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”
13 DRA And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly army, praising God, and saying: BSB BSB: And suddenly there appeared with the angel a great multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying:
14 DRA Glory to God in the highest; and on earth peace to men of good will. BSB BSB: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests!”
15 DRA And it came to pass, after the angels departed from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another: Let us go over to Bethlehem, and let us see this word that is come to pass, which the Lord hath shewed to us. BSB BSB: When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”
16 DRA And they came with haste; and they found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. BSB BSB: So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph and the Baby, who was lying in the manger.
17 DRA And seeing, they understood of the word that had been spoken to them concerning this child. BSB BSB: After they had seen the Child, they spread the message they had received about Him.
18 DRA And all that heard, wondered; and at those things that were told them by the shepherds. BSB BSB: And all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.
19 DRA But Mary kept all these words, pondering them in her heart. BSB BSB: But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.
20 DRA And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God, for all the things they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them. BSB BSB: The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, which was just as the angel had told them.
Jesus Presented at the Temple 22 DRA And after the days of her purification, according to the law of Moses, were accomplished, they carried him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord: BSB BSB: And when the time of purification according to the Law of Moses was complete, His parents brought Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord
23 DRA As it is written in the law of the Lord: Every male opening the womb shall be called holy to the Lord: BSB BSB: (as it is written in the Law of the Lord: “Every firstborn male shall be consecrated to the Lord”),
24 DRA And to offer a sacrifice, according as it is written in the law of the Lord, a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons: BSB BSB: and to offer the sacrifice specified in the Law of the Lord: “A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”
The Prophecy of Simeon 25 DRA And behold there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Ghost was in him. BSB BSB: Now there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.
26 DRA And he had received an answer from the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Christ of the Lord. BSB BSB: The Holy Spirit had revealed to him that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.
27 DRA And he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when his parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the law, BSB BSB: Led by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. And when the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for Him what was customary under the Law,
28 DRA He also took him into his arms, and blessed God, and said: BSB BSB: Simeon took Him in his arms and blessed God, saying:
29 DRA Now thou dost dismiss thy servant, O Lord, according to thy word in peace; BSB BSB: “Sovereign Lord, as You have promised, You now dismiss Your servant in peace.
30 DRA Because my eyes have seen thy salvation, BSB BSB: For my eyes have seen Your salvation,
31 DRA Which thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples: BSB BSB: which You have prepared in the sight of all people,
32 DRA A light to the revelation of the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel. BSB BSB: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to Your people Israel.”
33 DRA And his father and mother were wondering at those things which were spoken concerning him. BSB BSB: The Child’s father and mother were amazed at what was spoken about Him.
34 DRA And Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary his mother: Behold this child is set for the fall, and for the resurrection of many in Israel, and for a sign which shall be contradicted; BSB BSB: Then Simeon blessed them and said to His mother Mary: “Behold, this Child is appointed to cause the rise and fall of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against,
35 DRA And thy own soul a sword shall pierce, that, out of many hearts, thoughts may be revealed. BSB BSB: so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your soul as well.”
The Prophecy of Anna 36 DRA And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser; she was far advanced in years, and had lived with her husband seven years from her virginity. BSB BSB: There was also a prophetess named Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher, who was well along in years. She had been married for seven years,
37 DRA And she was a widow until fourscore and four years; who departed not from the temple, by fastings and prayers serving night and day. BSB BSB: and then was a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying.
38 DRA Now she, at the same hour, coming in, confessed to the Lord; and spoke of him to all that looked for the redemption of Israel. BSB BSB: Coming forward at that moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the Child to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.
The Return to Nazareth (Matthew 2:19–23)
39 DRA And after they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their city Nazareth. BSB BSB: When Jesus’ parents had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth.
40 DRA And the child grew, and waxed strong, full of wisdom; and the grace of God was in him. BSB BSB: And the Child grew and became strong. He was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon Him.
The Boy Jesus at the Temple 42 DRA And when he was twelve years old, they going up into Jerusalem, according to the custom of the feast, BSB BSB: And when He was twelve years old, they went up according to the custom of the Feast.
43 DRA And having fulfilled the days, when they returned, the child Jesus remained in Jerusalem; and his parents knew it not. BSB BSB: When those days were over and they were returning home, the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem, but His parents were unaware He had stayed.
44 DRA And thinking that he was in the company, they came a day’s journey, and sought him among their kinsfolks and acquaintance. BSB BSB: Assuming He was in their company, they traveled on for a day before they began to look for Him among their relatives and friends.
45 DRA And not finding him, they returned into Jerusalem, seeking him. BSB BSB: When they could not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for Him.
46 DRA And it came to pass, that, after three days, they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, hearing them, and asking them questions. BSB BSB: Finally, after three days they found Him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.
47 DRA And all that heard him were astonished at his wisdom and his answers. BSB BSB: And all who heard Him were astounded at His understanding and His answers.
48 DRA And seeing him, they wondered. And his mother said to him: Son, why hast thou done so to us? behold thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. BSB BSB: When His parents saw Him, they were astonished. “Child, why have You done this to us?” His mother asked. “Your father and I have been anxiously searching for You.”
49 DRA And he said to them: How is it that you sought me? did you not know, that I must be about my father’s business? BSB BSB: “Why were you looking for Me?” He asked. “Did you not know that I had to be in My Father’s house?”
50 DRA And they understood not the word that he spoke unto them. BSB BSB: But they did not understand the statement He was making to them.
51 DRA And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them. And his mother kept all these words in her heart. BSB BSB: Then He went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But His mother treasured up all these things in her heart.
52 DRA And Jesus advanced in wisdom, and age, and grace with God and men. BSB BSB: And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.