The Birth of Jesus (Matthew 1:18–25)
2 WBS (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) BSB BSB: This was the first census to take place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.
3 WBS And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. BSB BSB: And everyone went to his own town to register.
4 WBS 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 lineage 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 WBS To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. BSB BSB: He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to him in marriage and was expecting a child.
6 WBS And so it was, that while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. BSB BSB: While they were there, the time came for her Child to be born.
7 WBS And she brought forth her first-born son, and wrapped him 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 WBS And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. BSB BSB: And there were shepherds residing in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks by night.
9 WBS And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were in 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 WBS And the angel said to them, Fear not: for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all 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 WBS For to you is born this day, in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. BSB BSB: Today in the city of David a Savior has been born to you. He is Christ the Lord!
12 WBS And this shall be a sign to you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling-clothes, lying 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 WBS And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host 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 WBS Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will towards men. BSB BSB: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests!”
15 WBS And it came to pass, when the angels had departed from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even to Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known 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 WBS And they came with haste, and found Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. BSB BSB: So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph and the Baby, who was lying in the manger.
17 WBS And when they had seen it , they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. BSB BSB: After they had seen the Child, they spread the message they had received about Him.
18 WBS And all they that heard it , wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. BSB BSB: And all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.
19 WBS But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. BSB BSB: But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.
20 WBS And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told to 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 WBS 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; 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 WBS (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that is the first born of his mother 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 WBS And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtle-doves, 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 WBS 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 Spirit was upon 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 WBS And it was revealed to him by the Holy Spirit, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ. BSB BSB: The Holy Spirit had revealed to him that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.
27 WBS 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, 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 WBS Then he took him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, BSB BSB: Simeon took Him in his arms and blessed God, saying:
29 WBS Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: BSB BSB: “Sovereign Lord, as You have promised, You now dismiss Your servant in peace.
30 WBS For my eyes have seen thy salvation, BSB BSB: For my eyes have seen Your salvation,
31 WBS Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; BSB BSB: which You have prepared in the sight of all people,
32 WBS A light to enlighten 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 WBS And Joseph and his mother marveled 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 WBS And Simeon blessed them, and said to 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; 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 WBS (And a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also) that the thoughts of many hearts 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 WBS And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher: she was of a great age, and had lived with a 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 WBS And she was a widow of about eighty four years, who departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers 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 WBS And she coming in that instant, gave thanks likewise to the Lord, and spoke of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem. 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 WBS And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own 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 WBS And the child grew, and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon 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 WBS And when he was twelve years old, they went up to 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 WBS 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 . 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 WBS But they, supposing him to be in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their relations 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 WBS And when they found him not, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking him. BSB BSB: When they could not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for Him.
46 WBS 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. 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 WBS And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. BSB BSB: And all who heard Him were astounded at His understanding and His answers.
48 WBS And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said to him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with 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 WBS And he said to them, How is it that ye sought me? knew ye not 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 WBS And they understood not the saying which he spoke to them. BSB BSB: But they did not understand the statement He was making to them.
51 WBS And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them: but his mother kept all these sayings 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 WBS And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man. BSB BSB: And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.