¹ And it came to pass that in those days there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that the whole world should be enrolled.

² This enrolling was first made by Cyrinus, the governor of Syria.

³ And all went to be enrolled, every one into his own city.

⁴ 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.

⁵ To be enrolled with Mary his espoused wife, who was with child.

⁶ And it came to pass that when they were there, her days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

⁷ And she brought forth her first born son and wrapped him up in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger: because there was no room for them in the inn.

⁸ And there were in the same country shepherds watching and keeping the night watches over their flock.

⁹ 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.

¹⁰ 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:

¹¹ For, this day is born to you a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord, in the city of David.

¹² And this shall be a sign unto you. You shall find the infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger.

¹³ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly army, praising God and saying:

¹⁴ Glory to God in the highest: and on earth peace to men of good will.

¹⁵ 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.

¹⁶ And they came with haste: and they found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger.

¹⁷ And seeing, they understood of the word that had been spoken to them concerning this child.

¹⁸ And all that heard wondered: and at those things that were told them by the shepherds.

¹⁹ But Mary kept all these words, pondering them in her heart.

²⁰ And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

²¹ And after eight days were accomplished, that the child should be circumcised, his name was called JESUS, which was called by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

²² 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:

²³ As it is written in the law of the Lord: Every male opening the womb shall be called holy to the Lord:

²⁴ And to offer a sacrifice, according as it is written in the law of the Lord, a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons:

²⁵ 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.

²⁶ 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.

²⁷ 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,

²⁸ He also took him into his arms and blessed God and said

²⁹ Now thou dost dismiss thy servant, O Lord, according to thy word in peace:

³⁰ Because my eyes have seen thy salvation,

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

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

³³ And his father and mother were wondering at those things which were spoken concerning him.

³⁴ 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.

³⁵ And thy own soul a sword shall pierce, that, out of many hearts thoughts may be revealed.

³⁶ 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.

³⁷ And she was a widow until fourscore and four years: who departed not from the temple, by fastings and prayers serving night and day.

³⁸ 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.

³⁹ And after they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their city Nazareth.

⁴⁰ And the child grew and waxed strong, full of wisdom: and the grace of God was in him.

⁴¹ And his parents went every year to Jerusalem, at the solemn day of the pasch.

⁴² And when he was twelve years old, they going up into Jerusalem, according to the custom of the feast,

⁴³ And having fulfilled the days, when they returned, the child Jesus remained in Jerusalem. And his parents knew it not.

⁴⁴ And thinking that he was in the company, they came a day's journey and sought him among their kinsfolks and acquaintance.

⁴⁵ And not finding him, they returned into Jerusalem, seeking him.

⁴⁶ 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.

⁴⁷ And all that heard him were astonished at his wisdom and his answers.

⁴⁸ 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.

⁴⁹ 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?

⁵⁰ And they understood not the word that he spoke unto them.

⁵¹ 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.

⁵² And Jesus advanced in wisdom and age and grace with God and men.