2At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire.G1161G1096G1722G1565G2250G1831G1378G3844G2541G828G3956G3625G5832(This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria)G3778G582G1096G4413G1096G2958G2230G49473All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census.G2532G3956G4198G583G1538G1519G2398G41724And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David's ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee.G1161G2501G2532G305G575G1056G1537G4172G3478G1519G2449G1519G4172G1138G3748G2564G965G1223G846G1511G1537G3624G2532G3965G11385He took with him Mary, his fiancee, who was now obviously pregnant.G583G4862G3137G846G3423G1135G5607G14716And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born.G1161G1096G1722G846G1511G1563G2250G4130G846G50887She gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.G2532G5088G846G4416G5207G2532G4683G846G4683G2532G347G846G1722G5336G1360G2258G3756G5117G846G1722G2646
The Shepherds and Angels
8That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep.G2532G2258G1722G846G5561G4166G63G2532G5442G5438G1909G846G4167G35719Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord's glory surrounded them. They were terrified,G2532G2400G32G2962G2186G846G2532G1391G2962G4034G846G2532G3173G5399G540110but the angel reassured them. "Don't be afraid!" he said. "I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people.G2532G32G2036G846G5399G3361G1063G2400G2097G5213G2097G3173G5479G3748G2071G3956G299211The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!G3754G5213G5088G4594G1722G4172G1138G4990G3739G2076G5547G296212And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger."G2532G5124G4592G5213G2147G1025G4683G2749G1722G533613Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying,G2532G1810G1096G4862G32G4128G3770G4756G134G2316G2532G300414"Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased."G1391G2316G1722G5310G2532G1909G1093G1515G2107G1722G44415When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, "Let's go to Bethlehem! Let's see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."G2532G1096G5613G32G565G575G846G1519G3772G2532G444G4166G2036G240G4314G240G1330G1211G1330G2193G965G2532G1492G5124G4487G1096G3739G3588G2962G1107G225416They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger.G2532G2064G4692G2532G5037G429G3137G2532G2501G2532G1025G2749G1722G533617After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child.G1161G1492G1232G4012G4487G3588G2980G846G4012G5127G381318All who heard the shepherds' story were astonished,G2532G3956G191G2296G4012G3588G2980G4314G846G5259G416619but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often.G1161G3137G4933G3956G4487G5023G4820G1722G846G258820The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them.G2532G4166G1994G1392G2532G134G2316G1909G3956G3739G191G2532G1492G2531G2980G4314G846
Jesus Is Presented in the Temple
21Eight days later, when the baby was circumcised, he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel even before he was conceived.G2532G3753G3638G2250G4130G4059G3813G2532G846G3686G2564G2424G3588G2564G5259G32G4253G846G4815G1722G283622Then it was time for their purification offering, as required by the law of Moses after the birth of a child; so his parents took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord.G2532G3753G2250G846G2512G2596G3551G3475G4130G321G846G1519G2414G3936G296223The law of the Lord says, "If a woman's first child is a boy, he must be dedicated to the LORD."G2531G1125G1722G3551G2962G3754G3956G730G1272G3388G2564G40G296224So they offered the sacrifice required in the law of the Lord—"either a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons."G2532G1325G2378G2596G2046G1722G3551G2962G2201G5167G2228G1417G3502G4058
The Prophecy of Simeon
25At that time there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon. He was righteous and devout and was eagerly waiting for the Messiah to come and rescue Israel. The Holy Spirit was upon himG2532G2400G2258G444G1722G2419G3739G3686G4826G2532G3778G444G1342G2532G2126G4327G3874G2474G2532G40G4151G2258G1909G84626and had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord's Messiah.G2532G2258G5537G846G5259G40G4151G1492G3361G1492G2288G4250G2228G1492G2962G554727That day the Spirit led him to the Temple. So when Mary and Joseph came to present the baby Jesus to the Lord as the law required,G2532G2064G1722G4151G1519G2411G2532G1118G1521G1722G3813G2424G4160G846G4012G846G2596G1480G355128Simeon was there. He took the child in his arms and praised God, saying,G2532G1209G846G846G1209G1519G846G43G2532G2127G2316G2532G203629"Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace, as you have promised.G1203G3568G630G4675G1401G630G1722G1515G2596G4675G448730I have seen your salvation,G3754G3450G3788G1492G4675G499231which you have prepared for all people.G3739G2090G2596G4383G3956G299232He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and he is the glory of your people Israel!"G5457G1519G602G1484G2532G1391G4675G2992G247433Jesus' parents were amazed at what was being said about him.G2532G2501G2532G846G3384G2258G2296G1909G2980G4012G84634Then Simeon blessed them, and he said to Mary, the baby's mother, "This child is destined to cause many in Israel to fall, but he will be a joy to many others. He has been sent as a sign from God, but many will oppose him.G2532G4826G2127G846G2532G2036G4314G3137G846G3384G2400G3778G2749G1519G4431G2532G386G4183G1722G2474G2532G1519G4592G48335As a result, the deepest thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your very soul."G1161G4501G1330G4675G846G5590G2532G3704G1261G1537G4183G2588G302G601
The Prophecy of Anna
36Anna, a prophet, was also there in the Temple. She was the daughter of Phanuel from the tribe of Asher, and she was very old. Her husband died when they had been married only seven years.G2532G2258G451G4398G2364G5323G1537G5443G768G3778G846G4183G1722G2250G4260G2198G3326G435G2033G2094G575G846G393237Then she lived as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the Temple but stayed there day and night, worshiping God with fasting and prayer.G2532G3778G5503G5613G3589G5064G2094G3739G868G3756G575G2411G3000G3521G2532G1162G3571G2532G225038She came along just as Simeon was talking with Mary and Joseph, and she began praising God. She talked about the child to everyone who had been waiting expectantly for God to rescue Jerusalem.G2532G3778G846G2186G846G5610G437G2962G2532G2980G4012G846G3956G4327G3085G1722G241939When Jesus' parents had fulfilled all the requirements of the law of the Lord, they returned home to Nazareth in Galilee.G2532G5613G5055G537G2596G3551G2962G5290G1519G1056G1519G846G4172G347840There the child grew up healthy and strong. He was filled with wisdom, and God's favor was on him.G1161G3813G837G2532G2901G4151G4137G4678G2532G5485G2316G2258G1909G846
Jesus Speaks with the Teachers
41Every year Jesus' parents went to Jerusalem for the Passover festival.G2532G846G1118G4198G1519G2419G2596G2094G1859G395742When Jesus was twelve years old, they attended the festival as usual.G2532G3753G1096G1427G2094G846G305G1519G2414G2596G1485G185943After the celebration was over, they started home to Nazareth, but Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents didn't miss him at first,G2532G5048G2250G1722G846G5290G3816G2424G5278G1722G2419G2532G2501G2532G846G3384G1097G375644because they assumed he was among the other travelers. But when he didn't show up that evening, they started looking for him among their relatives and friends.G1161G3543G846G1511G1722G4923G2064G2250G3598G2532G327G846G1722G4773G2532G1722G111045When they couldn't find him, they went back to Jerusalem to search for him there.G2532G2147G846G3361G5290G1519G2419G2212G84646Three days later they finally discovered him in the Temple, sitting among the religious teachers, listening to them and asking questions.G2532G1096G3326G5140G2250G2147G846G1722G2411G2516G1722G3319G1320G2532G191G846G2532G1905G846G190547All who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.G1161G3956G191G846G1839G1909G846G4907G2532G61248His parents didn't know what to think. "Son," his mother said to him, "why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been frantic, searching for you everywhere."G2532G1492G846G1605G2532G846G3384G2036G4314G846G5043G5101G4160G3779G4160G2254G2400G4675G3962G2504G2212G4571G360049"But why did you need to search?" he asked. "Didn't you know that I must be in my Father's house?"G2532G2036G4314G846G5101G3754G2212G3165G1492G3756G3754G3165G1163G1511G1722G3450G396250But they didn't understand what he meant.G2532G846G4920G3756G4487G3739G2980G84651Then he returned to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. And his mother stored all these things in her heart.G2532G2597G3326G846G2532G2064G1519G3478G2532G2258G5293G846G2532G846G3384G1301G3956G5023G4487G1722G846G258852Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all the people.G2532G2424G4298G4678G2532G2244G2532G5485G3844G2316G2532G444
Luke 3
John the Baptist Prepares the Way
3It was now the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius, the Roman emperor. Pontius Pilate was governor over Judea; Herod Antipas was ruler over Galilee; his brother Philip was ruler over Iturea and Traconitis; Lysanias was ruler over Abilene.G1161G1722G4003G2094G2231G5086G2541G4194G4091G2230G2449G2532G2264G5075G1056G1161G846G80G5376G5075G2484G2532G5561G5139G2532G3078G5075G92Annas and Caiaphas were the high priests. At this time a message from God came to John son of Zechariah, who was living in the wilderness.G452G2532G2533G1909G749G4487G2316G1096G1909G2491G5207G2197G1722G20483Then John went from place to place on both sides of the Jordan River, preaching that people should be baptized to show that they had repented of their sins and turned to God to be forgiven.G2532G2064G1519G3956G4066G2446G2784G908G3341G1519G859G2664Isaiah had spoken of John when he said, "He is a voice shouting in the wilderness, 'Prepare the way for the LORD's coming! Clear the road for him!G5613G1125G1722G976G3056G2268G4396G3004G5456G994G1722G2048G2090G3598G2962G4160G846G5147G21175The valleys will be filled, and the mountains and hills made level. The curves will be straightened, and the rough places made smooth.G3956G5327G2071G4137G2532G3956G3735G2532G1015G5013G2532G4646G1519G2117G2532G5138G3598G1519G30066And then all people will see the salvation sent from God.'"G2532G3956G4561G3700G4992G23167When the crowds came to John for baptism, he said, "You brood of snakes! Who warned you to flee God's coming wrath?G3767G3004G3793G1607G907G5259G846G1081G2191G5101G5263G5213G5343G575G3709G31958Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God. Don't just say to each other, 'We're safe, for we are descendants of Abraham.' That means nothing, for I tell you, God can create children of Abraham from these very stones.G4160G3767G2590G514G3341G2532G756G3361G3004G1722G1438G2192G11G3962G1063G3004G5213G3754G2316G1410G1537G5130G3037G1453G5043G119Even now the ax of God's judgment is poised, ready to sever the roots of the trees. Yes, every tree that does not produce good fruit will be chopped down and thrown into the fire."G1161G2235G2532G513G2749G4314G4491G1186G3956G1186G3767G4160G3361G4160G2570G2590G1581G2532G906G1519G444210The crowds asked, "What should we do?"G2532G3793G1905G846G3004G5101G4160G376711John replied, "If you have two shirts, give one to the poor. If you have food, share it with those who are hungry."G611G1161G3004G846G2192G1417G5509G3330G2192G3361G2532G2192G1033G4160G366812Even corrupt tax collectors came to be baptized and asked, "Teacher, what should we do?"G1161G2064G2532G5057G907G2532G2036G4314G846G1320G5101G416013He replied, "Collect no more taxes than the government requires."G1161G2036G4314G846G4238G3367G4119G3844G1299G521314"What should we do?" asked some soldiers. John replied, "Don't extort money or make false accusations. And be content with your pay."G1161G4754G2532G1905G846G3004G2532G5101G2249G4160G2532G2036G4314G846G1286G3367G3366G4811G2532G714G5216G380015Everyone was expecting the Messiah to come soon, and they were eager to know whether John might be the Messiah.G1161G2992G4328G2532G3956G1260G1722G846G2588G4012G2491G3379G846G1498G5547G337916John answered their questions by saying, "I baptize you with water; but someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I'm not even worthy to be his slave and untie the straps of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.G2491G611G3004G537G1473G3303G907G5209G5204G1161G2478G3450G2064G2438G3739G846G5266G1510G3756G2425G3089G846G907G5209G1722G40G4151G2532G444217He is ready to separate the chaff from the wheat with his winnowing fork. Then he will clean up the threshing area, gathering the wheat into his barn but burning the chaff with never-ending fire."G3739G4425G1722G846G5495G2532G1245G846G257G2532G4863G4621G1519G846G596G1161G892G2618G4442G76218John used many such warnings as he announced the Good News to the people.G2532G3767G4183G2087G4183G3303G3870G2097G299219John also publicly criticized Herod Antipas, the ruler of Galilee, for marrying Herodias, his brother's wife, and for many other wrongs he had done.G1161G2264G5076G1651G5259G846G4012G2266G846G80G5376G1135G2532G4012G3956G4190G3739G2264G416020So Herod put John in prison, adding this sin to his many others.G4369G2532G5124G1909G3956G2532G2623G2491G1722G5438
The Baptism of Jesus
21One day when the crowds were being baptized, Jesus himself was baptized. As he was praying, the heavens opened,G1161G537G2992G1722G907G1096G2424G2532G907G2532G4336G3772G45522and the Holy Spirit, in bodily form, descended on him like a dove. And a voice from heaven said, "You are my dearly loved Son, and you bring me great joy."G2532G40G4151G2597G4984G1491G5616G4058G1909G846G2532G5456G1096G1537G3772G3004G4771G1488G3450G27G5207G1722G4671G2106
The Ancestors of Jesus
23Jesus was about thirty years old when he began his public ministry. Jesus was known as the son of Joseph. Joseph was the son of Heli.G2532G2424G846G756G2258G5616G5144G2094G5607G5613G3543G5207G2501G224224Heli was the son of Matthat. Matthat was the son of Levi. Levi was the son of Melki. Melki was the son of Jannai. Jannai was the son of Joseph.G3158G3017G3197G2388G250125Joseph was the son of Mattathias. Mattathias was the son of Amos. Amos was the son of Nahum. Nahum was the son of Esli. Esli was the son of Naggai.G3161G301G3486G2069G347726Naggai was the son of Maath. Maath was the son of Mattathias. Mattathias was the son of Semein. Semein was the son of Josech. Josech was the son of Joda.G3092G3161G4584G2501G245527Joda was the son of Joanan. Joanan was the son of Rhesa. Rhesa was the son of Zerubbabel. Zerubbabel was the son of Shealtiel. Shealtiel was the son of Neri.G2490G4488G2216G4528G351828Neri was the son of Melki. Melki was the son of Addi. Addi was the son of Cosam. Cosam was the son of Elmadam. Elmadam was the son of Er.G3197G78G2973G1678G226229Er was the son of Joshua. Joshua was the son of Eliezer. Eliezer was the son of Jorim. Jorim was the son of Matthat. Matthat was the son of Levi.G2499G1663G2497G3158G301730Levi was the son of Simeon. Simeon was the son of Judah. Judah was the son of Joseph. Joseph was the son of Jonam. Jonam was the son of Eliakim.G4826G2455G2501G2494G166231Eliakim was the son of Melea. Melea was the son of Menna. Menna was the son of Mattatha. Mattatha was the son of Nathan. Nathan was the son of David.G3190G3104G3160G3481G113832David was the son of Jesse. Jesse was the son of Obed. Obed was the son of Boaz. Boaz was the son of Salmon. Salmon was the son of Nahshon.G2421G5601G1003G4533G347633Nahshon was the son of Amminadab. Amminadab was the son of Admin. Admin was the son of Arni. Arni was the son of Hezron. Hezron was the son of Perez. Perez was the son of Judah.G284G689G2074G5329G245534Judah was the son of Jacob. Jacob was the son of Isaac. Isaac was the son of Abraham. Abraham was the son of Terah. Terah was the son of Nahor.G2384G2464G11G2291G349335Nahor was the son of Serug. Serug was the son of Reu. Reu was the son of Peleg. Peleg was the son of Eber. Eber was the son of Shelah.G4562G4466G5317G1443G452736Shelah was the son of Cainan. Cainan was the son of Arphaxad. Arphaxad was the son of Shem. Shem was the son of Noah. Noah was the son of Lamech.G2536G742G4590G3575G298437Lamech was the son of Methuselah. Methuselah was the son of Enoch. Enoch was the son of Jared. Jared was the son of Mahalalel. Mahalalel was the son of Kenan.G3103G1802G2391G3121G253638Kenan was the son of Enosh. Enosh was the son of Seth. Seth was the son of Adam. Adam was the son of God.G1800G4589G76G2316
Psalms 113
113Praise the Lord! Yes, give praise, O servants of the Lord. Praise the name of the Lord!H1984H3050H1984H5650H3068H1984H8034H30682Blessed be the name of the Lord now and forever.H1288H8034H3068H6258H5704H57693Everywhere—from east to west—praise the name of the Lord.H4217H8121H3996H3068H8034H19844For the Lord is high above the nations; his glory is higher than the heavens.H3068H7311H1471H3519H80645Who can be compared with the Lord our God, who is enthroned on high?H3068H430H3427H13616He stoops to look down on heaven and on earth.H8213H7200H8064H7767He lifts the poor from the dust and the needy from the garbage dump.H6965H1800H6083H7311H34H8308He sets them among princes, even the princes of his own people!H3427H5081H5081H59719He gives the childless woman a family, making her a happy mother. Praise the Lord!H6135H3427H1004H8056H517H1121H1984H3050
Dublin, OH
G2531
