The Good News According to Luke, Chapter 2 {2:1} Now it happened in those days, that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be enrolled. {2:2} This was the first enrollment made when Quirinius was governor of Aram. {2:3} All went to enroll themselves, everyone to his own city. {2:4} Yosef also went up from the Galil, out of the city of Natzeret, into Yehudah, to the city of David, which is called Beit-Lechem, because he was of the house and family of David; {2:5} to enroll himself with Miryam, who was pledged to be married to him as wife, being pregnant. {2:6} It happened, while they were there, that the day had come that she should give birth. {2:7} She brought forth her firstborn son, and she wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a feeding trough, because there was no room for them in the inn. {2:8} There were shepherds in the same country staying in the field, and keeping watch by night over their flock. {2:9} Behold, an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. {2:10} The angel said to them, "Don't be afraid, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be to all the people. {2:11} For there is born to you, this day, in the city of David, a Savior, who is Messiah the Lord. {2:12} This is the sign to you: you will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth, lying in a feeding trough." {2:13} Suddenly, there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, {2:14} "Glory to God in the highest, On [1>]eretz[<1] shalom, good will toward men." {2:15} It happened, when the angels went away from them into the sky, that the shepherds said one to another, "Let's go to Beit-Lechem, now, and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us." {2:16} They came with haste, and found both Miryam and Yosef, and the baby was lying in the feeding trough. {2:17} When they saw it, they publicized widely the saying which was spoken to them about this child. {2:18} All who heard it wondered at the things which were spoken to them by the shepherds. {2:19} But Miryam kept all these sayings, pondering them in her heart. {2:20} The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, just as it was told them. {2:21} When eight days were fulfilled for the circumcision of the child, his name was called Yeshua, which was given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. {2:22} When the days of their purification according to the law of Moshe were fulfilled, they brought him up to Yerushalayim, to present him to the Lord {2:23} (as it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord"), {2:24} and to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, "A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons." {2:25} Behold, there was a man in Yerushalayim whose name was Shim`on. This man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Yisra'el, and the [2>]Ruach HaKodesh[<2] was on him. {2:26} It had been revealed to him by the [3>]Ruach HaKodesh[<3] that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord's Messiah. {2:27} He came in the Spirit into the temple. When the parents brought in the child, Yeshua, that they might do concerning him according to the custom of the law, {2:28} then he received him into his arms, and blessed God, and said, {2:29} "Now you are releasing your servant, Master, According to your word, in shalom; {2:30} For my eyes have seen your [4>]yeshu`ah[<4], {2:31} Which you have prepared before the face of all peoples; {2:32} A light for revelation to the Goyim, And the glory of your people Yisra'el." {2:33} Yosef and his mother were marveling at the things which were spoken concerning him, {2:34} and Shim`on blessed them, and said to Miryam, his mother, "Behold, this child is set for the falling and the rising of many in Yisra'el, and for a sign which is spoken against. {2:35} Yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul, that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed." {2:36} There was one Hanah, a prophetess, the daughter of Penu'el, of the tribe of Asher (she was of a great age, having lived with a husband seven years from her virginity, {2:37} and she had been a widow for about eighty-four years), who didn't depart from the temple, worshipping with fastings and petitions night and day. {2:38} Coming up at that very hour, she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of him to all those who were looking for redemption in Yerushalayim. {2:39} When they had accomplished all things that were according to the law of the Lord, they returned into the Galil, to their own city, Natzeret. {2:40} The child was growing, and was becoming strong in spirit, being filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him. {2:41} His parents went every year to Yerushalayim at the feast of the Pesach. {2:42} When he was twelve years old, they went up to Yerushalayim according to the custom of the feast, {2:43} and when they had fulfilled the days, as they were returning, the boy Yeshua stayed behind in Yerushalayim. Yosef and his mother didn't know it, {2:44} but supposing him to be in the company, they went a day's journey, and they looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances. {2:45} When they didn't find him, they returned to Yerushalayim, looking for him. {2:46} It happened after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them, and asking them questions. {2:47} All who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. {2:48} When they saw him, they were astonished, and his mother said to him, "Son, why have you treated us this way? Behold, your father and I were anxiously looking for you." {2:49} He said to them, "Why were you looking for me? Didn't you know that I must be in my Father's house?" {2:50} They didn't understand the saying which he spoke to them. {2:51} And he went down with them, and came to Natzeret. He was subject to them, and his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. {2:52} And Yeshua increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men. ________________________________________________________________________ Footnotes: [1] {2:14} earth [2] {2:25} Holy Spirit [3] {2:26} Holy Spirit [4] {2:30} salvation ________________________________________________________________________ The Hebrew Names Version of the World English Bible is in the Public Domain. Typo reports are welcome at [EMAIL PROTECTED] Please see http://eBible.org/bible/hnv for updates and editing status. ___ To unsubscribe, please go to http://ebible.org/subscribe.htm OR send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with "unsubscribe hnv" in the message body.