Luke 2
1 ସହେି ସମୟରେ ରୋମୀୟ ଶାସନ ଅନ୍ତର୍ଗତ ସମସ୍ତ ଦେଖର ଲୋକମାନଙ୍କ ଉଦ୍ଦେଶ୍ଯ ରେ କାଇସର ଅଗଷ୍ଟଙ୍କର ଗୋଟିଏ ଆଜ୍ଞା ଘାଷେଣା କରାଗଲା। ଆଜ୍ଞାଟି କୁ ହେ ଯେ ସମସ୍ତେ ଜନଗଣନା ପାଇଁ ନିଜନିଜ ନାମର ପଞ୍ଜୀକରଣ କରିବେ।
2 ଏହା ପ୍ରଥମ ଜନଗଣନା ଥିଲା। କ୍ବିରୀଣିୟ ସୁରିଯାର ରାଜ୍ଯପାଳ ଥିବା ସମୟରେ ଏହା ହେଲା।
3 ତେଣୁ ପ୍ରେତ୍ୟକକ ଲୋକ ନାମ ପଞ୍ଜୀକରଣ କରିବା ପାଇଁ ନିଜ ନିଜ ନଗରକୁ ଗଲେ।
4 ୟୋ ସଫେ ଦାଉଦଙ୍କ ବଂଶର ହାଇେଥିବାରୁ ସେ ଗାଲିଲୀର ନାଜରିତ ନଗରରୁ ୟିହୂଦା ପ୍ରଦେଶର ବେଥ୍ଲହେିମକୁ ଗଲେ। ବେଥ୍ଲହେିମ ନଗର ଦାଉଦଙ୍କ ନଗର ନାମ ରେ ପରିଚିତ ଥିଲା।
5 ୟୋ ସଫେ ମରିୟମଙ୍କ ସହିତ ନାମ ପଞ୍ଜୀକରଣ କଲେ, କାରଣ ମରିୟମଙ୍କ ସହିତ ତାହାଙ୍କର ବିବାହ ନିର୍ବନ୍ଧ ହାଇେ ସାରିଥିଲା। ମରିୟମ ସେତବେେଳେ ଗର୍ଭବତୀ ଥିଲେ।
6 ୟୋ ସଫେ ଓ ମରିୟମ ବେଥ୍ଲହେିମ ରେ ଥିବା ସମୟରେ ମରିୟମଙ୍କର ପ୍ରସବ ସମୟ ଆସିଲା।
7 ସେ ତାହାଙ୍କର ପ୍ରଥମଜାତ ପୁତ୍ର ସନ୍ତାନକୁ ଜନ୍ମ ଦେଲେ। ସମାନେେ ରହିବାକୁ ଚଟିଘ ରେ ଆଉ ଜାଗା ନଥିଲା। ତେଣୁ ମରିୟମ ଶିଶୁଟିକୁ ଲୁଗାପଟା ରେ ଗୁଡାଇ ଗୁହାଳ ରେ ଗୋରୁକୁଣ୍ଡ ରେ ରଖି ଦେଲେ।
8 ସହେି ରାତି ରେ କେତକେ ମଷେପାଳକ ସମାନଙ୍କେର ମାଣ୍ଢାଗୁଡିକୁ ରାତିସାରା ପଦା ରେ ଜଗି ରହିଥିଲେ।
9 ପ୍ରଭୁଙ୍କର ଜଣେ ଦୂତ ମଷେପାଳକମାନଙ୍କ ସମ୍ମୁଖ ରେ ଠିଆ ହେଲେ। ପ୍ରଭୁଙ୍କର ଗୌରବର ଜ୍ଯୋତିଃ ସମାନଙ୍କେର ଚତୁର୍ଦ୍ଦିଗ ରେ ଝଲକି ଉଠିଲା।
10 ମଷେପାଳକମାନେ ଅତ୍ଯନ୍ତ ଭୟଭୀତ ହାଇଗେଲେ। ସ୍ବର୍ଗଦୂତ ସମାନଙ୍କେୁ କହିଲେ, ଭୟ କର ନାହିଁ, କାରଣ ମୁଁ ତୁମ୍ଭମାନଙ୍କ ପାଇଁ ଅତ୍ଯନ୍ତ ଶୁଭ ସମାଚାର ଆଣିଛି। ତାହା ସବୁଲୋକଙ୍କ ପାଇଁ ମହା ଆନନ୍ଦ ଆଣିଦବେ।
11 କାରଣ ଆଜି ଦାଉଦଙ୍କ ନଗର ରେ ତୁମ୍ଭମାନଙ୍କର ତ୍ରାଣକର୍ତ୍ତା ପ୍ରଭୁ ଯୀଶୁ ଜନ୍ମ ଗ୍ରହଣ କରିଛନ୍ତି।
12 ତୁମ୍ଭମାନେେ ତାହାଙ୍କୁ ଚିହ୍ନି ପାରିବା ପାଇଁ ଏହା ହେଉଛି ସଙ୍କତେ: ତୁମ୍ଭମାନେେ ଗୋଟିଏ ଶିଶୁକୁ କନା ରେ ଗୁଡାଇ ହାଇେ ଗୋରୁକୁଣ୍ଡ ରେ ଶାଇେଥିବାର ଦେଖିବ।
13 ସହେି ସମୟରେ ସ୍ବର୍ଗରୁ ବହୁସଂଖ୍ଯା ରେ ସ୍ବର୍ଗଦୂତମାନେ ଆସି ସହେି ସ୍ବର୍ଗଦୂତଙ୍କ ସହିତ ୟୋଗ ଦେଲେ। ସମସ୍ତ ସ୍ବର୍ଗଦୂତ ଏହିପରି ପରମେଶ୍ବରଙ୍କ ସ୍ତୁତି କରୁଥିଲେ:
14 ସ୍ବର୍ଗ ରେ ରହୁଥିବା ପରମେଶ୍ବରଙ୍କୁ ଜୟ ହେଉ ଏବଂ ଏ ପୃଥିବୀ ରେ ଯେଉଁ ଲୋକମାନଙ୍କ ଉପରେ ପରମେଶ୍ବର ପ୍ରସନ୍ନ ଅଛନ୍ତି, ସେ ସମସ୍ତଙ୍କୁ ଶାନ୍ତି ମିଳୁ।
15 ସ୍ବର୍ଗଦୂତମାନେ ମଷେପାଳକମାନଙ୍କୁ ଛାଡି ସ୍ବର୍ଗକୁ ଫରେିଗଲେ। ମଷେପାଳକମାନେ ପରସ୍ପର କୁହାକୁହି ହେଲେ: ଆମ୍ଭମାନେେ ବେଥ୍ଲହେିମ ୟିବା ଓ ଏହି ଯେଉଁ ଘଟଣା ଘଟିଛି ବୋଲି ପ୍ରଭୁ ଆମ୍ଭମାନଙ୍କୁ ଜଣାଇଲେ, ତାହା ଦେଖିବା।
16 ତେଣୁ ସମାନେେ ଶୀଘ୍ର ଗଲେ ଓ ମରିୟମ ଏବଂ ୟୋ ସଫଙ୍କେୁ ଖାଜେି ପାଇଲେ। ସହେି ଶିଶୁ ଗୋଟିଏ ଗୋରୁ କୁଣ୍ଡ ରେ ଶାଇେଥିଲେ।
17 ମଷେପାଳକମାନେ ଶିଶୁଙ୍କୁ ଦେଖିଲେ। ଏହି ଶିଶୁଙ୍କ ବିଷୟ ରେ ସ୍ବର୍ଗଦୂତମାନେ ଯାହା କରିଥିଲେ, ତାହା ସମାନେେ ସମସ୍ତଙ୍କୁ କହିଲେ।
18 ମଷେପାଳକମାନେ ଯାହା କହିଲେ ତାହା ଶୁଣି, ସମସ୍ତେ ଆଶ୍ଚର୍ୟ୍ଯ ହାଇଗେଲେ।
19 କିନ୍ତୁ ମରିୟମ ଏସବୁ କଥା ନିଜ ମନ ଭିତ ରେ ଗୋପନ ରଖି ନିରନ୍ତର ଚିନ୍ତା କରିବାକୁ ଲାଗିଲେ।
20 ମଷେପାଳକମାନେ ନିଜ ମଷେମାନଙ୍କ ନିକଟକୁ ଫରେିଗଲେ ଏବଂ ଯାହା ସବୁ ଶୁଣିଥିଲେ ଓ ଦେଖିଥିଲେ, ସେଥିପାଇଁ ପରମେଶ୍ବରଙ୍କୁ ଗୌରବ ଦେଲେ ଓ ପ୍ରଶଂସା ଗାନ କଲେ। ସ୍ବର୍ଗଦୂତମାନେ ଯେପରି କହିଥିଲେ, ସମାନେେ ପ୍ରେତ୍ୟକକ ଜିନିଷକୁ ସହେିପରି ଦେଖିଲେ।
21 ଶିଶୁଟି ଆଠ ଦିନର ହବୋରୁ ତାର ସୁନ୍ନତ କରାଗଲା ଓ ତାହାଙ୍କର ନାମ ଯୀଶୁ ରଖାଗଲା। ସେ ଗର୍ଭ ରେ ରହି ବଢିବା ପୂର୍ବରୁ ସ୍ବର୍ଗଦୂତ ତାହାଙ୍କୁ ଏହି ନାମ ଦଇେଥିଲେ।
22 ମାଶାଙ୍କେ ବ୍ଯବସ୍ଥା ଅନୁସାରେ ଶୁଚି ହବୋର ସମୟ ଆସିଲା। ଏହାପରେ ୟୋ ସଫେ ଓ ମରିୟମ ଯୀଶୁଙ୍କୁ ପ୍ରଭୁ ପରମେଶ୍ବରଙ୍କ ନିକଟରେ ଉତ୍ସର୍ଗ କରିବା ପାଇଁ ୟିରୂଶାଲମକୁ ନଇେ ଆସିଲେ।
23 ପ୍ରଭୁଙ୍କ 'ନିୟମ' ରେ ଲଖାେଅଛି: ପରିବାର ରେ ପ୍ରଥମ ପୁତ୍ରସନ୍ତାନ ଜନ୍ମ ହେଲେ ସେ 'ପ୍ରଭୁଙ୍କ ଉଦ୍ଦେଶ୍ଯ ରେ ଉତ୍ସର୍ଗୀକୃତ' ହବେ।
24 ପ୍ରଭୁଙ୍କ ନିୟମ ରେ ଆହୁରି ମଧ୍ଯ ଲଖାେଅଛି: ତୁମ୍ଭକୁ ଦୁଇଟି କପୋତ କିମ୍ବା ଦୁଇଟି ପାରାଛୁଆ ମଧ୍ଯ ବଳି ଦବୋକୁ ହବେ। ତେଣୁ ଏହି ବ୍ଯବସ୍ଥା ଅନୁସାରେ ବଳି ଦବୋ ନିମନ୍ତେ ୟୋ ସଫେ ଓ ମରିୟମ ୟିରୂଶାଲମକୁ ଗଲେ।
25 ୟିରୁଶାଲମ ରେଶିମିଯୋନ ନାମ ରେ ଜଣେ ଅତ୍ଯନ୍ତ ଧାର୍ମିକ ଓ ନିଷ୍ଠାପର ଭକ୍ତ ରହୁଥିଲେ। ଇଶ୍ରାୟେଲକୁ ସାନ୍ତ୍ବନା କରିବା ନିମନ୍ତେ ପରମେଶ୍ବର କବେେ ଆସିବେ, ସହେି ସମୟକୁ ସେ ଅପେକ୍ଷା କରି ରହିଥିଲେ। ପବିତ୍ର ଆତ୍ମା ତାହାଙ୍କ ମଧିଅରେ ଥିଲେ।
26 ପବିତ୍ର ଆତ୍ମା ତାହାଙ୍କୁ କହି ଦଇେଥିଲେ ଯେ, ସେ ପ୍ରଭୁ ପରମେଶ୍ବରଙ୍କଠାରୁ ଆଗତ ଖ୍ରୀଷ୍ଟଙ୍କ ଦର୍ଶନ ନକରିବା ପୂର୍ବରୁ ତାହାଙ୍କର ମୃତ୍ଯୁ ହବେନାହିଁ।
27 ଆତ୍ମାଶିମିଯୋନଙ୍କୁ ମନ୍ଦିରକୁ କଢଇେ ଆଣିଲେ। ଯିହୂଦୀମାନଙ୍କ ବ୍ଯବସ୍ଥା ଅନୁସାରେ କାର୍ୟ୍ଯ କରିବା ପାଇଁ ୟୋ ସଫେ ମରିୟମ ଶିଶୁ ଯୀଶୁଙ୍କୁ ସଙ୍ଗ ରେ ନଇେ ମନ୍ଦିରକୁ ଗଲେ।
28 ଶିମିୟୋନ ଶିଶୁ ଯୀଶୁଙ୍କୁ କୋଳକୁ ନଇେ ପରମେଶ୍ବରଙ୍କ ସ୍ତୁତିଗାନ କରି କହିଲେ:
29 ପ୍ରଭୁ! ଏବେ ତୁମ୍ଭେ କହିବା ଅନୁସାରେ ତୁମ୍ଭର ଏହି ଦାସକୁ ଶାନ୍ତି ରେ ମରିବାକୁ ଦିଅ।
30 ମୁଁ ମାେ ଅଖି ରେ ତୁମ୍ଭର ପରିତ୍ରାଣକୁ ଦେଖିଛି।
31 ତୁମ୍ଭେ ତାହାଙ୍କୁ ସମସ୍ତ ଲୋକଙ୍କ ଆଗ ରେ ପ୍ରସ୍ତୁତ କରିଛ।
32 ସେ ଅଣଯିହୂଦୀମାନଙ୍କୁ ତୁମ୍ଭରି ପଥ ଦଖାଇବୋ ପାଇଁ ଆଲୋକ ଅଟନ୍ତି ଓ ସେ ତୁମ୍ଭର ଲୋକମାନଙ୍କ ପାଇଁ ଗୌରବ ଆଣିବେ।
33 ଯୀଶୁଙ୍କ ବାପାମାଆ ଯୀଶୁଙ୍କ ବିଷୟ ରେ ଶିମିୟୋନଙ୍କ ମୁହଁରୁ ଏ କଥା ଶୁଣି ଆଶ୍ଚର୍ୟ୍ଯ ହାଇଗେଲେ।
34 ତା'ପରେଶିମିଯୋନ ସମାନଙ୍କେୁ ଆଶୀର୍ବାଦ କଲେ ଓ ମରିୟମଙ୍କୁ କହିଲେ, ଏ ବାଳକ ୟୋଗୁଁ ଅନକେ ଯିହୂଦୀଙ୍କର ଉତ୍ଥାନ ଓ ପତନ ହବେ। ସେ ପରମେଶ୍ବରଙ୍କର ଏକ ଚିହ୍ନ ହବେେ ଓ ତାହା ଲୋକମାନେ ଗ୍ରହଣ କରିବେ ନାହିଁ।
35 ଲୋକମାନଙ୍କ ମନ ଭିତ ରେ ଥିବା ଗୋପନକଥା ପ୍ରକାଶିତ ହବେ। ସହେି ଘଟଣା ସବୁ ତୁମ୍ଭର ହୃଦୟକୁ ଦୁଃଖ ଆଣିବ।
36 ସେତବେେଳେ ହାନ୍ନା ନାମ ରେ ଜଣେ ମହିଳା ଭବିଷ୍ଯଦ୍ବକ୍ତୀ ମନ୍ଦିର ଭିତ ରେ ଥିଲେ। ସେ ଆଶରେ ବଂଶର ଫିନୂଯଲଙ୍କେ ଝିଅ ଥିଲେ। ହାନ୍ନା ବହୁତ ବୁଢୀ ହାଇେ ଯାଇଥିଲେ। ବିବାହ ପରେ ମାତ୍ର ସାତବର୍ଷ ପର୍ୟ୍ଯନ୍ତ ସେ ସ୍ବାମୀଙ୍କ ସହିତ ରହିଥିଲେ।
37 ତା'ପରେ ତାହାଙ୍କର ସ୍ବାମୀ ମରିଗଲେ ଓ ସେ ବିଧବା ହାଇେ ଏକୁଟିଆ ରହିବାକୁ ଲାଗିଲେ। ଏବେ ତାହାଙ୍କୁ ଚଉରାଅଶୀ ବର୍ଷ ବୟସ ହାଇେଥିଲା। ହାନ୍ନା ସବୁବେଳେ ମନ୍ଦିର ରେ ରହୁଥିଲେ। କବେେ ହେଲେ ସେ ମନ୍ଦିର ଛାଡି ଯାଇ ନଥିଲେ। ସେ ଉପବାସ କରି ଓ ସେ ଦିନରାତି ପ୍ରାର୍ଥନା କରି ପରମେଶ୍ବରଙ୍କ ଉପାସନା କରୁଥିଲେ।
38 ସେ ସହେି ସମୟରେ ଶିଶୁ ଓ ତା'ର ବାପାମାଆଙ୍କ ପାଖକୁ ଆସିଲେ। ସେ ପରମେଶ୍ବରଙ୍କୁ ଧନ୍ଯବାଦ ଦେଲେ। ଯେଉଁମାନେ ୟିରୁଶାଲମର ମୁକ୍ତିର ଅପେକ୍ଷା ରେ ଥିଲେ, ସହେି ସମସ୍ତ ଲୋକଙ୍କୁ ସେ ଯୀଶୁଙ୍କ ବିଷୟ ରେ କହିଲେ।
39 ୟୋ ସଫେ ଓ ମରିୟମ ପ୍ରଭୁଙ୍କ ବ୍ଯବସ୍ଥାନୁଯାଯୀ ସମସ୍ତ କାର୍ୟ୍ଯ ସମ୍ପୂର୍ଣ୍ଣ କଲେ। ତା'ପରେ ସମାନେେ ଗାଲିଲୀ ପ୍ରଦେଶର ନିଜ ନଗର ନାଜରିତକୁ ଫରେିଗଲେ।
40 ସାନ ଶିଶୁଟି ଦିନକୁ ଦିନ ବଢିବାକୁ ଲାଗିଲେ। ସେ ହୃଷ୍ଟପୃଷ୍ଟ ଓ ବୁଦ୍ଧିମାନ ହବୋକୁ ଲାଗିଲେ। ତାହାଙ୍କ ସହିତ ପରମେଶ୍ବରଙ୍କର ଆଶୀର୍ବାଦ ଥିଲା।
41 ନିସ୍ତାରପର୍ବ ପାଇଁ ଯୀଶୁଙ୍କର ପିତାମାତା ପ୍ରତିବର୍ଷ ୟିରୂଶାଲମ ଯାଉଥିଲେ।
42 ଯୀଶୁଙ୍କୁ ବାରବର୍ଷ ବୟସ ହାଇେଥିବା ସମୟରେ ସବୁଥର ଭଳି ସମାନେେ ପର୍ବକୁ ଗଲେ।
43 ପର୍ବ ଦିନତକ ଶଷେ ହାଇଯେିବା ପରେ ସମାନେେ ଘରକୁ ଫରେୁଥିଲେ। କିନ୍ତୁ ବାଳକ ଯୀଶୁ ଯୀରୁଶାଲମ ରେ ରହିଗଲେ। ତାହାଙ୍କ ବାପାମାଆ ଏକଥା ଜାଣିନଥିଲେ।
44 ଦଳ ଭିତ ରେ ପୁଅ ଅଛି ଭାବି ୟୋ ସଫେ ଓ ମରିୟମ ପୁରା ଦିନେ ଯାତ୍ରା କରିସାରିଥିଲେ। ତା'ପରେ ସମାନେେ ନିଜ ପରିବାର ଲୋକ ଓ ଅନ୍ତରଙ୍ଗ ବନ୍ଧୁଙ୍କ ଭିତ ରେ ଯୀଶୁଙ୍କୁ ଖାଜେିଲେ।
45 କିନ୍ତୁ ସମାନେେ ଯୀଶୁଙ୍କୁ ପାଇଲେ ନାହିଁ। ତେଣୁ ସମାନେେ ଯୀଶୁଙ୍କୁ ଖାଜେି ଖାଜେି ୟିରୁଶାଲମ ଫରେି ଆସିଲେ।
46 ତିନିଦିନ ପରେ ସମାନେେ ଯୀଶୁଙ୍କୁ ପାଇଲେ। ଯୀଶୁ ମନ୍ଦିର ଭିତ ରେ ଧର୍ମଗୁରୁମାନଙ୍କ ସହିତ ବସିଥିଲେ। ସେ ସମାନଙ୍କେ କଥା ଶୁଣୁଥିଲେ ଓ ସମାନଙ୍କେୁ ପ୍ରଶ୍ନ ସବୁ ପଚାରୁଥିଲେ।
47 ସମସ୍ତେ ତାହାଙ୍କ କଥା ଶୁଣୁଥିଲେ। ତାହାଙ୍କର ବୁଝିବା ଶକ୍ତି ଦେଖି ଓ ଜ୍ଞାନପୂର୍ଣ୍ଣ ଉତ୍ତରଗୁଡିକ ଶୁଣି ସମାନେେ ଆଶ୍ଚର୍ୟ୍ଯ ହାଇେ ଯାଇଥିଲେ।
48 ଯୀଶୁଙ୍କ ବାପାମାଆ ତାହାଙ୍କୁ ଦେଖି ବିସ୍ମିତ ହାଇଗେଲେ। ତାହାଙ୍କ ମାଆ ତାହାଙ୍କୁ ପଚାରିଲେ, ପୁଅ ରେ! ତୁ ଆମ ସାଙ୍ଗ ରେ ଏପରି କାହିଁକି କଲୁ? ତାେ ବାପା ଓ ମୁଁ ତାେତେ ଖାଜେି ଖାଜେି ବହୁତ ଚିନ୍ତିତ ହାଇେ ପଡିଲୁଣି।
49 ଏହି ଶୁଣି ଯୀଶୁ ସମାନଙ୍କେୁ କହିଲେ, ତୁମ୍ଭମାନେେ ମାେତେ କାହିଁକୁ ଖୋଜୁଥିଲ? ଯେଉଁଠା ରେ ମାରେ ପରମପିତାଙ୍କର କାର୍ୟ୍ଯ ଅଛି, ମୁଁ ସଠାେରେ ନିଶ୍ଚୟ ଥିବି ବୋଲି ତୁମ୍ଭମାନେେ କ'ଣ ଜାଣିନାହଁ?
50 କିନ୍ତୁ ସମାନେେ ଯୀଶୁଙ୍କର କଥାର ଅର୍ଥ କିଛି ବୁଝି ପାରିଲେ ନାହିଁ।
51 ଯୀଶୁ ସମାନଙ୍କେ ସହିତ ନାଜରିତକୁ ଗଲେ। ସେ ବାପାମାଆଙ୍କର ସବୁ ଆଜ୍ଞା ପାଳନ କଲେ। ଯୀଶୁଙ୍କ ମାଆ ତଥାପି ଏହି ସବୁ କଥା ନିଜ ମନ ଭିତ ରେ ରଖି ଚିନ୍ତା କରୁଥିଲେ।
52 ଯୀଶୁ ଜ୍ଞାନ ରେ, ଶରୀର ରେ ଏବଂ ପରମେଶ୍ବର ଓ ମନୁଷ୍ଯମାନଙ୍କ ଅନୁଗ୍ରହ ରେ ବଢିବାକୁ ଲାଗିଲେ।
1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.
2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him 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 abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
21 And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
22 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;
23 (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;)
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.
25 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 Ghost was upon him.
26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.
27 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,
28 Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,
29 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:
30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,
31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;
32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
33 And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.
34 And Simeon blessed them, and said unto 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;
35 (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.
36 And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;
37 And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.
38 And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.
39 And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.
40 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.
41 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover.
42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.
43 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.
44 But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day’s journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.
45 And when they found him not, they turned back again to 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, both hearing them, and asking them questions.
47 And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.
48 And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.
49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?
50 And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.
51 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.
52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.
1 The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,
2 Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen:
3 To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:
4 And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.
5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
6 When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?
7 And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.
8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.
10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;
11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.
12 Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day’s journey.
13 And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James.
14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.
15 And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty,)
16 Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus.
17 For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry.
18 Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out.
19 And it was known unto all the dwellers at Jerusalem; insomuch as that field is called in their proper tongue, Aceldama, that is to say, The field of blood.
20 For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishoprick let another take.
21 Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,
22 Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.
23 And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.
24 And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen,
25 That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.
26 And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.