and came and lived in a city called NAZARETH; that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through the prophets: "He will be called a Nazarene."

26. Now in the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee, named NAZARETH,

27. to a virgin pledged to be married to a man whose name was Joseph, of David's house. The virgin's name was Mary.

28. Having come in, the angel said to her, "Rejoice, you highly favored one! The Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women!"

29. But when she saw him, she was greatly troubled at the saying, and considered what kind of salutation this might be.

30. The angel said to her, "Don't be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.

31. Behold, you will conceive in your womb, and give birth to a son, and will call his name 'Jesus.'

32. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father, David,

33. and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever. There will be no end to his Kingdom."

34. Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, seeing I am a virgin?"

35. The angel answered her, "The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore also the holy one who is born from you will be called the Son of God.

36. Behold, Elizabeth, your relative, also has conceived a son in her old age; and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren.

37. For nothing spoken by God is impossible."

38. Mary said, "Behold, the servant of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word."The angel departed from her.

39. Mary arose in those days and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Judah,

40. and entered into the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth.

41. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.

42. She called out with a loud voice, and said, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!

43. Why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?

44. For behold, when the voice of your greeting came into my ears, the baby leaped in my womb for joy!

45. Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of the things which have been spoken to her from the Lord!"

46. Mary said,"My soul magnifies the Lord.

47. My spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior,

48. for he has looked at the humble state of his servant.For behold, from now on, all generations will call me blessed.

49. For he who is mighty has done great things for me.Holy is his name.

50. His mercy is for generations of generations on those who fear him.

51. He has shown strength with his arm.He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.

52. He has put down princes from their thrones.And has exalted the lowly.

53. He has filled the hungry with good things.He has sent the rich away empty.

54. He has given help to Israel, his servant, that he might remember mercy,

55. As he spoke to our fathers,to Abraham and his offspring forever."

56. Mary stayed with her about three months, and then returned to her house.

4. Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of NAZARETH, into Judea, to David's city, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David;

5. to enroll himself with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him as wife, being pregnant.

6. While they were there, the day had come for her to give birth.

7. She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a feeding trough, because there was no room for them in the inn.

8. There were shepherds in the same country staying in the field, and keeping watch by night over their flock.

9. Behold, an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.

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.

11. For there is born to you today, in David's city, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

12. This is the sign to you: you will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth, lying in a feeding trough."

13. Suddenly, there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly army praising God, and saying,

14. "Glory to God in the highest,on earth peace, good will toward men."

15. When the angels went away from them into the sky, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem, now, and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us."

16. They came with haste, and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby was lying in the feeding trough.

17. When they saw it, they publicized widely the saying which was spoken to them about this child.

18. All who heard it wondered at the things which were spoken to them by the shepherds.

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

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

21. When eight days were fulfilled for the circumcision of the child, his name was called Jesus, which was given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

22. When the days of their purification according to the law of Moses were fulfilled, they brought him up to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord

23. (as it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord"),Exodus 13:2,12

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."Leviticus 12:8

25. Behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him.

26. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ.

27. He came in the Spirit into the temple. When the parents brought in the child, Jesus, that they might do concerning him according to the custom of the law,

28. then he received him into his arms, and blessed God, and said,

29. "Now you are releasing your servant, Master,according to your word, in peace;

30. for my eyes have seen your salvation,

31. which you have prepared before the face of all peoples;

32. a light for revelation to the nations,and the glory of your people Israel."

33. Joseph and his mother were marveling at the things which were spoken concerning him,

34. and Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary, his mother, "Behold, this child is set for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which is spoken against.

35. Yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul, that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed."

36. There was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher (she was of a great age, having lived with a husband seven years from her virginity,

37. and she had been a widow for about eighty-four years), who didn't depart from the temple, worshiping with fastings and petitions night and day.

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 Jerusalem.

39. When they had accomplished all things that were according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city, NAZARETH.

40. The child was growing, and was becoming strong in spirit, being filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him.

41. His parents went every year to Jerusalem at the feast of the Passover.

42. When he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast,

43. and when they had fulfilled the days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. Joseph and his mother didn't know it,

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.

45. When they didn't find him, they returned to Jerusalem, looking for him.

46. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the middle of the teachers, both listening to them, and asking them questions.

47. All who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.

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."

49. He said to them,"Why were you looking for me? Didn't you know that I must be in my Father's house?"

50. They didn't understand the saying which he spoke to them.

51. And he went down with them, and came to NAZARETH. He was subject to them, and his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.