Luke 2

22 And when the days of their purification according to the law of Moses were finished,  * 2:22 Lv 12:6–8 they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (just as it is written in the law of the Lord,Every firstborn male will be dedicated* 2:23 Lit be called holyto the Lord* 2:23 Ex 13:2,12,* 2:23 Ex 11:5; 12:12,29; 13:2,12; 34:19; Dt 15:19) 24 and to offer a sacrifice (according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons* 2:24 Lv 5:11; 12:8,* 2:24 Lv 5:11; 12:8).

Simeon’s Prophetic Praise

25 There was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout,  * 2:25 Lk 1:6 looking forward to Israel’s consolation,  * 2:25 Ps 135:14; Is 40:1–2,11; 49:10,13; 51:3,12; 57:18; 61:2; 66:13; Jr 31:9; Mk 15:43; Lk 2:38; 23:51 and the Holy Spirit was on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit  * 2:26 Mt 2:12 that he would not see death before he saw the Lord’s Messiah.  * 2:26 Ps 89:48; Jn 8:51; Heb 11:527 Guided by the Spirit, he entered the temple. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform for him what was customary under the law, 28 Simeon took him up in his arms, praised God, and said,

29 Now, Master,

you can dismiss your servant in peace,

as you promised.

30 For my eyes have seen your salvation.  * 2:30 Ps 119:166,174; Is 52:10; Lk 3:6

31 You have prepared it

in the presence of all peoples —

32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles  * 2:32 Or the nations,* 2:32 Is 42:6; 49:6,9; Ac 13:47; 26:23

and glory to your people Israel.  * 2:32 Is 46:13 LXX

33 His father and mother  * 2:33 Other mss read But Joseph and his mother were amazed at what was being said about him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them and told his mother Mary, "Indeed, this child is destined to cause the fall and rise of many in Israel  * 2:34 Mt 21:44; 1Co 1:23; 2Co 2:16; 1Pt 2:8 and to be a sign that will be opposed  * 2:34 Or spoken against  —  35 and a sword will pierce your own soul — that the thoughts  * 2:35 Or schemes of many hearts may be revealed."

Anna’s Testimony

36 There was also a prophetess,  * 2:36 Lk 2:38; Ac 21:9 Anna, a daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher.  * 2:36 Jos 19:24 She was well along in years, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage,  * 2:36 Lit years from her virginity,* 2:36 1Tm 5:937 and was a widow for eighty-four years.  * 2:37 Or she was a widow until the age of eighty-four She did not leave the temple, serving God night and day with fasting and prayers.  * 2:37 Lk 5:33; Ac 13:3; 14:23; 1Tm 5:538 At that very moment,  * 2:38 Lit very hour she came up and began to thank God and to speak about him to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.  * 2:38 Other mss read in Jerusalem,* 2:38 Is 52:9; Lk 1:68; 2:25