1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that a census should be taken of all the inhabited earth.2 This was the first census made when Quirinius was governor of Syria.3 So every one went to his hometown to register.4 Joseph came from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea to be counted and taxed. He went to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David.5 He registered himself with Mary, who was engaged to him. She was about to become a mother.6 While they were there the time came for Mary to give birth.7 She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger. That was because there was no room for them in the inn.8 Shepherds in the same country were in the field keeping watch by night over their flock.9 God’s angel stood by them and His glory gave illumination around them and they were very afraid.10 The angel spoke to them: »Do not be afraid. Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy to all the people.11 »Christ Messiah the Lord, a Savior, is born this day in the city of David.12 »This is the sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes, and lying in a manger.«13 Suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly hosts praising God, and saying:14 »Glory to God in the highest. Peace on earth among men with whom he is pleased.«15 The angels went away from them into heaven. Then the shepherds said to one another, »Let us go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which God told us about.«16 They hurried to see the baby. They found Mary and Joseph. And they saw the baby lying in the manger.17 As soon as they saw it they told what they had heard about the child.18 All that heard it wondered at the things that were spoken to them by the shepherds.19 Mary remembered 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.21 After eight days the baby was circumcised. He was called by the name, Jesus. Jesus: Jehovah is salvation This was the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.22 Following the days of their purification according to the Law of Moses they brought him up to Jerusalem. There they would present him to Jehovah.23 It is written in God’s law that every male that opens the womb shall be called holy to Jehovah. (Exodus 13:1, 2)24 According to God’s Law they must offer a sacrifice of a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.25 There was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout. He was waiting for God to save Israel. God’s Holy Spirit was working in him.26 Holy Spirit revealed to him that he would not die before he saw the Christ of Jehovah.27 Under the power of the spirit he came to the temple. The parents brought in the child Jesus, that they obey the custom of the law.28 He received him into his arms, and blessed God, and said:29 »Let your servant depart according to your word in peace.30 »My eyes have seen your salvation.31 »That which you prepared before the peoples.32 »It is a light of revelation to the nations, and the glory of your people Israel.«33 Jesus’ father and mother were amazed at the things that were spoken concerning him.34 Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother: »This child is set for the falling and the rising of many in Israel and for a sign that is spoken against.35 »A sword will pierce through your mind that the thoughts of many hearts will be disclosed.«36 Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher was a very old prophetess.37 She had been a widow eighty-four years. She never left the temple. She worshipped and fasted with supplications day and night.38 Even up to that time she gave thanks to God and spoke to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.39 When they had accomplished all things that were according to the law of God they returned to Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.40 The child grew and became strong. He was filled with wisdom and was blessed by God.41 Every year his parents went to Jerusalem at the feast of the Passover.42 When he was twelve years old they went to the feast of the Passover, as was their custom.43 When the feast ended they started the return trip. Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem and his parents did not know this.44 They thought he was in the traveling company. After a day’s journey they looked for him among their relatives and friends.45 When they could not find him they returned to Jerusalem to look for him.46 After three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers. He was listening and asking them questions.47 All that heard him were amazed at his understanding.48 When they saw him they were astonished. His mother said to him: »Son, why did you treat us this way? Your father and I have searched for you and we have been worried.«49 He said: »Why did you look for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?«50 They did not understand what he said to them.51 He went with them to Nazareth. He remained subject to them. His mother kept all these sayings in her heart.52 Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.

1 Naqueles dias saiu um decreto da parte de César Augusto, para que todo o mundo fosse recenseado.2 Este primeiro recenseamento foi feito quando Quirínio era governador da Síria.3 E todos iam alistar-se, cada um à sua própria cidade.4 Subiu também José, da Galiléia, da cidade de Nazaré, à cidade de Davi, chamada Belém, porque era da casa e família de Davi,5 a fim de alistar-se com Maria, sua esposa, que estava grávida.6 Enquanto estavam ali, chegou o tempo em que ela havia de dar à luz,7 e teve a seu filho primogênito; envolveu-o em faixas e o deitou em uma manjedoura, porque não havia lugar para eles na estalagem.8 Ora, havia naquela mesma região pastores que estavam no campo, e guardavam durante as vigílias da noite o seu rebanho.9 E um anjo do Senhor apareceu-lhes, e a glória do Senhor os cercou de resplendor; pelo que se encheram de grande temor.10 O anjo, porém, lhes disse: Não temais, porquanto vos trago novas de grande alegria que o será para todo o povo:11 É que vos nasceu hoje, na cidade de Davi, o Salvador, que é Cristo, o Senhor.12 E isto vos será por sinal: Achareis um menino envolto em faixas, e deitado em uma manjedoura.13 Então, de repente, apareceu junto ao anjo grande multidão da milícia celestial, louvando a Deus e dizendo:14 Glória a Deus nas maiores alturas, e paz na terra entre os homens de boa vontade.15 E logo que os anjos se retiraram deles para o céu, diziam os pastores uns aos outros: Vamos já até Belém, e vejamos isso que aconteceu e que o Senhor nos deu a conhecer.16 Foram, pois, a toda a pressa, e acharam Maria e José, e o menino deitado na manjedoura;17 e, vendo-o, divulgaram a palavra que acerca do menino lhes fora dita;18 e todos os que a ouviram se admiravam do que os pastores lhes diziam.19 Maria, porém, guardava todas estas coisas, meditando-as em seu coração.20 E voltaram os pastores, glorificando e louvando a Deus por tudo o que tinham ouvido e visto, como lhes fora dito.21 Quando se completaram os oito dias para ser circuncidado o menino, foi-lhe dado o nome de Jesus, que pelo anjo lhe fora posto antes de ser concebido.22 Terminados os dias da purificação, segundo a lei de Moisés, levaram-no a Jerusalém, para apresentá-lo ao Senhor23 {conforme está escrito na lei do Senhor: Todo primogênito será consagrado ao Senhor},24 e para oferecerem um sacrifício segundo o disposto na lei do Senhor: um par de rolas, ou dois pombinhos.25 Ora, havia em Jerusalém um homem cujo nome era Simeão; e este homem, justo e temente a Deus, esperava a consolação de Israel; e o Espírito Santo estava sobre ele.26 E lhe fora revelado pelo Espírito Santo que ele não morreria antes de ver o Cristo do Senhor.27 Assim pelo Espírito foi ao templo; e quando os pais trouxeram o menino Jesus, para fazerem por ele segundo o costume da lei,28 Simeão o tomou em seus braços, e louvou a Deus, e disse:29 Agora, Senhor, despedes em paz o teu servo, segundo a tua palavra;30 pois os meus olhos já viram a tua salvação,31 a qual tu preparaste ante a face de todos os povos;32 luz para revelação aos gentios, e para glória do teu povo Israel.33 Enquanto isso, seu pai e sua mãe se admiravam das coisas que deles se diziam.34 E Simeão os abençoou, e disse a Maria, mãe do menino: Eis que este é posto para queda e para levantamento de muitos em Israel, e para ser alvo de contradição,35 sim, e uma espada traspassará a tua própria alma, para que se manifestem os pensamentos de muitos corações.36 Havia também uma profetisa, Ana, filha de Fanuel, da tribo de Aser. Era já avançada em idade, tendo vivido com o marido sete anos desde a sua virgindade;37 e era viúva, de quase oitenta e quatro anos. Não se afastava do templo, servindo a Deus noite e dia em jejuns e orações.38 Chegando ela na mesma hora, deu graças a Deus, e falou a respeito do menino a todos os que esperavam a redenção de Jerusalém.39 Assim que cumpriram tudo segundo a lei do Senhor, voltaram à Galiléia, para sua cidade de Nazaré.40 E o menino ia crescendo e fortalecendo-se, ficando cheio de sabedoria; e a graça de Deus estava sobre ele.41 Ora, seus pais iam todos os anos a Jerusalém, à festa da páscoa.42 Quando Jesus completou doze anos, subiram eles segundo o costume da festa;43 e, terminados aqueles dias, ao regressarem, ficou o menino Jesus em Jerusalém sem o saberem seus pais;44 julgando, porém, que estivesse entre os companheiros de viagem, andaram caminho de um dia, e o procuravam entre os parentes e conhecidos;45 e não o achando, voltaram a Jerusalém em busca dele.46 E aconteceu que, passados três dias, o acharam no templo, sentado no meio dos doutores, ouvindo-os, e interrogando-os.47 E todos os que o ouviam se admiravam da sua inteligência e das suas respostas.48 Quando o viram, ficaram maravilhados, e disse-lhe sua mãe: Filho, por que procedeste assim para conosco? Eis que teu pai e eu ansiosos te procurávamos.49 Respondeu-lhes ele: Por que me procuráveis? Não sabíeis que eu devia estar na casa de meu Pai?50 Eles, porém, não entenderam as palavras que lhes dissera.51 Então, descendo com eles, foi para Nazaré, e era-lhes sujeito. E sua mãe guardava todas estas coisas em seu coração.52 E crescia Jesus em sabedoria, em estatura e em graça diante de Deus e dos homens.