1 Naqueles dias César Augusto publicou um decreto ordenando o recenseamento de todo o império romano.
2 Este foi o primeiro recenseamento feito quando Quirino era governador da Síria.
3 E todos iam para a sua cidade natal, a fim de alistar-se.
4 Assim, José também foi da cidade de Nazaré da Galiléia para a Judéia, para Belém, cidade de Davi, porque pertencia à casa e à linhagem de Davi.
5 Ele foi a fim de alistar-se, com Maria, que lhe estava prometida em casamento e esperava um filho.
6 Enquanto estavam lá, chegou o tempo de nascer o bebê,
7 e ela deu à luz o seu primogênito. Envolveu-o em panos e o colocou numa manjedoura, porque não havia lugar para eles na hospedaria.
8 Havia pastores que estavam nos campos próximos e durante a noite tomavam conta dos seus rebanhos.
9 E aconteceu que um anjo do Senhor apareceu-lhes e a glória do Senhor resplandeceu ao redor deles; e ficaram aterrorizados.
10 Mas o anjo lhes disse: "Não tenham medo. Estou lhes trazendo boas novas de grande alegria, que são para todo o povo:
11 Hoje, na cidade de Davi, lhes nasceu o Salvador que é Cristo, o Senhor.
12 Isto lhes servirá de sinal: encontrarão o bebê envolto em panos e deitado numa manjedoura".
13 De repente, uma grande multidão do exército celestial apareceu com o anjo, louvando a Deus e dizendo:
14 "Glória a Deus nas alturas, e paz na terra aos homens aos quais ele concede o seu favor".
15 Quando os anjos os deixaram e foram para o céu, os pastores disseram uns aos outros: "Vamos a Belém, e vejamos isso que aconteceu, e que o Senhor nos deu a conhecer".
16 Então correram para lá e encontraram Maria e José, e o bebê deitado na manjedoura.
17 Depois de o verem, contaram a todos o que lhes fora dito a respeito daquele menino,
18 e todos os que ouviram o que os pastores diziam ficaram admirados.
19 Maria, porém, guardava todas essas coisas e sobre elas refletia em seu coração.
20 Os pastores voltaram glorificando e louvando a Deus por tudo o que tinham visto e ouvido, como lhes fora dito.
21 Completando-se os oito dias para a circuncisão do menino, foi-lhe posto o nome de Jesus, o qual lhe tinha sido dado pelo anjo antes de ele nascer.
22 Completando-se o tempo da purificação deles, de acordo com a Lei de Moisés, José e Maria o levaram a Jerusalém para apresentá-lo ao Senhor
23 ( como está escrito na Lei do Senhor: "Todo primogênito do sexo masculino será consagrado ao Senhor" )
24 e para oferecer um sacrifício, de acordo com o que diz a Lei do Senhor: "duas rolinhas ou dois pombinhos".
25 Havia em Jerusalém um homem chamado Simeão, que era justo e piedoso, e que esperava a consolação de Israel; e o Espírito Santo estava sobre ele.
26 Fora-lhe revelado pelo Espírito Santo que ele não morreria antes de ver o Cristo do Senhor.
27 Movido pelo Espírito, ele foi ao templo. Quando os pais trouxeram o menino Jesus para lhe fazer conforme requeria o costume da lei,
28 Simeão o tomou nos braços e louvou a Deus, dizendo:
29 "Ó Soberano, como prometeste, agora podes despedir em paz o teu servo.
30 Pois os meus olhos já viram a tua salvação,
31 que preparaste à vista de todos os povos:
32 luz para revelação aos gentios e para a glória de Israel, teu povo".
33 O pai e a mãe do menino estavam admirados com o que fora dito a respeito dele.
34 E Simeão os abençoou e disse a Maria, mãe de Jesus: "Este menino está destinado a causar a queda e o soerguimento de muitos em Israel, e a ser um sinal de contradição,
35 de modo que o pensamento de muitos corações será revelado. Quanto a você, uma espada atravessará a sua alma".
36 Estava ali a profetisa Ana, filha de Fanuel, da tribo de Aser. Era muito idosa; havia vivido com seu marido sete anos depois de se casar
37 e então permanecera viúva até a idade de oitenta e quatro anos. Nunca deixava o templo: adorava a Deus jejuando e orando dia e noite.
38 Tendo chegado ali naquele exato momento, deu graças a Deus e falava a respeito do menino a todos os que esperavam a redenção de Jerusalém.
39 Depois de terem feito tudo o que era exigido pela Lei do Senhor, voltaram para a sua própria cidade, Nazaré, na Galiléia.
40 O menino crescia e se fortalecia, enchendo-se de sabedoria; e a graça de Deus estava sobre ele.
41 Todos os anos seus pais iam a Jerusalém para a festa da Páscoa.
42 Quando ele completou doze anos de idade, eles subiram à festa, conforme o costume.
43 Terminada a festa, voltando seus pais para casa, o menino Jesus ficou em Jerusalém, sem que eles percebessem.
44 Pensando que ele estava entre os companheiros de viagem, caminharam o dia todo. Então começaram a procurá-lo entre os seus parentes e conhecidos.
45 Não o encontrando, voltaram a Jerusalém para procurá-lo.
46 Depois de três dias o encontraram no templo, sentado entre os mestres, ouvindo-os e fazendo-lhes perguntas.
47 Todos os que o ouviam ficavam maravilhados com o seu entendimento e com as suas respostas.
48 Quando seus pais o viram, ficaram perplexos. Sua mãe lhe disse: "Filho, por que você nos fez isto? Seu pai e eu estávamos aflitos, à sua procura".
49 Ele perguntou: "Por que vocês estavam me procurando? Não sabiam que eu devia estar na casa de meu Pai? "
50 Mas eles não compreenderam o que lhes dizia.
51 Então foi com eles para Nazaré, e era-lhes obediente. Sua mãe, porém, guardava todas essas coisas em seu coração.
52 Jesus ia crescendo em sabedoria, estatura e graça diante de Deus e dos homens.
1 Now it came to pass, in those days, that there went forth a decree from Caesar Augustus, for all the inhabited earth to be enrolled:
2 this enrolment, first was made while Cyrenius was governor of Syria:
3 and all were journeying to be enrolled, each one unto his own city.
4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of a city Nazareth, into Judaea, into the city of David which is called Bethlehem; because he was of the house and family of David:
5 to enrol himself with Mary who was betrothed to him, she being with child.
6 And it came to pass, while they were there, that the days were fulfilled for her to give birth;
7 and she gave birth to 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, shepherds, in the same country, dwelling in the fields, and keeping the watches of the night over their flock.
9 And, a messenger of the Lord, stood over them, and, a glory of the Lord, shone round about them; and they feared, a great fear.
10 And the messenger said unto themBe not afraid! For lo! I bring you good tidings of a great joy, the which shall be for all the people:
11 That there hath been born unto you, this day, a saviour,Who is Christ the Lordin the city of David!
12 And, this, to you is, a sign: Ye shall find a babe, wrapped in swaddling clothes, and lying in a manger.
13 And, suddenly, there came to be, with the messenger, the throng of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying
14 Glory, in the highest, unto God! And, on earth, peace, among men of goodwill.
15 And it came to pass, when the messengers had departed from them into heaven, that, the shepherds, began to say one to anotherLet us go through forthwith as far as to Bethlehem, and see this thing which hath come to pass, which the Lord hath made known to us.
16 And they came, with haste, and found both Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in the manger.
17 Now, when they beheld, they made known concerning the thing which had been told them as to this child.
18 And, all who heard, marvelled concerning the things which had been told by the shepherds unto them;
19 but, Mary, was closely observing, all, these things, putting them together in her heart.
20 And the shepherds returned, giving glory and singing praise unto God, over all things which they had heard and seen, according as it had been told unto them.
21 And, when eight days were fulfilled for circumcising him, then was his name called, Jesus,which it was called by the messenger, before he was conceived in the womb.
22 And, when the days of their purification, according to the law of Moses, were fulfilled, they took him up into Jerusalem, to present unto the Lord,
23 according as it is written in the law of the LordEvery male that is a firstborn, Holy unto the Lord, shall be called,
24 and to give a sacrifice, according to that which is said in the law of the LordA pair of turtle-doves, or two young pigeons.
25 And lo! there was, a man, in Jerusalem, whose name, was Symeon; and, this man, was righteous and devout, awaiting the consolation of Israel, and Holy Spirit was upon him;
26 and it had been intimated to him by the Holy Spirit, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Christ of the Lord.
27 And he came, in the Spirit, into the temple; and, when the parents brought in the child Jesus, that they might do according to that which was customary by the law concerning it,
28 even he, welcomed it into his arms, and blessed God, and said
29 Now, dost thou dismiss thy servant, O Sovereign, according to thy declarationin peace;
30 Because mine eyes have seen thy salvation,
31 Which thou hast prepared in face of all the peoples:
32 A light for the unveiling of nations, and the glory of thy people Israel.
33 And his father and mother were marvelling over the things which were being spoken concerning him.
34 And Symeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his motherLo! this one, is being set for the falling and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign to be spoken against;
35 And, thou! through thy very soul, shall pass a sword, that, reasonings, may be revealed, out of many hearts.
36 And there was one Anna, a prophetess, daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher;the same, advanced in many days; having lived with a husband seven years from her virginity,
37 and, she, had been a widow for as long as eighty-four years,who left not the temple, with fastings and supplications, rendering divine service night and day;
38 and, in that very hour, coming near, she began to give thanks unto God, and to speak concerning him unto all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.
39 And, when they had finished all things that were according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, into their own city, Nazareth.
40 And, the child, went on growing, and waxing strong, becoming filled with wisdom; and, the favour of God, was upon it.
41 And his parents used to journey yearly into Jerusalem, at the feast of the passover.
42 And, when he became twelve years, and they went up, according to the custom of the feast,
43 and completed the days, and then were returning, the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem,and his parents noticed it not;
44 but, supposing him to be in the company, went a days journey, and then began to seek for him among their kinsfolk and acquaintances,
45 and, not finding him, returned unto Jerusalem, seeking him.
46 And it came to pass, that, after three days, they found him in the temple, sitting amidst the teachers,both hearkening unto them, and questioning them.
47 Now all who heard him were beside themselves, because of his understanding and his answers.
48 And, when they behold him, they were astounded, and his mother said unto himChild! why, hast thou dealt with us, thus? Lo! thy father and I, in anguish, were seeking thee.
49 And he said unto themWhy was it that ye were seeking me? Perceived ye not, that, in the courts of my Father, I must needs be?
50 And, they, understood not the thing which he spake to them.
51 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was submitting himself unto them. And, his mother, was closely observing all these things in her heart.
52 And, Jesus, went on advancing in wisdom, and in stature, and in favour with God and men.