2 1-2 There was a world-wide census in the days of Caesar Augustus, while Cyrenius was governor of Syria. 3 Everyone had to go to their home city.
4 So Joseph and Mary traveled from Nazareth in Galilee to Bethlehem in Judea since he was descended from David.
5 Mary was pregnant at the time and gave birth to her firstborn son while they were in Bethlehem.
7 She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, since there was no room at the inn.
8-9 An angel appeared to nearby shepherds, saying,
10-12 Don't be afraid. I have good news for you. A baby was born today in Bethlehem, who is Christ the Lord. You'll find him wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13 Suddenly a large group of heavenly beings appeared and said,
14 Glory to God in the highest, peace on earth, good will toward men
15-16 The shepherds went to Bethlehem and saw Mary, Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger.
21 When Jesus was eight days old, he was circumcised and named Jesus.
22 When Mary's days of purification were over, they brought Jesus to Jerusalem to present him to God. 24 They sacrificed two doves, according to God's law.
25 There was a just man in Jerusalem named Simeon. The Holy Ghost was upon him.
26 The Holy Ghost told him he wouldn't die before seeing God's Christ.
27 When he saw Jesus in the temple, he took him in his arms and said,
29-30 Now you can let me die in peace, because I've seen your salvation.
32 A light to the Gentiles, and glory to your people in Israel.
34-35 Simeon said to Mary, "A sword will pierce your soul."
39-40 When they finished doing these things, they returned to their home in Nazareth, where Jesus grew up.
36 There was an old prophet named Anna.
37 She was an 84-year-old widow, who served God night and day.
38 When she saw Jesus, she thanked God.
41 Each year at Passover, Jesus's parents went to Jerusalem.
42-43 On one of these trips, when Jesus was twelve years old, they discovered that he was missing as they returned home.
45 So they returned to Jerusalem to look for him.
46 After three days, they found him in the temple talking to the rabbis and asking them questions.
48 When his parents saw him, Mary said to him, “Why did you do this to us? Your father and I were worried and have been looking for you.”
49 Jesus said,
Why were you looking for me?
Didn't you know I'd be doing my Father's business?
50 They didn't know what he was talking about.
51Jesus returned with them to Nazareth and obeyed them.
But his mother never forgot what had happened.
3 1-3 In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, John preached around the Jordan River, telling people to get baptized.
7 He said to them,
You generation of vipers! Who told you to flee from the coming wrath?
9 Every tree that doesn't produce good fruit will be cut down and burned.
10 The people said to him, “What should we do then?”
11 John said,
If you have two coats, give one to someone who doesn't have one.
If you have food, do likewise.
14 The soldiers asked him, "What should we do?"
John said,
Don't do violence to anyone. Don't accuse people falsely. And be content with your wages.
15 Everyone was wondering if John was the Christ.
16 John said,
I baptize you with water, but someone's coming who's mightier than I, whose shoes I'm not worthy to untie, who'll baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire.
17 He'll gather the wheat and burn the chaff with a fire that will burn forever.
19-20 But Herod imprisoned John for criticizing him for marrying his brother Philip's wife.
21 When Jesus was baptized, heaven opened, the Holy Ghost came down on him in the form of a dove, and a voice cried out which said, “You are my beloved son. I'm well pleased with you.”
23 Jesus was about thirty years old when he was baptized. He was (supposed to be) the son of Joseph, who was the son of Heli. …
38 who was the son of Adam, who was the son of God.
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The Skeptic's Annotated Bible
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