Fluent Translation · Read & Reflect
Luke 2
The Birth of Jesus
In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole inhabited world should be registered. This was the first registration while Quirinius was governing Syria. Everyone went to be registered, each to their own town. Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to David’s town called Bethlehem, because he belonged to the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, who was pledged to him in marriage and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. She gave birth to her firstborn son, wrapped him in strips of cloth, and laid him in a feeding trough, because there was no place for them in the guest room.
Good News of Great Joy
In that region shepherds were living in the fields and keeping watch over their flock at night.
An angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them. They were filled with great fear.
But the angel said, “Do not be afraid. Look—I am announcing good news to you, great joy that will be for all the people.
Today a Savior has been born for you in David’s town, who is Christ the Lord.
This will be the sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in a feeding trough.”
Suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly army, praising God:
“Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among people of his favor.”
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”
They went quickly and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the feeding trough.
After seeing him, they made known what had been told them about this child.
Everyone who heard it was amazed at what the shepherds told them.
But Mary treasured all these words, bringing them together in her heart.
The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for everything they had heard and seen, just as it had been told them.