26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel GabrielA)” data-cr=”#cen-NIV-24920A” style=”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px;”> to Nazareth,B)” data-cr=”#cen-NIV-24920B” style=”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px;”> a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph,C)” data-cr=”#cen-NIV-24921C” style=”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px;”> a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”
29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid,D)” data-cr=”#cen-NIV-24924D” style=”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px;”> Mary; you have found favor with God.E)” data-cr=”#cen-NIV-24924E” style=”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px;”>31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus.F)” data-cr=”#cen-NIV-24925F” style=”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px;”> 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.G)” data-cr=”#cen-NIV-24926G” style=”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px;”> The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David,H)” data-cr=”#cen-NIV-24926H” style=”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px;”> 33 and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdomI)” data-cr=”#cen-NIV-24927I” style=”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px;”> will never end.”J)” data-cr=”#cen-NIV-24927J” style=”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px;”>
35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you,K)” data-cr=”#cen-NIV-24929K” style=”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px;”> and the power of the Most HighL)” data-cr=”#cen-NIV-24929L” style=”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px;”>will overshadow you. So the holy oneM)” data-cr=”#cen-NIV-24929M” style=”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px;”> to be born will be calleda]” style=”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px;”>[a] the Son of God.N)” data-cr=”#cen-NIV-24929N” style=”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px;”> 36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a childO)” data-cr=”#cen-NIV-24930O” style=”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px;”> in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. 37 For no word from God will ever fail.”P)” data-cr=”#cen-NIV-24931P” style=”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px;”>
38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.
39 At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea,Q)” data-cr=”#cen-NIV-24933Q” style=”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px;”> 40 where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.R)” data-cr=”#cen-NIV-24935R” style=”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px;”> 42 In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women,S)” data-cr=”#cen-NIV-24936S” style=”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px;”> and blessed is the child you will bear! 43 But why am I so favored, that the mother of my LordT)” data-cr=”#cen-NIV-24937T” style=”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px;”> should come to me?44 As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45 Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”
56 Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.
The Genealogy of Jesus the MessiahA)” data-cr=”#cen-NIV-23146A” style=”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.9em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px;”>B)” data-cr=”#cen-NIV-23146B” style=”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.9em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px;”>C)” data-cr=”#cen-NIV-23146C” style=”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.9em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px;”>
1 This is the genealogya]” style=”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px;”>[a] of Jesus the Messiahb]” style=”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px;”>[b] the son of David,D)” data-cr=”#cen-NIV-23146D” style=”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px;”> the son of Abraham:E)” data-cr=”#cen-NIV-23146E” style=”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px;”>
2 Abraham was the father of Isaac,F)” data-cr=”#cen-NIV-23147F” style=”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px;”>
Isaac the father of Jacob,G)” data-cr=”#cen-NIV-23147G” style=”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px;”>
Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers,H)” data-cr=”#cen-NIV-23147H” style=”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px;”>
3 Judah the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar,I)” data-cr=”#cen-NIV-23148I” style=”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px;”>
Perez the father of Hezron,
Hezron the father of Ram,
4 Ram the father of Amminadab,
Amminadab the father of Nahshon,
Nahshon the father of Salmon,
5 Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab,J)” data-cr=”#cen-NIV-23150J” style=”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px;”>
Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth,
Obed the father of Jesse,
6 and Jesse the father of King David.K)” data-cr=”#cen-NIV-23151K” style=”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px;”>
David was the father of Solomon, whose mother had been Uriah’s wife,L)” data-cr=”#cen-NIV-23151L” style=”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px;”>
7 Solomon the father of Rehoboam,
Rehoboam the father of Abijah,
Abijah the father of Asa,
8 Asa the father of Jehoshaphat,
Jehoshaphat the father of Jehoram,
Jehoram the father of Uzziah,
9 Uzziah the father of Jotham,
Jotham the father of Ahaz,
Ahaz the father of Hezekiah,
10 Hezekiah the father of Manasseh,M)” data-cr=”#cen-NIV-23155M” style=”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px;”>
Manasseh the father of Amon,
Amon the father of Josiah,
11 and Josiah the father of Jeconiahc]” style=”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px;”>[c] and his brothers at the time of the exile to Babylon.N)” data-cr=”#cen-NIV-23156N” style=”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px;”>
12 After the exile to Babylon:
Jeconiah was the father of Shealtiel,O)” data-cr=”#cen-NIV-23157O” style=”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px;”>
Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel,P)” data-cr=”#cen-NIV-23157P” style=”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px;”>
13 Zerubbabel the father of Abihud,
Abihud the father of Eliakim,
Eliakim the father of Azor,
14 Azor the father of Zadok,
Zadok the father of Akim,
Akim the father of Elihud,
15 Elihud the father of Eleazar,
Eleazar the father of Matthan,
Matthan the father of Jacob,
16 and Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary,Q)” data-cr=”#cen-NIV-23161Q” style=”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px;”> and Mary was the mother of Jesus who is called the Messiah.R)” data-cr=”#cen-NIV-23161R” style=”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px;”>
17 Thus there were fourteen generations in all from Abraham to David, fourteen from David to the exile to Babylon, and fourteen from the exile to the Messiah.
Joseph Accepts Jesus as His Son
18 This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came aboutd]” style=”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px;”>[d]: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit.S)” data-cr=”#cen-NIV-23163S” style=”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px;”> 19 Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yete]” style=”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px;”>[e]did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorceT)” data-cr=”#cen-NIV-23164T” style=”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px;”> her quietly.
20 But after he had considered this, an angelU)” data-cr=”#cen-NIV-23165U” style=”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px;”> of the Lord appeared to him in a dreamV)” data-cr=”#cen-NIV-23165V” style=”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px;”> and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus,f]” style=”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px;”>[f]W)” data-cr=”#cen-NIV-23166W” style=”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px;”> because he will save his people from their sins.”X)” data-cr=”#cen-NIV-23166X” style=”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px;”>
22 All this took place to fulfillY)” data-cr=”#cen-NIV-23167Y” style=”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px;”> what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”g]” style=”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px;”>[g]Z)” data-cr=”#cen-NIV-23168Z” style=”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px;”> (which means “God with us”).
24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angelAA)” data-cr=”#cen-NIV-23169AA” style=”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px;”> of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. 25 But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.
The Shepherds
8 Once when Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God,A)” data-cr=”#cen-NIV-24902A” style=”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px;”>9 he was chosen by lot,B)” data-cr=”#cen-NIV-24903B” style=”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px;”> according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense.C)” data-cr=”#cen-NIV-24903C” style=”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px;”> 10 And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshipers were praying outside.D)” data-cr=”#cen-NIV-24904D” style=”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px;”>
11 Then an angelE)” data-cr=”#cen-NIV-24905E” style=”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px;”> of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense.F)” data-cr=”#cen-NIV-24905F” style=”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px;”> 12 When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear.G)” data-cr=”#cen-NIV-24906G” style=”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px;”> 13 But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid,H)” data-cr=”#cen-NIV-24907H” style=”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px;”> Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John.I)” data-cr=”#cen-NIV-24907I” style=”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px;”> 14 He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth,J)” data-cr=”#cen-NIV-24908J” style=”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px;”> 15 for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink,K)” data-cr=”#cen-NIV-24909K” style=”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px;”> and he will be filled with the Holy SpiritL)” data-cr=”#cen-NIV-24909L” style=”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px;”> even before he is born.M)” data-cr=”#cen-NIV-24909M” style=”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px;”> 16 He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. 17 And he will go on before the Lord,N)” data-cr=”#cen-NIV-24911N” style=”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px;”> in the spirit and power of Elijah,O)” data-cr=”#cen-NIV-24911O” style=”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px;”> to turn the hearts of the parents to their childrenP)” data-cr=”#cen-NIV-24911P” style=”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px;”> and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”Q)” data-cr=”#cen-NIV-24911Q” style=”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px;”>
18 Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this?R)” data-cr=”#cen-NIV-24912R” style=”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px;”> I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.”S)” data-cr=”#cen-NIV-24912S” style=”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px;”>
19 The angel said to him, “I am Gabriel.T)” data-cr=”#cen-NIV-24913T” style=”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px;”> I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. 20 And now you will be silent and not able to speakU)” data-cr=”#cen-NIV-24914U” style=”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px;”> until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their appointed time.”
Magi
2 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea,A)” data-cr=”#cen-NIV-23171A” style=”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px;”> during the time of King Herod,B)” data-cr=”#cen-NIV-23171B” style=”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px;”> Magia]” style=”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px;”>[a]from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews?C)” data-cr=”#cen-NIV-23172C” style=”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px;”> We saw his starD)” data-cr=”#cen-NIV-23172D” style=”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px;”> when it rose and have come to worship him.”
3 When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. 5 “In BethlehemE)” data-cr=”#cen-NIV-23175E” style=”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px;”> in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written:
6 “‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for out of you will come a ruler
who will shepherd my people Israel.’b]” style=”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px;”>[b]”F)” data-cr=”#cen-NIV-23176F” style=”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px;”>
7 Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. 8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.”
9 After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him.G)” data-cr=”#cen-NIV-23181G” style=”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px;”> Then they opened their treasures and presented him with giftsH)” data-cr=”#cen-NIV-23181H” style=”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px;”> of gold, frankincense and myrrh. 12 And having been warnedI)” data-cr=”#cen-NIV-23182I” style=”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px;”>in a dreamJ)” data-cr=”#cen-NIV-23182J” style=”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px;”> not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.
Simeon an Anna
21 On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child,A)” data-cr=”#cen-NIV-24995A” style=”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px;”> he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived.B)” data-cr=”#cen-NIV-24995B” style=”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px;”>
Jesus Presented in the Temple
22 When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses,C)” data-cr=”#cen-NIV-24996C” style=”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px;”> Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord”a]” style=”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px;”>[a]),D)” data-cr=”#cen-NIV-24997D” style=”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px;”> 24 and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: “a pair of doves or two young pigeons.”b]” style=”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px;”>[b]E)” data-cr=”#cen-NIV-24998E” style=”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px;”>
25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout.F)” data-cr=”#cen-NIV-24999F” style=”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px;”> He was waiting for the consolation of Israel,G)” data-cr=”#cen-NIV-24999G” style=”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px;”> and the Holy Spirit was on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27 Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required,H)” data-cr=”#cen-NIV-25001H” style=”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px;”> 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:
29 “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,I)” data-cr=”#cen-NIV-25003I” style=”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px;”>
you may now dismissc]” style=”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px;”>[c] your servant in peace.J)” data-cr=”#cen-NIV-25003J” style=”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px;”>
30 For my eyes have seen your salvation,K)” data-cr=”#cen-NIV-25004K” style=”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px;”>
31 which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and the glory of your people Israel.”L)” data-cr=”#cen-NIV-25006L” style=”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px;”>
33 The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother:M)” data-cr=”#cen-NIV-25008M” style=”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px;”> “This child is destined to cause the fallingN)” data-cr=”#cen-NIV-25008N” style=”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px;”> and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, 35 so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”
36 There was also a prophet,O)” data-cr=”#cen-NIV-25010O” style=”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px;”> Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 and then was a widow until she was eighty-four.d]” style=”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px;”>[d]P)” data-cr=”#cen-NIV-25011P” style=”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px;”> She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying.Q)” data-cr=”#cen-NIV-25011Q” style=”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px;”> 38 Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.
