Modern Literal Version
[Luke 2]




     {Luk 2:1-20 Bethlehem 5 BC; no parallel.}



     {Augustus, a title, both the Latin form and Greek word 'sebastos' are in the Bible (G828, G4575), which are adjectives that means 'worthy of worship. It is like our Reverend, His Majesty, Your Worship, etc.' This 'worthy of worship' became worse as more and more Emperors took the throne. Even Nero is referred to as the 'Man of Sin' in 2Th 2:3, the number of a man in Rev 13:18 (666). Caesar is our 'Emperor.' Adjectives in Greek occur after the noun so by rights this is His Reverend Emperor in Luk 2:1. In Acts 25:2, 5; 27:1 - Augustus here means simply 'the Emperor' and translated as such.}



     2:1 Now it happened in those days, a decree went out from Caesar Augustus to register all the inhabited-earth. 2:2 This first census happened while Quirinius is governor of Syria. 2:3 And all were traveling to register themselves, each one into his own city. 2:4 Now Joseph also went-up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he is out of the house and family of David; 2:5 to register himself together with Mary, who has been engaged to him as his wife, being swollen with child{i.e. pregnant}. 2:6Now it happened, while* they were there, the days were fulfilled that she should bear; 2:7 and she bore her firstborn son, and she swaddled and reclined him in the manger, because there was no place for them in the boarding-house.




     2:8 And there were shepherds in the same region, camping out and observing watches over their flock by night. 2:9 And behold, a messenger of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were afraid with a great fear. 2:10 And the messenger said to them, Do* not be afraid; for* behold, I proclaim to you* good-news of great joy which will be to all the people, 2:11 because there was born to you* today in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 2:12 And this is the sign to you*: you* will be finding a swaddled baby, laying in a manger. 2:13 And suddenly, a multitude of the heavenly army praising God happened to betogether with the messenger, and saying, 2:14 Glory to God in the highest, and peace upon earth, in menС delight. 2:15 And it happened, as the messengers went away from them into heaven, and the men, the shepherds, said to one another, We should go through, insofar as Bethlehem, and let us see this declaration about events that has happened, which the Lord made known to us!



     2:16 And they came, having hurried, and found both Mary and Joseph and the baby laying in the manger. 2:17 Now having seen this, they made it known concerning the declaration which was spoken to them concerning this child. 2:18 And all who heard it marveled concerning the things which were spoken to them by the shepherds. 2:19 But Mary was keeping all these words to herself, pondering them in her heart. 2:20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God in all the things which they heard and saw, just-as it was spoken to them.



          {Luk 2:21-39a Temple at Jerusalem 4 BC; no parallel.}



     2:21 And when eight days were fulfilled to circumcise him, his name was called Jesus, which was called by the messenger before he was conceived in the womb.




     2:22 And when the days of their cleansing according to the Law of Moses were fulfilled, they led him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord {Lev 12:2 - 6}2:23 (as it has been written inthe Law of the Lord, 'Every male who opens the womb will be called holy to the Lord'); {Exo 13:2, 12}2:24 and to give 'A couple of turtledoves or two young doves as a sacrifice according to what has been spoken in the Law of the Lord. {Lev 12:8, 5:11}



     2:25 And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 2:26And it was being divinely-spoken to him by the Holy Spirit, that he should not see death, before he should see the Lord's Christ. 2:27 And he came in the Spirit into the temple, while* the parents were bringing* in the child Jesus, for them to do* according to what has been the custom of the law concerning him. 2:28 Then he accepted him into his arms and gave-thanks to God and said, 2:29Now Master, you may dismiss your bondservant according to your word in peace, 2:30 because my eyes have seen your salvation 2:31 which you prepared in the face of all peoples. 2:32He is a light*for revelation of the Gentiles and the glory of your people Israel.



     2:33 And Joseph and his mother were marveling at the things which were spoken concerning him; 2:34 and Simeon gave-thanks for them, and said to Mary his mother, Behold, this child is reserved *for the fall and the resurrection of many in Israel, and *for a sign being spoken against.2:35 Now, also a long-sword will be going through your own soul; *that reasonings would be revealed out of many hearts.



     2:36 And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, out of the tribe of Asher (this one had advanced in many days, having lived with a husband seven years from her virginity, 2:37and this one had been a widow approximately eighty four years), who did not withdraw from the temple, giving-divine service with fasts and supplications night and day. 2:38 And having stood up in that same hour, this one herself was fully-professing the Lord and was speaking concerning him to all those who were waiting for the redemption in Jerusalem.



     {Mat 2:19-23 & Luk 2:39b Egypt & Nazareth 4 BC.}



     2:39 And as they had completed all things which were according to the Law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.




     {Luk 2:40-52 Nazareth and Jerusalem 7 or 8 AD.}



     2:40 Now the child was growing and becoming-powerful in spirit, being filled with wisdom, and the favor of God was upon him.




     2:41 And his parents were traveling every year to Jerusalem to the feast of the Passover. 2:42 And when he became twelve years old, they went-up to Jerusalem, according to the custom of the feast; 2:43 and having completed the days, while* they were returning, the boy Jesus remained back in Jerusalem, and Joseph and his mother did not know it. 2:44 But having supposed him to be in the caravan, they went a day's journey, and they were seeking him among their relatives and among their acquaintances. 2:45 And having not found him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking after him.



     2:46 And it happened, after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both hearing them and asking them questions. 2:47 Now all who are hearing him were astonished at his intelligence and his answers. 2:48 And after they saw him, they were astounded, and his mother said to him, Child, why did you do* so to us? Behold, your father and I were seeking you, sorrowing.



     2:49 And he said to them, Why is it that you* were seeking me? Did you* not know it is essential for me to be in the things of my father?2:50 And they did not understand the declaration which he spoke to them. 2:51 And he went-down with them, and came to Nazareth, and he was being subject to them and his mother was keeping all these words in her heart.




     2:52 And Jesus was progressing in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.





Modern Literal Version Preface & Appendix , copyright 1987, 1999, 2013 by G. Allen Walker for the MLV New Testament Committee.
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