The Life of Jesus

And when the days of their purification were fulfilled, according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem, to present to the Lord,

as it hath been written in the Law of the Lord, --`Every male opening a womb shall be called holy to the Lord,'

and to give a sacrifice, according to that said in the Law of the Lord, `A pair of turtle-doves, or two young pigeons.'

And lo, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name is Simeon, and this man is righteous and devout, looking for the comforting of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him,

and it hath been divinely told him by the Holy Spirit--not to see death before he may see the Christ of the Lord.

And he came in the Spirit to the temple, and in the parents bringing in the child Jesus, for their doing according to the custom of the law regarding him,

then he took him in his arms, and blessed God, and he said,

`Now Thou dost send away Thy servant, Lord, according to Thy word, in peace,

because mine eyes did see Thy salvation,

which Thou didst prepare before the face of all the peoples,

a light to the uncovering of nations, and the glory of Thy people Israel.'

And Joseph and his mother were wondering at the things spoken concerning him,

and Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, `Lo, this one is set for the falling and rising again of many in Israel, and for a sign spoken against--

(and also thine own soul shall a sword pass through) --that the reasonings of many hearts may be revealed.'

And there was Anna, a prophetess, daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher, she was much advanced in days, having lived with an husband seven years from her virginity,

and she is a widow of about eighty-four years, who did depart not from the temple, with fasts and supplications serving, night and day,

and she, at that hour, having come in, was confessing, likewise, to the Lord, and was speaking concerning him, to all those looking for redemption in Jerusalem.

And when they finished all things, according to the Law of the Lord, they turned back to Galilee, to their city Nazareth;

and the child grew and was strengthened in spirit, being filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him.

And his parents were going yearly to Jerusalem, at the feast of the passover,

and when he became twelve years old, they having gone up to Jerusalem, according to the custom of the feast,

and having finished the days, in their returning the child Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem, and Joseph and his mother did not know,

and, having supposed him to be in the company, they went a day's journey, and were seeking him among the kindred and among the acquaintances,

and not having found him, they turned back to Jerusalem seeking him.

And it came to pass, after three days, they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both hearing them and questioning them,