Luke 2:34-52

34Simeon blessed them and said to Mary His mother, “Listen carefully: this Child is appointed and destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign that is to be opposed—

35and a sword [of deep sorrow] will pierce through your own soul—so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

36There was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old, and had lived with her husband for seven years after her marriage,

37and then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She did not leave the [area of the] temple, but was serving and worshiping night and day with fastings and prayers.

38She, too, came up at that very moment and began praising and giving thanks to God, and continued to speak of Him to all who were looking for the redemption and deliverance of Jerusalem.

39And when they had done everything [in connection with Jesus’ birth] according to the Law of the Lord, they went back to Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth.

40And the Child continued to grow and become strong [in spirit], filled with wisdom; and the grace (favor, spiritual blessing) of God was upon Him.

41Now His parents went to Jerusalem every year for the Passover Feast.

42And when He was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem, according to the custom of the Feast;

43and as they were returning [to Nazareth], after spending the required number of days [at the Feast], the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem. Now His parents did not know this,

44but supposed Him to be in the caravan, and traveled a day’s journey; and [then] they began searching [anxiously] for Him among their relatives and acquaintances.

45When they did not find Him, they went back to Jerusalem looking for Him [everywhere].

46Three days later they found Him in the [court of the] temple, sitting among the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions.

47All who heard Him were amazed by His intelligence and His understanding and His answers.

48When they saw Him, they were overwhelmed; and His mother said to Him, “Son, why have You treated us like this? Listen, Your father and I have been [greatly distressed and] anxiously looking for You.”

49And He answered, “Why did you have to look for Me? Did you not know that I had to be in My Father’s house?”

50But they did not understand what He had said to them.

51He went down to Nazareth with them, and was continually submissive and obedient to them; and His mother treasured all these things in her heart.

52And Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and in stature, and in favor with God and men.