Luke 2:25-35

25At this time, a man called Simeon was living in Jerusalem. He was a good man and he obeyed God. He had waited a long time to see the special person who would save Israel's people. The Holy Spirit was with him.

26The Holy Spirit had told him, ‘You will not die yet. You know that the Lord God has promised to send his Messiah. You will see him before you die.’

27Now the day had come. The Holy Spirit told Simeon that he should go to the temple. Mary and Joseph were bringing the baby Jesus to do what God's rule said.

28Simeon went to them. He took Jesus and he held him in his arms. Then he thanked God. He said:

29‘Master, I am your servant. You have done what you promised to me. Now I can die with no trouble in my mind.

30I really have seen the person that you have sent to save your people.

31You have sent him to the world and people everywhere will know about him.

32He will bring light to people so that they can know you. He will show you to those people who are not Jews. He will also show that your people of Israel are very special.’

33That is what Simeon said about Jesus. His message surprised Mary and Joseph very much.

34Then Simeon asked God to be good and kind to Mary and to Joseph. After that, he spoke to Mary, the mother of Jesus. He said to her, ‘God has chosen this baby. Many people in Israel will become worse because of him. And many of them will become better again because of him. He will be like a sign that points to God. But many people will speak against him.

35This will show their secret thoughts about God. This will make you very sad, too. It will seem like a sharp knife is cutting into you. That is how sad you will be’.