Luke 2:22-40

221And when the days for their purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord 23(as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “2Every firstborn male that opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”), 24and to offer a sacrifice according to what was said in the Law of the Lord, “3A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”

25And there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was 4righteous and devout, 5looking for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26And 6it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not 7see death before he had seen the Lord’s 8Christ. 27And he came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, 910to carry out for Him the custom of the Law, 28then he took Him into his arms, and blessed God, and said,29“Now Lord, You are releasing Your bond-servant to depart in peace, 11According to Your word;30For my eyes have 12seen Your salvation,31Which You have prepared in the presence of all peoples,3213A Light 14of revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel.”

33And His father and 15mother were amazed at the things which were being said about Him. 34And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary 16His mother, “Behold, this Child is appointed for 17the fall and 18rise of many in Israel, and for a sign to be opposed-- 35and a sword will pierce even your own soul--to the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”

36And there was a 19prophetess, 20Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of 21the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in 22years 23and had lived with her husband seven years after her 24marriage, 37and then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple, serving night and day with 25fastings and prayers. 38At that very 26moment she came up and began giving thanks to God, and continued to speak of Him to all those who were 27looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.

39When they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to 28their own city of Nazareth. 4029The Child continued to grow and become strong, 30increasing in wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.