Luke 2:34-52

34And Simeon blessed them and said to 1His mother Mary, “Behold, this Child is appointed for 2the fall and 3rise of many in Israel, and as a sign to be 4opposed-- 35and a sword will pierce your own soul--to the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”

36And there was a 5prophetess, 6Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of 7the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in 8years 9and had lived with her husband for seven years after her 10marriage, 37and then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She did not leave the temple grounds, serving night and day with 11fasts and prayers. 38And at that very 12moment she came up and began giving thanks to God, and continued to speak about Him to all those who were 13looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.

39And when His parents had completed everything in accordance with the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to 14their own city of Nazareth. 4015Now the Child continued to grow and to become strong, 16increasing in wisdom; and the favor of God was upon Him.

41His parents went to Jerusalem every year at 17the Feast of the Passover. 42And when He was twelve years old, they went up there according to the custom of the feast; 43and as they were returning, after spending the 18full number of days required, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but His parents were unaware of it. 44Instead, they thought that He was somewhere in the caravan, and they went a day’s journey; and then they began looking for Him among their relatives and acquaintances. 45And when they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem, looking for Him. 46Then, after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. 47And all who heard Him 19were amazed at His understanding and His answers. 48When Joseph and Mary saw Him, they were bewildered; and 20His mother said to Him, “Son, why have You treated us this way? Behold, 21Your father and I have been anxiously looking for You!” 49And He said to them, “Why is it that you were looking for Me? Did you not know that 22I had to be in My Father’s 23house?” 50And yet 24they on their part did not understand the statement which He had 25made to them. 51And He went down with them and came to 26Nazareth, and He continued to be subject to them; and 27His mother 28treasured all these 29things in her heart.

52And Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and 30stature, and in 31favor with God and people.