King James Version, Updated™

KJV:   1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.

KJVu: 1 Now it came to pass in those days, that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.

KJV:   2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

KJVu: 2 (This taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

KJV:   3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

KJVu: 3 So all went to be taxed, everyone to his own city.

KJV:   4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David :)

KJVu: 4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David ,)

KJV:   5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

KJVu: 5 to be taxed with Mary his betrothed wife, who was with child.

KJV:   6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

KJVu: 6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were fulfilled that she should give birth.

Notes: "Delivered" highlighted in the KJV verse is Strong’s G5088 with a Thayer’s definition of "a woman give birth."

KJV:   7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger ; because there was no room for them in the inn.

KJVu: 7 She brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger , because there was no room for them in the inn.

KJV:   8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

KJVu: 8 And there were in the same country shepherds living in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

Notes: "Abiding" highlighted in the KJV verse is Strong’s G63 with a Thayer’s Greek Lexicon definition of "to live in the fields, be under the open sky, even by night: Luke 2:8."

KJV:   9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them[yellow-background]: and they were sore afraid.

KJVu: 9 Behold, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them , and they were greatly afraid.

Notes: "Sore" highlighted in the KJV verse is Strong’s G3173 Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance definition of "exceeding, great, large -|- (including the prolonged forms, feminine megale, plural megaloi, etc.; compare also megistos, meizon); big (literally or figuratively, in a very wide application) — (+ fear) exceedingly, great(-est), high, large, loud, mighty, + (be) sore (afraid), strong, X to years."

KJV:   10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

KJVu: 10 And the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for, behold, I bring YOU good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

KJV:   11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

KJVu: 11 For unto YOU is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

KJV:   12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

KJVu: 12 And this shall be a sign to YOU: YOU shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. "

KJV:   13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

KJVu: 13 Suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

KJV:   14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

KJVu: 14 "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men. "

KJV:   15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

KJVu: 15 It came to pass, when the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, "Let us now go to Bethlehem, and see this thing which has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us. "

KJV:   16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

KJVu: 16 So they went with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

KJV:   17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

KJVu: 17 When they saw him, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

KJV:   18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

KJVu: 18 And all those who heard it wondered about those things which were told them by the shepherds.

KJV:   19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

KJVu: 19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

KJV:   20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

KJVu: 20 Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told to them.

KJV:   21 And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

KJVu: 21 And when eight days were fulfilled for the circumcision of the child, his name was called JESUS, who was so named by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

KJV:   22 And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord;

KJVu: 22 When the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were fulfilled, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord;

KJV:   23 (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openseth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord ;)

KJVu: 23 (As it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord ")

KJV:   24 And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.

KJVu: 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, "A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons. "

KJV:   25 And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon ; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel : and the Holy Ghost was upon him.

KJVu: 25 Behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon , and this man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel , and the Holy Ghost was upon him.

KJV:   26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.

KJVu: 26 It was revealed to him by the Holy Ghost, that he would not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.

KJV:   27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple : and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,

KJVu: 27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple , and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the law,

KJV:   28 Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,

KJVu: 28 then he took him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,

KJV:   29 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word :

KJVu: 29 "Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word ;

KJV:   30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,

KJVu: 30 For my eyes have seen your salvation,

KJV:   31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;

KJVu: 31 which you have prepared before the face of all people;

KJV:   32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.

KJVu: 32 A light to enlighten the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel. "

KJV:   33 And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.

KJVu: 33 Joseph and his mother were amazed at those things which were spoken of him.

KJV:   34 And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel ; and for a sign which shall be spoken against ;

KJVu: 34 And Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary his mother, "Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel , and for a sign which shall be spoken against

KJV:   35 (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.

KJVu: 35 (and a sword shall pierce through your own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed. "

Notes: "Yea" highlighted in the KJV verse is Strong’s G1161 with a Strong’s definition of "also, and, but, moreover, now."

KJV:   36 And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser : she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;

KJVu: 36 Now there was one named Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser ; she was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity;

KJV:   37 And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.

KJVu: 37 She was a widow of about 84 years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.

KJV:   38 And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

KJVu: 38 And coming in that instant she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

KJV:   39 And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.

KJVu: 39 When they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.

KJV:   40 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom : and the grace of God was upon him.

KJVu: 40 And the child grew, and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom , and the grace of God was upon him.

KJV:   41 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover.

KJVu: 41 His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover.

KJV:   42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.

KJVu: 42 When he was 12 years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast.

Notes: "After" highlighted in the KJV verse is Strong’s G2596 with a Strong’s definition of "about, according as (to), after, against, (when they were) X alone, among, and, X apart, (even, like) as (concerning, pertaining to touching), X aside, at, before, beyond, by, to the charge of, (charita-)bly, concerning, + covered, (dai-)ly, down, every, (+ far more) exceeding, X more excellent, for, from to, godly, in(-asmuch, divers, every, -to, respect of), by, after the manner of, + by any means, beyond (out of) measure, X mightily, more, X natural, of (up-)on (X part), out (of every), over against, (+ your) X own, + particularly, so, through(-oughout, -oughout every), thus, (un-)to(-gether, -ward), X uttermost, where(-by), with."

KJV:   43 And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it.

KJVu: 43 When they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother did not know it.

Notes:

KJV:   44 But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day’s journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.

KJVu: 44 But supposing him to have been in the company, they went a day’s journey; then they sought him among their relatives and acquaintances.

KJV:   45 And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.

KJVu: 45 And when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking him.

KJV:   46 And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.

KJVu: 46 It came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them, and asking them questions.

Notes:

KJV:   47 And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.

KJVu: 47 And all who heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.

KJV:   48 And when they saw him, they were amazed : and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.

KJVu: 48 When they saw him, they were amazed ; and his mother said to him, "Son, why have you done us this way? behold, your father and I have sorrowfully sought you."

Notes:

KJV:   49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?

KJVu: 49 He said to them, "Why were you looking for me? Did YOU not know that I must be about my Father’s business? "

KJV:   50 And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.

KJVu: 50 They did not understood the saying which he spoke to them.

KJV:   51 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them : but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.

KJVu: 51 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them , and his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.

KJV:   52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.

KJVu: 52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.