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On
the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise him, he was named
Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he had been
conceived.
When the time of their purification according to the Law of Moses
had been completed, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to
present him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord,
“Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord”), and
to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of
the Lord: “a pair of doves or two young pigeons.”
Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous
and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the
Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy
Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Christ.
Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the
parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom
of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God,
saying:
“Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your
servant in peace.
For my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you have prepared in the
sight of all people,
a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your
people Israel.”
The child's father and mother marveled at what was said about him.
Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This
child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in
Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the
thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce
your own soul too.”
There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the
tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband
seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was
eighty four. She never left the temple but worshiped night
and day, fasting and praying. Coming up to them at that very
moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all
who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.
When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of
the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth.
And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom,
and the grace of God was upon him.
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