Simeon Praises the Lord

^22 (A) The time came for Mary and Joseph to do what the Law of Moses says a mother is supposed to do after her baby is born.^[a]

They took Jesus to the temple in Jerusalem and presented him to the Lord, ^23 (B) just as the Law of the Lord says, “Each first-born^[b] baby boy belongs to the Lord.” ²⁴ The Law of the Lord also says parents have to offer a sacrifice, giving at least a pair of doves or two young pigeons. So that is what Mary and Joseph did.

The Boy Jesus in the Temple

^41 (A) Every year Jesus' parents went to Jerusalem for Passover.

⁴² And when Jesus was twelve years old, they all went there as usual for the celebration.