₂₂The time came for Joseph and Mary to perform the ceremony of purification, as the Law of Moses commanded. So they took the child to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, ₂₃as it is written in the law of the Lord: “Every firstborn male is to be dedicated to the Lord.” ₂₄They also went to offer a sacrifice of a pair of doves or two young pigeons, as required by the law of the Lord.

₂₅At that time there was a man named Simeon living in Jerusalem. He was a good, God-fearing man and was waiting for Israel to be saved. The Holy Spirit was with him ₂₆and had assured him that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's promised Messiah. ₂₇Led by the Spirit, Simeon went into the Temple. When the parents brought the child Jesus into the Temple to do for him what the Law required, ₂₈Simeon took the child in his arms and gave thanks to God:

₃₃The child's father and mother were amazed at the things Simeon said about him. ₃₄Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother, “This child is chosen by God for the destruction and the salvation of many in Israel. He will be a sign from God which many people will speak against ₃₅and so reveal their secret thoughts. And sorrow, like a sharp sword, will break your own heart.”

_36-37There was a very old prophet, a widow named Anna, daughter of Phanuel of the tribe of Asher. She had been married for only seven years and was now 84 years old. She never left the Temple; day and night she worshipped God, fasting and praying. ₃₈That very same hour she arrived and gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were waiting for God to set Jerusalem free.

₃₉When Joseph and Mary had finished doing all that was required by the law of the Lord, they returned to their home town of Nazareth in Galilee. ₄₀The child grew and became strong; he was full of wisdom, and God's blessings were upon him.