Presentation of the Lord

1Verse 1. “Behold, I will send My messenger, who will prepare the way before Me. Then the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to His temple — the Messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight — see, He is coming,” says the LORD of Hosts. 2Verse 2. But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He will be like a refiner’s fire, like a launderer’s soap. 3Verse 3. And He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; He will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver. Then they will present offerings to the LORD in righteousness. 4Verse 4. Then the offerings of Judah and Jerusalem will please the LORD, as in days of old and years gone by.

14Verse 14. Now since the children have flesh and blood, He too shared in their humanity, so that by His death He might destroy him who holds the power of death, that is, the devil, 15Verse 15. and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. 16Verse 16. For surely it is not the angels He helps, but the descendants of Abraham. 17Verse 17. For this reason He had to be made like His brothers in every way, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, in order to make atonement for the sins of the people. 18Verse 18. Because He Himself suffered when He was tempted, He is able to help those who are being tempted.

22Verse 22. And when the time of purification according to the Law of Moses was complete, His parents brought Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord 23Verse 23. (as it is written in the Law of the Lord: “Every firstborn male shall be consecrated to the Lord” ), 24Verse 24. and to offer the sacrifice specified in the Law of the Lord: “A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.” 25Verse 25. Now there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26Verse 26. The Holy Spirit had revealed to him that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27Verse 27. Led by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. And when the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for Him what was customary under the Law, 28Verse 28. Simeon took Him in his arms and blessed God, saying: 29Verse 29. “Sovereign Lord, as You have promised, You now dismiss Your servant in peace. 30Verse 30. For my eyes have seen Your salvation, 31Verse 31. which You have prepared in the sight of all people, 32Verse 32. a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to Your people Israel.” 33Verse 33. The Child’s father and mother were amazed at what was spoken about Him. 34Verse 34. Then Simeon blessed them and said to His mother Mary: “Behold, this Child is appointed to cause the rise and fall of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, 35Verse 35. so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed — and a sword will pierce your soul as well.” 36Verse 36. There was also a prophetess named Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher, who was well along in years. She had been married for seven years, 37Verse 37. and then was a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. 38Verse 38. Coming forward at that moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the Child to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem. 39Verse 39. When Jesus’ parents had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. 40Verse 40. And the Child grew and became strong. He was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon Him.