Passage Viewer

When the day of purification came according to the law of Moses, they took the baby to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, 

as it is written in the law of the Lord: Every firstborn male shall be dedicated to God. 

And they offered a sacrifice as instructed in the law of the Lord: a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.

There lived in Jerusalem at that time a very upright and devout man named Simeon; the Holy Spirit was in him. He looked forward to the time when the Lord would comfort Israel;

and he had been assured by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before seeing the Messiah of the Lord.

So, he was led into the temple by the Holy Spirit when the parents brought the child Jesus to do for him according to the custom of the law.

Simeon took the child in his arms and blessed God, saying:

“Now, O Lord, you can dismiss

your servant in peace,

for you have fulfilled your word

and my eyes have seen your salvation,

which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples.

A light for revelation to the Gentiles,

and glory of your people Israel.”

His father and mother wondered about what was said regarding the child. 

Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: 

“Know this: your son is a sign; a sign established for the falling and rising of many in Israel, a sign of contradiction;

and a sword will pierce your own soul so that out of many hearts thoughts may be revealed.”