Luke 2

Highlighted words differ from the KJV. Most differences are matters of wording, style or the age of the English, not of meaning; a few reflect different manuscripts.

KJV WEB

1
KJVAnd it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Cæsar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.
WEBNow in those days, a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be enrolled.
2
KJV(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
WEBThis was the first enrollment made when Quirinius was governor of Syria.
3
KJVAnd all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
WEBAll went to enroll themselves, everyone to his own city.
4
KJVAnd Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judæa, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
WEBJoseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to David’s city, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David,
5
KJVTo be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
WEBto enroll himself with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him as wife, being pregnant.
6
KJVAnd so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
WEBWhile they were there, the day had come for her to give birth.
7
KJVAnd she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
WEBShe gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in bands of cloth and laid him in a feeding trough, because there was no room for them in the inn.
8
KJVAnd there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
WEBThere were shepherds in the same country staying in the field, and keeping watch by night over their flock.
9
KJVAnd, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
WEBBehold, an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.
10
KJVAnd the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
WEBThe angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be to all the people.
11
KJVFor unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
WEBFor there is born to you today, in David’s city, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
12
KJVAnd this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
WEBThis is the sign to you: you will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth, lying in a feeding trough.”
13
KJVAnd suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
WEBSuddenly, there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly army praising God and saying,
14
KJVGlory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
WEB“Glory to God in the highest, on earth peace, good will toward men.”
15
KJVAnd it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
WEBWhen the angels went away from them into the sky, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem, now, and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”
16
KJVAnd they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
WEBThey came with haste and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby was lying in the feeding trough.
17
KJVAnd when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
WEBWhen they saw it, they publicized widely the saying which was spoken to them about this child.
18
KJVAnd all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
WEBAll who heard it wondered at the things which were spoken to them by the shepherds.
19
KJVBut Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
WEBBut Mary kept all these sayings, pondering them in her heart.
20
KJVAnd the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
WEBThe shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, just as it was told them.
21
KJVAnd when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
WEBWhen eight days were fulfilled for the circumcision of the child, his name was called Jesus, which was given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
22
KJVAnd when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord;
WEBWhen the days of their purification according to the law of Moses were fulfilled, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord
23
KJV(As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;)
WEB(as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”),
24
KJVAnd to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.
WEBand to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, “A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.”
25
KJVAnd, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.
WEBBehold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him.
26
KJVAnd it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.
WEBIt had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.
27
KJVAnd he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,
WEBHe came in the Spirit into the temple. When the parents brought in the child, Jesus, that they might do concerning him according to the custom of the law,
28
KJVThen took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,
WEBthen he received him into his arms and blessed God, and said,
29
KJVLord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:
WEB“Now you are releasing your servant, Master, according to your word, in peace;
30
KJVFor mine eyes have seen thy salvation,
WEBfor my eyes have seen your salvation,
31
KJVWhich thou hast prepared before the face of all people;
WEBwhich you have prepared before the face of all peoples;
32
KJVA light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
WEBa light for revelation to the nations, and the glory of your people Israel.”
33
KJVAnd Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.
WEBJoseph and his mother were marveling at the things which were spoken concerning him.
34
KJVAnd Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against;
WEBSimeon blessed them, and said to Mary, his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which is spoken against.
35
KJV(Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.
WEBYes, a sword will pierce through your own soul, that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
36
KJVAnd there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;
WEBThere was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher (she was of a great age, having lived with a husband seven years from her virginity,
37
KJVAnd she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.
WEBand she had been a widow for about eighty-four years), who didn’t depart from the temple, worshiping with fastings and petitions night and day.
38
KJVAnd she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.
WEBComing up at that very hour, she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of him to all those who were looking for redemption in Jerusalem.
39
KJVAnd when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.
WEBWhen they had accomplished all things that were according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth.
40
KJVAnd the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.
WEBThe child was growing, and was becoming strong in spirit, being filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him.
41
KJVNow his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover.
WEBHis parents went every year to Jerusalem at the feast of the Passover.
42
KJVAnd when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.
WEBWhen he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast;
43
KJVAnd when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it.
WEBand when they had fulfilled the days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. Joseph and his mother didn’t know it,
44
KJVBut they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day’s journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.
WEBbut supposing him to be in the company, they went a day’s journey; and they looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances.
45
KJVAnd when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.
WEBWhen they didn’t find him, they returned to Jerusalem, looking for him.
46
KJVAnd it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.
WEBAfter three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the middle of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions.
47
KJVAnd all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.
WEBAll who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.
48
KJVAnd when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.
WEBWhen they saw him, they were astonished; and his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us this way? Behold, your father and I were anxiously looking for you.”
49
KJVAnd he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?
WEBHe said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Didn’t you know that I must be in my Father’s house?”
50
KJVAnd they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.
WEBThey didn’t understand the saying which he spoke to them.
51
KJVAnd he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.
WEBAnd he went down with them and came to Nazareth. He was subject to them, and his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.
52
KJVAnd Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.
WEBAnd Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.

King James Version (1769 text), public domain outside the United Kingdom, where Crown letters patent apply.
World English Bible (WEB), public domain. “World English Bible” is a trademark of eBible.org.