Dedication to Theophilus

1 Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that ^(A)have been accomplished among us, ^2 (B)just as those who ^(C)from the beginning were ^(D)eyewitnesses and ^(E)ministers of ^(F)the word ^(G)have delivered them to us, ³ it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write ^(H)an orderly account for you, ^(I)most excellent ^(J)Theophilus, ⁴ that you may have ^(K)certainty concerning the things ^(L)you have been taught.

The Boy Jesus in the Temple

⁴¹ Now ^(A)his parents went ^(B)to Jerusalem every year at ^(C)the Feast of the Passover. ⁴² And when he was twelve years old, ^(D)they went up according to custom. ⁴³ And when the feast ^(E)was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. ^(F)His parents did not know it, ⁴⁴ but supposing him to be in the group they went a day's journey, but then they began to search for him among their relatives and acquaintances, ⁴⁵ and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching for him. ⁴⁶ After three days they found him in the temple, ^(G)sitting among ^(H)the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. ⁴⁷ And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. ⁴⁸ And when his parents^[a] saw him, they were astonished. And his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, ^(I)your father and I have been searching for you in great distress.” ⁴⁹ And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that ^(J)I must be in ^(K)my Father's house?”^{[b] 50} And ^(L)they did not understand the saying that he spoke to them. ⁵¹ And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And ^(M)his mother treasured up all these things in her heart.

⁵² And Jesus ^(N)increased in wisdom and in stature^[c] and in ^(O)favor with God and man.