Luke 2:8-20

English Standard Version

The Shepherds and the Angels

⁸And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. ⁹And an angel of the Lord ^(A)appeared to them, and ^(B)the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. ¹⁰And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all ^(C)the people. ¹¹For ^(D)unto you is born this day in ^(E)the city of David ^(F)a Savior, who is ^(G)Christ ^(H)the Lord. ¹²And ^(I)this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby ^(J)wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” ¹³And suddenly there was with the angel ^(K)a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

¹⁴^(L)“Glory to God ^(M)in the highest,
^(N)and on earth ^(O)peace ^(P)among those with whom he is pleased!”^[a]

¹⁵When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” ¹⁶And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby ^(Q)lying in a manger. ¹⁷And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. ¹⁸And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. ¹⁹But ^(R)Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. ²⁰And the shepherds returned, ^(S)glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

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Footnotes

Luke 2:14 Some manuscripts peace, good will among men

1 Thessalonians 5:12-24

English Standard Version

Final Instructions and Benediction

¹²We ask you, brothers, ^(A)to respect those who labor among you and ^(B)are over you in the Lord and admonish you, ¹³and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. ^(C)Be at peace among yourselves. ¹⁴And we urge you, brothers, admonish ^(D)the idle,^[a] ^(E)encourage the fainthearted, ^(F)help the weak, ^(G)be patient with them all. ¹⁵See that ^(H)no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always ^(I)seek to do good to one another and to everyone. ¹⁶^(J)Rejoice always, ¹⁷^(K)pray without ceasing, ¹⁸^(L)give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. ¹⁹^(M)Do not quench the Spirit. ²⁰Do not despise ^(N)prophecies, ²¹but ^(O)test everything; hold fast what is good. ²²Abstain from every form of evil.

²³Now may ^(P)the God of peace himself ^(Q)sanctify you completely, and may your ^(R)whole ^(S)spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at ^(T)the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. ²⁴^(U)He who calls you is faithful; ^(V)he will surely do it.