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22
When the days were completed for their purification according
to the law of Moses, they took him up to Jerusalem to present
him to the Lord, 23 just as it is written in the law of
the Lord, "Every male that opens the womb shall be
consecrated to the Lord," 24 and to offer the sacrifice
of "a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons,"
in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord. 25
Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon.
This man was righteous and devout, awaiting the consolation
of Israel, and the holy Spirit was upon him. 26 It had been
revealed to him by the holy Spirit that he should not see
death before he had seen the Messiah of the Lord. 27 He
came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents
brought in the child Jesus to perform the custom of the
law in regard to him, 28 he took him into his arms and blessed
God, saying: 29 "Now, Master, you may let your servant
go in peace, according to your word, 30 for my eyes have
seen your salvation, 31 which you prepared in sight of all
the peoples, 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and glory for your people Israel." 33 The child's father
and mother were
amazed at what was said about him; 34 and Simeon blessed
them and said to Mary his mother, "Behold, this child
is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and
to be a sign that will be contradicted 35 (and you yourself
a sword will pierce) so that the thoughts of many hearts
may be revealed." |