Holy Family

2For the Lord honors the father over the children,

and has confirmed the judgment of the mother over her sons.

3He who honors his father will make atonement for sins.

4He who gives glory to his mother is as one who lays up treasure.

5Whoever honors his father will have joy in his own children.

He will be heard in the day of his prayer.

6He who gives glory to his father will have length of days.

He who listens to the Lord will bring rest to his mother,

…

12My son, help your father in his old age,

and don’t grieve him as long as he lives.

13If he fails in understanding, have patience with him.

Don’t dishonor him in your full strength.

14For the kindness to your father will not be forgotten.

Instead of sins it will be added to build you up.

1Blessed is everyone who fears the LORD,

who walks in his ways.

2For you will eat the labor of your hands.

You will be happy, and it will be well with you.

3Your wife will be as a fruitful vine in the innermost parts of your house,

your children like olive shoots around your table.

4Behold, this is how the man who fears the LORD is blessed.

5May the LORD bless you out of Zion,

and may you see the good of Jerusalem all the days of your life.

12Put on therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, humility, and perseverance; 13bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, if any man has a complaint against any; even as Christ forgave you, so you also do. 14Above all these things, walk in love, which is the bond of perfection. 15And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body, and be thankful. 16Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your heart to the Lord. 17Whatever you do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. 18Wives, be in subjection to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 19Husbands, love your wives, and don’t be bitter against them. 20Children, obey your parents in all things, for this pleases the Lord. 21Fathers, don’t provoke your children, so that they won’t be discouraged.

22When 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(as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”), 24and to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, “A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.” 25Behold, 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. 26It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27He 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, 28then he received him into his arms and blessed God, and said,

29“Now you are releasing your servant, Master,

according to your word, in peace;

30for my eyes have seen your salvation,

31which you have prepared before the face of all peoples;

32a light for revelation to the nations,

and the glory of your people Israel.”

33Joseph and his mother were marveling at the things which were spoken concerning him. 34Simeon 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. 35Yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul, that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” 36There 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, 37and 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. 38Coming 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. 39When they had accomplished all things that were according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth. 40The child was growing, and was becoming strong in spirit, being filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him.