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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, just as it is written in the law of the Lord,
"Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the
Lord," 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.
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. 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. 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, he took him into his arms and blessed
God, saying: "Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace,
according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you
prepared in sight of all the peoples, a light for revelation to the
Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel."
The child's father and mother were
amazed at what was said about him; 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 (and
you yourself a sword will pierce) so that the thoughts of many hearts may
be revealed."
(Luke 2:22-35)
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