The Census and the Birth of Jesus

2:1 Now1 in those days a decree2 went out from Caesar3 Augustus4 to register5 all the empire6 for taxes. 2:2 This was the first registration, taken when Quirinius was governor7 of Syria. 2:3 Everyone8 went to his own town9 to be registered. 2:4 So10 Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth11 in Galilee to Judea, to the city12 of David called Bethlehem,13 because he was of the house14 and family line15 of David. 2:5 He went16 to be registered with Mary, who was promised in marriage to him,17 and who was expecting a child. 2:6 While18 they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child.19 2:7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in strips of cloth20 and laid him in a manger,21 because there was no place for them in the inn.22