29 “Now Lord, You are releasing Your bond-servant to depart in peace,

aAccording to Your word;

30 For my eyes have aseen Your salvation,

31 Which You have prepared in the presence of all peoples,

32 aA Light 1of revelation to the Gentiles,

And the glory of Your people Israel.”

33 And His father and amother were amazed at the things which were being said about Him.

34 And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary aHis mother, “Behold, this Child is appointed for bthe fall and 1rise of many in Israel, and for a sign to be opposed—

35 and a sword will pierce even your own soul—to the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”

36 And there was a aprophetess, 1Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of bthe tribe of Asher. She was advanced in 2years cand had lived with her husband seven years after her 3marriage,

37 and then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple, serving night and day with afastings and prayers.

38 At that very 1moment she came up and began giving thanks to God, and continued to speak of Him to all those who were alooking for the redemption of Jerusalem.