¹Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that a census should be taken of the whole empire. ²This was the first census to take place while Quirinius was governor of Syria. ³And everyone went to his own town to register. ⁴So Joseph also went up from Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, since he was from the house and line of David. ⁵He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to him in marriage and was expecting a child. ⁶While they were there, the time came for her Child to be born. ⁷And she gave birth to her firstborn, a Son. She wrapped Him in swaddling cloths and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.