39. Joseph and Mary finished doing all the things that the law of the Lord commanded. Then they went home to Nazareth, their own town in Galilee.
40. The little boy Jesus was developing into a mature young man, full of wisdom. God was blessing him.
41. Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Passover festival.
42. When Jesus was twelve years old, they went to the festival as usual.
43. When the festival was over, they went home, but Jesus stayed in Jerusalem. His parents did not know about it.
44. They traveled for a whole day thinking that Jesus was with them in the group. They began looking for him among their family and close friends,
45. but they did not find him. So they went back to Jerusalem to look for him there.
46. After three days they found him. Jesus was sitting in the Temple area with the religious teachers, listening and asking them questions.
47. Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and wise answers.