37. and she had been a widow for 84 years. Anna never left the temple courtyard but worshiped day and night by fasting and praying.
38. At that moment she came up to Mary and Joseph and began to thank God. She spoke about Jesus to all who were waiting for Jerusalem to be set free.
39. After doing everything the Lord’s Teachings required, Joseph and Mary returned to their hometown of Nazareth in Galilee.
40. The child grew and became strong. He was filled with wisdom, and God’s favor was with him.
41. Every year Jesus’ parents would go to Jerusalem for the Passover festival.
42. When he was 12 years old, they went as usual.
43. When the festival was over, they left for home. The boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents didn’t know it.