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- There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage,
- and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying.
- Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.
- When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth.
- And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him.
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- Every year his parents went to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover.
- When he was twelve years old, they went up to the Feast, according to the custom.
- After the Feast was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it.
- Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends.
- When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him.
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- After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.
- Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers.
- When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, "Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you."
- "Why were you searching for me?" he asked. "Didn't you know I had to be in my Father's house?"
- But they did not understand what he was saying to them.
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- Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart.
- And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.
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