37 Then her husband died and she lived alone. She was now 84 years old. Anna never left the Temple. She worshiped God by going without food and praying day and night.
38 She was standing there at that time, thanking God. She talked about Jesus to all who were waiting for God to free Jerusalem.
39 Joseph and Mary finished doing everything that the law of the Lord commanded. Then they went home to Nazareth, their own town in Galilee.
40 The little child began to grow up. He became stronger and wiser, and God’s blessings were with him.
41 Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Passover Feast.
42 When Jesus was 12 years old, they went to the feast as they always did.
43 When the feast days were over, they went home. The boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it.