# Now

This word marks the beginning of a new part of the story.

# it came about that

This phrase shows that this is the beginning of an account. Some versions do not include it.

# Caesar Augustus

"King Augustus" or "Emperor Augustus." He was the first emperor of the Roman Empire.

# sent out a decree ordering

"sent messengers with a decree ordering" 

# that a census be taken of all the people living in the world

"that they count all the people in the world and write down their names" 

# the world

Here the word "world" represents only the part of the world that Caesar August ruled. Alternate translation: "the Empire" or "the Roman world"