1 V isto que muitos têm empreendido fazer uma narração coordenada dos fatos que entre nós se realizaram,

Many people have written about the things that have happened among us.

2 s egundo no-los transmitiram os que desde o princípio foram testemunhas oculares e ministros da palavra,

Those who saw everything from the first and helped teach the Good News have passed these things on to us.

3 t ambém a mim, depois de haver investido tudo cuidadosamente desde o começo, pareceu-me bem, ó excelentíssimo Teófilo, escrever-te uma narração em ordem.

Dear Theophilus, I have looked with care into these things from the beginning. I have decided it would be good to write them to you one after the other the way they happened.

4 p ara que conheças plenamente a verdade das coisas em que foste instruído.

Then you can be sure you know the truth about the things you have been taught. An Angel Tells of the Birth of John the Baptist

5 H ouve nos dias do Rei Herodes, rei da Judéia, um sacerdote chamado Zacarias, da turma de Abias; e sua mulher era descendente de Arão, e chamava-se Isabel.

When Herod was king of the country of Judea, there was a Jewish religious leader named Zacharias. He worked for Abijah. His wife was of the family group of Aaron. Her name was Elizabeth.

6 A mbos eram justos diante de Deus, andando irrepreensíveis em todos os mandamentos e preceitos do Senhor.

They were right with God and obeyed the Jewish Law and did what the Lord said to do.

7 M as não tinham filhos, porque Isabel era estéril, e ambos avançados em idade.

They had no children because Elizabeth was not able to have a child. Both of them were older people.

8 O ra, estando ele a exercer as funções sacerdotais perante Deus, na ordem da sua turma,

Zacharias was doing his work as a religious leader for God.

9 s egundo o costume do sacerdócio, coube-lhe por sorte entrar no santuário do Senhor, para oferecer o incenso;

The religious leaders were given certain kinds of work to do. Zacharias was chosen to go to the house of God to burn special perfume.

10 e toda a multidão do povo orava da parte de fora, ã hora do incenso.

Many people stood outside praying during the time the special perfume was burning.

11 A pareceu-lhe, então, um anjo do Senhor, em pé ã direita do altar do incenso.

Zacharias saw an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar where the special perfume was burning.

12 E Zacarias, vendo-o, ficou turbado, e o temor o assaltou.

When he saw the angel, Zacharias was troubled and afraid.

13 M as o anjo lhe disse: Não temais, Zacarias; porque a tua oração foi ouvida, e Isabel, tua mulher, te dará ã luz um filho, e lhe porás o nome de João;

The angel said to him, “Zacharias, do not be afraid. Your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will give birth to a son. You are to name him John.

14 e terás alegria e regozijo, e muitos se alegrarão com o seu nascimento;

You will be glad and have much joy. Many people will be happy because he is born.

15 p orque ele será grande diante do Senhor; não beberá vinho, nem bebida forte; e será cheio do Espírito Santo já desde o ventre de sua mãe;

He will be great in the sight of the Lord and will never drink wine or any strong drink. Even from his birth, he will be filled with the Holy Spirit.

16 c onverterá muitos dos filhos de Israel ao Senhor seu Deus;

Many of the Jews will be turned to the Lord their God by him.

17 i rá adiante dele no espírito e poder de Elias, para converter os corações dos pais aos filhos, e os rebeldes ã prudência dos justos, a fim de preparar para o Senhor um povo apercebido.

He will be the one to go in the spirit and power of Elijah before Christ comes. He will turn the hearts of the fathers back to their children. He will teach those who do not obey to be right with God. He will get people ready for the Lord.” Zacharias Does Not Believe the Angel

18 D isse então Zacarias ao anjo: Como terei certeza disso? pois eu sou velho, e minha mulher também está avançada em idade.

Zacharias said to the angel, “How can I know this for sure? I am old and my wife is old also.”

19 A o que lhe respondeu o anjo: Eu sou Gabriel, que assisto diante de Deus, e fui enviado para te falar e te dar estas boas novas;

The angel said to him, “My name is Gabriel. I stand near God. He sent me to talk to you and bring to you this good news.

20 e eis que ficarás mudo, e não poderás falar até o dia em que estas coisas aconteçam; porquanto não creste nas minhas palavras, que a seu tempo hão de cumprir-se.

See! You will not be able to talk until the day this happens. It is because you did not believe my words. What I said will happen at the right time.”

21 O povo estava esperando Zacarias, e se admirava da sua demora no santuário.

The people outside were waiting. They were surprised and wondered why Zacharias stayed so long in the house of God.

22 Q uando saiu, porém, não lhes podia falar, e perceberam que tivera uma visão no santuário. E falava-lhes por acenos, mas permanecia mudo.

When he came out, he could not talk to them. They knew he had seen something special from God while he was in the house of God. He tried to talk to them with his hands but could say nothing.

23 E , terminados os dias do seu ministério, voltou para casa.

When his days of working in the house of God were over, he went to his home. The Lord Did What He Promised

24 D epois desses dias Isabel, sua mulher, concebeu, e por cinco meses se ocultou, dizendo:

Some time later Elizabeth knew she was to become a mother. She kept herself hidden for five months. She said,

25 A ssim me fez o Senhor nos dias em que atentou para mim, a fim de acabar com o meu opróbrio diante dos homens.

“This is what the Lord has done for me. He has looked on me and has taken away my shame from among men.” Gabriel Speaks to Mary

26 O ra, no sexto mês, foi o anjo Gabriel enviado por Deus a uma cidade da Galiléia, chamada Nazaré,

Six months after Elizabeth knew she was to become a mother, Gabriel was sent from God to Nazareth. Nazareth was a town in the country of Galilee.

27 a uma virgem desposada com um varão cujo nome era José, da casa de Davi; e o nome da virgem era Maria.

He went to a woman who had never had a man. Her name was Mary. She was promised in marriage to a man named Joseph. Joseph was of the family of David.

28 E , entrando o anjo onde ela estava disse: Salve, agraciada; o Senhor é contigo.

The angel came to her and said, “You are honored very much. You are a favored woman. The Lord is with you. You are chosen from among many women.”

29 E la, porém, ao ouvir estas palavras, turbou-se muito e pôs-se a pensar que saudação seria essa.

When she saw the angel, she was troubled at his words. She thought about what had been said.

30 D isse-lhe então o anjo: Não temas, Maria; pois achaste graça diante de Deus.

The angel said to her, “Mary, do not be afraid. You have found favor with God.

31 E is que conceberás e darás ã luz um filho, ao qual porás o nome de Jesus.

See! You are to become a mother and have a Son. You are to give Him the name Jesus.

32 E ste será grande e será chamado filho do Altíssimo; o Senhor Deus lhe dará o trono de Davi seu pai;

He will be great. He will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give Him the place where His early father David sat.

33 e reinará eternamente sobre a casa de Jacó, e o seu reino não terá fim.

He will be King over the family of Jacob forever and His nation will have no end.”

34 E ntão Maria perguntou ao anjo: Como se fará isso, uma vez que não conheço varão?

Mary said to the angel, “How will this happen? I have never had a man.”

35 R espondeu-lhe o anjo: Virá sobre ti o Espírito Santo, e o poder do Altíssimo te cobrirá com a sua sombra; por isso o que há de nascer será chamado santo, Filho de Deus.

The angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come on you. The power of the Most High will cover you. The holy Child you give birth to will be called the Son of God.

36 E is que também Isabel, tua parenta concebeu um filho em sua velhice; e é este o sexto mês para aquela que era chamada estéril;

“See, your cousin Elizabeth, as old as she is, is going to give birth to a child. She was not able to have children before, but now she is in her sixth month.

37 p orque para Deus nada será impossível.

For God can do all things.”

38 D isse então Maria. Eis aqui a serva do Senhor; cumpra-se em mim segundo a tua palavra. E o anjo ausentou-se dela.

Then Mary said, “I am willing to be used of the Lord. Let it happen to me as you have said.” Then the angel went away from her. Mary Visits Elizabeth

39 N aqueles dias levantou-se Maria, foi apressadamente ã região montanhosa, a uma cidade de Judá,

At once Mary went from there to a town in the hill country of Judea.

40 e ntrou em casa de Zacarias e saudou a Isabel.

She went to the house of Zacharias to see Elizabeth.

41 A o ouvir Isabel a saudação de Maria, saltou a criancinha no seu ventre, e Isabel ficou cheia do Espírito Santo,

When Elizabeth heard Mary speak, the baby moved in her body. At the same time Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.

42 e exclamou em alta voz: Bendita és tu entre as mulheres, e bendito é o fruto do teu ventre!

Elizabeth spoke in a loud voice, “You are honored among women! Your Child is honored!

43 E donde me provém isto, que venha visitar-me a mãe do meu Senhor?

Why has this happened to me? Why has the mother of my Lord come to me?

44 P ois logo que me soou aos ouvidos a voz da tua saudação, a criancinha saltou de alegria dentro de mim.

As soon as I heard your voice, the baby in my body moved for joy.

45 B em-aventurada aquela que creu que se hão de cumprir as coisas que da parte do Senhor lhe foram ditas.

You are happy because you believed. Everything will happen as the Lord told you it would happen.” Mary’s Song of Thanks

46 D isse então Maria: A minha alma engrandece ao Senhor,

Then Mary said, “My heart sings with thanks for my Lord.

47 e o meu espírito exulta em Deus meu Salvador;

And my spirit is happy in God, the One Who saves from the punishment of sin.

48 p orque atentou na condição humilde de sua serva. Desde agora, pois, todas as gerações me chamarão bem-aventurada,

The Lord has looked on me, His servant-girl and one who is not important. But from now on all people will honor me.

49 p orque o Poderoso me fez grandes coisas; e santo é o seu nome.

He Who is powerful has done great things for me. His name is holy.

50 E a sua misericórdia vai de geração em geração sobre os que o temem.

The loving-kindness of the Lord is given to the people of all times who honor Him.

51 C om o seu braço manifestou poder; dissipou os que eram soberbos nos pensamentos de seus corações;

He has done powerful works with His arm. He has divided from each other those who have pride in their hearts.

52 d epôs dos tronos os poderosos, e elevou os humildes.

He has taken rulers down from their thrones. He has put those who are in a place that is not important to a place that is important.

53 A os famintos encheu de bens, e vazios despediu os ricos.

He has filled those who are hungry with good things. He has sent the rich people away with nothing.

54 A uxiliou a Isabel, seu servo, lembrando-se de misericórdia

He has helped Israel His servant. This was done to remember His loving-kindness.

55 ( como falou a nossos pais) para com Abraão e a sua descendência para sempre.

He promised He would do this to our early fathers and to Abraham and to his family forever.”

56 E Maria ficou com ela cerca de três meses; e depois voltou para sua casa.

Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months. Then she went to her own home. The Birth of John the Baptist

57 O ra, completou-se para Isabel o tempo de dar ã luz, e teve um filho.

When the time came, Elizabeth gave birth to a son.

58 O uviram seus vizinhos e parentes que o Senhor lhe multiplicara a sua misericórdia, e se alegravam com ela.

Her neighbors and family heard how the Lord had shown loving-kindness to her. They were happy for her.

59 S ucedeu, pois, no oitavo dia, que vieram circuncidar o menino; e queriam dar-lhe o nome de seu pai, Zacarias.

On the eighth day they did the religious act of the Jews on the child. They named him Zacharias, after his father.

60 R espondeu, porém, sua mãe: De modo nenhum, mas será chamado João.

But his mother said, “No! His name is John.”

61 A o que lhe disseram: Ninguém há na tua parentela que se chame por este nome.

They said to her, “No one in your family has that name.”

62 E perguntaram por acenos ao pai como queria que se chamasse.

Then they talked to his father with their hands to find out what he would name the child.

63 E pedindo ele uma tabuinha, escreveu: Seu nome é João. E todos se admiraram.

He asked for something to write on. He wrote, “His name is John.” They were all surprised and wondered about it.

64 I mediatamente a boca se lhe abriu, e a língua se lhe soltou; louvando a Deus.

Zacharias was able to talk from that time on and he gave thanks to God.

65 E ntão veio temor sobre todos os seus vizinhos; e em toda a região montanhosa da Judéia foram divulgadas todas estas coisas.

All those who lived near them were afraid. The news of what had happened was told through all the hill country of Judea.

66 E todos os que delas souberam as guardavam no coração, dizendo: Que virá a ser, então, este menino? Pois a mão do Senhor estava com ele.

And all who heard those words remembered them and said, “What is this child going to be?” For the hand of the Lord was on him. Zacharias’ Song of Thanks to God

67 Z acarias, seu pai, ficou cheio do Espírito Santo e profetizou, dizendo:

Zacharias, the father of John, was filled with the Holy Spirit. He told what was going to happen, saying,

68 B endito, seja o Senhor Deus de Israel, porque visitou e remiu o seu povo,

“Let us thank the Lord God of Israel. He has bought His people and made them free.

69 e para nós fez surgir uma salvação poderosa na casa de Davi, seu servo;

He has raised up from the family of David One Who saves people from the punishment of their sins.

70 a ssim como desde os tempos antigos tem anunciado pela boca dos seus santos profetas;

His holy early preachers told us this long ago.

71 p ara nos livrar dos nossos inimigos e da mão de todos os que nos odeiam;

God told us that we should be saved from those who hate us and from all those who work against us.

72 p ara usar de misericórdia com nossos pais, e lembrar-se do seu santo pacto

He would show loving-kindness to our early fathers. He would remember His holy promise.

73 e do juramento que fez a Abrão, nosso pai,

God promised this to our early father Abraham.

74 d e conceder-nos que, libertados da mão de nossos inimigos, o servíssemos sem temor,

He promised that we would be saved from those who hate us and that we might worship Him without being afraid.

75 e m santidade e justiça perante ele, todos os dias da nossa vida.

We can be holy and right with God all the days of our life.

76 E tu, menino, serás chamado profeta do Altíssimo, porque irás ante a face do Senhor, a preparar os seus caminhos;

“And you, my son, will be the one who speaks for the Most High. For you will go before the Lord to make the way ready for Him.

77 p ara dar ao seu povo conhecimento da salvação, na remissão dos seus pecados,

You will tell His people how to be saved from the punishment of sin by being forgiven of their sins.

78 g raças ã entrenhável misericórdia do nosso Deus, pela qual nos há de visitar a aurora lá do alto,

Because the heart of our God is full of loving-kindness for us, a light from heaven will shine on us.

79 p ara alumiar aos que jazem nas trevas e na sombra da morte, a fim de dirigir os nossos pés no caminho da paz.

It will give light to those who live in darkness and are under the shadow of death. It will lead our feet in the way of peace.”

80 O ra, o menino crescia, e se robustecia em espírito; e habitava nos desertos até o dia da sua manifestação a Israel.

The child grew and became strong in spirit. He lived in a desert until the day he started to preach to the Jews.