1 S ince '> as is well known] many have undertaken to put in order and draw up a '> thorough] narrative of the surely established deeds which have been accomplished and fulfilled in and among us,

О И в часа на каденето цялото множество на людете се молеше отвън.

2 E xactly as they were handed down to us by those who from the '> official] beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the Word '> the doctrine concerning the attainment through Christ of salvation in the kingdom of God],

О И, ето, ще млъкнеш, и не ще можеш да говориш до деня, когато ще се сбъдне това, защото не повярва думите ми, които ще се сбъднат своевременно.

3 I t seemed good and desirable to me, also after having searched out diligently and followed all things closely and traced accurately the course from the highest to the minutest detail from the very first, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus,

видя се добре и на мене, който изследвах подробно всичко от началото, да ти пиша наред за това, почтени Теофиле,

4 t hat you may know the full truth and understand with certainty and security against error the accounts (histories) and doctrines of the faith of which you have been informed and in which you have been orally instructed.

за да познаеш достоверността на това, в което си бил поучаван.

5 I n the days when Herod was king of Judea there was a certain priest whose name was Zachariah, of the daily service (the division) of Abia; and his wife was also a descendant of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth.

В дните на Юдейския цар Ирод имаше един свещеник от Авиевия отред, на име Захария; и жена му беше от Аароновите потомци, и се наричаше Елисавета.

6 A nd they both were righteous in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and requirements of the Lord.

Те и двамата бяха праведни пред Бога, като ходеха непорочно във всичките Господни заповеди и наредби.

7 B ut they had no child, for Elizabeth was barren; and both were far advanced in years.

И нямаха чадо, понеже Елисавета беше неплодна, а и двамата бяха в напреднала възраст.

8 N ow while on duty, serving as priest before God in the order of his division,

И като свещенодействуваше той пред Бога по реда на своя отред,

9 A s was the custom of the priesthood, it fell to him by lot to enter '> sanctuary of] the temple of the Lord and burn incense.

по обичая на свещеничеството, нему се падна по жребие да влезе в Господния храм и да покади.

10 A nd all the throng of people were praying outside at the hour of incense.

И в часа на каденето цялото множество на людете се молеше отвън.

11 A nd there appeared to him an angel of the Lord, standing at the right side of the altar of incense.

И яви му се ангел от Господа, стоящ отдясно на кадилния олтар.

12 A nd when Zachariah saw him, he was troubled, and fear took possession of him.

И Захарий като го видя, смути се, и страх го обзе.

13 B ut the angel said to him, Do not be afraid, Zachariah, because your petition was heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you must call his name John.

Но ангелът му рече: Не бой се, Захари; защото твоята молитва е чута, и жена ти Елисавета ще ти роди син, когото ще наречеш Иоан.

14 A nd you shall have joy and exultant delight, and many will rejoice over his birth,

Той ще ти бъде за радост и веселие; и мнозина ще се зарадват за неговото рождение.

15 F or he will be great and distinguished in the sight of the Lord. And he must drink no wine nor strong drink, and he will be filled with and controlled by the Holy Spirit even in and from his mother’s womb.

Защото ще бъде велик пред Господа; вино и спиртно питие няма да пие; и ще се изпълни със Святия Дух още от зачатието си.

16 A nd he will turn back and cause to return many of the sons of Israel to the Lord their God,

И ще обърне мнозина от израилтяните към Господа техния Бог.

17 A nd he will go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn back the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient and incredulous and unpersuadable to the wisdom of the upright '> the knowledge and holy love of the will of God]—in order to make ready for the Lord a people prepared '> adjusted and disposed and placed in the right moral state].

Той ще предиде пред лицето Му в духа и силата на Илия, за да обърна сърцата на бащите към чадата, и непокорните към мъдростта на праведните, да приготви за Господа благоразположен народ.

18 A nd Zachariah said to the angel, By what shall I know and be sure of this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years.

А Захария рече на ангела: По какво ще узная това? Защото аз съм стар, и жена ми е в напреднала възраст.

19 A nd the angel replied to him, I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to talk to you and to bring you this good news.

Ангелът в отговор му каза: Аз съм Гавриил, който стои пред Бога; и съм изпратен да ти говоря и да ти благовестя това.

20 N ow behold, you will be and will continue to be silent and not able to speak till the day when these things take place, because you have not believed what I told you; but my words are of a kind which will be fulfilled in the appointed and proper time.

И, ето, ще млъкнеш, и не ще можеш да говориш, до деня, когато ще се сбъдне това, защото не повярва думите ми, които ще се сбъднат своевременно.

21 N ow the people kept waiting for Zachariah, and they wondered at his delaying in the sanctuary.

И людете чакаха Захария, и се чудеха, че се бави в храма.

22 B ut when he did come out, he was unable to speak to them; and they '> clearly] perceived that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary; and he kept making signs to them, still he remained dumb.

А когато излезе, не можеше да им продума; и те разбраха, че е видял видение в храма, защото той им правеше знакове и оставаше ням.

23 A nd when his time of performing priestly functions was ended, he returned to his house.

И като се навършиха дните на службата му, той отиде у дома си.

24 N ow after this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant, and for five months she secluded herself entirely, saying,

А след тия дни жена му Елисавета зачна; и криеше се пет месеца, като казваше:

25 B ecause thus the Lord has dealt with me in the days when He deigned to look on me to take away my reproach among men.

Така ми стори Господ в дните, когато погледна милостиво, за да отнеме от човеците причината да ме корят.

26 N ow in the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee named Nazareth,

А в шестия месец ангел Гавриил бе изпратен от Бога в галилейския град, наречен Назарет,

27 T o a girl never having been married and a virgin engaged to be married to a man whose name was Joseph, a descendant of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.

при една девица, сгодена за мъж на име Йосиф от Давидовия дом; а името на девицата бе Мария.

28 A nd he came to her and said, Hail, O favored one '> endued with grace]! The Lord is with you! Blessed (favored of God) are you before all other women!

И като дойде ангелът при нея, рече: Здравей благодатна! Господ е с тебе,.

29 B ut when she saw him, she was greatly troubled and disturbed and confused at what he said and kept revolving in her mind what such a greeting might mean.

А тя много се смути от думата му и в недоумение беше, какъв ли ще бъде тоя поздрав.

30 A nd the angel said to her, Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found grace ( free, spontaneous, absolute favor and loving-kindness) with God.

И ангелът - рече: Не бой се, Марио, защото си придобила Божието благоволение.

31 A nd listen! You will become pregnant and will give birth to a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus.

И ето, ще зачнеш в утробата си и ще родиш син, Когото ще наречеш Исус.

32 H e will be great (eminent) and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give to Him the throne of His forefather David,

Той ще бъде велик, и ще се нарече Син на Всевишния; и Господ Бог ще Му даде престола на баща Му Давида.

33 A nd He will reign over the house of Jacob throughout the ages; and of His reign there will be no end.

Ще царува над Якововия дом до века; и царството Му не ще има край.

34 A nd Mary said to the angel, How can this be, since I have no husband?

А Мария рече на ангела: Как ще бъде това, тъй като мъж не познавам?

35 T hen the angel said to her, The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and so the holy (pure, sinless) Thing (Offspring) which shall be born of you will be called the Son of God.

И ангелът в отговор - рече: Святият дух ще дойде върху ти и силата но Всевишния ще те осени; за туй, и святото Онова, Което ще се роди от тебе, ще се нарече Божий Син.

36 A nd listen! Your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is now the sixth month with her who was called barren.

И, ето, твоята сродница Елисавета, и тя в старините си е зачнала син; и това е шестия месец за нея, която се казваше неплодна.

37 F or with God nothing is ever impossible and no word from God shall be without power or impossible of fulfillment.

Защото за Бога няма невъзможно нещо.

38 T hen Mary said, Behold, I am the handmaiden of the Lord; let it be done to me according to what you have said. And the angel left her.

И Мария рече: Ето Господната слугиня; нека ми бъде според както си казал. И ангелът си отиде от нея.

39 A nd at that time Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country to a town of Judah,

През тия дни Мария стана и отиде бързо към хълмистата страна, в един Юдов град,

40 A nd she went to the house of Zachariah and, entering it, saluted Elizabeth.

и влезе в Захариевата къща и поздрави Елисавета.

41 A nd it occurred that when Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with and controlled by the Holy Spirit.

И щом чу Елисавета Марииния поздрав, младенецът заигра в утробата -; и Елисавета се изпълни със Святия Дух,

42 A nd she cried out with a loud cry, and then exclaimed, Blessed (favored of God) above all other women are you! And blessed (favored of God) is the Fruit of your womb!

и като извика със силен глас рече: Благословена си ти между жените, и благословен е плодът на твоята утроба!

43 A nd how be granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?

И от какво ми е тая чест, да дойде при мене майката на моя Господ?

44 F or behold, the instant the sound of your salutation reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.

Защото, ето, щом стигна гласът на твоя поздрав до ушите ми, младенецът заигра радостно в утробата ми.

45 A nd blessed (happy, to be envied) is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of the things that were spoken to her from the Lord.

И блажена е тая, която е повярвала, че ще се сбъдне казаното - от Господа.

46 A nd Mary said, My soul magnifies and extols the Lord,

И Мария каза: Величае душата ми Господа,

47 A nd my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,

и зарадва се духът ми в Господа, Спасителя мой,

48 F or He has looked upon the low station and humiliation of His handmaiden. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed and declare me happy and to be envied!

Защото погледна милостиво на ниското положение на слугинята си; и ето, отсега ще ме ублажават всичките родове.

49 F or He Who is almighty has done great things for me—and holy is His name!

Защото Силният извърши за мене велики дела; и свято е Неговото име.

50 A nd His mercy (His compassion and kindness toward the miserable and afflicted) is on those who fear Him with godly reverence, from generation to generation and age to age.

И, през родове и родове, Неговата милост е върху ония, които Му се боят.

51 H e has shown strength and made might with His arm; He has scattered the proud and haughty in and by the imagination and purpose and designs of their hearts.

Извърши силни дела със Своята мишца; разпръсна ония, които са горделиви в мислите на сърцето си.

52 H e has put down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of low degree.

Свали владетели от престолите им. И въздигна смирени.

53 H e has filled and satisfied the hungry with good things, and the rich He has sent away empty-handed.

Гладните напълни с блага. А богатите отпрати празни.

54 H e has laid hold on His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy,

Помогна на слугата Си Израиля, за да помни да покаже милост.

55 E ven as He promised to our forefathers, to Abraham and to his descendants forever.

(Както бе говорил на бащите ни). Към Авраама и към неговото потомство до века.

56 A nd Mary remained with her for about three months and returned to her home.

А Мария, като преседя с нея около три месеца, върна се у дома си.

57 N ow the time that Elizabeth should be delivered came, and she gave birth to a son.

А на Елисавета се навърши времето да роди; и роди син.

58 A nd her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown great mercy on her, and they rejoiced with her.

И като чуха съседите и роднините -, че Господ показал към нея велика милост, радваха се с нея.

59 A nd it occurred that on the eighth day, when they came to circumcise the child, they were intending to call him Zachariah after his father,

И на осмия ден дойдоха да обрежат детенцето; и щяха да го нарекат Захария, по бащиното му име.

60 B ut his mother answered, Not so! But he shall be called John.

Но майка му в отговор каза: Не, но ще се нарече Иоан.

61 A nd they said to her, None of your relatives is called by that name.

И рекоха -: Няма никой в рода ти, който се нарича с това име.

62 A nd they inquired with signs to his father what he wanted to have him called.

И запитаха баща му със знакове, как би искал той да го нарекат.

63 T hen Zachariah asked for a writing tablet and wrote, His name is John. And they were all astonished.

А той поиска дъсчица и написа тия думи: Иоан е името му. И те всички се почудиха.

64 A nd at once his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he began to speak, blessing and praising and thanking God.

И начаса му се отвориха устата, и езикът му се развърза, и той проговори и благославяше Бога.

65 A nd awe and reverential fear came on all their neighbors; and all these things were discussed throughout the hill country of Judea.

И страх обзе всичките им съседи; и за всичко това се говореше по цялата хълмиста страна на Юдея.

66 A nd all who heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, Whatever will this little boy be then? For the hand of the Lord was '> so evidently] with him.

И всички, които чуха, пазеха това в сърцата си, казвайки: Какво ли ще бъде това детенце? Защото Господната ръка беше с него.

67 N ow Zachariah his father was filled with and controlled by the Holy Spirit and prophesied, saying,

Тогава баща му Захария се изпълни със Святия Дух и пророкува, казвайки:

68 B lessed (praised and extolled and thanked) be the Lord, the God of Israel, because He has come and brought deliverance and redemption to His people!

Благословен Господ, израилевия Бог, защото посети Своите люде и извърши изкупление за тях.

69 A nd He has raised up a Horn of salvation for us in the house of David His servant—

И въздигна рог на спасение за нас в дома на слугата Си Давида,

70 T his is as He promised by the mouth of His holy prophets from the most ancient times —

(Както е говорил чрез устата на святите Си от века пророци).

71 T hat we should have deliverance and be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who detest and pursue us with hatred;

Избавление от неприятелите ни и от ръката на всички, които ни мразят,

72 T o make true and show the mercy and compassion and kindness to our forefathers and to remember and carry out His holy covenant '> all the more sacred because it is made by God Himself],

за да покаже милост към бащите ни и да спомни святия Свой завет,

73 T hat covenant He sealed by oath to our forefather Abraham:

клетвата, с която се закле на баща ни Авраама.

74 T o grant us that we, being delivered from the hand of our foes, might serve Him fearlessly

Да даде нам, бидейки освободени от ръката на неприятелите ни. Да му служим без страх,

75 I n holiness (divine consecration) and righteousness within His presence all the days of our lives.

в святост и правда пред Него, през всичките си дни.

76 A nd you, little one, shall be called a prophet of the Most High; for you shall go on before the face of the Lord to make ready His ways,

Да! И ти, детенце, пророк на Всевишния ще се наречеш; защото ще вървиш пред лицето на Господа да приготвиш пътищата за Него.

77 T o bring and give the knowledge of salvation to His people in the forgiveness and remission of their sins.

3а да дадеш на Неговите люде да познаят спасение чрез прощаване греховете им,

78 B ecause of and through the heart of tender mercy and loving-kindness of our God, a Light from on high will dawn upon us and visit

поради милосърдието на нашия Бог, с което ще ни посети зора отгоре,

79 T o shine upon and give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to direct and guide our feet in a straight line into the way of peace.

за да осияе седящите в тъмнина и в мрачна сянка; така щото да отправи нозете ни в пътя на мира.

80 A nd the little boy grew and became strong in spirit; and he was in the deserts (wilderness) until the day of his appearing to Israel.

А детенцето растеше и крепнеше по дух; и беше в пустините до деня, когато се яви на Израиля.