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,

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

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],

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

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,

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 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.

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 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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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].

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 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.

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

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.

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 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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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 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.

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 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!

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 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.

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

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.

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

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

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

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,

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

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

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

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

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.

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 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.

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

For God can do all things.”

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.

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

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

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

She went to the house of Zacharias to see Elizabeth.

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.

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

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!

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

47 A nd my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,

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

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!

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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!

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

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

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

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

His holy early preachers told us this long ago.

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;

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

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],

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

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

God promised this to our early father Abraham.

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

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

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

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

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,

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

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

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

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

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.

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 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.

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