1 F orasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us,

¶ Forasmuch as many have attempted to set forth in order the history of those things which among us have been most certain,

2 E ven as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word;

even as those who were eyewitnesses from the beginning taught us and thus were ministers of the word,

3 I t seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus,

it seemed good also to me, after having understood all the things from the beginning with great diligence, to write them unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus,

4 T hat thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed.

that thou mightest know the security of those things in which thou hast been instructed.

5 T here was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth.

¶ There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia, and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth.

6 A nd they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.

And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord, blameless.

7 A nd they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years.

And they had no child because Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well advanced in years.

8 A nd it came to pass, that while he executed the priest's office before God in the order of his course,

And it came to pass that while he executed the priest’s office before God in the order of his course,

9 A ccording to the custom of the priest's office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord.

according to the custom of the priest’s office, his lot was to burn incense entering into the temple of the Lord.

10 A nd the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense.

And the whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the time of incense.

11 A nd there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense.

And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense.

12 A nd when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.

And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.

13 B ut the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.

But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias, for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.

14 A nd thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth.

And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth.

15 F or he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb.

For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb.

16 A nd many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God.

And he shall turn many of the sons of Israel to the Lord their God.

17 A nd he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.

And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children and the rebellious to the prudence of the just, to make ready a prepared people for the Lord.

18 A nd Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years.

And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years.

19 A nd the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings.

And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and am sent to speak unto thee and to show thee this gospel.

20 A nd, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season.

And, behold, thou shalt be dumb and not able to speak until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou didst not believe my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season.

21 A nd the people waited for Zacharias, and marvelled that he tarried so long in the temple.

And the people waited for Zacharias and marvelled that he tarried so long in the temple.

22 A nd when he came out, he could not speak unto them: and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple: for he beckoned unto them, and remained speechless.

And when he came out, he could not speak unto them; and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple, for he communicated with signs and remained speechless.

23 A nd it came to pass, that, as soon as the days of his ministration were accomplished, he departed to his own house.

And it came to pass that as soon as the days of his ministration were accomplished, he departed to his own house.

24 A nd after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, saying,

And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived and hid herself five months, saying,

25 T hus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he looked on me, to take away my reproach among men.

Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he looked on me, to take away my reproach among men.

26 A nd in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,

¶ And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee named Nazareth

27 T o a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.

to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David and the virgin’s name was Mary.

28 A nd the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.

And the angel came in unto her and said, Hail, thou that art much graced, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women.

29 A nd when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.

And when she saw him, she was troubled at his words and wondered in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.

30 A nd the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.

Then the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary, for thou hast found grace with God.

31 A nd, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus.

And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb and bring forth a son and shalt call his name Jesus.

32 H e shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:

He shall be great and shall be called the Son of the Highest, and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David;

33 A nd he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

and he shall reign in the house of Jacob for ever, and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

34 T hen said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?

Then Mary said unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?

35 A nd the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Spirit shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee; therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

36 A nd, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.

And, behold, thy relative Elisabeth, she has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.

37 F or with God nothing shall be impossible.

For with God nothing is impossible.

38 A nd Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.

Then Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.

39 A nd Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda;

¶ And Mary arose in those days and went into the hill country with haste into a city of Juda

40 A nd entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth.

and entered into the house of Zacharias and saluted Elisabeth.

41 A nd it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:

And it came to pass that when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit;

42 A nd she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.

and she spoke out with a loud voice and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.

43 A nd whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?

And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?

44 F or, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.

For, behold, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.

45 A nd blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.

And blessed is she that believed, for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.

46 A nd Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,

Then Mary said, My soul magnifies the Lord,

47 A nd my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.

and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Saving Health,

48 F or he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.

for he has regarded the low estate of his handmaiden; for, behold, from now on all generations shall call me blessed.

49 F or he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.

For he that is mighty has done great things unto me, and holy is his name.

50 A nd his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.

And his mercy is on those that fear him from generation to generation.

51 H e hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.

He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.

52 H e hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.

He has put down the mighty from their thrones and exalted the humble.

53 H e hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.

He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent empty away.

54 H e hath helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy;

He has received his servant Israel in remembrance of his mercy

55 A s he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.

as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed forever.

56 A nd Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house.

And Mary abode with her about three months and then returned to her own house.

57 N ow Elisabeth's full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son.

¶ Now Elisabeth’s full time came that she should be delivered and she brought forth a son.

58 A nd her neighbours and her cousins heard how the Lord had shewed great mercy upon her; and they rejoiced with her.

And her neighbours and her relatives heard how the Lord had showed great mercy upon her, and they rejoiced with her.

59 A nd it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father.

And it came to pass that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they called him Zacharias after the name of his father.

60 A nd his mother answered and said, Not so; but he shall be called John.

And his mother answered and said, Not so, but he shall be called John.

61 A nd they said unto her, There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name.

And they said unto her, There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name.

62 A nd they made signs to his father, how he would have him called.

And they communicated with signs to his father, asking how he would have him called.

63 A nd he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marvelled all.

And he asked for a writing table and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they all marvelled.

64 A nd his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake, and praised God.

And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spoke blessing God.

65 A nd fear came on all that dwelt round about them: and all these sayings were noised abroad throughout all the hill country of Judaea.

And fear came on all that dwelt round about them, and all these things were spoken of throughout all the hill country of Judaea.

66 A nd all they that heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, What manner of child shall this be! And the hand of the Lord was with him.

And all those that heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, Who shall this child be! And the hand of the Lord was with him.

67 A nd his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying,

¶ And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied, saying,

68 B lessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people,

Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and made redemption for his people

69 A nd hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David;

And has raised up a horn of saving health for us in the house of his servant David,

70 A s he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began:

as he spoke by the mouth of the saints who from the beginning were his prophets;

71 T hat we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us;

salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all that hate us;

72 T o perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant;

to fulfill mercy unto our fathers and remembering his holy covenant

73 T he oath which he sware to our father Abraham,

of the oath which he made to our father Abraham,

74 T hat he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear,

that he would grant unto us, that without fear delivered out of the hand of our enemies, we might serve him

75 I n holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life.

in holiness and righteousness before him all the days of our life.

76 A nd thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways;

And thou, child, shalt be called prophet of the Most High, for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways,

77 T o give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins,

giving knowledge of saving health unto his people for the remission of their sins

78 T hrough the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us,

through the bowels of mercy of our God, whereby the dayspring from on high has visited us

79 T o give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.

to give light to those that dwell in darkness and in the shadow of death, to direct our feet into the way of peace.

80 A nd the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel.

And the child grew and was comforted of the Spirit and was in the deserts until the day of his showing unto Israel.