1 P or cuanto muchos han tratado de poner en orden y escribir una historia de las cosas que entre nosotros son muy ciertas (y hay plena convicción),

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

2 t al como nos las dieron a conocer los que desde el principio fueron testigos oculares y ministros de la palabra (del evangelio),

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

3 t ambién a mí me ha parecido conveniente, después de haberlo investigado todo con diligencia desde el principio, escribírte las ordenadamente, excelentísimo Teófilo,

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 sepas la verdad precisa acerca de las cosas que te han sido enseñadas (instruido oralmente). Anuncio del Nacimiento de Juan el Bautista

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 ubo en los días de Herodes (el Grande), rey de Judea, cierto sacerdote llamado Zacarías, del grupo de Abías, que tenía por mujer una de las hijas de Aarón que se llamaba Elisabet.

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 eran justos delante de Dios, y se conducían intachablemente en todos los mandamientos y preceptos del Señor.

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

7 N o tenían hijos, porque Elisabet era estéril, y ambos eran de edad avanzada.

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

8 P ero aconteció que mientras Zacarías ejercía su ministerio sacerdotal delante de Dios según el orden indicado a su grupo,

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

9 c onforme a la costumbre del sacerdocio, fue escogido por sorteo para entrar al templo del Señor y quemar incienso.

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 T oda la multitud del pueblo estaba afuera orando a la hora de la ofrenda de incienso.

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

11 Y se le apareció a Zacarías un ángel del Señor, de pie, a la derecha del altar del incienso.

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

12 A l ver lo, Zacarías se turbó, y el temor se apoderó de él.

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

13 P ero el ángel le dijo: “No temas, Zacarías, porque tu petición ha sido oída, y tu mujer Elisabet te dará a luz un hijo, y lo llamarás Juan.

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 T endrás gozo y alegría y muchos se regocijarán por su nacimiento,

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

15 p orque él será grande delante del Señor. No beberá vino ni licor, y será lleno del Espíritu Santo aun desde el vientre de su madre,

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 y hará volver a muchos de los Israelitas al Señor su Dios.

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

17 E l irá delante del Señor en el espíritu y poder de Elías para hacer volver los corazones de los padres a los hijos, y a los desobedientes a la actitud de los justos, a fin de preparar para el Señor un pueblo bien dispuesto.”

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 E ntonces Zacarías dijo al ángel: “¿Cómo podré saber esto? Porque yo soy anciano y mi mujer es de edad avanzada.”

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

19 E l ángel le respondió: “Yo soy Gabriel, que estoy en la presencia de Dios, y he sido enviado para hablarte y anunciarte estas buenas nuevas.

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 A sí que te quedarás mudo, y no podrás hablar hasta el día en que todo esto acontezca, por cuanto no creíste mis palabras, las cuales se cumplirán a su debido tiempo.”

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 E l pueblo estaba esperando a Zacarías y se extrañaba de su tardanza en el templo.

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

22 P ero cuando salió, no podía hablarles, y se dieron cuenta de que había visto una visión en el templo. El les hablaba por señas y permanecía 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 C uando se cumplieron los días de su servicio sacerdotal, regresó a su 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 espués de estos días, Elisabet su mujer concibió, y se recluyó por cinco meses, diciendo:

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

25 “ Así ha obrado el Señor conmigo en los días en que se dignó mirar me para quitar mi afrenta entre los hombres.” Anuncio del Nacimiento de Jesús

“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 A l sexto mes, el ángel Gabriel fue enviado por Dios a una ciudad de Galilea llamada Nazaret,

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 una virgen comprometida para casarse con un hombre que se llamaba José, de los descendientes de David; y el nombre de la virgen era María.

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 Y entrando el ángel, le dijo: “¡Salve, muy favorecida! El Señor está (sea) contigo; bendita eres tú entre las mujeres.”

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 lla se turbó mucho por estas palabras, y se preguntaba qué clase de saludo sería éste.

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

30 Y el ángel le dijo: “No temas, María, porque has hallado gracia delante de Dios.

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

31 C oncebirás en tu seno y darás a luz un Hijo, y Le pondrás por nombre Jesús (el Señor salva).

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

32 E ste será grande y será llamado Hijo del Altísimo, y el Señor Dios Le dará el trono de Su padre 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 y reinará sobre la casa de Jacob para siempre, y Su reino no tendrá fin.”

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

34 E ntonces María dijo al ángel: “¿Cómo será esto, puesto que soy virgen ?”

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

35 E l ángel le respondió: “El Espíritu Santo vendrá sobre ti, y el poder del Altísimo te cubrirá con su sombra; por eso el Niño que nacerá será llamado Hijo de Dios.

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 T u parienta Elisabet en su vejez también ha concebido un hijo; y éste es el sexto mes para ella, la que llamaban 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 ninguna cosa será imposible para Dios.”

For God can do all things.”

38 E ntonces María dijo: “Aquí tienes a la sierva del Señor; hágase conmigo conforme a tu palabra.” Y el ángel se fue de su presencia. María Visita a Elisabet

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 E n esos días María se levantó y fue apresuradamente a la región montañosa, a una ciudad de Judá;

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

40 y entró en casa de Zacarías y saludó a Elisabet.

She went to the house of Zacharias to see Elizabeth.

41 C uando Elisabet oyó el saludo de María, la criatura saltó en su vientre; y Elisabet fue llena del Espíritu Santo,

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

42 y exclamó a gran voz: “¡Bendita tú entre las mujeres, y bendito el fruto de tu vientre!

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

43 ¿ Por qué me ha acontecido esto a mí, que la madre de mi Señor venga a mí?

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

44 P orque apenas la voz de tu saludo llegó a mis oídos, la criatura saltó de gozo en mi vientre.

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

45 Y bienaventurada la que creyó que tendrá cumplimiento lo que le fue dicho de parte del Señor.”

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

46 E ntonces María dijo: “ Mi alma engrandece al Señor,

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

47 Y mi espíritu se regocija en Dios mi Salvador.

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

48 P orque ha mirado la humilde condición de esta su sierva; Pues desde ahora en adelante todas las generaciones me tendrán por bienaventurada.

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 grandes cosas me ha hecho el Poderoso; Y santo es Su nombre.

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

50 Y de generacion en generacion es Su misericordia para los que Le temen.

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

51 H a hecho proezas con Su brazo; Ha esparcido a los soberbios en el pensamiento de sus corazones.

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

52 H a quitado a los poderosos de sus tronos; Y ha exaltado a los 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 los hambrientos ha colmado de bienes Y ha despedido a los ricos con las manos vacías.

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

54 H a ayudado a Israel, Su siervo, Para recuerdo de Su misericordia

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

55 T al como dijo a nuestros padres, A Abraham y a su descendencia (simiente) para siempre.”

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

56 M aría se quedó con Elisabet como tres meses y después regresó a su casa. Nacimiento de Juan el Bautista

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

57 C uando a Elisabet se le cumplió el tiempo de su alumbramiento, dio a luz un hijo.

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

58 Y sus vecinos y parientes oyeron que el Señor había demostrado (engrandecido) Su gran misericordia hacia ella, y se regocijaban con ella.

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

59 A l octavo día vinieron para circuncidar al niño, y lo iban a llamar Zacarías según el nombre de su padre.

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

60 “ No, sino que se llamará Juan,” respondió la madre.

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

61 Y le dijeron: “No hay nadie en tu familia que tenga ese nombre.”

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

62 E ntonces preguntaban por señas al padre, cómo lo quería llamar.

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

63 E l pidió una tablilla y escribió lo siguiente: “Su nombre es Juan.” Y todos se maravillaron.

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

64 A l instante le fue abierta su boca y suelta su lengua, y comenzó a hablar dando alabanza a Dios.

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

65 Y vino temor sobre todos los que vivían a su alrededor; y todas estas cosas se comentaban en toda la región montañosa de 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 T odos los que las oían las guardaban en su corazón, diciendo: “¿Qué, pues, llegará a ser este niño?” Porque la mano del Señor ciertamente estaba con él. Profecía de Zacarías

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 S u padre Zacarías fue lleno del Espíritu Santo, y profetizó diciendo:

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

68 “ Bendito sea el Señor, Dios de Israel, Porque nos ha visitado y ha traído redención para Su pueblo,

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

69 Y nos ha levantado un cuerno de salvación En la casa de David Su siervo,

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

70 T al como lo anunció por boca de Sus santos profetas desde los tiempos antiguos,

His holy early preachers told us this long ago.

71 S alvación (Liberación) de nuestros enemigos Y de la mano de todos los que nos aborrecen;

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

72 P ara mostrar misericordia a nuestros padres, Y para recordar Su santo pacto,

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

73 E l juramento que hizo a nuestro padre Abraham:

God promised this to our early father Abraham.

74 C oncedernos que, librados de la mano de nuestros enemigos, Le sirvamos sin temor,

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

75 E n santidad y justicia delante de El, todos nuestros días.

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

76 Y tú, niño, serás llamado profeta del Altísimo; Porque irás delante del Señor para preparar Sus caminos;

“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 a Su pueblo el conocimiento de la salvación Por el perdón de sus pecados,

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

78 P or la entrañable misericordia de nuestro Dios, Con que la Aurora nos visitará desde lo 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 dar luz a los que habitan en tinieblas y en sombra de muerte, Para guiar nuestros pies en el camino de 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 Y el niño crecía y se fortalecía en espíritu; y vivió en lugares desiertos hasta el día en que apareció en público 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.