1 I nasmuch as many have taken in hand to set in order a narrative of those things which have been fulfilled among us,

Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile an account of the things accomplished among us,

2 j ust as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word delivered them to us,

just as they were handed down to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word,

3 i t seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write to you an orderly account, most excellent Theophilus,

it seemed fitting for me as well, having investigated everything carefully from the beginning, to write it out for you in consecutive order, most excellent Theophilus;

4 t hat you may know the certainty of those things in which you were instructed. John’s Birth Announced to Zacharias

so that you may know the exact truth about the things you have been taught. Birth of John the Baptist Foretold

5 T here was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the division of Abijah. His wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth.

In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zacharias, of the division of Abijah; and he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth.

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

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

7 B ut they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well advanced in years.

But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both advanced in years.

8 S o it was, that while he was serving as priest before God in the order of his division,

Now it happened that while he was performing his priestly service before God in the appointed order of his division,

9 a ccording to the custom of the priesthood, his lot fell to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord.

according to the custom of the priestly office, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense.

10 A nd the whole multitude of the people was praying outside at the hour of incense.

And the whole multitude of the people were in prayer outside at the hour of the incense offering.

11 T hen an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense.

And an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the altar of incense.

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

Zacharias was troubled when he saw the angel, and fear gripped him.

13 B ut the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John.

But the angel said to him, “ Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your petition has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will give him the name John.

14 A nd you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth.

You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth.

15 F or he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb.

For he will be great in the sight of the Lord; and he will drink no wine or liquor, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit while yet in his mother’s womb.

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

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

17 H e will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, ‘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.”

It is he who will go as a forerunner before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers back to the children, and the disobedient to the attitude of the righteous, so as to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”

18 A nd Zacharias said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years.”

Zacharias said to the angel, “How will I know this for certain ? For I am an old man and my wife is advanced in years.”

19 A nd the angel answered and said to him, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and was sent to speak to you and bring you these glad tidings.

The angel answered and said to him, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news.

20 B ut behold, you will be mute and not able to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words which will be fulfilled in their own time.”

And behold, you shall be silent and unable to speak until the day when these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their proper time.”

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

The people were waiting for Zacharias, and were wondering at his delay in the temple.

22 B ut when he came out, he could not speak to them; and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple, for he beckoned to them and remained speechless.

But when he came out, he was unable to speak to them; and they realized that he had seen a vision in the temple; and he kept making signs to them, and remained mute.

23 S o it was, as soon as the days of his service were completed, that he departed to his own house.

When the days of his priestly service were ended, he went back home.

24 N ow after those days his wife Elizabeth conceived; and she hid herself five months, saying,

After these days Elizabeth his wife became pregnant, and she kept herself in seclusion for five months, saying,

25 “ Thus the Lord has dealt with me, in the days when He looked on me, to take away my reproach among people.” Christ’s Birth Announced to Mary

“This is the way the Lord has dealt with me in the days when He looked with favor upon me, to take away my disgrace among men.” Jesus’ Birth Foretold

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

Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee called Nazareth,

27 t o a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary.

to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the descendants of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.

28 A nd having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!”

And coming in, he said to her, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.”

29 B ut when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was.

But she was very perplexed at this statement, and kept pondering what kind of salutation this was.

30 T hen the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.

The angel said to her, “ Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God.

31 A nd behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus.

And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus.

32 H e will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David.

He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David;

33 A nd He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”

and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end.”

34 T hen Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?”

Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?”

35 A nd the angel answered and said to her, “ The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.

The angel answered and said to her, “ The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy Child shall be called the Son of God.

36 N ow indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren.

And behold, even your relative Elizabeth has also conceived a son in her old age; and she who was called barren is now in her sixth month.

37 F or with God nothing will be impossible.”

For nothing will be impossible with God.”

38 T hen Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her. Mary Visits Elizabeth

And Mary said, “Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her. Mary Visits Elizabeth

39 N ow Mary arose in those days and went into the hill country with haste, to a city of Judah,

Now at this time Mary arose and went in a hurry to the hill country, to a city of Judah,

40 a nd entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth.

and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth.

41 A nd it happened, when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, that the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.

When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.

42 T hen she spoke out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!

And she cried out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!

43 B ut why is this granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?

And how has it happened to me, that the mother of my Lord would come to me?

44 F or indeed, as soon as the voice of your greeting sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.

For behold, when the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby leaped in my womb for joy.

45 B lessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord.” The Song of Mary

And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what had been spoken to her by the Lord.” The Magnificat

46 A nd Mary said: “My soul magnifies the Lord,

And Mary said: “ My soul exalts the Lord,

47 A nd my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.

And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.

48 F or He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant; For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed.

“For He has had regard for the humble state of His bondslave; For behold, from this time on all generations will count me blessed.

49 F or He who is mighty has done great things for me, And holy is His name.

“For the Mighty One has done great things for me; And holy is His name.

50 A nd His mercy is on those who fear Him From generation to generation.

“ And His mercy is upon generation after generation Toward those who fear Him.

51 H e has shown strength with His arm; He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.

“ He has done mighty deeds with His arm; He has scattered those who were proud in the thoughts of their heart.

52 H e has put down the mighty from their thrones, And exalted the lowly.

“He has brought down rulers from their thrones, And has exalted those who were humble.

53 H e has filled the hungry with good things, And the rich He has sent away empty.

“ He has filled the hungry with good things; And sent away the rich empty-handed.

54 H e has helped His servant Israel, In remembrance of His mercy,

“He has given help to Israel His servant, In remembrance of His mercy,

55 A s He spoke to our fathers, To Abraham and to his seed forever.”

As He spoke to our fathers, To Abraham and his descendants forever.”

56 A nd Mary remained with her about three months, and returned to her house. Birth of John the Baptist

And Mary stayed with her about three months, and then returned to her home. John Is Born

57 N ow Elizabeth’s full time came for her to be delivered, and she brought forth a son.

Now the time had come for Elizabeth to give birth, and she gave birth to a son.

58 W hen her neighbors and relatives heard how the Lord had shown great mercy to her, they rejoiced with her. Circumcision of John the Baptist

Her neighbors and her relatives heard that the Lord had displayed His great mercy toward her; and they were rejoicing with her.

59 S o it was, on the eighth day, that they came to circumcise the child; and they would have called him by the name of his father, Zacharias.

And it happened that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to call him Zacharias, after his father.

60 H is mother answered and said, “No; he shall be called John.”

But his mother answered and said, “No indeed; but he shall be called John.”

61 B ut they said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who is called by this name.”

And they said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who is called by that name.”

62 S o they made signs to his father—what he would have him called.

And they made signs to his father, as to what he wanted him called.

63 A nd he asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, saying, “His name is John.” So they all marveled.

And he asked for a tablet and wrote as follows, “ His name is John.” And they were all astonished.

64 I mmediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, praising God.

And at once his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he began to speak in praise of God.

65 T hen fear came on all who dwelt around them; and all these sayings were discussed throughout all the hill country of Judea.

Fear came on all those living around them; and all these matters were being talked about in all the hill country of Judea.

66 A nd all those who heard them kept them in their hearts, saying, “What kind of child will this be?” And the hand of the Lord was with him. Zacharias’ Prophecy

All who heard them kept them in mind, saying, “What then will this child turn out to be?” For the hand of the Lord was certainly with him. Zacharias’s Prophecy

67 N ow his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying:

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

68 “ Blessed is the Lord God of Israel, For He has visited and redeemed His people,

“ Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, For He has visited us and accomplished redemption for His people,

69 A nd has raised up a horn of salvation for us In the house of His servant David,

And has raised up a horn of salvation for us In the house of David His servant—

70 A s He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets, Who have been since the world began,

As He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from of old—

71 T hat we should be saved from our enemies And from the hand of all who hate us,

Salvation from our enemies, And from the hand of all who hate us;

72 T o perform the mercy promised to our fathers And to remember His holy covenant,

To show mercy toward our fathers, And to remember His holy covenant,

73 T he oath which He swore to our father Abraham:

The oath which He swore to Abraham our father,

74 T o grant us that we, Being delivered from the hand of our enemies, Might serve Him without fear,

To grant us that we, being rescued from the hand of our enemies, Might serve Him without fear,

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

In holiness and righteousness before Him all our days.

76 “ And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Highest; For you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways,

“And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; For you will go on before the Lord to prepare His ways;

77 T o give knowledge of salvation to His people By the remission of their sins,

To give to His people the knowledge of salvation By the forgiveness of their sins,

78 T hrough the tender mercy of our God, With which the Dayspring from on high has visited us;

Because of the tender mercy of our God, With which the Sunrise from on high will visit us,

79 T o give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, To guide our feet into the way of peace.”

To shine upon those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, To guide our feet into the way of peace.”

80 S o the child grew and became strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his manifestation to Israel.

And the child continued to grow and to become strong in spirit, and he lived in the deserts until the day of his public appearance to Israel.