1 M any people have written about the things that have happened among us.

HABIENDO muchos tentado á poner en orden la historia de las cosas que entre nosotros han sido ciertísimas,

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

Como nos lo enseñaron los que desde el principio lo vieron por sus ojos, y fueron ministros de la palabra;

3 D ear 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.

Me ha parecido también á mí, después de haber entendido todas las cosas desde el principio con diligencia, escribírtelas por orden, oh muy buen Teófilo,

4 T hen 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

Para que conozcas la verdad de las cosas en las cuales has sido enseñado.

5 W hen 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.

HUBO en los días de Herodes, rey de Judea, un sacerdote llamado Zacarías, de la suerte de Abías; y su mujer, de las hijas de Aarón, llamada Elisabet.

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

Y eran ambos justos delante de Dios, andando sin reprensión en todos los mandamientos y estatutos del Señor.

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

Y no tenían hijo, porque Elisabet era estéril, y ambos eran avanzados en días.

8 Z acharias was doing his work as a religious leader for God.

Y aconteció que ejerciendo Zacarías el sacerdocio delante de Dios por el orden de su vez,

9 T he religious leaders were given certain kinds of work to do. Zacharias was chosen to go to the house of God to burn special perfume.

Conforme á la costumbre del sacerdocio, salió en suerte á poner el incienso, entrando en el templo del Señor.

10 M any people stood outside praying during the time the special perfume was burning.

Y toda la multitud del pueblo estaba fuera orando á la hora del incienso.

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

Y se le apareció el ángel del Señor puesto en pie á la derecha del altar del incienso.

12 W hen he saw the angel, Zacharias was troubled and afraid.

Y se turbó Zacarías viéndo le, y cayó temor sobre él.

13 T he 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.

Mas el ángel le dijo: Zacarías, no temas; porque tu oración ha sido oída, y tu mujer Elisabet te parirá un hijo, y llamarás su nombre Juan.

14 Y ou will be glad and have much joy. Many people will be happy because he is born.

Y tendrás gozo y alegría, y muchos se gozarán de su nacimiento.

15 H e 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.

Porque será grande delante de Dios, y no beberá vino ni sidra; y será lleno del Espíritu Santo, aun desde el seno de su madre.

16 M any of the Jews will be turned to the Lord their God by him.

Y á muchos de los hijos de Israel convertirá al Señor Dios de ellos.

17 H e 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

Porque él irá delante de él con el espíritu y virtud de Elías, para convertir los corazones de los padres á los hijos, y los rebeldes á la prudencia de los justos, para aparejar al Señor un pueblo apercibido.

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

Y dijo Zacarías al ángel: ¿En qué conoceré esto? porque yo soy viejo, y mi mujer avanzada en días.

19 T he 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.

Y respondiendo el ángel le dijo: Yo soy Gabriel, que estoy delante de Dios; y soy enviado á hablarte, y á darte estas buenas nuevas.

20 S ee! 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.”

Y he aquí estarás mudo y no podrás hablar, hasta el día que esto sea hecho, por cuanto no creíste á mis palabras, las cuales se cumplirán á su tiempo.

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

Y el pueblo estaba esperando á Zacarías, y se maravillaban de que él se detuviese en el templo.

22 W hen 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.

Y saliendo, no les podía hablar: y entendieron que había visto visión en el templo: y él les hablaba por señas, y quedó mudo.

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

Y fué, que cumplidos los días de su oficio, se vino á su casa.

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

Y después de aquellos días concibió su mujer Elisabet, y se encubrió por cinco meses, diciendo:

25 “ 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

Porque el Señor me ha hecho así en los días en que miró para quitar mi afrenta entre los hombres.

26 S ix 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.

Y al sexto mes, el ángel Gabriel fué enviado de Dios á una ciudad de Galilea, llamada Nazaret,

27 H e 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.

A una virgen desposada con un varón que se llamaba José, de la casa de David: y el nombre de la virgen era María.

28 T he 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.”

Y entrando el ángel á donde estaba, dijo, ­Salve, muy favorecida! el Señor es contigo: bendita tú entre las mujeres.

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

Mas ella, cuando le vió, se turbó de sus palabras, y pensaba qué salutación fuese ésta.

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

Entonces el ángel le dijo: María, no temas, porque has hallado gracia cerca de Dios.

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

Y he aquí, concebirás en tu seno, y parirás un hijo, y llamarás su nombre JESUS.

32 H e 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.

Este será grande, y será llamado Hijo del Altísimo: y le dará el Señor Dios el trono de David su padre:

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

Y reinará en la casa de Jacob por siempre; y de su reino no habrá fin.

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

Entonces María dijo al ángel: ¿Cómo será esto? porque no conozco varón.

35 T he 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.

Y respondiendo el ángel le dijo: El Espíritu Santo vendrá sobre ti, y la virtud del Altísimo te hará sombra; por lo cual también lo Santo que nacerá, será llamado Hijo de Dios.

36 “ 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.

Y he aquí, Elisabet tu parienta, también ella ha concebido hijo en su vejez; y este es el sexto mes á ella que es llamada la estéril:

37 F or God can do all things.”

Porque ninguna cosa es imposible para Dios.

38 T hen 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

Entonces María dijo: He aquí la sierva del Señor; hágase á mí conforme á tu palabra. Y el ángel partió de ella.

39 A t once Mary went from there to a town in the hill country of Judea.

En aquellos días levantándose María, fué á la montaña con priesa, á una ciudad de Judá;

40 S he went to the house of Zacharias to see Elizabeth.

Y entró en casa de Zacarías, y saludó á Elisabet.

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

Y aconteció, que como oyó Elisabet la salutación de María, la criatura saltó en su vientre; y Elisabet fué llena del Espíritu Santo,

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

Y exclamó á gran voz, y dijo. Bendita tú entre las mujeres, y bendito el fruto de tu vientre.

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

¿Y de dónde esto á mí, que la madre de mi Señor venga á mí?

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

Porque he aquí, como llegó la voz de tu salutación á mis oídos, la criatura saltó de alegría en mi vientre.

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

Y bienaventurada la que creyó, porque se cumplirán las cosas que le fueron dichas de parte del Señor.

46 T hen Mary said, “My heart sings with thanks for my Lord.

Entonces María dijo: engrandece mi alma al Señor;

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

Y mi espíritu se alegró en Dios mi Salvador,

48 T he Lord has looked on me, His servant-girl and one who is not important. But from now on all people will honor me.

Porque ha mirado á la bajeza de su criada; Porque he aquí, desde ahora me dirán bienaventurada todas las generaciones.

49 H e Who is powerful has done great things for me. His name is holy.

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

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

Y su misericordia de generación á generación A los que le temen.

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

Hizo valentía con su brazo: Esparció los soberbios del pensamiento de su corazón.

52 H e 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.

Quitó los poderosos de los tronos, Y levantó á los humildes.

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

A los hambrientos hinchió de bienes; Y á los ricos envió vacíos.

54 H e has helped Israel His servant. This was done to remember His loving-kindness.

Recibió á Israel su siervo, Acordandose de la misericordia.

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

Como habló á nuestros padres A Abraham y á su simiente para siempre.

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

Y se quedó María con ella como tres meses: después se volvió á su casa.

57 W hen the time came, Elizabeth gave birth to a son.

Y á Elisabet se le cumplió el tiempo de parir, y parió un hijo.

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

Y oyeron los vecinos y los parientes que Dios había hecho con ella grande misericordia, y se alegraron con ella.

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

Y aconteció, que al octavo día vinieron para circuncidar al niño; y le llamaban del nombre de su padre, Zacarías.

60 B ut his mother said, “No! His name is John.”

Y respondiendo su madre, dijo: No; sino Juan será llamado.

61 T hey said to her, “No one in your family has that name.”

Y le dijeron: ¿Por qué? nadie hay en tu parentela que se llame de este nombre.

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

Y hablaron por señas á su padre, cómo le quería llamar.

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

Y demandando la tablilla, escribió, diciendo: Juan es su nombre. Y todos se maravillaron.

64 Z acharias was able to talk from that time on and he gave thanks to God.

Y luego fué abierta su boca y su lengua, y habló bendiciendo á Dios.

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

Y fué un temor sobre todos los vecinos de ellos; y en todas las montañas de Judea fueron divulgadas todas estas cosas.

66 A nd 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

Y todos los que las oían, las conservaban en su corazón, diciendo: ¿Quién será este niño? Y la mano del Señor estaba con él.

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

Y Zacarías su padre fué lleno de Espíritu Santo, y profetizó, diciendo:

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

Bendito el Señor Dios de Israel, Que ha visitado y hecho redención á su pueblo,

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

Y nos alzó un cuerno de salvación En la casa de David su siervo,

70 H is holy early preachers told us this long ago.

Como habló por boca de sus santos profetas que fueron desde el principio:

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

Salvación de nuestros enemigos, y de mano de todos los que nos aborrecieron;

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

Para hacer misericordia con nuestros padres, Y acordándose de su santo pacto;

73 G od promised this to our early father Abraham.

Del juramento que juró á Abraham nuestro padre, Que nos había de dar,

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

Que sin temor librados de nuestros enemigos, Le serviríamos

75 W e can be holy and right with God all the days of our life.

En santidad y en justicia delante de él, todos los días nuestros.

76 “ 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.

Y tú, niño, profeta del Altísimo serás llamado; Porque irás ante la faz del Señor, para aparejar sus caminos;

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

Dando conocimiento de salud á su pueblo, Para remisión de sus pecados,

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

Por las entrañas de misericordia de nuestro Dios, Con que nos visitó de lo alto el Oriente,

79 I t 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.”

Para dar luz á los que habitan en tinieblas y en sombra de muerte; Para encaminar nuestros pies por camino de paz.

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

Y el niño crecía, y se fortalecía en espíritu: y estuvo en los desiertos hasta el día que se mostró á Israel.