Lucas 1
Lutherbibel 1912
1Sintemal sich's viele unterwunden haben, Bericht zu geben von den Geschichten, so unter uns ergangen sind,
2wie uns das gegeben haben, die es von Anfang selbst gesehen und Diener des Worts gewesen sind:
3habe ich's auch für gut angesehen, nachdem ich's alles von Anbeginn mit Fleiß erkundet habe, daß ich's dir, mein guter Theophilus, in Ordnung schriebe,
4auf das du gewissen Grund erfahrest der Lehre, in welcher du unterrichtet bist.
5Zu der Zeit des Herodes, des Königs von Judäa, war ein Priester von der Ordnung Abia, mit Namen Zacharias, und sein Weib war von den Töchtern Aarons, welche hieß Elisabeth.
6Sie waren aber alle beide fromm vor Gott und wandelten in allen Geboten und Satzungen des HERRN untadelig.
7Und sie hatten kein Kind; denn Elisabeth war unfruchtbar, und waren beide wohl betagt.
8Und es begab sich, da er des Priesteramtes pflegte vor Gott zur Zeit seiner Ordnung,
9nach Gewohnheit des Priestertums, und an ihm war, daß er räuchern sollte, ging er in den Tempel des HERRN.
10Und die ganze Menge des Volks war draußen und betete unter der Stunde des Räucherns.
11Es erschien ihm aber der Engel des HERRN und stand zur rechten Hand am Räucheraltar.
12Und als Zacharias ihn sah, erschrak er, und es kam ihn eine Furcht an.
13Aber der Engel sprach zu ihm: Fürchte dich nicht, Zacharias! denn dein Gebet ist erhört, und dein Weib Elisabeth wird dir einen Sohn gebären, des Namen sollst du Johannes heißen.
14Und du wirst des Freude und Wonne haben, und viele werden sich seiner Geburt freuen.
15Denn er wird groß sein vor dem HERRN; Wein und starkes Getränk wird er nicht trinken und wird noch im Mutterleibe erfüllt werden mit dem heiligen Geist.
16Und er wird der Kinder Israel viele zu Gott, ihrem HERRN, bekehren.
17Und er wird vor ihm her gehen im Geist und Kraft des Elia, zu bekehren die Herzen der Väter zu den Kindern und die Ungläubigen zu der Klugheit der Gerechten, zuzurichten dem HERRN ein bereitet Volk.
18Und Zacharias sprach zu dem Engel: Wobei soll ich das erkennen? Denn ich bin alt und mein Weib ist betagt.
19Der Engel antwortete und sprach zu ihm: Ich bin Gabriel, der vor Gott steht, und bin gesandt, mit dir zu reden, daß ich dir solches verkündigte.
20Und siehe, du wirst verstummen und nicht reden können bis auf den Tag, da dies geschehen wird, darum daß du meinen Worten nicht geglaubt hast, welche sollen erfüllt werden zu ihrer Zeit.
21Und das Volk wartete auf Zacharias und verwunderte sich, daß er so lange im Tempel verzog.
22Und da er herausging, konnte er nicht mit ihnen reden; und sie merkten, daß er ein Gesicht gesehen hatte im Tempel. Und er winkte ihnen und blieb stumm.
23Und es begab sich, da die Zeit seines Amts aus war, ging er heim in sein Haus.
24Und nach den Tagen ward sein Weib Elisabeth schwanger und verbarg sich fünf Monate und sprach:
25Also hat mir der HERR getan in den Tagen, da er mich angesehen hat, daß er meine Schmach unter den Menschen von mir nähme.
26Und im sechsten Monat ward der Engel Gabriel gesandt von Gott in eine Stadt in Galiläa, die heißt Nazareth,
27zu einer Jungfrau, die vertraut war einem Manne mit Namen Joseph, vom Hause David: und die Jungfrau hieß Maria.
28Und der Engel kam zu ihr hinein und sprach: Gegrüßet seist du, Holdselige! Der HERR ist mit dir, du Gebenedeite unter den Weibern!
29Da sie aber ihn sah, erschrak sie über seine Rede und gedachte: Welch ein Gruß ist das?
30Und der Engel sprach zu ihr: Fürchte dich nicht, Maria! du hast Gnade bei Gott gefunden.
31Siehe, du wirst schwanger werden und einen Sohn gebären, des Namen sollst du Jesus heißen.
32Der wird groß sein und ein Sohn des Höchsten genannt werden; und Gott der HERR wird ihm den Stuhl seines Vaters David geben;
33und er wird ein König sein über das Haus Jakob ewiglich, und seines Königreiches wird kein Ende sein.
34Da sprach Maria zu dem Engel: Wie soll das zugehen, da ich von keinem Manne weiß?
35Der Engel antwortete und sprach zu ihr: Der heilige Geist wird über dich kommen, und die Kraft des Höchsten wird dich überschatten; darum wird auch das Heilige, das von dir geboren wird, Gottes Sohn genannt werden.
36Und siehe, Elisabeth, deine Gefreunde, ist auch schwanger mit einem Sohn in ihrem Alter und geht jetzt im sechsten Monat, von der man sagt, daß sie unfruchtbar sei.
37Denn bei Gott ist kein Ding unmöglich.
38Maria aber sprach: Siehe ich bin des HERRN Magd; mir geschehe, wie du gesagt hast. Und der Engel schied von ihr.
39Maria aber stand auf in den Tagen und ging auf das Gebirge eilends zu der Stadt Juda's
40und kam in das Haus des Zacharias und grüßte Elisabeth.
41Und es begab sich, als Elisabeth den Gruß Marias hörte, hüpfte das Kind in ihrem Leibe. Und Elisabeth ward des heiligen Geistes voll
42und rief laut und sprach: Gebenedeit bist du unter den Weibern, und gebenedeit ist die Frucht deines Leibes!
43Und woher kommt mir das, daß die Mutter meines HERRN zu mir kommt?
44Siehe, da ich die Stimme deines Grußes hörte, hüpfte mit Freuden das Kind in meinem Leibe.
45Und o selig bist du, die du geglaubt hast! denn es wird vollendet werden, was dir gesagt ist von dem HERRN.
46Und Maria sprach: Meine Seele erhebt den HERRN,
47und mein Geist freuet sich Gottes, meines Heilands;
48denn er hat die Niedrigkeit seiner Magd angesehen. Siehe, von nun an werden mich selig preisen alle Kindeskinder;
49denn er hat große Dinge an mir getan, der da mächtig ist und des Name heilig ist.
50Und seine Barmherzigkeit währet immer für und für bei denen, die ihn fürchten.
51Er übet Gewalt mit seinem Arm und zerstreut, die hoffärtig sind in ihres Herzens Sinn.
52Er stößt die Gewaltigen vom Stuhl und erhebt die Niedrigen.
53Die Hungrigen füllt er mit Gütern und läßt die Reichen leer.
54Er denkt der Barmherzigkeit und hilft seinem Diener Israel wieder auf,
55wie er geredet hat unsern Vätern, Abraham und seinem Samen ewiglich.
56Und Maria blieb bei ihr bei drei Monaten; darnach kehrte sie wiederum heim.
57Und Elisabeth kam ihre Zeit, daß sie gebären sollte; und sie gebar einen Sohn.
58Und ihre Nachbarn und Gefreunde hörten, daß der HERR große Barmherzigkeit an ihr getan hatte, und freuten sich mit ihr.
59Und es begab sich am achten Tage, da kamen sie, zu beschneiden das Kindlein, und hießen ihn nach seinem Vater Zacharias.
60Aber seine Mutter antwortete und sprach: Mitnichten, sondern er soll Johannes heißen.
61Und sie sprachen zu ihr: Ist doch niemand in deiner Freundschaft, der also heiße.
62Und sie winkten seinem Vater, wie er ihn wollte heißen lassen.
63Und er forderte ein Täfelein und schrieb also: Er heißt Johannes. Und sie verwunderten sich alle.
64Und alsbald ward sein Mund und seine Zunge aufgetan, und er redete und lobte Gott.
65Und es kam eine Furcht über alle Nachbarn; und die ganze Geschichte ward ruchbar auf dem ganzen jüdischen Gebirge.
66Und alle, die es hörten, nahmen's zu Herzen und sprachen: Was, meinst du, will aus dem Kindlein werden? Denn die Hand des HERRN war mit ihm.
67Und sein Vater Zacharias ward des heiligen Geistes voll, weissagte und sprach:
68Gelobet sei der HERR, der Gott Israels! denn er hat besucht und erlöst sein Volk
69und hat uns aufgerichtet ein Horn des Heils in dem Hause seines Dieners David,
70wie er vorzeiten geredet hat durch den Mund des Propheten:
71daß er uns errettete von unseren Feinden und von der Hand aller, die uns hassen,
72und Barmherzigkeit erzeigte unsern Vätern und gedächte an seinen heiligen Bund
73und an den Eid, den er geschworen hat unserm Vater Abraham, uns zu geben,
74daß wir, erlöst aus der Hand unserer Feinde, ihm dienten ohne Furcht unser Leben lang
75in Heiligkeit und Gerechtigkeit, die ihm gefällig ist.
76Und du, Kindlein, wirst ein Prophet des Höchsten heißen. Du wirst vor dem HERRN her gehen, daß du seinen Weg bereitest
77und Erkenntnis des Heils gebest seinem Volk, das da ist in Vergebung ihrer Sünden;
78durch die herzliche Barmherzigkeit unsers Gottes, durch welche uns besucht hat der Aufgang aus der Höhe,
79auf daß er erscheine denen, die da sitzen in Finsternis und Schatten des Todes, und richte unsere Füße auf den Weg des Friedens.
80Und das Kindlein wuchs und ward stark im Geist; und er war in der Wüste, bis daß er sollte hervortreten vor das Volk Israel.
Reina-Valera 1909
1HABIENDO muchos tentado á poner en orden la historia de las cosas que entre nosotros han sido ciertísimas,
2Como nos lo enseñaron los que desde el principio lo vieron por sus ojos, y fueron ministros de la palabra;
3Me ha parecido también á mí, después de haber entendido todas las cosas desde el principio con diligencia, escribírtelas por orden, oh muy buen Teófilo,
4Para que conozcas la verdad de las cosas en las cuales has sido enseñado.
5HUBO 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.
6Y eran ambos justos delante de Dios, andando sin reprensión en todos los mandamientos y estatutos del Señor.
7Y no tenían hijo, porque Elisabet era estéril, y ambos eran avanzados en días.
8Y aconteció que ejerciendo Zacarías el sacerdocio delante de Dios por el orden de su vez,
9Conforme á la costumbre del sacerdocio, salió en suerte á poner el incienso, entrando en el templo del Señor.
10Y toda la multitud del pueblo estaba fuera orando á la hora del incienso.
11Y se le apareció el ángel del Señor puesto en pie á la derecha del altar del incienso.
12Y se turbó Zacarías viéndole, y cayó temor sobre él.
13Mas 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.
14Y tendrás gozo y alegría, y muchos se gozarán de su nacimiento.
15Porque será grande delante de Dios, y no beberá vino ni sidra; y será lleno del Espíritu Santo, aun desde el seno de su madre.
16Y á muchos de los hijos de Israel convertirá al Señor Dios de ellos.
17Porque 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.
18Y dijo Zacarías al ángel: ¿En qué conoceré esto? porque yo soy viejo, y mi mujer avanzada en días.
19Y respondiendo el ángel le dijo: Yo soy Gabriel, que estoy delante de Dios; y soy enviado á hablarte, y á darte estas buenas nuevas.
20Y 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.
21Y el pueblo estaba esperando á Zacarías, y se maravillaban de que él se detuviese en el templo.
22Y saliendo, no les podía hablar: y entendieron que había visto visión en el templo: y él les hablaba por señas, y quedó mudo.
23Y fué, que cumplidos los días de su oficio, se vino á su casa.
24Y después de aquellos días concibió su mujer Elisabet, y se encubrió por cinco meses, diciendo:
25Porque el Señor me ha hecho así en los días en que miró para quitar mi afrenta entre los hombres.
26Y al sexto mes, el ángel Gabriel fué enviado de Dios á una ciudad de Galilea, llamada Nazaret,
27A una virgen desposada con un varón que se llamaba José, de la casa de David: y el nombre de la virgen era María.
28Y entrando el ángel á donde estaba, dijo, ¡Salve, muy favorecida! el Señor es contigo: bendita tú entre las mujeres.
29Mas ella, cuando le vió, se turbó de sus palabras, y pensaba qué salutación fuese ésta.
30Entonces el ángel le dijo: María, no temas, porque has hallado gracia cerca de Dios.
31Y he aquí, concebirás en tu seno, y parirás un hijo, y llamarás su nombre JESUS.
32Este será grande, y será llamado Hijo del Altísimo: y le dará el Señor Dios el trono de David su padre:
33Y reinará en la casa de Jacob por siempre; y de su reino no habrá fin.
34Entonces María dijo al ángel: ¿Cómo será esto? porque no conozco varón.
35Y 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.
36Y 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:
37Porque ninguna cosa es imposible para Dios.
38Entonces María dijo: He aquí la sierva del Señor; hágase á mí conforme á tu palabra. Y el ángel partió de ella.
39En aquellos días levantándose María, fué á la montaña con priesa, á una ciudad de Judá;
40Y entró en casa de Zacarías, y saludó á Elisabet.
41Y aconteció, que como oyó Elisabet la salutación de María, la criatura saltó en su vientre; y Elisabet fué llena del Espíritu Santo,
42Y exclamó á gran voz, y dijo: Bendita tú entre las mujeres, y bendito el fruto de tu vientre.
43¿Y de dónde esto á mí, que la madre de mi Señor venga á mí?
44Porque he aquí, como llegó la voz de tu salutación á mis oídos, la criatura saltó de alegría en mi vientre.
45Y bienaventurada la que creyó, porque se cumplirán las cosas que le fueron dichas de parte del Señor.
46Entonces María dijo: engrandece mi alma al Señor;
47Y mi espíritu se alegró en Dios mi Salvador.
48Porque ha mirado á la bajeza de su criada; porque he aquí, desde ahora me dirán bienaventurada todas las generaciones.
49Porque me ha hecho grandes cosas el Poderoso; y santo es su nombre.
50Y su misericordia de generación á generación á los que le temen.
51Hizo valentía con su brazo: esparció los soberbios del pensamiento de su corazón.
52Quitó los poderosos de los tronos, y levantó á los humildes.
53A los hambrientos hinchió de bienes; y á los ricos envió vacíos.
54Recibió á Israel su siervo, acordándose de la misericordia,
55Como habló á nuestros padres á Abraham y á su simiente para siempre.
56Y se quedó María con ella como tres meses: después se volvió á su casa.
57Y á Elisabet se le cumplió el tiempo de parir, y parió un hijo.
58Y oyeron los vecinos y los parientes que Dios había hecho con ella grande misericordia, y se alegraron con ella.
59Y aconteció, que al octavo día vinieron para circuncidar al niño; y le llamaban del nombre de su padre, Zacarías.
60Y respondiendo su madre, dijo: No; sino Juan será llamado.
61Y le dijeron: ¿Por qué? nadie hay en tu parentela que se llame de este nombre.
62Y hablaron por señas á su padre, cómo le quería llamar.
63Y demandando la tablilla, escribió, diciendo: Juan es su nombre. Y todos se maravillaron.
64Y luego fué abierta su boca y su lengua, y habló bendiciendo á Dios.
65Y fué un temor sobre todos los vecinos de ellos; y en todas las montañas de Judea fueron divulgadas todas estas cosas.
66Y todos los que las oían, las conservaban en su corazón, diciendo: ¿Quién será este niño? Y la mano del Señor estaba con él.
67Y Zacarías su padre fué lleno de Espíritu Santo, y profetizó, diciendo:
68Bendito el Señor Dios de Israel, que ha visitado y hecho redención á su pueblo,
69Y nos alzó un cuerno de salvación en la casa de David su siervo,
70Como habló por boca de sus santos profetas que fueron desde el principio:
71Salvación de nuestros enemigos, y de mano de todos los que nos aborrecieron;
72Para hacer misericordia con nuestros padres, y acordándose de su santo pacto;
73Del juramento que juró á Abraham nuestro padre, que nos había de dar,
74Que sin temor librados de nuestros enemigos, le serviríamos
75En santidad y en justicia delante de él, todos los días nuestros.
76Y tú, niño, profeta del Altísimo serás llamado; porque irás ante la faz del Señor, para aparejar sus caminos;
77Dando conocimiento de salud á su pueblo, para remisión de sus pecados,
78Por las entrañas de misericordia de nuestro Dios, con que nos visitó de lo alto el Oriente,
79Para dar luz á los que habitan en tinieblas y en sombra de muerte; para encaminar nuestros pies por camino de paz.
80Y el niño crecía, y se fortalecía en espíritu: y estuvo en los desiertos hasta el día que se mostró á Israel.
King James Version
1Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us,
2Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word;
3It 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,
4That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed.
5There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judæa, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth.
6And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.
7And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years.
8And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest’s office before God in the order of his course,
9According to the custom of the priest’s office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord.
10And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense.
11And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense.
12And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.
13But 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.
14And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth.
15For 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.
16And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God.
17And 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.
18And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years.
19And 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.
20And, 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.
21And the people waited for Zacharias, and marvelled that he tarried so long in the temple.
22And 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.
23And it came to pass, that, as soon as the days of his ministration were accomplished, he departed to his own house.
24And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, saying,
25Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he looked on me, to take away my reproach among men.
26And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,
27To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.
28And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.
29And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.
30And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.
31And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.
32He 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:
33And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
34Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?
35And 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.
36And, 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.
37For with God nothing shall be impossible.
38And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.
39And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda;
40And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth.
41And 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:
42And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.
43And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
44For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.
45And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.
46And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,
47And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
48For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
49For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.
50And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.
51He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
52He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.
53He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.
54He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy;
55As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.
56And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house.
57Now Elisabeth’s full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son.
58And her neighbours and her cousins heard how the Lord had shewed great mercy upon her; and they rejoiced with her.
59And 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.
60And his mother answered and said, Not so; but he shall be called John.
61And they said unto her, There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name.
62And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called.
63And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marvelled all.
64And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake, and praised God.
65And fear came on all that dwelt round about them: and all these sayings were noised abroad throughout all the hill country of Judæa.
66And 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.
67And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying,
68Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people,
69And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David;
70As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began:
71That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us;
72To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant;
73The oath which he sware to our father Abraham,
74That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear,
75In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life.
76And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways;
77To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins,
78Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us,
79To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.
80And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel.
World English Bible
1Since many have undertaken to set in order a narrative concerning those matters which have been fulfilled among us,
2even as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word delivered them to us,
3it seemed good to me also, having traced the course of all things accurately from the first, to write to you in order, most excellent Theophilus;
4that you might know the certainty concerning the things in which you were instructed.
5There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the priestly division of Abijah. He had a wife of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth.
6They were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord.
7But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they both were well advanced in years.
8Now while he executed the priest’s office before God in the order of his division
9according to the custom of the priest’s office, his lot was to enter into the temple of the Lord and burn incense.
10The whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the hour of incense.
11An angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense.
12Zacharias was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him.
13But the angel said to him, “Don’t be afraid, Zacharias, because your request has been heard. Your wife, Elizabeth, will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John.
14You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth.
15For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and he will drink no wine nor strong drink. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb.
16He will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God.
17He will 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 prepare a people prepared for the Lord.”
18Zacharias said to the angel, “How can I be sure of this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years.”
19The angel answered him, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God. I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news.
20Behold, you will be silent and not able to speak until the day that these things will happen, because you didn’t believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their proper time.”
21The people were waiting for Zacharias, and they marveled that he delayed in the temple.
22When he came out, he could not speak to them. They perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple. He continued making signs to them, and remained mute.
23When the days of his service were fulfilled, he departed to his house.
24After these days Elizabeth his wife conceived, and she hid herself five months, saying,
25“Thus has the Lord done to me in the days in which he looked at me, to take away my reproach among men.”
26Now in the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth,
27to a virgin pledged to be married to a man whose name was Joseph, of David’s house. The virgin’s name was Mary.
28Having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, you highly favored one! The Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women!”
29But when she saw him, she was greatly troubled at the saying, and considered what kind of salutation this might be.
30The angel said to her, “Don’t be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.
31Behold, you will conceive in your womb and give birth to a son, and shall name him ‘Jesus.’
32He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David,
33and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever. There will be no end to his Kingdom.”
34Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, seeing I am a virgin?”
35The angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore also the holy one who is born from you will be called the Son of God.
36Behold, Elizabeth your relative also has conceived a son in her old age; and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren.
37For nothing spoken by God is impossible.”
38Mary said, “Behold, the servant of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.
39Mary arose in those days and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Judah,
40and entered into the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth.
41When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.
42She called out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!
43Why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
44For behold, when the voice of your greeting came into my ears, the baby leaped in my womb for joy!
45Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of the things which have been spoken to her from the Lord!”
46Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord.
47My spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior,
48for he has looked at the humble state of his servant. For behold, from now on, all generations will call me blessed.
49For he who is mighty has done great things for me. Holy is his name.
50His mercy is for generations and generations on those who fear him.
51He has shown strength with his arm. He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
52He has put down princes from their thrones, and has exalted the lowly.
53He has filled the hungry with good things. He has sent the rich away empty.
54He has given help to Israel, his servant, that he might remember mercy,
55as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and his offspring forever.”
56Mary stayed with her about three months, and then returned to her house.
57Now the time that Elizabeth should give birth was fulfilled, and she gave birth to a son.
58Her neighbors and her relatives heard that the Lord had magnified his mercy toward her, and they rejoiced with her.
59On the eighth day, they came to circumcise the child; and they would have called him Zacharias, after the name of his father.
60His mother answered, “Not so; but he will be called John.”
61They said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who is called by this name.”
62They made signs to his father, what he would have him called.
63He asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, “His name is John.” They all marveled.
64His mouth was opened immediately and his tongue freed, and he spoke, blessing God.
65Fear came on all who lived around them, and all these sayings were talked about throughout all the hill country of Judea.
66All who heard them laid them up in their heart, saying, “What then will this child be?” The hand of the Lord was with him.
67His father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying,
68“Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people;
69and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David
70(as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets who have been from of old),
71salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us;
72to show mercy toward our fathers, to remember his holy covenant,
73the oath which he swore to Abraham our father,
74to grant to us that we, being delivered out of the hand of our enemies, should serve him without fear,
75in holiness and righteousness before him all the days of our life.
76And you, child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways,
77to give knowledge of salvation to his people by the remission of their sins,
78because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the dawn from on high will visit us,
79to shine on those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death; to guide our feet into the way of peace.”
80The child was growing and becoming strong in spirit, and was in the desert until the day of his public appearance to Israel.