Print Page Options

序言(參(A)

尊敬的提阿非羅先生,因為有許多人,已經把在我們中間成就了的事, 按照起初親眼看見的傳道人所傳給我們的,編著成書; 我已經把這些事從頭考查過,認為也應該按著次序寫給你, 讓你曉得所學到的道理,都是確實的。

天使預言施洗約翰出生

猶太王希律在位的日子,亞比雅班裡有一個祭司,名叫撒迦利亞,他妻子是亞倫的後代,名叫以利沙伯。 他們在 神面前都是義人,遵行主的一切誡命規條,無可指摘, 只是沒有孩子,因為以利沙伯不生育,二人又都上了年紀。

有一次,撒迦利亞在 神面前按著班次執行祭司的職務, 照祭司的慣例抽中了籤,進入主的聖殿燒香。 10 燒香的時候,眾人都在外面祈禱。 11 有主的使者站在香壇右邊,向他顯現。 12 撒迦利亞一見就驚慌起來,十分害怕。 13 天使說:“撒迦利亞,不要怕,因為你的祈求已蒙垂聽,你妻子以利沙伯要給你生一個兒子,你要給他起名叫約翰。 14 你必歡喜快樂,許多人因他出生,也必喜樂。 15 他在主面前要被尊為大,淡酒濃酒都不喝,未出母腹就被聖靈充滿。 16 他要使許多以色列人轉向主他們的 神。 17 他必有以利亞的靈和能力,行在主的前面,叫父親的心轉向兒女,叫悖逆的轉向義人的意念,為主安排那預備好了的人民。” 18 撒迦利亞對天使說:“我怎麼能知道這事呢?我已經老了,我妻子也上了年紀。” 19 天使回答:“我是站在 神面前的加百列,奉差遣向你說話,報給你這好消息。 20 看吧!到了時候我的話必要應驗;因為你不信我的話,你必成為啞巴,直到這些事成就的那一天,才能說話。”

21 眾人等候撒迦利亞;因他在聖殿裡遲遲不出來,覺得奇怪。 22 等到他出來,卻不能講話,竟成了啞巴,不斷地向他們打手式,他們就知道他在聖殿裡見了異象。 23 供職的日子滿了,他就回家去。 24 過了幾天,他妻子以利沙伯懷了孕,隱藏了五個月,說: 25 “主在眷顧的日子,這樣看待我,要把我在人間的羞恥除掉。”

天使預言耶穌降生

26 到了第六個月,天使加百列奉 神差遣,往加利利的拿撒勒城去, 27 到了一個童貞女那裡,她已經和大衛家一個名叫約瑟的人訂了婚,童貞女的名字是馬利亞。 28 天使進去,對她說:“恭喜!蒙大恩的女子,主與你同在!” 29 她卻因這話驚慌起來,反覆思想這樣祝賀是甚麼意思。 30 天使說:“馬利亞,不要怕!因你已從 神那裡蒙了恩。 31 你將懷孕生子,要給他起名叫耶穌。 32 他將要被尊為大,稱為至高者的兒子,主 神要把他祖大衛的王位賜給他, 33 他要作王統治雅各家,直到永遠,他的國沒有窮盡。” 34 馬利亞對天使說:“我還沒有出嫁(“我還沒有出嫁”原文作“我不認識男人”),怎能有這事呢?” 35 天使回答:“聖靈要臨到你,至高者的能力要覆庇你,因此那將要出生的聖者,必稱為 神的兒子。 36 你看,你親戚以利沙伯,被稱為不生育的,在老年也懷了男胎,現在已是第六個月了, 37 因為在 神沒有一件事是不可能的。” 38 馬利亞說:“我是主的婢女,願照你的話成就在我身上!”天使就離開她去了。

馬利亞往見以利沙伯

39 後來,馬利亞就起身,急忙向山地去,來到猶大的一座城, 40 進了撒迦利亞的家,向以利沙伯問安。 41 以利沙伯一聽見馬利亞的問安,腹中的胎兒就跳動,以利沙伯也被聖靈充滿, 42 就高聲說:“你在女子中是有福的!你腹中的胎兒也是有福的! 43 我主的母親竟然到我這裡來。這事怎會臨到我呢? 44 你看,你問安的聲音一進我的耳朵,我腹中的胎兒就歡喜跳躍。 45 這相信主傳給她的話必要成就的女子是有福的。”

馬利亞尊主為大(參(B)

46 馬利亞說:

“我心尊主為大,

47 我靈以 神我的救主為樂,

48 因為他垂顧他婢女的卑微,

看哪!今後萬代都要稱我為有福。

49 全能者為我行了大事,他的名為聖;

50 他的憐憫世世代代歸與敬畏他的人。

51 他用膀臂施展大能,

驅散心裡妄想的狂傲人。

52 他使有權能的失位,

叫卑微的升高,

53 讓飢餓的得飽美食,

使富足的空手回去。

54 他扶助了他的僕人以色列,

為要記念他的憐憫,

55 正如他向我們列祖所說的,

恩待亞伯拉罕和他的後裔,直到永遠。”

56 馬利亞和以利沙伯同住約有三個月,就回家去了。

施洗約翰出生

57 以利沙伯的產期到了,生了一個兒子。 58 鄰里親戚,聽見主向她大施憐憫,都和她一同歡樂。 59 到了第八天,他們來給孩子行割禮,要照他父親的名字,叫他撒迦利亞。 60 但他母親說:“不可,要叫他約翰。” 61 他們說:“你親族裡沒有叫這名字的。” 62 他們就向孩子的父親打手式,看他要叫他甚麼。 63 他要了一塊寫字版,寫上說:“他的名字是約翰。”眾人都希奇。 64 撒迦利亞的口舌立刻開了,就出聲稱頌 神。 65 住在周圍的人都害怕,這一切事傳遍了整個猶太山地, 66 凡聽見的就把這些事放在心裡,說:“這孩子將會成為怎樣的人呢?因為主的手與他同在。”

撒迦利亞的預言

67 他的父親撒迦利亞被聖靈充滿,預言說:

68 “主,以色列的 神,是應當稱頌的,

因他眷顧自己的子民,施行救贖,

69 在他僕人大衛家中,

為我們興起救恩的角,

70 正如主自古以來藉聖先知口中所說的,

71 救我們脫離仇敵,和恨我們的人的手;

72 向我們列祖施憐憫,記念他的聖約,

73 就是他對我們祖先亞伯拉罕所起的誓,

74 把我們從仇敵手中救拔出來,

叫我們可以坦然無懼,用聖潔公義,

75 在他面前一生一世敬拜他。

76 孩子啊,你要稱為至高者的先知,

因為你要行在主的面前,預備他的路,

77 使他的子民,因罪得赦,就知道救恩。

78 因我們 神的憐憫,

使清晨的陽光從高天臨到我們,

79 光照那坐在黑暗中死蔭裡的人,

引導我們的腳,走上平安的路。”

80 這孩子漸漸長大,心靈健壯,住在曠野,直到他在以色列人中公開露面的日子。

1-3 提阿非罗大人哪,有好些人提笔作书,述说在我们中间所实现的事,是照传道的人从起初亲眼看见又传给我们的。这些事我从起头都详细考察了,我也想按着次序写给你, 要让你知道所学的道都是确实的。

预言施洗约翰的出生

希律犹太王的时候,亚比雅班里有一个祭司,名叫撒迦利亚;他妻子是亚伦的后代,名叫伊利莎白 他们两人在 神面前都是义人,遵行主的一切诫命和条例,没有可指责的。 只是他们没有孩子,因为伊利莎白不生育,两个人又年纪老迈了。

撒迦利亚按班次在 神面前执行祭司的职务, 照祭司的规矩抽签,进到主的殿里烧香。 10 烧香的时候,众百姓在外面祷告。 11 有主的一个使者站在香坛的右边,向他显现。 12 撒迦利亚看见,就惊慌害怕。 13 天使对他说:“撒迦利亚,不要害怕,因为你的祈祷已经被听见了。你的妻子伊利莎白要给你生一个儿子,你要给他起名叫约翰 14 你必欢喜快乐;有许多人因他出世也必喜乐。 15 他在主面前将要为大,淡酒烈酒都不喝,从母腹里就被圣灵充满。 16 他要使许多以色列人回转,归于主—他们的 神。 17 他将有以利亚的精神和能力,走在主的前面,叫父亲的心转向儿女,叫悖逆的人转向义人的智慧,又为主预备迎接他的百姓。” 18 撒迦利亚对天使说:“我怎么能知道这事呢?我已经老了,我的妻子也年纪老迈了。” 19 天使回答他说:“我是站在 神面前的加百列,奉差遣来对你说话,把这好信息报给你。 20 到了时候,这些话必然应验;只因你不信我的话,你会成为哑巴,不能说话,直到这些事实现的日子。”

21 百姓等候撒迦利亚,诧异他在圣所里迟延那么久。 22 到他出来,却不能和他们说话,他们就知道他在圣所里见了异象;他直向他们打手势,因为他成了哑巴。 23 他供职的日子一满,就回家去了。

24 这些日子以后,他的妻子伊利莎白就怀孕,隐藏了五个月; 25 她说:“主在眷顾我的日子,这样看顾我,要除掉我在人前的羞耻。”

预言耶稣的降生

26 到了第六个月,天使加百列奉 神的差遣往加利利的一座城去,这城名叫拿撒勒 27 到一个童女那里,她已经许配大卫家的一个人,名叫约瑟;童女的名字叫马利亚 28 天使进去,对她说:“蒙大恩的女子,你好,主和你同在!” 29 马利亚因这话就很惊慌,又反覆思考这样问候是什么意思。 30 天使对她说:

马利亚,不要怕,你在 神面前已经蒙恩了。

31 你要怀孕生子,要给他起名叫耶稣。
32 他将要为大,称为至高者的儿子;
主 神要把他祖先大卫的王位给他。
33 他要作雅各家的王,直到永远;
他的国没有穷尽。”

34 马利亚对天使说:“我没有出嫁,怎么会有这事呢?” 35 天使回答她说:

“圣灵要临到你身上;
至高者的能力要庇荫你,
因此,那要出生的圣者要称为 神的儿子[a]

36 况且,你的亲戚伊利莎白,就是那素来称为不生育的,在年老的时候也怀了男胎,现在怀孕六个月了。 37 因为,出于 神的话,没有一句不带能力的。” 38 马利亚说:“我是主的使女,愿意照你的话实现在我身上。”于是天使离开她去了。

马利亚看望伊利莎白

39 在那些日子,马利亚起身,急忙前往山区,来到犹大的一座城, 40 进了撒迦利亚的家,向伊利莎白问安。 41 伊利莎白一听到马利亚问安,所怀的胎就在腹里跳动。伊利莎白被圣灵充满, 42 高声喊着说:

“你在妇女中是有福的!
你所怀的胎也是有福的!

43 我主的母亲到我这里来,为何这事临到我呢? 44 因为你问安的声音一入我耳,我腹里的胎就欢喜跳动。 45 这相信的女子是有福的!因为主对她所说的话都要应验。”

马利亚的尊主颂

46 马利亚说:
“我心尊主为大;
47 我灵以 神我的救主为乐;
48 因为他顾念他使女的卑微;
从今以后,万代要称我有福。
49 因为那有权能的为我做了大事;
他的名是圣的。
50 他怜悯敬畏他的人,
直到世世代代。
51 他用膀臂施展大能;
他赶散心里妄想的狂傲人。
52 他叫有权柄的失位,
叫卑贱的升高。
53 他叫饥饿的饱餐美食,
叫富足的空手回去。
54 他扶助了他的仆人以色列,不忘记施怜悯,
55 正如他对我们的列祖说过,
‘怜悯亚伯拉罕和他的后裔,直到永远。’”

56 马利亚伊利莎白同住,约有三个月,然后回家去了。

施洗约翰的出生

57 伊利莎白的产期到了,生了一个儿子。 58 邻里亲属听见主向她大施怜悯,就和她一同欢乐。 59 到了第八日,他们来给孩子行割礼,并要照他父亲的名字叫他撒迦利亚 60 他母亲回应说:“不!要叫他约翰。” 61 他们对她说:“你亲族中没有叫这名字的。” 62 他们就向他父亲打手势,问他这孩子要叫什么名字。 63 他要了一块写字的板,写上:“他的名字是约翰。”他们就都惊讶。 64 撒迦利亚的口立刻开了,舌头也松了,就开始说话称颂 神。 65 周围居住的人都惧怕;这一切的事就传遍了犹太山区。 66 凡听见的人都把这事放在心里,他们说:“这个孩子将来会怎么样呢?”因为有主的手与他同在。

撒迦利亚颂

67 他父亲撒迦利亚被圣灵充满,就预言说:
68 “主—以色列的 神是应当称颂的!
因他眷顾他的百姓,为他们施行救赎,
69 在他仆人大卫家中,
为我们兴起了拯救的角,
70 正如主藉着古时候圣先知的口所说的,
71 ‘他拯救我们脱离仇敌,
脱离一切恨我们之人的手。
72 他向我们列祖施怜悯,
记得他的圣约,
73 就是他对我们祖宗亚伯拉罕所起的誓,
74-75 叫我们既从仇敌手中被救出来,
就可以终身在他面前,
无所惧怕地用圣洁和公义事奉他。
76 孩子啊,你要称为至高者的先知;
因为你要走在主的前面,为他预备道路,
77 叫他的百姓因罪得赦,
认识救恩;
78 因我们 神怜悯的心肠,
叫清晨的日光从高天临到我们,
79 要照亮坐在黑暗中死荫里的人,
把我们的脚引到和平的路上。’”

80 这孩子渐渐长大,心灵坚强,住在旷野,直到他在以色列人面前公开出现的日子。

Footnotes

  1. 1.35 “那要出生的圣者要称为 神的儿子”或译“那要出生的要称为圣,为 神的儿子”。

Apresentação

Prezado Teófilo,

Muitas pessoas têm se esforçado para escrever a história das coisas que aconteceram entre nós. Elas escreveram o que foi contado por aqueles que viram essas coisas desde o começo e anunciaram a mensagem do evangelho. Portanto, Excelência, eu estudei com todo o cuidado como foi que essas coisas aconteceram desde o princípio e achei que seria bom escrever tudo em ordem para o senhor, a fim de que o senhor pudesse conhecer toda a verdade sobre os ensinamentos que recebeu.

O nascimento de João Batista é anunciado

Quando Herodes era o rei da terra de Israel, havia um sacerdote chamado Zacarias, que era do grupo dos sacerdotes de Abias. A esposa dele se chamava Isabel e também era de uma família de sacerdotes. Esse casal vivia a vida que para Deus é correta, obedecendo fielmente a todas as leis e mandamentos do Senhor. Mas não tinham filhos porque Isabel não podia ter filhos e porque os dois já eram muito velhos.

Certo dia no Templo de Jerusalém, Zacarias estava fazendo o seu trabalho de sacerdote, pois era a sua vez de fazer aquele trabalho diário. Conforme o costume dos sacerdotes, ele havia sido escolhido por sorteio para queimar o incenso no altar e por isso entrou no Templo do Senhor. 10 Durante o tempo em que o incenso queimava, o povo lá fora fazia orações. 11 Então um anjo do Senhor apareceu em frente de Zacarias, de pé, do lado direito do altar. 12 Quando Zacarias o viu, ficou com medo e não sabia o que fazer. 13 Mas o anjo lhe disse:

— Não tenha medo, Zacarias, pois Deus ouviu a sua oração! A sua esposa vai ter um filho, e você porá nele o nome de João. 14 O nascimento dele vai trazer alegria e felicidade para você e para muita gente, 15 pois para o Senhor Deus ele será um grande homem. Ele não deverá beber vinho nem cerveja. Ele será cheio do Espírito Santo desde o nascimento 16 e levará muitos israelitas ao Senhor, o Deus de Israel. 17 Ele será mandado por Deus como mensageiro e será forte e poderoso como o profeta Elias. Ele fará com que pais e filhos façam as pazes e que os desobedientes voltem a andar no caminho direito. E conseguirá preparar o povo de Israel para a vinda do Senhor.

18 Então Zacarias perguntou ao anjo:

— Como é que eu vou saber que isso é verdade? Estou muito velho, e a minha mulher também.

19 O anjo respondeu:

— Eu sou Gabriel, servo de Deus, e ele me mandou falar com você para lhe dar essa boa notícia. 20 Você não está acreditando no que eu disse, mas isso acontecerá no tempo certo. E, porque você não acreditou, você ficará mudo e não poderá falar até o dia em que o seu filho nascer.

21 Enquanto isso, o povo estava esperando Zacarias, e todos estavam admirados com a demora dele no Templo. 22 Quando saiu, Zacarias não podia falar. Então perceberam que ele havia tido uma visão no Templo. Sem poder falar, ele fazia sinais com as mãos para o povo.

23 Quando terminaram os seus dias de serviço no Templo, Zacarias voltou para casa. 24 Pouco tempo depois Isabel, a sua esposa, ficou grávida e durante cinco meses não saiu de casa. E ela disse:

25 — Agora que o Senhor me ajudou, ninguém mais vai me desprezar por eu não ter filhos.

O nascimento de Jesus é anunciado

26 Quando Isabel estava no sexto mês de gravidez, Deus enviou o anjo Gabriel a uma cidade da Galileia chamada Nazaré. 27 O anjo levava uma mensagem para uma virgem que tinha casamento contratado com um homem chamado José, descendente do rei Davi. Ela se chamava Maria. 28 O anjo veio e disse:

— Que a paz esteja com você, Maria! Você é muito abençoada. O Senhor está com você.

29 Porém Maria, quando ouviu o que o anjo disse, ficou sem saber o que pensar. E, admirada, ficou pensando no que ele queria dizer. 30 Então o anjo continuou:

— Não tenha medo, Maria! Deus está contente com você. 31 Você ficará grávida, dará à luz um filho e porá nele o nome de Jesus. 32 Ele será um grande homem e será chamado de Filho do Deus Altíssimo. Deus, o Senhor, vai fazê-lo rei, como foi o antepassado dele, o rei Davi. 33 Ele será para sempre rei dos descendentes de Jacó, e o Reino dele nunca se acabará.

34 Então Maria disse para o anjo:

— Isso não é possível, pois eu sou virgem!

35 O anjo respondeu:

— O Espírito Santo virá sobre você, e o poder do Deus Altíssimo a envolverá com a sua sombra. Por isso o menino será chamado de santo e Filho de Deus. 36 Fique sabendo que a sua parenta Isabel está grávida, mesmo sendo tão idosa. Diziam que ela não podia ter filhos, no entanto agora ela já está no sexto mês de gravidez. 37 Porque para Deus nada é impossível.

38 Maria respondeu:

— Eu sou uma serva de Deus; que aconteça comigo o que o senhor acabou de me dizer!

E o anjo foi embora.

Maria visita Isabel

39 Alguns dias depois, Maria se aprontou e foi depressa para uma cidade que ficava na região montanhosa da Judeia. 40 Entrou na casa de Zacarias e cumprimentou Isabel. 41 Quando Isabel ouviu a saudação de Maria, a criança se mexeu na barriga dela. Então, cheia do poder do Espírito Santo, 42 Isabel disse bem alto:

— Você é a mais abençoada de todas as mulheres, e a criança que você vai ter é abençoada também! 43 Quem sou eu para que a mãe do meu Senhor venha me visitar?! 44 Quando ouvi você me cumprimentar, a criança ficou alegre e se mexeu dentro da minha barriga. 45 Você é abençoada, pois acredita que vai acontecer o que o Senhor lhe disse.

A Canção de Maria

46 Então Maria disse:

47 — A minha alma anuncia
    a grandeza do Senhor.
O meu espírito está alegre
    por causa de Deus, o meu Salvador.
48 Pois ele lembrou de mim,
    sua humilde serva!
De agora em diante todos vão me chamar de
    mulher abençoada,
49 porque o Deus Poderoso
    fez grandes coisas por mim.
O seu nome é santo,
50 e ele mostra a sua bondade
    a todos os que o temem
em todas as gerações.
51 Deus levanta a sua mão poderosa
e derrota os orgulhosos
    com todos os planos deles.
52 Derruba dos seus tronos reis poderosos
e põe os humildes em altas posições.
53 Dá fartura aos que têm fome
e manda os ricos embora
    com as mãos vazias.
54-55 Ele cumpriu as promessas
    que fez aos nossos antepassados
e ajudou o povo de Israel, seu servo.
Lembrou de mostrar a sua bondade a Abraão
e a todos os seus descendentes,
    para sempre.

56 Maria ficou mais ou menos três meses com Isabel e depois voltou para casa.

O nascimento de João Batista

57 Chegou o tempo de Isabel ter a criança, e ela deu à luz um menino. 58 Os vizinhos e parentes ouviram falar da grande bondade do Senhor para com Isabel, e todos ficaram alegres com ela. 59 Quando o menino estava com oito dias, vieram circuncidá-lo e queriam lhe dar o nome do pai, isto é, Zacarias. 60 Mas a sua mãe disse:

— Não. O nome dele vai ser João.

61 Então disseram:

— Mas você não tem nenhum parente com esse nome!

62 Aí fizeram sinais ao pai, perguntando que nome ele queria pôr no menino. 63 Zacarias pediu uma tabuinha de escrever e escreveu: “O nome dele é João.” E todos ficaram muito admirados. 64 Nesse momento Zacarias pôde falar novamente e começou a louvar a Deus. 65 Os vizinhos ficaram com muito medo, e as notícias dessas coisas se espalharam por toda a região montanhosa da Judeia. 66 Todos os que ouviam essas coisas e pensavam nelas perguntavam:

— O que será que esse menino vai ser?

Pois, de fato, o poder do Senhor estava com ele.

A profecia de Zacarias

67 Zacarias, o pai de João, cheio do Espírito Santo, começou a profetizar. Ele disse:

68 — Louvemos o Senhor, o Deus de Israel,
pois ele veio ajudar o seu povo
    e lhe dar a liberdade.
69 Enviou para nós um poderoso Salvador,
aquele que é descendente
    do seu servo Davi.
70 Faz muito tempo que Deus disse isso
por meio dos seus santos profetas.
71 Ele prometeu nos salvar
    dos nossos inimigos
e nos livrar do poder de todos
    os que nos odeiam.
72 Disse que ia mostrar a sua bondade
    aos nossos antepassados
e lembrar da sua santa aliança.
73-74 Ele fez um juramento
    ao nosso antepassado Abraão;
prometeu que nos livraria
    dos nossos inimigos
e que ia nos deixar servi-lo sem medo,
75 para que sejamos somente dele
e façamos o que ele quer
em todos os dias da nossa vida.
76 E você, menino, será chamado de
    profeta do Deus Altíssimo
e irá adiante do Senhor
a fim de preparar o caminho para ele.
77 Você anunciará ao povo de Deus
    a salvação
que virá por meio do perdão
    dos pecados deles.
78 Pois o nosso Deus é misericordioso
    e bondoso.
Ele fará brilhar sobre nós a sua luz
79 e do céu iluminará todos os que vivem
    na escuridão da sombra da morte,
para guiar os nossos passos
    no caminho da paz.

80 O menino cresceu e ficou forte de espírito. E viveu no deserto até o dia em que apareceu diante do povo de Israel.

Introduction(A)

Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled[a] among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first(B) were eyewitnesses(C) and servants of the word.(D) With this in mind, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account(E) for you, most excellent(F) Theophilus,(G) so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.(H)

The Birth of John the Baptist Foretold

In the time of Herod king of Judea(I) there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah;(J) his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly.(K) But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old.

Once when Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God,(L) he was chosen by lot,(M) according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense.(N) 10 And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshipers were praying outside.(O)

11 Then an angel(P) of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense.(Q) 12 When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear.(R) 13 But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid,(S) Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John.(T) 14 He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth,(U) 15 for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink,(V) and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit(W) even before he is born.(X) 16 He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. 17 And he will go on before the Lord,(Y) in the spirit and power of Elijah,(Z) to turn the hearts of the parents to their children(AA) and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”(AB)

18 Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this?(AC) I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.”(AD)

19 The angel said to him, “I am Gabriel.(AE) I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. 20 And now you will be silent and not able to speak(AF) until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their appointed time.”

21 Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he stayed so long in the temple. 22 When he came out, he could not speak to them. They realized he had seen a vision in the temple, for he kept making signs(AG) to them but remained unable to speak.

23 When his time of service was completed, he returned home. 24 After this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion. 25 “The Lord has done this for me,” she said. “In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace(AH) among the people.”

The Birth of Jesus Foretold

26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel(AI) to Nazareth,(AJ) a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph,(AK) a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”

29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid,(AL) Mary; you have found favor with God.(AM) 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus.(AN) 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.(AO) The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David,(AP) 33 and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom(AQ) will never end.”(AR)

34 “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”

35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you,(AS) and the power of the Most High(AT) will overshadow you. So the holy one(AU) to be born will be called[b] the Son of God.(AV) 36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child(AW) in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. 37 For no word from God will ever fail.”(AX)

38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.

Mary Visits Elizabeth

39 At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea,(AY) 40 where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.(AZ) 42 In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women,(BA) and blessed is the child you will bear! 43 But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord(BB) should come to me? 44 As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45 Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”

Mary’s Song(BC)

46 And Mary said:

“My soul glorifies the Lord(BD)
47     and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,(BE)
48 for he has been mindful
    of the humble state of his servant.(BF)
From now on all generations will call me blessed,(BG)
49     for the Mighty One has done great things(BH) for me—
    holy is his name.(BI)
50 His mercy extends to those who fear him,
    from generation to generation.(BJ)
51 He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;(BK)
    he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.(BL)
52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones
    but has lifted up the humble.(BM)
53 He has filled the hungry with good things(BN)
    but has sent the rich away empty.
54 He has helped his servant Israel,
    remembering to be merciful(BO)
55 to Abraham and his descendants(BP) forever,
    just as he promised our ancestors.”

56 Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.

The Birth of John the Baptist

57 When it was time for Elizabeth to have her baby, she gave birth to a son. 58 Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they shared her joy.

59 On the eighth day they came to circumcise(BQ) the child, and they were going to name him after his father Zechariah, 60 but his mother spoke up and said, “No! He is to be called John.”(BR)

61 They said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who has that name.”

62 Then they made signs(BS) to his father, to find out what he would like to name the child. 63 He asked for a writing tablet, and to everyone’s astonishment he wrote, “His name is John.”(BT) 64 Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue set free, and he began to speak,(BU) praising God. 65 All the neighbors were filled with awe, and throughout the hill country of Judea(BV) people were talking about all these things. 66 Everyone who heard this wondered about it, asking, “What then is this child going to be?” For the Lord’s hand was with him.(BW)

Zechariah’s Song

67 His father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit(BX) and prophesied:(BY)

68 “Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel,(BZ)
    because he has come to his people and redeemed them.(CA)
69 He has raised up a horn[c](CB) of salvation for us
    in the house of his servant David(CC)
70 (as he said through his holy prophets of long ago),(CD)
71 salvation from our enemies
    and from the hand of all who hate us—
72 to show mercy to our ancestors(CE)
    and to remember his holy covenant,(CF)
73     the oath he swore to our father Abraham:(CG)
74 to rescue us from the hand of our enemies,
    and to enable us to serve him(CH) without fear(CI)
75     in holiness and righteousness(CJ) before him all our days.

76 And you, my child, will be called a prophet(CK) of the Most High;(CL)
    for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him,(CM)
77 to give his people the knowledge of salvation
    through the forgiveness of their sins,(CN)
78 because of the tender mercy of our God,
    by which the rising sun(CO) will come to us from heaven
79 to shine on those living in darkness
    and in the shadow of death,(CP)
to guide our feet into the path of peace.”(CQ)

80 And the child grew and became strong in spirit[d];(CR) and he lived in the wilderness until he appeared publicly to Israel.

Footnotes

  1. Luke 1:1 Or been surely believed
  2. Luke 1:35 Or So the child to be born will be called holy,
  3. Luke 1:69 Horn here symbolizes a strong king.
  4. Luke 1:80 Or in the Spirit

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

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

It 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,

That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

15 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 Ghost, even from his mother's womb.

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

17 And 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.

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

19 And 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.

20 And, 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.

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

22 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 beckoned unto them, and remained speechless.

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

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

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

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

27 To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.

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

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

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

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

32 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 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

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

35 And 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.

36 And, 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.

37 For with God nothing shall be impossible.

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

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

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

41 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 Ghost:

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

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

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

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

46 And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,

47 And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

66 And 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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

73 The oath which he sware to our father Abraham,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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