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路加福音 1
Chinese Contemporary Bible (Traditional)
路加福音 1
Chinese Contemporary Bible (Traditional)
1 1-2 提阿非羅大人，已經有很多人根據最初的目擊者和傳道者給我們的口述，把我們中間發生的事記載下來。 3 我把一切事情從頭至尾仔細查考之後，決定按次序寫出來， 4 使你知道自己所學的道都是有真憑實據的。
天使預告施洗者約翰出生
5 猶太王希律執政期間，亞比雅的班裡有位祭司名叫撒迦利亞，他妻子伊莉莎白是亞倫的後裔。 6 夫妻二人遵行主的一切誡命和條例，無可指責，在上帝眼中是義人。 7 但他們沒有孩子，因為伊莉莎白不能生育，二人又年紀老邁。
8 有一天，輪到撒迦利亞他們那一班祭司當值， 9 他們按照祭司的規矩抽籤，抽中撒迦利亞到主的殿裡去燒香。 10 眾百姓都在外面禱告。 11 那時，主的天使在香壇的右邊向撒迦利亞顯現， 12 撒迦利亞見了，驚慌害怕起來。
13 天使對他說：「撒迦利亞，不要害怕，你的禱告已蒙垂聽。你的妻子伊莉莎白要為你生一個兒子，你要給他取名叫約翰。 14 你必歡喜快樂，許多人也會因為他的誕生而欣喜雀躍， 15 因為他將成為主偉大的僕人。他必滴酒不沾，並且在母腹裡就被聖靈充滿。 16 他將勸導許多以色列人回心轉意，歸順主——他們的上帝。 17 他將以先知以利亞的心志和能力作主的先鋒，使父親的心轉向兒女，使叛逆的人回轉、順從義人的智慧，為主預備合用的子民。」
18 撒迦利亞對天使說：「我已經老了，我的妻子也上了年紀，我如何知道這是真的呢？」 19 天使回答說：「我是侍立在上帝面前的加百列，奉命來向你報這喜訊。 20 我說的這些話到時候必定應驗。但因為你不肯相信我的話，所以這事成就以前，你將變成啞巴，不能說話。」
21 人們在等候撒加利亞，見他在聖殿裡遲遲不出來，都感到奇怪。 22 後來他出來了，卻成了啞巴，不能說話，只能打手勢，大家意識到他在聖殿裡看見了異象。 23 撒迦利亞供職期滿，就回家去了。 24 不久，伊莉莎白果然懷了孕，她有五個月閉門不出。 25 她說：「主真是眷顧我，除掉了我不生育的羞恥。」
天使預告耶穌降生
26 伊莉莎白懷孕六個月的時候，天使加百列又奉上帝的命令到加利利的拿撒勒， 27 去見一位童貞女，她叫瑪麗亞。瑪麗亞已經和大衛的後裔約瑟訂了婚。
28 天使到了瑪麗亞那裡，說：「恭喜你！蒙大恩的女子，主與你同在！」
29 瑪麗亞聽了覺得十分困惑，反覆思想這話的意思。
30 天使對她說：「瑪麗亞，不要害怕，你在上帝面前已經蒙恩了。 31 你要懷孕生子，並給祂取名叫耶穌。 32 祂偉大無比，將被稱為至高者的兒子，主上帝要把祂祖先大衛的王位賜給祂。 33 祂要永遠統治以色列[a]，祂的國度永無窮盡。」
34 瑪麗亞對天使說：「這怎麼可能呢？我還是童貞女。」
35 天使回答說：「聖靈要臨到你身上，至高者的能力要蔭庇你，所以你要生的那聖嬰必稱為上帝的兒子。 36 看啊，你的親戚伊莉莎白年紀老邁，一向不能生育，現在已經懷男胎六個月了。 37 因為上帝無所不能。」
38 瑪麗亞說：「我是主的婢女，願你所說的話在我身上成就。」於是天使離開了她。
瑪麗亞看望伊莉莎白
39 不久，瑪麗亞便動身趕到猶太山區的一座城， 40 進了撒迦利亞的家，向伊莉莎白請安。 41 伊莉莎白一聽見瑪麗亞的問安，腹中的胎兒便跳動起來，伊莉莎白被聖靈充滿， 42 高聲喊著說：「在婦女中你是最蒙福的！你腹中的孩子也是蒙福的！ 43 我主的母親來探望我，我怎麼敢當呢？ 44 我一聽到你問安的聲音，腹中的孩子就歡喜跳動。 45 相信主所說的話必實現的女子有福了！」
46 瑪麗亞說：
「我的心尊主為大，
47 我的靈因我的救主上帝而歡喜，
48 因祂眷顧我這卑微的婢女，
從今以後，
世世代代都要稱我是有福的。
49 全能者在我身上行了奇事，
祂的名是神聖的。
50 祂憐憫敬畏祂的人，
直到世世代代。
51 祂伸出臂膀，施展大能，
驅散心驕氣傲的人。
52 祂使當權者失勢，
叫謙卑的人升高。
53 祂使饑餓的得飽足，
叫富足的空手而去。
54 祂扶助了自己的僕人以色列，
55 祂要施憐憫給亞伯拉罕和他的子孫，
直到永遠，
正如祂對我們祖先的應許。」
56 瑪麗亞和伊莉莎白同住了約三個月，便回家去了。
施洗者約翰出生
57 伊莉莎白的產期到了，生下一個兒子。 58 親戚和鄰居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，想照他父親的名字給他取名叫撒迦利亞。
60 但伊莉莎白說：「不！要叫他約翰。」
61 他們說：「你們家族中沒有人用這個名字啊！」 62 他們便向他父親打手勢，問他要給孩子起什麼名字。 63 撒迦利亞就要了一塊寫字板，寫上：「他的名字叫約翰。」大家看了都很驚奇。 64 就在那時，撒迦利亞恢複了說話的能力，便開口讚美上帝。 65 住在周圍的人都很懼怕，這消息很快就傳遍了整個猶太山區。 66 聽見的人都在想：「這孩子將來會怎樣呢？因為主與他同在。」
撒迦利亞的預言
67 孩子的父親撒迦利亞被聖靈充滿，便預言說：
68 「主——以色列的上帝當受稱頌，
因祂眷顧、救贖了自己的子民，
69 在祂僕人大衛的家族中為我們興起了一位大能的拯救者[b]，
70 正如祂從亙古藉著祂聖先知們的口所說的。
71 祂要從仇敵和一切恨我們之人手中拯救我們。
72 祂憐憫我們的祖先，
持守自己的聖約，
73 就是祂對我們的先祖亞伯拉罕所起的誓，
74 要把我們從仇敵手中拯救出來，
75 使我們一生一世在聖潔和公義中坦然無懼地事奉祂。
76 至於你，我的兒子啊！
你將要被稱為至高者的先知，
因為你要走在主的前面，
為祂預備道路，
77 使百姓因罪得赦免而明白救恩的真諦。
78 由於上帝的憐憫，
清晨的曙光必從高天普照我們，
79 照亮那些生活在黑暗中和死亡陰影下的人，
帶領我們走平安的道路。」
80 那孩子漸漸長大，心靈強健，在向以色列人公開露面之前，一直住在曠野。
Лука 1
1940 Bulgarian Bible
Лука 1
1940 Bulgarian Bible
1 Понеже мнозина предприеха да съчинят повест за съвършено потвърдените между нас събития,
2 както ни ги предадоха ония, които отначало са били очевидци и служители на <евангелското> слово,
3 видя се добре и на мене, който изследвах подробно всичко от началото, да ти пиша наред <за това>, почтени Теофиле,
4 за да познаеш достоверността на това, в което си бил поучаван.
5 В дните на Юдейския цар Ирод имаше един свещеник от Авиевия отред, на име Захария; и жена му беше от Аароновите потомци, и се наричаше Елисавета.
6 Те и двамата бяха праведни пред Бога, като ходеха непорочно във всичките Господни заповеди и наредби.
7 И нямаха чадо, понеже Елисавета беше неплодна, а и двамата бяха в напреднала възраст.
8 И като свещенодействуваше той пред Бога по реда на своя отред,
9 по обичая на свещеничеството, нему се падна по жребие да влезе в Господния храм и да покади.
10 И в часа на каденето цялото множество на людете се молеше отвън.
11 И яви му се ангел от Господа, стоящ отдясно на кадилния олтар.
12 И Захарий като го видя, смути се, и страх го обзе.
13 Но ангелът му рече: Не бой се, Захари, защото твоята молитва е чута, и жена ти Елисавета ще ти роди син, когото ще наречеш Иоан.
14 <Той> ще ти бъде за радост и веселие; и мнозина ще се зарадват за неговото рождение.
15 Защото ще бъде велик пред Господа; вино и спиртно питие няма да пие; и ще се изпълни със Светия Дух още от зачатието си.
16 И ще обърне мнозина от израилтяните към Господа техния Бог.
17 Той ще предиде пред лицето Му в духа и силата на Илия, за да обърне сърцата на бащите към чадата, и непокорните към мъдростта на праведните, да приготви за Господа благоразположен народ.
18 А Захария рече на ангела: По какво ще узная това? защото аз съм стар, и жена ми е в напреднала възраст.
19 Ангелът в отговор му каза: Аз съм Гавриил, който стои пред Бога; и съм изпратен да ти говоря и да ти благовестя това.
20 И, ето, ще млъкнеш, и не ще можеш да говориш, до деня, когато ще се сбъдне това, защото не повярва думите ми, които ще се сбъднат своевременно.
21 И людете чакаха Захария, и се чудеха, че се бави в храма.
22 А когато излезе, не можеше да им продума; и те разбраха, че е видял видение в храма, защото той им правеше знакове и оставаше ням.
23 И като се навършиха дните на службата му, той отиде у дома си.
24 А след тия дни жена му Елисавета зачна; и криеше се пет месеца, като казваше:
25 Така ми стори Господ в дните, когато погледна милостиво, за да отнеме от човеците <причината да> ме корят.
26 А в шестия месец ангел Гавриил бе изпратен от Бога в галилейския град наречен Назарет,
27 при една девица, сгодена за мъж на име Иосиф от Давидовия дом; а името на девицата бе Мария.
28 И като дойде ангелът при нея, рече: Здравей благодатна! Господ е с тебе, [благословена си ти между жените].
29 А тя много се смути от думата му, и в недоумение беше какъв ли ще бъде тоя поздрав.
30 И ангелът й рече: Не бой се, Марио, защото си придобила Божието благоволение.
31 И ето, ще зачнеш в утробата си и ще родиш син, Когото ще наречеш Исус.
32 Той ще бъде велик, и ще се нарече Син на Всевишния; и Господ Бог ще Му даде престола на баща Му Давида.
33 Ще царува над Якововия дом до века; и царството Му не ще има край.
34 А Мария рече на ангела: Как ще бъде това, тъй като мъж не познавам?
35 И ангелът в отговор й рече: Светият Дух ще дойде върху ти, и силата на Всевишния ще те осени; за туй, и светото Онова, Което ще се роди <от тебе>, ще се нарече Божий Син.
36 И, ето, твоята сродница Елисавета, и тя в старините си е зачнала син; и това е шестият месец за нея, която се казваше неплодна.
37 Защото за Бога няма невъзможно нещо.
38 И Мария рече: Ето Господната слугиня; нека ми бъде според както си казал. И ангелът си отиде от нея.
39 През тия дни Мария стана и отиде бързо към хълмистата страна, в един Юдов град,
40 и влезе в Захариевата къща и поздрави Елисавета.
41 И щом чу Елисавета Марииния поздрав, младенецът заигра в утробата й; и Елисавета се изпълни със Светия Дух,
42 и като извика със силен глас рече: Благословена си ти между жените, и благословен е плодът на твоята утроба!
43 И от какво ми е тая <чест>, да дойде при мене майката на моя Господ?
44 Защото, ето, щом стигна гласът на твоя поздрав до ушите ми, младенецът заигра радостно в утробата ми.
45 И блажена е тая, която е повярвала, че ще се сбъдне казаното й от Господа.
46 И Мария каза: - Величае душата ми Господа,
47 И зарадва се духът ми в Господа Спасителя мой.
48 Защото погледна милостиво на низкото положение на слугинята Си; И, ето, от сега ще ме облажават всичките родове.
49 Защото Силният извърши за мене велики дела; И свето е Неговото име.
50 И, през родове и родове, Неговата милост. Е върху ония които Му се боят.
51 Извърши силни <дела> със Своята мишца; Разпръсна <ония, които> са горделиви в мислите на сърцето си.
52 Свали владетели от престолите <им>. И въздигна смирени.
53 Гладните напълни с блага. А богатите отпрати празни.
54 Помогна на слугата Си Израиля. За да помни <да покаже> Милост.
55 (Както бе говорил на бащите ни). Към Авраама и към неговото потомство до века.
56 А Мария, като преседя с нея около три месеца, върна се у дома си.
57 А на Елисавета се навърши времето да роди; и роди син.
58 И като чуха съседите и роднините й, че Господ показал към нея велика милост, радваха се с нея.
59 И на осмия ден дойдоха да обрежат детенцето; и щяха да го нарекат Захария, по бащиното му име.
60 Но майка му в отговор каза: Не, но ще се нарече Иоан.
61 И рекоха й: Няма никой в рода ти, който се нарича с това име.
62 И <запитаха> баща му със знакове, как би искал той да го нарекат.
63 А той поиска дъсчица и написа тия думи: Иоан е името му. И те всички се почудиха.
64 И на часа му се отвориха устата, и езикът му се< развърза>, и той проговори и благославяше Бога.
65 И страх обзе всичките им съседи; и за всичко това се говореше по цялата хълмиста страна на Юдея.
66 И всички, като чуха, пазеха това в сърцата си, казвайки: Какво ли ще бъде това детенце? Защото Господната ръка беше с него.
67 Тогава баща му Захария се изпълни със Светия Дух и пророкува, казвайки:
68 Благословен Господ, Израилевият Бог, Защото посети Своите люде, и извърши изкупление за тях.
69 И въздигна рог на спасение за нас В дома на слугата Си Давида,
70 (Както е говорил чрез устата на светите Си от века пророци).
71 Избавление от неприятелите ни и от ръката на всички които ни мразят,
72 За да покаже милост към бащите ни, И да спомни светия Свой завет,
73 Клетвата, с която се закле на баща ни Авраама.
74 Да даде нам, бидейки освободени от ръката на неприятелите ни. Да Му служим без страх,
75 В светост и правда пред Него, през всичките си дни.
76 Да! и ти, детенце, пророк на Всевишния ще се наречеш; Защото ще вървиш пред лицето на Господа да приготвиш пътищата за Него.
77 За да дадеш на Неговите люде да познаят спасение Чрез прощаване греховете им,
78 Поради милосърдието на нашия Бог, С което ще ни посети зора отгоре,
79 За да осияе седящите в тъмнина и в мрачна сянка; Така щото да отправи нозете ни в пътя на мира.
80 А детенцето растеше и крепнеше по дух; и беше в пустините до деня, когато се яви на Израиля.
Luke 1
EasyEnglish Bible
Luke 1
EasyEnglish Bible
Luke writes the facts about Jesus
1 Many people have written about the things that have happened in our country. 2 Some people were present when these things started to happen. They saw everything that happened and they told us about it. They are the people who wrote down the Good News for us. 3 I have checked the facts about what really happened. So now, I know about all the things that happened from the beginning. I am writing to make the facts clear to you, my important friend Theophilus. 4 People have already taught you about these things. Now you can be sure that they are true.
What happened before John the Baptist was born
5 There was a man whose name was Zechariah. He lived when Herod was king of Judea.[a] Zechariah was a priest and he belonged to a group of priests from the family of Abijah. He had a wife called Elizabeth. She also was from the family of the priest called Aaron.[b]
6 Zechariah and Elizabeth obeyed God's commands and rules. God saw that they were righteous people. They did not do wrong things. 7 But they had no children. Elizabeth could not give birth and they were both getting old.[c]
8 One day, Zechariah's group of priests was working at the temple. He had a special job to do there. 9 The priests chose one of their group to go into the holy place in the temple. This time they chose Zechariah.[d] His job was to burn incense there.
10 While Zechariah was burning incense in the special room, many men were outside in the yard.[e] They were praying to God.
11 The incense was burning on a special altar, when one of God's angels appeared to Zechariah. The angel was standing at the right hand side of the altar.[f]
12 When Zechariah saw the angel, he was very surprised and very afraid. 13 The angel said to him, ‘Zechariah, do not be afraid. God has heard what you prayed. He will give you what you asked for. Your wife Elizabeth will give birth to a baby boy. You will give him the name “John”. 14-15 He will be very important to the Lord God. So he will make you very happy. Many other people will also be very happy because he has been born. He must never drink anything with alcohol in it. From the time that he is born, the Holy Spirit will live inside him.
16 He will teach many people in Israel.[g] Then they will turn their lives back to the Lord their God and they will obey God again. 17 John will prepare the people for the Lord to come to them. The Holy Spirit will lead John as he led Elijah.[h] John will do powerful things as Elijah did. He will help fathers to love their children. He will teach people who do not obey God. Then they will know what things are right. And they will do them. Then they will be ready when the Lord comes.’
18 Zechariah asked the angel, ‘How can I be sure about this? You know that I am an old man. My wife is also old.’
19 The angel answered, ‘I am called Gabriel. My place is to stand in front of God. I am always ready to work for God. He has sent me to speak to you. He told me that I should tell you this good news. 20 Now listen to me. Because you did not believe my message, you will not be able to speak. You will not speak again until the time that your son is born. My message will really become true at the right time.’
21 While this was happening, the people outside were waiting for Zechariah. They were thinking, ‘Why has Zechariah stayed for such a long time in the special room? Why has he not come out yet?’ 22 When he did come out, he tried to talk to them. But he could not speak. So they knew that God had showed him something special in the room. He was moving his head and his hands about, to tell them what had happened. But still he could not speak.
23 When Zechariah had finished his work in the temple, he returned home. 24 Soon, a baby was growing inside his wife Elizabeth. She stayed in her house for five months. 25 ‘The Lord has now given me a baby,’ she said. ‘He has been kind to me. Because of this, other people cannot say bad things about me now.’
What happened before Jesus was born
26 When Elizabeth's baby had grown inside her for nearly six months, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth. Nazareth is a town in Galilee. 27 Gabriel went there to visit a young woman. Her name was Mary. She had never had sex with anyone. She had promised to marry a man called Joseph. He belonged to the family of King David.[i]
28 Gabriel went to Mary and said, ‘Hello, Mary. The Lord God loves you very much. He is very near to you.’
29 Mary had a lot of problems in her mind about Gabriel's message. She did not understand what he meant. 30 Then Gabriel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary. God has been kind to you. 31 Listen! A baby boy will grow inside you. When he is born, you will call him Jesus. 32 He will be great. People will call him the Son of the powerful God who is over all. The Lord God will make him king. He will rule as his ancestor King David ruled.[j] 33 He will rule over the family of Jacob for all time.[k] He will be king for all time, without end.’
34 Mary asked, ‘How can this happen? I have never had sex with anyone.’ 35 Gabriel answered, ‘The Holy Spirit will come to you. The power of God who is over all will cover you like a shadow. So your child will be special to God. He will be completely good. He will be called God's Son. 36 Another thing! Your cousin, Elizabeth, is very old. People said that she could not have a baby. Listen! She also will have a son. The baby has grown inside her now for nearly six months. 37 There is nothing that God cannot do.’
38 Mary answered, ‘I am the servant of the Lord. I have heard what you have said. I want it to happen to me just like that.’ Then the angel left her.
Mary visits Elizabeth
39 After that, Mary prepared herself to travel. She hurried to a town in the hills of Judea. 40 When she arrived at the home of Zechariah, she said ‘hello’ to Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary speak, she felt her baby move quickly inside her. The Holy Spirit filled her. 42 She spoke to Mary in a loud voice, ‘God has made you very happy. He has been good and kind to you more than to other women. He has also been good and kind to your baby. 43 You are the mother of my Lord and I am not an important person. So it is very good that you have visited me. 44 Listen! When I heard you say, “Hello” to me, my baby moved quickly inside me. He was very happy. 45 The Lord has told you what will happen. And you believed what he told you. Because of that, God has made you a happy person.’
Mary's song
46 Then Mary said,
‘All of me wants to praise God and say,
“Lord, how good and great you are!”
47 I thank God because he is the one who saves me.
48 I know that I am not an important person.
God knows this, and he has been kind to me.
Listen! From now on, all people will say that God has made me happy.
49 Yes, God has done great things for me.
He is very powerful and strong. He is good in every way.
50 He is kind to people who respect and obey him.
He will always be kind to people like that.
51 He has shown how strong he is to do great things.
Some people think that they are very important.
But he has sent them away in different directions.
52 Some people were ruling countries.
But he has taken their power away from them.
He has given power to people who do not feel important.
53 He has fed hungry people with good things to eat.
But he has sent rich people away with nothing.
54 He promised that he would be kind to his people, Israel.
Now he has come and helped them.
55 He made a promise to Abraham and to our other ancestors.
Now he has done what he promised.’[l]
56 Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months. Then she returned to her home.
John the Baptist is born
57 The time arrived for Elizabeth to have her baby. She had a son. 58 Her family and the people who lived near her heard about her baby. They knew that the Lord had been very kind to her. They saw that she was happy. So they were happy too. 59 When the child was eight days old, people met together to circumcise him.[m] They wanted to call the child Zechariah. This was the same name that his father had.
60 Elizabeth said, ‘No. His name will be John.’
61 They replied, ‘But you do not have anyone in your family called John. That cannot be right.’ 62 So they used their hands to make signs to the baby's father. They wanted to ask him what his son's name should be.[n]
63 Zechariah asked for something to write on. He wrote, ‘His name is John.’ Everyone was very surprised at what he wrote. 64 Immediately, Zechariah could speak again. He could speak easily. He began to thank God aloud.[o]
65 The people who lived near Zechariah and Elizabeth were very surprised. They saw how great God was. Many people who lived in the hills of Judea also talked about all these things. 66 Everyone who heard about these things thought about them. They asked each other, ‘When this child becomes a man, what will he be?’ They could see that God really was with him.
Zechariah's song
67 The Holy Spirit filled John's father, Zechariah, so that he spoke God's message:
68 ‘The Lord God of Israel is a great God.
He has come to save his people. He has come to make them free.
69 He has sent a very strong person who will save us.[p]
This person comes from the family of his servant, King David.
70 Long ago, God promised that he would do this.
He gave his own prophets this message to speak.
71 God will save us from our enemies.
He will save us from everyone that hates us.
72 He has promised to be kind to our ancestors.
He will do the things that he promised in his holy covenant.
73 Yes, he will remember the strong promises that he spoke to Abraham.[q]
74 God said, “I will keep you safe from your enemies.
Then you can serve me and not be afraid.
75 You can live in a way that is good and right.
You can do this all your lives.” ’[r]
76 Zechariah then spoke to John:
‘You, my child, will be called a prophet of the powerful God who is over all.
You will go in front of the Lord to prepare a way for him.
77 You will tell God's people how God can save them.
They have done wrong things but God will forgive them.
78 Our God will forgive us because he is very kind.
He will send someone from the highest place.
When this person comes, it will be like the sunrise for us.[s]
79 He will bring light to people who are living without God.
It is like those people are living in the dark. They are afraid to die.
But he will shine on them.
He will show us how to live so that we will not be afraid.’[t]
80 Zechariah's child grew. God made him strong in his mind. He went into the wilderness and he lived there for many years. Later, God sent him to Israel's people, to teach them.[u]
Footnotes
- 1:5 This Herod was called Herod the Great. He was king in Judea from the year 37 BC to the year 4 BC.
- 1:5 A priest is a special servant of God who worked at the temple in Jerusalem. All the priests were descendants of Moses' brother, Aaron. He was the brother of Moses. They both lived a long time before Jesus. We can read about Aaron in the book called Exodus. There were 24 groups of priests. One group at a time worked in the temple. Every group had a name. Zechariah was in the group of Abijah.
- 1:7 At that time, people without children thought that God was angry with them. Elizabeth and Zechariah would have felt very sad because they had no children.
- 1:9 They did a special thing to know who would go into the room. It was something like a game that we play. But it was serious and important.
- 1:10 The Jews made incense from special oil that they got from certain kinds of trees. It makes a sweet smell when it burns. They used it in the temple. They burned incense in God's house while they prayed. God had said in his rules that they should do this.
- 1:11 An angel is a servant of God that brings his messages. The ‘right hand side’ means the place of importance.
- 1:16 The people of Israel came from the family of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and their children. We call them Jews. God chose them as his special people. He gave the name Israel to Jacob. We can read about Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the book called Genesis.
- 1:17 God chose Elijah to speak for him. The Holy Spirit showed him what to say. Elijah gave special messages from God to his people. He taught them to stop doing the things that God did not like. He told them that they should obey God. We can read about Elijah in 1 Kings 17.
- 1:27 David had been a king of Israel. We can read about him in 1 Samuel 16.
- 1:32 Both Joseph and Mary came from the family of King David.
- 1:33 The family of Jacob means all the Jews.
- 1:55 Mary is very happy. She knows that God has been good to her and to Elizabeth. She sings about God. She sings about the great things that he has done. She sings that he will use his power to be kind. He will also use his power against people that do not obey him. Mary is a Jew. She remembers God's promise to the Jews.
- 1:59 They circumcised all baby boys in Israel on the eighth day. It means to cut off the skin from the end of the sex part of a boy or a man. For the Jews, it was a special mark. It showed that they were the people of God. Friends and people that lived near would also be there. They had a party and they gave a name to the boy. See Genesis 17.
- 1:62 Because Zechariah was deaf, they had to make signs to ask him.
- 1:64 Everything had happened as the angel had said.
- 1:69 Jesus is the strong person that God sent. Zechariah knew why Jesus was coming to the earth.
- 1:73 Because Christians are a part of the family of Abraham, God promised this to them too.
- 1:75 Zechariah's song shows how happy he is. God has been good to him and to Elizabeth. God has shown him how important John will be. Zechariah thanks God. He tells the people that God is great.
- 1:78 The ‘sunrise’ is a picture story. It describes Jesus when he came to earth.
- 1:79 God told Zechariah what John would do. John would speak to the people. He would tell them that Jesus was coming.
- 1:80 You can read what John taught the people in Luke 3.
Luke 1
New International Version
Luke 1
New International Version
Introduction(A)
1 Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled[a] among us, 2 just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first(B) were eyewitnesses(C) and servants of the word.(D) 3 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) 4 so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.(H)
The Birth of John the Baptist Foretold
5 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. 6 Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly.(K) 7 But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old.
8 Once when Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God,(L) 9 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.
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