路加福音 1
Chinese New Version (Simplified)
序言（参(A)
1 尊敬的提阿非罗先生，因为有许多人，已经把在我们中间成就了的事， 2 按照起初亲眼看见的传道人所传给我们的，编着成书； 3 我已经把这些事从头考查过，认为也应该按着次序写给你， 4 让你晓得所学到的道理，都是确实的。
天使预言施洗约翰出生
5 犹太王希律在位的日子，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，名叫以利沙伯。 6 他们在 神面前都是义人，遵行主的一切诫命规条，无可指摘， 7 只是没有孩子，因为以利沙伯不生育，二人又都上了年纪。
8 有一次，撒迦利亚在 神面前按着班次执行祭司的职务， 9 照祭司的惯例抽中了签，进入主的圣殿烧香。 10 烧香的时候，众人都在外面祈祷。 11 有主的使者站在香坛右边，向他显现。 12 撒迦利亚一见就惊慌起来，十分害怕。 13 天使说：“撒迦利亚，不要怕，因为你的祈求已蒙垂听，你妻子以利沙伯要给你生一个儿子，你要给他起名叫约翰。 14 你必欢喜快乐，许多人因他出生，也必喜乐。 15 他在主面前要被尊为大，淡酒浓酒都不喝，未出母腹就被圣灵充满。 16 他要使许多以色列人转向主他们的 神。 17 他必有以利亚的灵和能力，行在主的前面，叫父亲的心转向儿女，叫悖逆的转向义人的意念，为主安排那预备好了的人民。” 18 撒迦利亚对天使说：“我怎么能知道这事呢？我已经老了，我妻子也上了年纪。” 19 天使回答：“我是站在 神面前的加百列，奉差遣向你说话，报给你这好消息。 20 看吧！到了时候我的话必要应验；因为你不信我的话，你必成为哑巴，直到这些事成就的那一天，才能说话。”
21 众人等候撒迦利亚；因他在圣殿里迟迟不出来，觉得奇怪。 22 等到他出来，却不能讲话，竟成了哑巴，不断地向他们打手式，他们就知道他在圣殿里见了异象。 23 供职的日子满了，他就回家去。 24 过了几天，他妻子以利沙伯怀了孕，隐藏了五个月，说： 25 “主在眷顾的日子，这样看待我，要把我在人间的羞耻除掉。”
天使预言耶稣降生
26 到了第六个月，天使加百列奉 神差遣，往加利利的拿撒勒城去， 27 到了一个童贞女那里，她已经和大卫家一个名叫约瑟的人订了婚，童贞女的名字是马利亚。 28 天使进去，对她说：“恭喜！蒙大恩的女子，主与你同在！” 29 她却因这话惊慌起来，反复思想这样祝贺是甚么意思。 30 天使说：“马利亚，不要怕！因你已从 神那里蒙了恩。 31 你将怀孕生子，要给他起名叫耶稣。 32 他将要被尊为大，称为至高者的儿子，主 神要把他祖大卫的王位赐给他， 33 他要作王统治雅各家，直到永远，他的国没有穷尽。” 34 马利亚对天使说：“我还没有出嫁（“我还没有出嫁”原文作“我不认识男人”），怎能有这事呢？” 35 天使回答：“圣灵要临到你，至高者的能力要覆庇你，因此那将要出生的圣者，必称为 神的儿子。 36 你看，你亲戚以利沙伯，被称为不生育的，在老年也怀了男胎，现在已是第六个月了， 37 因为在 神没有一件事是不可能的。” 38 马利亚说：“我是主的婢女，愿照你的话成就在我身上！”天使就离开她去了。
马利亚往见以利沙伯
39 后来，马利亚就起身，急忙向山地去，来到犹大的一座城， 40 进了撒迦利亚的家，向以利沙伯问安。 41 以利沙伯一听见马利亚的问安，腹中的胎儿就跳动，以利沙伯也被圣灵充满， 42 就高声说：“你在女子中是有福的！你腹中的胎儿也是有福的！ 43 我主的母亲竟然到我这里来。这事怎会临到我呢？ 44 你看，你问安的声音一进我的耳朵，我腹中的胎儿就欢喜跳跃。 45 这相信主传给她的话必要成就的女子是有福的。”
马利亚尊主为大（参(B)
46 马利亚说：
“我心尊主为大，
47 我灵以 神我的救主为乐，
48 因为他垂顾他婢女的卑微，
看哪！今后万代都要称我为有福。
49 全能者为我行了大事，他的名为圣；
50 他的怜悯世世代代归与敬畏他的人。
51 他用膀臂施展大能，
驱散心里妄想的狂傲人。
52 他使有权能的失位，
叫卑微的升高，
53 让饥饿的得饱美食，
使富足的空手回去。
54 他扶助了他的仆人以色列，
为要记念他的怜悯，
55 正如他向我们列祖所说的，
恩待亚伯拉罕和他的后裔，直到永远。”
56 马利亚和以利沙伯同住约有三个月，就回家去了。
施洗约翰出生
57 以利沙伯的产期到了，生了一个儿子。 58 邻里亲戚，听见主向她大施怜悯，都和她一同欢乐。 59 到了第八天，他们来给孩子行割礼，要照他父亲的名字，叫他撒迦利亚。 60 但他母亲说：“不可，要叫他约翰。” 61 他们说：“你亲族里没有叫这名字的。” 62 他们就向孩子的父亲打手式，看他要叫他甚么。 63 他要了一块写字版，写上说：“他的名字是约翰。”众人都希奇。 64 撒迦利亚的口舌立刻开了，就出声称颂 神。 65 住在周围的人都害怕，这一切事传遍了整个犹太山地， 66 凡听见的就把这些事放在心里，说：“这孩子将会成为怎样的人呢？因为主的手与他同在。”
撒迦利亚的预言
67 他的父亲撒迦利亚被圣灵充满，预言说：
68 “主，以色列的 神，是应当称颂的，
因他眷顾自己的子民，施行救赎，
69 在他仆人大卫家中，
为我们兴起救恩的角，
70 正如主自古以来藉圣先知口中所说的，
71 救我们脱离仇敌，和恨我们的人的手；
72 向我们列祖施怜悯，记念他的圣约，
73 就是他对我们祖先亚伯拉罕所起的誓，
74 把我们从仇敌手中救拔出来，
叫我们可以坦然无惧，用圣洁公义，
75 在他面前一生一世敬拜他。
76 孩子啊，你要称为至高者的先知，
因为你要行在主的面前，预备他的路，
77 使他的子民，因罪得赦，就知道救恩。
78 因我们 神的怜悯，
使清晨的阳光从高天临到我们，
79 光照那坐在黑暗中死荫里的人，
引导我们的脚，走上平安的路。”
80 这孩子渐渐长大，心灵健壮，住在旷野，直到他在以色列人中公开露面的日子。
Luc 1
Nouvelle Edition de Genève – NEG1979
Introduction
1 Plusieurs ayant entrepris de composer un récit des événements qui se sont accomplis parmi nous, 2 suivant ce que nous ont transmis ceux qui ont été des témoins oculaires dès le commencement et sont devenus des ministres de la parole, 3 il m’a aussi semblé bon, après avoir fait des recherches exactes sur toutes ces choses depuis leur origine, de te les exposer par écrit d’une manière suivie, excellent Théophile[a], 4 afin que tu reconnaisses la certitude des enseignements que tu as reçus.
Annonce de la naissance de Jean-Baptiste
5 Du temps d’Hérode, roi de Judée, il y avait un sacrificateur, nommé Zacharie, de la classe d’Abia; sa femme était d’entre les filles d’Aaron, et s’appelait Elisabeth. 6 Tous deux étaient justes devant Dieu, observant d’une manière irréprochable tous les commandements et toutes les ordonnances du Seigneur. 7 Ils n’avaient point d’enfants, parce qu’Elisabeth était stérile; et ils étaient l’un et l’autre avancés en âge.
8 Or, pendant qu’il s’acquittait de ses fonctions devant Dieu, selon le tour de sa classe, il fut appelé par le sort, 9 d’après la règle du sacerdoce, à entrer dans le temple du Seigneur pour offrir le parfum. 10 Toute la multitude du peuple était dehors en prière, à l’heure du parfum. 11 Alors un ange du Seigneur apparut à Zacharie, et se tint debout à droite de l’autel des parfums. 12 Zacharie fut troublé en le voyant et la frayeur s’empara de lui. 13 Mais l’ange lui dit: Ne crains point, Zacharie; car ta prière a été exaucée. Ta femme Elisabeth t’enfantera un fils, et tu lui donneras le nom de Jean. 14 Il sera pour toi un sujet de joie et d’allégresse, et plusieurs se réjouiront de sa naissance. 15 Car il sera grand devant le Seigneur. Il ne boira ni vin, ni liqueur enivrante, et il sera rempli de l’Esprit-Saint dès le sein de sa mère; 16 il ramènera plusieurs des fils d’Israël au Seigneur, leur Dieu; 17 il marchera devant Dieu avec l’esprit et la puissance d’Elie, pour ramener les cœurs des pères vers les enfants, et les rebelles à la sagesse des justes, afin de préparer au Seigneur un peuple bien disposé[b]. 18 Zacharie dit à l’ange: A quoi reconnaîtrai-je cela? Car je suis vieux, et ma femme est avancée en âge. 19 L’ange lui répondit: Je suis Gabriel, je me tiens devant Dieu; j’ai été envoyé pour te parler, et pour t’annoncer cette bonne nouvelle. 20 Et voici, tu seras muet, et tu ne pourras parler jusqu’au jour où ces choses arriveront, parce que tu n’as pas cru à mes paroles, qui s’accompliront en leur temps.
21 Cependant, le peuple attendait Zacharie, s’étonnant de ce qu’il restait si longtemps dans le temple. 22 Quand il sortit, il ne put leur parler, et ils comprirent qu’il avait eu une vision dans le temple; il leur faisait des signes, et il resta muet.
23 Lorsque ses jours de service furent écoulés, il s’en alla chez lui. 24 Quelque temps après, Elisabeth, sa femme, devint enceinte. Elle se cacha pendant cinq mois, disant: 25 C’est la grâce que le Seigneur m’a faite, quand il a jeté les yeux sur moi pour ôter mon opprobre parmi les hommes.
Annonce de la naissance de Jésus-Christ
26 Au sixième mois, l’ange Gabriel fut envoyé par Dieu dans une ville de Galilée, appelée Nazareth, 27 auprès d’une vierge fiancée à un homme de la maison de David, nommé Joseph. Le nom de la vierge était Marie. 28 L’ange entra chez elle, et dit: Je te salue, toi à qui une grâce a été faite; le Seigneur est avec toi. 29 Troublée par cette parole, Marie se demandait ce que pouvait signifier une telle salutation. 30 L’ange lui dit: Ne crains point, Marie; car tu as trouvé grâce devant Dieu. 31 Et voici, tu deviendras enceinte, et tu enfanteras un fils, et tu lui donneras le nom de Jésus. 32 Il sera grand et sera appelé Fils du Très-Haut, et le Seigneur Dieu lui donnera le trône de David, son père. 33 Il régnera sur la maison de Jacob éternellement, et son règne n’aura point de fin. 34 Marie dit à l’ange: Comment cela se fera-t-il, puisque je ne connais point d’homme? 35 L’ange lui répondit: Le Saint-Esprit viendra sur toi, et la puissance du Très-Haut te couvrira de son ombre. C’est pourquoi le saint enfant qui naîtra de toi sera appelé Fils de Dieu. 36 Voici, Elisabeth, ta parente, a conçu, elle aussi, un fils en sa vieillesse, et celle qui était appelée stérile est dans son sixième mois. 37 Car rien n’est impossible à Dieu. 38 Marie dit: Je suis la servante du Seigneur; qu’il me soit fait selon ta parole! Et l’ange la quitta.
Visite de Marie à Elisabeth
39 Dans ce même temps, Marie se leva, et s’en alla en hâte vers les montagnes, dans une ville de Juda. 40 Elle entra dans la maison de Zacharie, et salua Elisabeth. 41 Dès qu’Elisabeth entendit la salutation de Marie, son enfant tressaillit dans son sein, et elle fut remplie du Saint-Esprit. 42 Elle s’écria d’une voix forte: Tu es bénie entre les femmes, et le fruit de ton sein est béni. 43 Comment m’est-il accordé que la mère de mon Seigneur vienne auprès de moi? 44 Car voici, aussitôt que la voix de ta salutation a frappé mon oreille, l’enfant a tressailli d’allégresse dans mon sein. 45 Heureuse celle qui a cru, parce que les choses qui lui ont été dites de la part du Seigneur auront leur accomplissement.
Cantique de Marie
46 Et Marie dit:
Mon âme exalte le Seigneur,
47 Et mon esprit se réjouit en Dieu, mon Sauveur,
48 Parce qu’il a jeté les yeux sur la bassesse de sa servante.
Car voici, désormais toutes les générations me diront bienheureuse,
49 Parce que le Tout-Puissant a fait pour moi de grandes choses.
Son nom est saint,
50 Et sa miséricorde s’étend d’âge en âge
Sur ceux qui le craignent.
51 Il a déployé la force de son bras;
Il a dispersé ceux qui avaient dans le cœur des pensées orgueilleuses.
52 Il a renversé les puissants de leurs trônes,
Et il a élevé les humbles.
53 Il a rassasié de biens les affamés[c],
Et il a renvoyé les riches à vide.
54 Il a secouru Israël, son serviteur,
Et il s’est souvenu de sa miséricorde[d],
55 Comme il l’avait dit à nos pères,
Envers Abraham et sa postérité pour toujours.
56 Marie demeura avec Elisabeth environ trois mois. Puis elle retourna chez elle.
Naissance de Jean-Baptiste
57 Le temps où Elisabeth devait accoucher arriva, et elle enfanta un fils. 58 Ses voisins et ses parents apprirent que le Seigneur avait fait éclater envers elle sa miséricorde, et ils se réjouirent avec elle. 59 Le huitième jour, ils vinrent pour circoncire l’enfant, et ils l’appelaient Zacharie, du nom de son père. 60 Mais sa mère prit la parole, et dit: Non, il sera appelé Jean. 61 Ils lui dirent: Il n’y a dans ta parenté personne qui soit appelé de ce nom. 62 Et ils firent des signes à son père pour savoir comment il voulait qu’on l’appelle. 63 Zacharie demanda des tablettes, et il écrivit: Jean est son nom. Et tous furent dans l’étonnement. 64 Au même instant, sa bouche s’ouvrit, sa langue se délia, et il parlait, bénissant Dieu. 65 La crainte s’empara de tous les habitants d’alentour, et, dans toutes les montagnes de la Judée, on s’entretenait de toutes ces choses. 66 Tous ceux qui les apprirent les gardèrent dans leur cœur, en disant: Que sera donc cet enfant? Et la main du Seigneur était avec lui.
Cantique de Zacharie
67 Zacharie, son père, fut rempli du Saint-Esprit, et il prophétisa, en ces mots:
68 Béni soit le Seigneur, le Dieu d’Israël,
De ce qu’il a visité et racheté son peuple,
69 Et nous a suscité un puissant Sauveur[e]
Dans la maison de David, son serviteur,
70 Comme il l’avait annoncé par la bouche de ses saints prophètes des temps anciens,
71 Un Sauveur[f] qui nous délivre de nos ennemis et de la main de tous ceux qui nous haïssent!
72 C’est ainsi qu’il manifeste sa miséricorde envers nos pères,
Et se souvient de sa sainte alliance,
73 Selon le serment par lequel il avait juré à Abraham, notre père,
74 De nous permettre, après que nous serions délivrés de la main de nos ennemis,
De le servir sans crainte,
75 En marchant devant lui dans la sainteté et dans la justice tous les jours de notre vie.
76 Et toi, petit enfant, tu seras appelé prophète du Très-Haut.
Car tu marcheras devant la face du Seigneur, pour préparer ses voies,
77 Afin de donner à son peuple la connaissance du salut
Par le pardon de ses péchés,
78 Grâce aux entrailles de la miséricorde de notre Dieu,
En vertu de laquelle le soleil levant nous a visités d’en haut,
79 Pour éclairer ceux qui sont assis dans les ténèbres et dans l’ombre de la mort,
Pour diriger nos pas dans le chemin de la paix.
80 Or, l’enfant croissait, et se fortifiait en esprit. Et il demeura dans les déserts, jusqu’au jour où il se présenta devant Israël.
Luke 1
King James Version
1 Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us,
2 Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word;
3 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,
4 That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed.
5 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.
6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.
7 And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years.
8 And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest's office before God in the order of his course,
9 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.
Luke 1
New King James Version
Dedication to Theophilus
1 Inasmuch as many have taken in hand to set in order a narrative of those (A)things which [a]have been fulfilled among us, 2 just as those who (B)from the beginning were (C)eyewitnesses and ministers of the word (D)delivered them to us, 3 it seemed good to me also, having [b]had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write to you an orderly account, (E)most excellent Theophilus, 4 (F)that you may know the certainty of those things in which you were instructed.
John’s Birth Announced to Zacharias
5 There was (G)in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, (H)of the division of (I)Abijah. His (J)wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. 7 But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well advanced in years.
8 So it was, that while he was serving as priest before God in the order of his division, 9 according to the custom of the priesthood, [c]his lot fell (K)to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. 10 (L)And the whole multitude of the people was praying outside at the hour of incense. 11 Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of (M)the altar of incense. 12 And when Zacharias saw him, (N)he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.
13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and (O)you shall call his name John. 14 And you will have joy and gladness, and (P)many will rejoice at his birth. 15 For he will be (Q)great in the sight of the Lord, and (R)shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, (S)even from his mother’s womb. 16 And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. 17 (T)He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, ‘to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,’ and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”
18 And Zacharias said to the angel, (U)“How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years.”
19 And the angel answered and said to him, “I am (V)Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and was sent to speak to you and bring you [d]these glad (W)tidings. 20 But behold, (X)you will be mute and not able to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words which will be fulfilled in their own time.”
21 And the people waited for Zacharias, and marveled that he lingered so long in the temple. 22 But when he came out, he could not speak to them; and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple, for he beckoned to them and remained speechless.
23 So it was, as soon as (Y)the days of his service were completed, that he departed to his own house. 24 Now after those days his wife Elizabeth conceived; and she hid herself five months, saying, 25 “Thus the Lord has dealt with me, in the days when He looked on me, to (Z)take away my reproach among people.”
Christ’s Birth Announced to Mary
26 Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin (AA)betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And having come in, the angel said to her, (AB)“Rejoice, highly favored one, (AC)the Lord is with you; [e]blessed are you among women!”
29 But [f]when she saw him, (AD)she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. 30 Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found (AE)favor with God. 31 (AF)And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and (AG)shall call His name Jesus. 32 He will be great, (AH)and will be called the Son of the Highest; and (AI)the Lord God will give Him the (AJ)throne of His (AK)father David. 33 (AL)And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”
34 Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I [g]do not know a man?”
35 And the angel answered and said to her, (AM)“The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called (AN)the Son of God. 36 Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. 37 For (AO)with God nothing will be impossible.”
38 Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.
Mary Visits Elizabeth
39 Now Mary arose in those days and went into the hill country with haste, (AP)to a city of Judah, 40 and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth. 41 And it happened, when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, that the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was (AQ)filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 Then she spoke out with a loud voice and said, (AR)“Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! 43 But why is this granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For indeed, as soon as the voice of your greeting sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. 45 (AS)Blessed is she who [h]believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord.”
The Song of Mary
46 And Mary said:
(AT)“My soul [i]magnifies the Lord,
47 And my spirit has (AU)rejoiced in (AV)God my Savior.
48 For (AW)He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant;
For behold, henceforth (AX)all generations will call me blessed.
49 For He who is mighty (AY)has done great things for me,
And (AZ)holy is His name.
50 And (BA)His mercy is on those who fear Him
From generation to generation.
51 (BB)He has shown strength with His arm;
(BC)He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
52 (BD)He has put down the mighty from their thrones,
And exalted the lowly.
53 He has (BE)filled the hungry with good things,
And the rich He has sent away empty.
54 He has helped His (BF)servant Israel,
(BG)In remembrance of His mercy,
55 (BH)As He spoke to our (BI)fathers,
To Abraham and to his (BJ)seed forever.”
56 And Mary remained with her about three months, and returned to her house.
Birth of John the Baptist
57 Now Elizabeth’s full time came for her to be delivered, and she brought forth a son. 58 When her neighbors and relatives heard how the Lord had shown great mercy to her, they (BK)rejoiced with her.
Circumcision of John the Baptist
59 So it was, (BL)on the eighth day, that they came to circumcise the child; and they would have called him by the name of his father, Zacharias. 60 His mother answered and said, (BM)“No; he shall be called John.”
61 But they said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who is called by this name.” 62 So they made signs to his father—what he would have him called.
63 And he asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, saying, “His name is John.” So they all marveled. 64 Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, praising God. 65 Then fear came on all who dwelt around them; and all these sayings were discussed throughout all the hill country of Judea. 66 And all those who heard them (BN)kept them in their hearts, saying, “What kind of child will this be?” And (BO)the hand of the Lord was with him.
Zacharias’ Prophecy
67 Now his father Zacharias (BP)was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying:
68 “Blessed(BQ) is the Lord God of Israel,
For (BR)He has visited and redeemed His people,
69 (BS)And has raised up a horn of salvation for us
In the house of His servant David,
70 (BT)As He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets,
Who have been (BU)since the world began,
71 That we should be saved from our enemies
And from the hand of all who hate us,
72 (BV)To perform the mercy promised to our fathers
And to remember His holy covenant,
73 (BW)The oath which He swore to our father Abraham:
74 To grant us that we,
Being delivered from the hand of our enemies,
Might (BX)serve Him without fear,
75 (BY)In holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our life.
76 “And you, child, will be called the (BZ)prophet of the Highest;
For (CA)you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways,
77 To give (CB)knowledge of salvation to His people
By the remission of their sins,
78 Through the tender mercy of our God,
With which the [j]Dayspring from on high [k]has visited us;
79 (CC)To give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death,
To (CD)guide our feet into the way of peace.”
80 So (CE)the child grew and became strong in spirit, and (CF)was in the deserts till the day of his manifestation to Israel.
Footnotes
- Luke 1:1 Or are most surely believed
- Luke 1:3 Lit. accurately followed
- Luke 1:9 he was chosen by lot
- Luke 1:19 this good news
- Luke 1:28 NU omits blessed are you among women
- Luke 1:29 NU omits when she saw him
- Luke 1:34 Am a virgin
- Luke 1:45 Or believed that there
- Luke 1:46 Declares the greatness of
- Luke 1:78 Lit. Dawn; the Messiah
- Luke 1:78 NU shall visit
Chinese New Version (CNV). Copyright © 1976, 1992, 1999, 2001, 2005 by Worldwide Bible Society.
Nouvelle Edition de Genève Copyright © 1979 by Société Biblique de Genève
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
