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。
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.
Luca 1
Conferenza Episcopale Italiana
Prologo
1 Poiché molti han posto mano a stendere un racconto degli avvenimenti successi tra di noi, 2 come ce li hanno trasmessi coloro che ne furono testimoni fin da principio e divennero ministri della parola, 3 così ho deciso anch'io di fare ricerche accurate su ogni circostanza fin dagli inizi e di scriverne per te un resoconto ordinato, illustre Teòfilo, 4 perché ti possa rendere conto della solidità degli insegnamenti che hai ricevuto.
I. NASCITA E VITA NASCOSTA DI GIOVANNI BATTISTA E DI GESU'
Annunzio della nascita di Giovanni Battista
5 Al tempo di Erode, re della Giudea, c'era un sacerdote chiamato Zaccaria, della classe di Abìa, e aveva in moglie una discendente di Aronne chiamata Elisabetta. 6 Erano giusti davanti a Dio, osservavano irreprensibili tutte le leggi e le prescrizioni del Signore. 7 Ma non avevano figli, perché Elisabetta era sterile e tutti e due erano avanti negli anni.
8 Mentre Zaccaria officiava davanti al Signore nel turno della sua classe, 9 secondo l'usanza del servizio sacerdotale, gli toccò in sorte di entrare nel tempio per fare l'offerta dell'incenso. 10 Tutta l'assemblea del popolo pregava fuori nell'ora dell'incenso. 11 Allora gli apparve un angelo del Signore, ritto alla destra dell'altare dell'incenso. 12 Quando lo vide, Zaccaria si turbò e fu preso da timore. 13 Ma l'angelo gli disse: «Non temere, Zaccaria, la tua preghiera è stata esaudita e tua moglie Elisabetta ti darà un figlio, che chiamerai Giovanni. 14 Avrai gioia ed esultanza e molti si rallegreranno della sua nascita, 15 poiché egli sarà grande davanti al Signore; non berrà vino né bevande inebrianti, sarà pieno di Spirito Santo fin dal seno di sua madre 16 e ricondurrà molti figli d'Israele al Signore loro Dio. 17 Gli camminerà innanzi con lo spirito e la forza di Elia, per ricondurre i cuori dei padri verso i figli e i ribelli alla saggezza dei giusti e preparare al Signore un popolo ben disposto». 18 Zaccaria disse all'angelo: «Come posso conoscere questo? Io sono vecchio e mia moglie è avanzata negli anni». 19 L'angelo gli rispose: «Io sono Gabriele che sto al cospetto di Dio e sono stato mandato a portarti questo lieto annunzio. 20 Ed ecco, sarai muto e non potrai parlare fino al giorno in cui queste cose avverranno, perché non hai creduto alle mie parole, le quali si adempiranno a loro tempo».
21 Intanto il popolo stava in attesa di Zaccaria, e si meravigliava per il suo indugiare nel tempio. 22 Quando poi uscì e non poteva parlare loro, capirono che nel tempio aveva avuto una visione. Faceva loro dei cenni e restava muto.
23 Compiuti i giorni del suo servizio, tornò a casa. 24 Dopo quei giorni Elisabetta, sua moglie, concepì e si tenne nascosta per cinque mesi e diceva: 25 «Ecco che cosa ha fatto per me il Signore, nei giorni in cui si è degnato di togliere la mia vergogna tra gli uomini».
L'annunciazione
26 Nel sesto mese, l'angelo Gabriele fu mandato da Dio in una città della Galilea, chiamata Nazaret, 27 a una vergine, promessa sposa di un uomo della casa di Davide, chiamato Giuseppe. La vergine si chiamava Maria. 28 Entrando da lei, disse: «Ti saluto, o piena di grazia, il Signore è con te». 29 A queste parole ella rimase turbata e si domandava che senso avesse un tale saluto. 30 L'angelo le disse: «Non temere, Maria, perché hai trovato grazia presso Dio. 31 Ecco concepirai un figlio, lo darai alla luce e lo chiamerai Gesù. 32 Sarà grande e chiamato Figlio dell'Altissimo; il Signore Dio gli darà il trono di Davide suo padre 33 e regnerà per sempre sulla casa di Giacobbe e il suo regno non avrà fine».
34 Allora Maria disse all'angelo: «Come è possibile? Non conosco uomo». 35 Le rispose l'angelo: «Lo Spirito Santo scenderà su di te, su te stenderà la sua ombra la potenza dell'Altissimo. Colui che nascerà sarà dunque santo e chiamato Figlio di Dio. 36 Vedi: anche Elisabetta, tua parente, nella sua vecchiaia, ha concepito un figlio e questo è il sesto mese per lei, che tutti dicevano sterile: 37 nulla è impossibile a Dio». 38 Allora Maria disse: «Eccomi, sono la serva del Signore, avvenga di me quello che hai detto». E l'angelo partì da lei.
La visitazione
39 In quei giorni Maria si mise in viaggio verso la montagna e raggiunse in fretta una città di Giuda. 40 Entrata nella casa di Zaccaria, salutò Elisabetta. 41 Appena Elisabetta ebbe udito il saluto di Maria, il bambino le sussultò nel grembo. Elisabetta fu piena di Spirito Santo 42 ed esclamò a gran voce: «Benedetta tu fra le donne e benedetto il frutto del tuo grembo! 43 A che debbo che la madre del mio Signore venga a me? 44 Ecco, appena la voce del tuo saluto è giunta ai miei orecchi, il bambino ha esultato di gioia nel mio grembo. 45 E beata colei che ha creduto nell'adempimento delle parole del Signore».
Il Magnificat
46 Allora Maria disse:
«L'anima mia magnifica il Signore
47 e il mio spirito esulta in Dio, mio salvatore,
48 perché ha guardato l'umiltà della sua serva.
D'ora in poi tutte le generazioni mi chiameranno beata.
49 Grandi cose ha fatto in me l'Onnipotente
e Santo è il suo nome:
50 di generazione in generazione la sua misericordia
si stende su quelli che lo temono.
51 Ha spiegato la potenza del suo braccio,
ha disperso i superbi nei pensieri del loro cuore;
52 ha rovesciato i potenti dai troni,
ha innalzato gli umili;
53 ha ricolmato di beni gli affamati,
ha rimandato a mani vuote i ricchi.
54 Ha soccorso Israele, suo servo,
ricordandosi della sua misericordia,
55 come aveva promesso ai nostri padri,
ad Abramo e alla sua discendenza,
per sempre».
56 Maria rimase con lei circa tre mesi, poi tornò a casa sua.
Nascita di Giovanni Battista e visita dei vicini
57 Per Elisabetta intanto si compì il tempo del parto e diede alla luce un figlio. 58 I vicini e i parenti udirono che il Signore aveva esaltato in lei la sua misericordia, e si rallegravano con lei.
Circoncisione di Giovanni Battista
59 All'ottavo giorno vennero per circoncidere il bambino e volevano chiamarlo col nome di suo padre, Zaccaria. 60 Ma sua madre intervenne: «No, si chiamerà Giovanni». 61 Le dissero: «Non c'è nessuno della tua parentela che si chiami con questo nome». 62 Allora domandavano con cenni a suo padre come voleva che si chiamasse. 63 Egli chiese una tavoletta, e scrisse: «Giovanni è il suo nome». Tutti furono meravigliati. 64 In quel medesimo istante gli si aprì la bocca e gli si sciolse la lingua, e parlava benedicendo Dio. 65 Tutti i loro vicini furono presi da timore, e per tutta la regione montuosa della Giudea si discorreva di tutte queste cose. 66 Coloro che le udivano, le serbavano in cuor loro: «Che sarà mai questo bambino?» si dicevano. Davvero la mano del Signore stava con lui.
Il Benedictus
67 Zaccaria, suo padre, fu pieno di Spirito Santo, e profetò dicendo:
68 «Benedetto il Signore Dio d'Israele,
perché ha visitato e redento il suo popolo,
69 e ha suscitato per noi una salvezza potente
nella casa di Davide, suo servo,
70 come aveva promesso
per bocca dei suoi santi profeti d'un tempo:
71 salvezza dai nostri nemici,
e dalle mani di quanti ci odiano.
72 Così egli ha concesso misericordia ai nostri padri
e si è ricordato della sua santa alleanza,
73 del giuramento fatto ad Abramo, nostro padre,
74 di concederci, liberati dalle mani dei nemici,
di servirlo senza timore, 75 in santità e giustizia
al suo cospetto, per tutti i nostri giorni.
76 E tu, bambino, sarai chiamato profeta dell'Altissimo
perché andrai innanzi al Signore a preparargli le strade,
77 per dare al suo popolo la conoscenza della salvezza
nella remissione dei suoi peccati,
78 grazie alla bontà misericordiosa del nostro Dio,
per cui verrà a visitarci dall'alto un sole che sorge
79 per rischiarare quelli che stanno nelle tenebre
e nell'ombra della morte
e dirigere i nostri passi sulla via della pace».
Vita nascosta di Giovanni Battista
80 Il fanciullo cresceva e si fortificava nello spirito. Visse in regioni deserte fino al giorno della sua manifestazione a Israele.
Luke 1
World English Bible
1 Since many have undertaken to set in order a narrative concerning those matters which have been fulfilled among us, 2 even as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word delivered them to us, 3 it seemed good to me also, having traced the course of all things accurately from the first, to write to you in order, most excellent Theophilus; 4 that you might know the certainty concerning the things in which you were instructed.
5 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the priestly division of Abijah. He had a wife of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6 They were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord. 7 But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they both were well advanced in years.
8 Now while he executed the priest’s office before God in the order of his division 9 according to the custom of the priest’s office, his lot was to enter into the temple of the Lord and burn incense. 10 The whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the hour of incense.
11 An angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. 12 Zacharias was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him. 13 But the angel said to him, “Don’t be afraid, Zacharias, because your request has been heard. Your wife, Elizabeth, will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. 14 You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth. 15 For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and he will drink no wine nor strong drink. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. 16 He will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. 17 He will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, ‘to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,’(A) and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to prepare a people prepared for the Lord.”
18 Zacharias said to the angel, “How can I be sure of this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years.”
19 The angel answered him, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God. I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. 20 Behold,[a] you will be silent and not able to speak until the day that these things will happen, because you didn’t believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their proper time.”
21 The people were waiting for Zacharias, and they marveled that he delayed in the temple. 22 When he came out, he could not speak to them. They perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple. He continued making signs to them, and remained mute. 23 When the days of his service were fulfilled, he departed to his house. 24 After these days Elizabeth his wife conceived, and she hid herself five months, saying, 25 “Thus has the Lord done to me in the days in which he looked at me, to take away my reproach among men.”
26 Now in the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man whose name was Joseph, of David’s house. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 Having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, you highly favored one! The Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women!”
29 But when she saw him, she was greatly troubled at the saying, and considered what kind of salutation this might be. 30 The angel said to her, “Don’t be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 Behold, you will conceive in your womb and give birth to a son, and shall name him ‘Jesus.’ 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever. There will be no end to his Kingdom.”
34 Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, seeing I am a virgin?”
35 The angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore also the holy one who is born from you will be called the Son of God. 36 Behold, Elizabeth your relative also has conceived a son in her old age; and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. 37 For nothing spoken by God is impossible.”[b]
38 Mary said, “Behold, the servant of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word.”
Then the angel departed from her.
39 Mary arose in those days and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Judah, 40 and entered into the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 She called out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! 43 Why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For behold, when the voice of your greeting came into my ears, the baby leaped in my womb for joy! 45 Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of the things which have been spoken to her from the Lord!”
46 Mary said,
“My soul magnifies the Lord.
47 My spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior,
48 for he has looked at the humble state of his servant.
For behold, from now on, all generations will call me blessed.
49 For he who is mighty has done great things for me.
Holy is his name.
50 His mercy is for generations and generations on those who fear him.
51 He has shown strength with his arm.
He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
52 He has put down princes from their thrones,
and has exalted the lowly.
53 He has filled the hungry with good things.
He has sent the rich away empty.
54 He has given help to Israel, his servant, that he might remember mercy,
55 as he spoke to our fathers,
to Abraham and his offspring[c] forever.”
56 Mary stayed with her about three months, and then returned to her house.
57 Now the time that Elizabeth should give birth was fulfilled, and she gave birth to a son. 58 Her neighbors and her relatives heard that the Lord had magnified his mercy toward her, and they rejoiced with her. 59 On the eighth day, they came to circumcise the child; and they would have called him Zacharias, after the name of his father. 60 His mother answered, “Not so; but he will be called John.”
61 They said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who is called by this name.” 62 They made signs to his father, what he would have him called.
63 He asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, “His name is John.”
They all marveled. 64 His mouth was opened immediately and his tongue freed, and he spoke, blessing God. 65 Fear came on all who lived around them, and all these sayings were talked about throughout all the hill country of Judea. 66 All who heard them laid them up in their heart, saying, “What then will this child be?” The hand of the Lord was with him.
67 His father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying,
68 “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel,
for he has visited and redeemed his people;
69 and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David
70 (as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets who have been from of old),
71 salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us;
72 to show mercy toward our fathers,
to remember his holy covenant,
73 the oath which he swore to Abraham our father,
74 to grant to us that we, being delivered out of the hand of our enemies,
should serve him without fear,
75 in holiness and righteousness before him all the days of our life.
76 And you, child, will be called a prophet of the Most High;
for you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways,
77 to give knowledge of salvation to his people by the remission of their sins,
78 because of the tender mercy of our God,
by which the dawn from on high will visit us,
79 to shine on those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death;
to guide our feet into the way of peace.”
80 The child was growing and becoming strong in spirit, and was in the desert until the day of his public appearance to Israel.
Chinese New Version (CNV). Copyright © 1976, 1992, 1999, 2001, 2005 by Worldwide Bible Society.
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