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。
路加福音 1
Chinese New Version (Traditional)
序言（參(A)
1 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， 2 按照起初親眼看見的傳道人所傳給我們的，編著成書； 3 我已經把這些事從頭考查過，認為也應該按著次序寫給你， 4 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
5 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。 6 他們在 神面前都是義人，遵行主的一切誡命規條，無可指摘， 7 只是沒有孩子，因為以利沙伯不生育，二人又都上了年紀。
8 有一次，撒迦利亞在 神面前按著班次執行祭司的職務， 9 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。
Luke 1
Christian Standard Bible
The Dedication to Theophilus
1 Many have undertaken to compile a narrative about the events that have been fulfilled[a] among us,(A) 2 just as the original eyewitnesses(B) and servants of the word(C) handed them down to us. 3 So it also seemed good to me, since I have carefully investigated everything from the very first, to write to you in an orderly sequence, most honorable(D) Theophilus,(E) 4 so that you may know the certainty of the things about which you have been instructed.[b](F)
Gabriel Predicts John’s Birth
5 In the days of King Herod(G) of Judea, there was a priest of Abijah’s division(H) named Zechariah. His wife was from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6 Both were righteous in God’s sight,(I) living without blame(J) according to all the commands and requirements of the Lord. 7 But they had no children because Elizabeth could not conceive, and both of them were well along in years.(K)
8 When his division was on duty(L) and he was serving as priest before God, 9 it happened that he was chosen by lot,(M) according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense.(N) 10 At the hour of incense the whole assembly of the people was praying outside. 11 An angel of the Lord(O) appeared to him, standing to the right of the altar of incense.(P) 12 When Zechariah saw him, he was terrified and overcome with fear.(Q) 13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid,(R) Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard.(S) Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John.(T) 14 There will be joy and delight for you, and many will rejoice at his birth. 15 For he will be great in the sight of the Lord and will never drink wine or beer.(U) He will be filled with the Holy Spirit(V) while still in his mother’s womb.(W) 16 He will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God.(X) 17 And he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of fathers to their children,(Y) and the disobedient to the understanding of the righteous, to make ready for the Lord a prepared people.”(Z)
18 “How can I know this?” Zechariah asked the angel. “For I am an old man, and my wife is well along in years.”
19 The angel answered him, “I am Gabriel,(AA) who stands in the presence of God,(AB) and I was sent to speak to you and tell you this good news. 20 Now listen. You will become silent and unable to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their proper time.”
21 Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah, amazed that he stayed so long in the sanctuary. 22 When he did come out, he could not speak to them. Then they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary. He was making signs to them(AC) and remained speechless. 23 When the days of his ministry were completed, he went back home.
24 After these days his wife Elizabeth conceived and kept herself in seclusion for five months. She said, 25 “The Lord has done this for me. He has looked with favor in these days to take away my disgrace(AD) among the people.”
Gabriel Predicts Jesus’s Birth
26 In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel(AE) was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth,(AF) 27 to a virgin engaged[c](AG) to a man named Joseph, of the house of David.(AH) The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And the angel came to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you.”[d] 29 But she was deeply troubled(AI) by this statement, wondering what kind of greeting this could be. 30 Then the angel told her, “Do not be afraid, Mary,(AJ) for you have found favor with God.(AK) 31 Now listen: You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus.(AL) 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High,(AM) and the Lord God will give him the throne of his father David.(AN) 33 He will reign over the house of Jacob(AO) forever, and his kingdom will have no end.” (AP)
34 Mary asked the angel, “How can this be, since I have not had sexual relations with a man?” [e]
35 The angel replied to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you,(AQ) and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore, the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.(AR) 36 And consider your relative Elizabeth—even she has conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called childless. 37 For nothing will be impossible with God.”(AS)
38 “See, I am the Lord’s servant,” said Mary. “May it happen to me as you have said.” Then the angel left her.
Mary’s Visit to Elizabeth
39 In those days Mary set out and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judah 40 where she entered Zechariah’s house and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped inside her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.(AT) 42 Then she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and your child will be blessed![f] 43 How could this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For you see, when the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby leaped for joy inside me. 45 Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill what he has spoken to her!”
Mary’s Praise
46 And Mary said:
My soul magnifies the Lord,(AU)
47 and my spirit rejoices(AV) in God my Savior,(AW)
48 because he has looked with favor
on the humble condition of his servant.
Surely, from now on all generations
will call me blessed,(AX)
49 because the Mighty One(AY)
has done great things for me,(AZ)
and his name(BA) is holy.
50 His mercy is from generation to generation(BB)
on those who fear him.
51 He has done a mighty deed with his arm;(BC)
he has scattered the proud
because of the thoughts of their hearts;(BD)
52 he has toppled the mighty from their thrones
and exalted the lowly.(BE)
53 He has satisfied the hungry with good things(BF)
and sent the rich away empty.
54 He has helped his servant Israel,
remembering his mercy
55 to Abraham and his descendants[g] forever,(BG)
just as he spoke to our ancestors.
56 And Mary stayed with her about three months; then she returned to her home.
The Birth and Naming of John
57 Now the time had come for Elizabeth to give birth, and she had a son. 58 Then her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her his great mercy,(BH) and they rejoiced with her.
59 When they came to circumcise the child on the eighth day,(BI) they were going to name him Zechariah, after his father. 60 But his mother responded, “No. He will be called John.”(BJ)
61 Then they said to her, “None of your relatives has that name.” 62 So they motioned to his father(BK) to find out what he wanted him to be called. 63 He asked for a writing tablet and wrote, “His name is John.” And they were all amazed. 64 Immediately his mouth was opened(BL) and his tongue set free, and he began to speak, praising God. 65 Fear came on all those who lived around them, and all these things were being talked about throughout the hill country of Judea. 66 All who heard about him(BM) took it to heart, saying, “What then will this child become?” For, indeed, the Lord’s hand was with him.
Zechariah’s Prophecy
67 Then his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit(BN) and prophesied:(BO)
68 Blessed is the Lord, the God of Israel,(BP)
because he has visited
and provided redemption for his people.(BQ)
69 He has raised up a horn of salvation for us(BR)
in the house of his servant David,(BS)
70 just as he spoke by the mouth
of his holy prophets in ancient times;(BT)
71 salvation from our enemies
and from the hand of those who hate us.
72 He has dealt mercifully with our ancestors(BU)
and remembered his holy covenant(BV)—
73 the oath that he swore to our father Abraham,(BW)
to grant that we,
74 having been rescued
from the hand of our enemies,
would serve him without fear
75 in holiness and righteousness
in his presence all our days.
76 And you, child, will be called
a prophet of the Most High,(BX)
for you will go before the Lord
to prepare his ways,(BY)
77 to give his people knowledge of salvation
through the forgiveness of their sins.(BZ)
78 Because of our God’s merciful compassion,
the dawn from on high(CA) will visit us
79 to shine on those who live in darkness
and the shadow of death,(CB)
to guide our feet into the way of peace.
80 The child grew up and became strong in spirit,[h](CC) and he was in the wilderness until the day of his public appearance to Israel.
Footnotes
- 1:1 Or events that have been accomplished, or events most surely believed
- 1:4 Or informed
- 1:27 Lit betrothed
- 1:28 Other mss add Blessed are you among women.
- 1:34 Lit since I do not know a man
- 1:42 Lit and the fruit of your abdomen (or womb) is blessed
- 1:55 Or offspring; lit seed
- 1:80 Or strong in the Spirit
Luke 1
New Century Version
Luke Writes About Jesus’ Life
1 Many have tried to report on the things that happened among us. 2 They have written the same things that we learned from others—the people who saw those things from the beginning and served God by telling people his message. 3 Since I myself have studied everything carefully from the beginning, most excellent[a] Theophilus, it seemed good for me to write it out for you. I arranged it in order, 4 to help you know that what you have been taught is true.
Zechariah and Elizabeth
5 During the time Herod ruled Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah who belonged to Abijah’s group.[b] Zechariah’s wife, Elizabeth, came from the family of Aaron. 6 Zechariah and Elizabeth truly did what God said was good. They did everything the Lord commanded and were without fault in keeping his law. 7 But they had no children, because Elizabeth could not have a baby, and both of them were very old.
8 One day Zechariah was serving as a priest before God, because his group was on duty. 9 According to the custom of the priests, he was chosen by lot to go into the Temple of the Lord and burn incense. 10 There were a great many people outside praying at the time the incense was offered. 11 Then an angel of the Lord appeared to Zechariah, standing on the right side of the incense table. 12 When he saw the angel, Zechariah was startled and frightened. 13 But the angel said to him, “Zechariah, don’t be afraid. God has heard your prayer. Your wife, Elizabeth, will give birth to a son, and you will name him John. 14 He will bring you joy and gladness, and many people will be happy because of his birth. 15 John will be a great man for the Lord. He will never drink wine or beer, and even from birth, he will be filled with the Holy Spirit. 16 He will help many people of Israel return to the Lord their God. 17 He will go before the Lord in spirit and power like Elijah. He will make peace between parents and their children and will bring those who are not obeying God back to the right way of thinking, to make a people ready for the coming of the Lord.”
18 Zechariah said to the angel, “How can I know that what you say is true? I am an old man, and my wife is old, too.”
19 The angel answered him, “I am Gabriel. I stand before God, who sent me to talk to you and to tell you this good news. 20 Now, listen! You will not be able to speak until the day these things happen, because you did not believe what I told you. But they will really happen.”
21 Outside, the people were still waiting for Zechariah and were surprised that he was staying so long in the Temple. 22 When Zechariah came outside, he could not speak to them, and they knew he had seen a vision in the Temple. He could only make signs to them and remained unable to speak. 23 When his time of service at the Temple was finished, he went home.
24 Later, Zechariah’s wife, Elizabeth, became pregnant and did not go out of her house for five months. Elizabeth said, 25 “Look what the Lord has done for me! My people were ashamed[c] of me, but now the Lord has taken away that shame.”
An Angel Appears to Mary
26 During Elizabeth’s sixth month of pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin. She was engaged to marry a man named Joseph from the family of David. Her name was Mary. 28 The angel came to her and said, “Greetings! The Lord has blessed you and is with you.”
29 But Mary was very startled by what the angel said and wondered what this greeting might mean.
30 The angel said to her, “Don’t be afraid, Mary; God has shown you his grace. 31 Listen! You will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and you will 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 King David, his ancestor. 33 He will rule over the people of Jacob forever, and his kingdom will never end.”
34 Mary said to the angel, “How will this happen since I am a virgin?”
35 The angel said to Mary, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will cover you. For this reason the baby will be holy and will be called the Son of God. 36 Now Elizabeth, your relative, is also pregnant with a son though she is very old. Everyone thought she could not have a baby, but she has been pregnant for six months. 37 God can do anything!”
38 Mary said, “I am the servant of the Lord. Let this happen to me as you say!” Then the angel went away.
Mary Visits Elizabeth
39 Mary got up and went quickly to a town in the hills of Judea. 40 She came to Zechariah’s house and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the unborn baby inside her jumped, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 She cried out in a loud voice, “God has blessed you more than any other woman, and he has blessed the baby to which you will give birth. 43 Why has this good thing happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? 44 When I heard your voice, the baby inside me jumped with joy. 45 You are blessed because you believed that what the Lord said to you would really happen.”
Mary Praises God
46 Then Mary said,
“My soul praises the Lord;
47 my heart rejoices in God my Savior,
48 because he has shown his concern for his humble servant girl.
From now on, all people will say that I am blessed,
49 because the Powerful One has done great things for me.
His name is holy.
50 God will show his mercy forever and ever
to those who worship and serve him.
51 He has done mighty deeds by his power.
He has scattered the people who are proud
and think great things about themselves.
52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones
and raised up the humble.
53 He has filled the hungry with good things
and sent the rich away with nothing.
54 He has helped his servant, the people of Israel,
remembering to show them mercy
55 as he promised to our ancestors,
to Abraham and to his children forever.”
56 Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.
The Birth of John
57 When it was time for Elizabeth to give birth, she had a boy. 58 Her neighbors and relatives heard how good the Lord was to her, and they rejoiced with her.
59 When the baby was eight days old, they came to circumcise him. They wanted to name him Zechariah because this was his father’s name, 60 but his mother said, “No! He will be named John.”
61 The people said to Elizabeth, “But no one in your family has this name.” 62 Then they made signs to his father to find out what he would like to name him.
63 Zechariah asked for a writing tablet and wrote, “His name is John,” and everyone was surprised. 64 Immediately Zechariah could talk again, and he began praising God. 65 All their neighbors became alarmed, and in all the mountains of Judea people continued talking about all these things. 66 The people who heard about them wondered, saying, “What will this child be?” because the Lord was with him.
Zechariah Praises God
67 Then Zechariah, John’s father, was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied:
68 “Let us praise the Lord, the God of Israel,
because he has come to help his people and has given them freedom.
69 He has given us a powerful Savior
from the family of God’s servant David.
70 He said that he would do this
through his holy prophets who lived long ago:
71 He promised he would save us from our enemies
and from the power of all those who hate us.
72 He said he would give mercy to our ancestors
and that he would remember his holy promise.
73 God promised Abraham, our father,
74 that he would save us from the power of our enemies
so we could serve him without fear,
75 being holy and good before God as long as we live.
76 “Now you, child, will be called a prophet of the Most High God.
You will go before the Lord to prepare his way.
77 You will make his people know that they will be saved
by having their sins forgiven.
78 With the loving mercy of our God,
a new day from heaven will dawn upon us.
79 It will shine on those who live in darkness,
in the shadow of death.
It will guide us into the path of peace.”
80 And so the child grew up and became strong in spirit. John lived in the desert until the time when he came out to preach to Israel.
Footnotes
- 1:3 excellent This word was used to show respect to an important person like a king or ruler.
- 1:5 Abijah’s group The Jewish priests were divided into twenty-four groups. See 1 Chronicles 24.
- 1:25 ashamed The Jewish people thought it was a disgrace for women not to have children.
Chinese New Version (CNV). Copyright © 1976, 1992, 1999, 2001, 2005 by Worldwide Bible Society.
The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible®, and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers, all rights reserved.
The Holy Bible, New Century Version®. Copyright © 2005 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
