Add parallel Print Page Options

Hannah’s Prayer

Hannah prayed and said,

‘My heart exults in the Lord;
    my strength is exalted in my God.[a]
My mouth derides my enemies,
    because I rejoice in my[b] victory.

‘There is no Holy One like the Lord,
    no one besides you;
    there is no Rock like our God.
Talk no more so very proudly,
    let not arrogance come from your mouth;
for the Lord is a God of knowledge,
    and by him actions are weighed.
The bows of the mighty are broken,
    but the feeble gird on strength.
Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread,
    but those who were hungry are fat with spoil.
The barren has borne seven,
    but she who has many children is forlorn.
The Lord kills and brings to life;
    he brings down to Sheol and raises up.
The Lord makes poor and makes rich;
    he brings low, he also exalts.
He raises up the poor from the dust;
    he lifts the needy from the ash heap,
to make them sit with princes
    and inherit a seat of honour.[c]
For the pillars of the earth are the Lord’s,
    and on them he has set the world.

‘He will guard the feet of his faithful ones,
    but the wicked shall be cut off in darkness;
    for not by might does one prevail.
10 The Lord! His adversaries shall be shattered;
    the Most High[d] will thunder in heaven.
The Lord will judge the ends of the earth;
    he will give strength to his king,
    and exalt the power of his anointed.’

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 1 Samuel 2:1 Gk: Heb the Lord
  2. 1 Samuel 2:1 Q Ms: MT your
  3. 1 Samuel 2:8 Gk (Compare Q Ms) adds He grants the vow of the one who vows, and blesses the years of the just
  4. 1 Samuel 2:10 Cn Heb against him he

Psalm 113

God the Helper of the Needy

Praise the Lord!
Praise, O servants of the Lord;
    praise the name of the Lord.

Blessed be the name of the Lord
    from this time on and for evermore.
From the rising of the sun to its setting
    the name of the Lord is to be praised.
The Lord is high above all nations,
    and his glory above the heavens.

Who is like the Lord our God,
    who is seated on high,
who looks far down
    on the heavens and the earth?
He raises the poor from the dust,
    and lifts the needy from the ash heap,
to make them sit with princes,
    with the princes of his people.
He gives the barren woman a home,
    making her the joyous mother of children.
Praise the Lord!

Marks of the True Christian

Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; 10 love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honour. 11 Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord.[a] 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers.

14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly;[b] do not claim to be wiser than you are.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Romans 12:11 Other ancient authorities read serve the opportune time
  2. Romans 12:16 Or give yourselves to humble tasks

Mary Visits Elizabeth

39 In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, 40 where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leapt in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit 42 and exclaimed with a loud cry, ‘Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. 43 And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? 44 For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leapt for joy. 45 And blessed is she who believed that there would be[a] a fulfilment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.’

Mary’s Song of Praise

46 And Mary[b] said,

‘My soul magnifies the Lord,
47     and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour,
48 for he has looked with favour on the lowliness of his servant.
    Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me,
    and holy is his name.
50 His mercy is for those who fear him
    from generation to generation.
51 He has shown strength with his arm;
    he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
52 He has brought down the powerful from their thrones,
    and lifted up the lowly;
53 he has filled the hungry with good things,
    and sent the rich away empty.
54 He has helped his servant Israel,
    in remembrance of his mercy,
55 according to the promise he made to our ancestors,
    to Abraham and to his descendants for ever.’

56 And Mary remained with her for about three months and then returned to her home.

The Birth of John the Baptist

57 Now the time came for Elizabeth to give birth, and she bore a son.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Luke 1:45 Or believed, for there will be
  2. Luke 1:46 Other ancient authorities read Elizabeth

Bible Gateway Recommends

NRSV Catholic Edition Bible, Easter Lily--Softcover
NRSV Catholic Edition Bible, Easter Lily--Softcover
Retail: $24.99
Our Price: $16.99
Save: $8.00 (32%)
NRSV Catholic Edition Bible, Magnolia--hardcover
NRSV Catholic Edition Bible, Magnolia--hardcover
Retail: $29.99
Our Price: $19.99
Save: $10.00 (33%)
NRSV LIVE Bible for Teens, Catholic Edition
NRSV LIVE Bible for Teens, Catholic Edition
Retail: $39.99
Our Price: $26.99
Save: $13.00 (33%)
NRSV Catholic Edition Bible, Royal Poinciana--Softcover
NRSV Catholic Edition Bible, Royal Poinciana--Softcover
Retail: $24.99
Our Price: $16.99
Save: $8.00 (32%)
NRSV Catholic Edition Bible, Eucalyptus--Softcover
NRSV Catholic Edition Bible, Eucalyptus--Softcover
Retail: $24.99
Our Price: $16.99
Save: $8.00 (32%)