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,(A) and the power of the Most High(B) will overshadow you. So the holy one(C) to be born will be called[a] the Son of God.(D) 36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child(E) 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.”(F)

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,(G) 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.(H) 42 In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women,(I) and blessed is the child you will bear! 43 But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord(J) 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(K)

46 And Mary said:

“My soul glorifies the Lord(L)
47     and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,(M)
48 for he has been mindful
    of the humble state of his servant.(N)
From now on all generations will call me blessed,(O)
49     for the Mighty One has done great things(P) for me—
    holy is his name.(Q)
50 His mercy extends to those who fear him,
    from generation to generation.(R)
51 He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;(S)
    he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.(T)
52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones
    but has lifted up the humble.(U)
53 He has filled the hungry with good things(V)
    but has sent the rich away empty.
54 He has helped his servant Israel,
    remembering to be merciful(W)
55 to Abraham and his descendants(X) forever,
    just as he promised our ancestors.”

56 Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.

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Footnotes

  1. Luke 1:35 Or So the child to be born will be called holy,

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.

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