Dedication to Theophilus

1 Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that ^(A)have been accomplished among us, ^2 (B)just as those who ^(C)from the beginning were ^(D)eyewitnesses and ^(E)ministers of ^(F)the word ^(G)have delivered them to us, ³ it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write ^(H)an orderly account for you, ^(I)most excellent ^(J)Theophilus, ⁴ that you may have ^(K)certainty concerning the things ^(L)you have been taught.

¹⁴ And ^(A)the Word ^(B)became flesh and ^(C)dwelt among us, ^(D)and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son^[a] from the Father, full of ^(E)grace and ^(F)truth.

⁴ But ^(A)when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, ^(B)born ^(C)of woman, born ^(D)under the law, ^5 (E)to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive ^(F)adoption as sons.

²¹ She will bear a son, and ^(A)you shall call his name Jesus, ^(B)for he will save his people from their sins.”

¹⁴ Therefore the ^(A)Lord himself will give you a sign. ^(B)Behold, the ^(C)virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name ^(D)Immanuel.^[a]

The Birth of Jesus Christ

¹⁸ Now the birth of ^(A)Jesus Christ^[a] took place in this way. ^(B)When his mother Mary had been betrothed^[b] to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child ^(C)from the Holy Spirit. ¹⁹ And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling ^(D)to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. ²⁰ But as he considered these things, behold, ^(E)an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. ²¹ She will bear a son, and ^(F)you shall call his name Jesus, ^(G)for he will save his people from their sins.” ^22 (H)All this took place ^(I)to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:

(which means, God ^(L)with us). ²⁴ When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, ²⁵ but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And ^(M)he called his name Jesus.