Luke 1:26-35

New International Version

The Birth of Jesus Foretold

²⁶In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel^(A) to Nazareth,^(B) a town in Galilee, ²⁷to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph,^(C) a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. ²⁸The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”

²⁹Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. ³⁰But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid,^(D) Mary; you have found favor with God.^(E) ³¹You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus.^(F) ³²He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.^(G) The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David,^(H) ³³and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom^(I) will never end.”^(J)

³⁴“How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”

³⁵The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you,^(K) and the power of the Most High^(L) will overshadow you. So the holy one^(M) to be born will be called^[a] the Son of God.^(N)

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Footnotes

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

Luke 1:46-56

New International Version

Mary’s Song^(A)

⁴⁶And Mary said:

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

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

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Matthew 12:46-50

New International Version

Jesus’ Mother and Brothers^(A)

⁴⁶While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his mother^(B) and brothers^(C) stood outside, wanting to speak to him. ⁴⁷Someone told him, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you.”

⁴⁸He replied to him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” ⁴⁹Pointing to his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. ⁵⁰For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven^(D) is my brother and sister and mother.”

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Acts 1:12-14

New International Version

Matthias Chosen to Replace Judas

¹²Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem^(A) from the hill called the Mount of Olives,^(B) a Sabbath day’s walk^[a] from the city. ¹³When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room^(C) where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James.^(D) ¹⁴They all joined together constantly in prayer,^(E) along with the women^(F) and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.^(G)