They were both righteous in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and requirements of the Lord.

For He has had regard for the humble state of His bond-servant; For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed.

And he asked for a tablet and wrote as follows, “His name is John.” And they were all amazed.

And fear came on all those who lived around them; and all these matters were being talked about in the entire hill country of Judea.

All who heard them kept them in mind, saying, “What then will this child turn out to be?” For indeed the hand of the Lord was with him.

Salvation from our enemies, And from the hand of all who hate us;

In holiness and righteousness before Him all our days.

Jesus’ Birth in Bethlehem

Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth.

And all the people were on their way to register for the census, each to his own city.

And so the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people;

And all who heard it were amazed about the things which were told them by the shepherds.

But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart.

And the shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.

Which You have prepared in the presence of all the peoples:

And at that very moment she came up and began giving thanks to God, and continued to speak about Him to all those who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.

And all who heard Him were amazed at His understanding and His answers.

And He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and He continued to be subject to them; and His mother treasured all these things in her heart.

And he came into all the region around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins;

And all flesh will see the salvation of God!’”

Now while the people were in a state of expectation and they all were thinking carefully in their hearts about John, whether he himself perhaps was the Christ,

John responded to them all, saying, “As for me, I baptize you with water; but He is coming who is mightier than I, and I am not fit to untie the straps of His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

But when Herod the tetrarch was reprimanded by him regarding Herodias, his brother’s wife, and regarding all the evil things which Herod had done,

Herod also added this to them all: he locked John up in prison.

Jesus Is Baptized

Now when all the people were baptized, Jesus also was baptized, and while He was praying, heaven was opened,

And he led Him up and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time.