it seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write to you an orderly account, most excellent Theophilus,

And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.

For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant; For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed.

And he asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, saying, “His name is John.” So they all marveled.

Then fear came on all who dwelt around them; and all these sayings were discussed throughout all the hill country of Judea.

And all those who heard them kept them in their hearts, saying, “What kind of child will this be?” And the hand of the Lord was with him.

That we should be saved from our enemies And from the hand of all who hate us,

In holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our life.

Christ Born of Mary

And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered.

So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.

Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.

And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.

Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.

Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples,

And coming in that instant she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

The Family Returns to Nazareth

So when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth.

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

Jesus Advances in Wisdom and Favor

Then He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them, but His mother kept all these things in her heart.

And he went into all the region around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins,

And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’ ”

Now as the people were in expectation, and all reasoned in their hearts about John, whether he was the Christ or not,

John answered, saying to all, “I indeed baptize you with water; but One mightier than I is coming, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

But Herod the tetrarch, being rebuked by him concerning Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, and for all the evils which Herod had done,

also added this, above all, that he shut John up in prison.