獻給提阿費羅

提阿費羅大人哪,既然有許多人著手編錄關於在我們中間所成就的事, 就是照著從起初以來的目擊者和做福音[a]僕人的那些人所傳給我們的, 我也已經從頭仔細地追蹤了這一切,我就認為應該按著次序寫給您, 好讓您了解到您所領受的話語都是確實的。

預言約翰誕生

猶太希律的那些日子裡,有一個祭司名叫撒迦利亞,屬於亞比雅班組。他的妻子也是亞倫的子孫[b],名叫伊莉莎白 他們兩個人在神面前都是義人,遵行主的一切誡命和公義規定,無可指責。 可是他們沒有孩子,因為伊莉莎白不能生育,兩個人又都上了年紀。

有一次,當撒迦利亞的班組輪值的時候,撒迦利亞在神面前履行祭司的職務, 照著祭司職務的規矩,抽中了籤就進入主的聖所燒香。 10 燒香的時候,全體民眾都在外面禱告。 11 有主的一位天使站在香壇的右邊向他顯現。 12 撒迦利亞看見後,就驚慌不安,恐懼就臨到了他。 13 天使對他說:

撒迦利亞,不要怕,
因為你的祈禱已蒙垂聽。
你的妻子伊莉莎白要為你生一個兒子,
你要給他起名叫約翰
14 他將使你歡喜、快樂,
許多人也會因他的誕生而歡欣,
15 因為他將要在主面前為大。
淡酒和烈酒他絕不能喝,
還在母腹中的時候,
他就會被聖靈充滿。
16 他將使許多以色列子民
歸向主——他們的神。
17 他將藉著以利亞的靈和能力,
在主的面前先行,
使父親的心
轉向兒女,
使悖逆的人
轉向義人的智慧,
好為主準備一群預備好了的子民。」

18 撒迦利亞對天使說:「我憑著什麼能知道這事呢?我是個老人,我的妻子也上了年紀。」

19 天使回答他,說:「我是站在神面前的加百列,奉差派來對你說話,向你傳達這些好消息。 20 看哪,你要成為啞巴,不能說話,一直到這些事成就的日子,因為你不相信我的話!到了時候,我的話就會應驗。」

21 民眾等候著撒迦利亞,對他在聖所裡的遲延不出感到驚奇。 22 當他出來不能和他們說話的時候,他們才了解他在聖所裡看到了異象。撒迦利亞一直向他們打手勢,卻始終不能說話。 23 他服事的日子滿了以後,就回家去了。

24 這些日子以後,他的妻子伊莉莎白懷了孕,隱居了五個月。她說: 25 「為了除去我在人間的恥辱,主在這些眷顧的日子裡,這樣看待了我。」

預言基督誕生

26 在第六個月,天使加百列從神那裡奉差派,去加利利一個叫拿撒勒的城, 27 到一個童貞女那裡。這童貞女名叫瑪麗亞,已經許配給大衛家族一個名叫約瑟的人。 28 天使[c]來到她面前,說:「蒙大恩的女子,願你歡喜,主與你同在![d] 29 瑪麗亞因這話就驚慌不安,思索這問候到底是什麼意思。 30 天使對她說:

瑪麗亞,不要怕,
因為你在神面前蒙恩了。
31 看哪,
你將要懷孕生一個兒子,
你要給他起名叫耶穌。
32 他將要為大,
被稱為至高者的兒子;
主、神要把他先祖大衛的王位賜給他。
33 他要做王統管雅各家,直到永遠,
他的國度沒有窮盡。」

34 瑪麗亞對天使說:「我既然沒有出嫁[e],怎麼會有這事呢?」

35 天使回答她,說:

「聖靈將要臨到你,
至高者的大能要蔭庇你,
因此,那要誕生的聖者
將被稱為神的兒子。

36 你看,你的親戚伊莉莎白雖然年老,也懷了男胎;那被稱為不能生育的,現在已有六個月的身孕[f]了。 37 因為在神沒有什麼事是不可能的。」

38 瑪麗亞說:「看哪,我是主的婢女,願這事照著你的話成就在我身上。」於是天使離開了她。

瑪麗亞與伊莉莎白

39 就在那些日子裡,瑪麗亞起身到山區去,趕往猶大的一個城, 40 進了撒迦利亞的家,問候伊莉莎白 41 伊莉莎白一聽到瑪麗亞的問候,胎兒就在她的腹中跳動,伊莉莎白也被聖靈充滿, 42 大聲呼喊說:

「你在婦女中是蒙祝福的,
你腹中的胎兒[g]也是蒙祝福的!

43 我主的母親竟然到我這裡來,這事怎麼會臨到我呢? 44 看哪,原來你問候的聲音一傳入我的耳朵,胎兒就在我的腹中歡喜跳躍。 45 這相信的女子是蒙福的,因為主對她說的話都會實現。」

瑪麗亞的頌讚

46 瑪麗亞說:

「我的心尊主為大,
47 我的靈以神我的救主為樂,
48 因為他看顧他婢女的卑微。
看哪,從今以後,
世世代代都要稱我有福,
49 因為那全能者
為我行了大事;
他的名是神聖的。
50 他的憐憫,
世世代代臨到敬畏他的人。
51 他用膀臂施展大能,
驅散那些心思意念驕傲的人。
52 他把權能者從高位上拉下,
又把卑微的人[h]高舉。
53 他用美物滿足飢餓的人,
讓富有的人空手而去。
54 他扶助他的僕人以色列
不忘憐憫,
55 正如他對我們祖先,
亞伯拉罕和他的後裔所說的,直到永遠。」

56 瑪麗亞伊莉莎白一起住了大約三個月,就回家去了。

約翰的出生與命名

57 伊莉莎白產期到了,生了一個兒子。 58 她的鄰居和親戚聽說主向她大施憐憫,就與她一同歡樂。

59 到了第八天,他們來給孩子行割禮,要按照他父親的名字叫他撒迦利亞 60 可是孩子的母親應聲說:「不!他要被稱為約翰。」

61 他們對她說:「你的親族中沒有叫這名字的。」 62 於是他們向孩子的父親打手勢,到底他願意叫他什麼名字。 63 撒迦利亞要了一塊寫字板,寫上:「他的名字是約翰。」大家都感到驚奇。 64 撒迦利亞的口立刻開了,舌頭也鬆了,就說出話來,頌讚神。 65 於是住在他們周圍的人都感到懼怕,整個猶太山區的人也都在談論這一切事。 66 所有聽見的人都把這一切存在心裡,說:「這孩子將來究竟會怎麼樣呢?」因為顯然有主的手與他同在。

撒迦利亞的預言

67 他的父親撒迦利亞被聖靈充滿,就預言說:

68 「主——以色列的神是當受頌讚的,
因為他臨到[i]了他的子民,
並施行了救贖。
69 他在他的僕人大衛家中,
為我們興起了一隻救恩的角,
70 正如他自古以來藉著聖先知們的口所說的,
71 拯救我們脫離敵人[j]、脫離一切恨我們之人的手,
72 向我們的祖先施憐憫,
不忘他神聖的約,
73 就是向我們的先祖亞伯拉罕所起的誓,
74 使我們從敵人[k]的手中被救出,
75 在我們所有的日子裡無所懼怕,以聖潔和公義事奉他;
76 而你——孩子啊!
你將被稱為至高者的先知,
因為你將走在主的前面,
預備他的路,
77 藉著罪得赦免,
賜給他的子民救恩的知識。
78 因著我們神憐憫的心腸[l]
黎明的曙光將從高天臨到[m]我們,
79 照亮那些坐在黑暗
和死亡陰影中的人,
引導我們的腳步進入平安[n]之路。」

80 那孩子漸漸長大,靈裡剛強。他住在曠野,直到他向以色列公開出現的那天。

Footnotes

  1. 路加福音 1:2 福音——原文直譯「話語」或「道」。
  2. 路加福音 1:5 子孫——原文直譯「女兒」。
  3. 路加福音 1:28 天使——有古抄本作「他」。
  4. 路加福音 1:28 有古抄本附「你在婦女中是蒙祝福的!」
  5. 路加福音 1:34 沒有出嫁——原文直譯「沒有親近男人」。
  6. 路加福音 1:36 的身孕——輔助詞語。
  7. 路加福音 1:42 胎兒——原文直譯「果實」。
  8. 路加福音 1:52 卑微的人——或譯作「謙卑的人」。
  9. 路加福音 1:68 臨到——或譯作「照顧」。
  10. 路加福音 1:71 敵人——或譯作「反對者」。
  11. 路加福音 1:74 敵人——或譯作「反對者」。
  12. 路加福音 1:78 心腸——或譯作「情感」。
  13. 路加福音 1:78 臨到——或譯作「照顧」。
  14. 路加福音 1:79 平安——或譯作「和平」。

Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us,

Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word;

It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus,

That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed.

There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth.

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

And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years.

And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest's office before God in the order of his course,

According to the custom of the priest's office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord.

10 And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense.

11 And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense.

12 And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.

13 But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.

14 And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth.

15 For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb.

16 And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God.

17 And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.

18 And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years.

19 And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings.

20 And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season.

21 And the people waited for Zacharias, and marvelled that he tarried so long in the temple.

22 And when he came out, he could not speak unto them: and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple: for he beckoned unto them, and remained speechless.

23 And it came to pass, that, as soon as the days of his ministration were accomplished, he departed to his own house.

24 And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, saying,

25 Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he looked on me, to take away my reproach among men.

26 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,

27 To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.

28 And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.

29 And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.

30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.

31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus.

32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:

33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

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.

57 Now Elisabeth's full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son.

58 And her neighbours and her cousins heard how the Lord had shewed great mercy upon her; and they rejoiced with her.

59 And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father.

60 And his mother answered and said, Not so; but he shall be called John.

61 And they said unto her, There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name.

62 And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called.

63 And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marvelled all.

64 And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake, and praised God.

65 And fear came on all that dwelt round about them: and all these sayings were noised abroad throughout all the hill country of Judaea.

66 And all they that heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, What manner of child shall this be! And the hand of the Lord was with him.

67 And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying,

68 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people,

69 And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David;

70 As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began:

71 That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us;

72 To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant;

73 The oath which he sware to our father Abraham,

74 That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear,

75 In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life.

76 And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways;

77 To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins,

78 Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us,

79 To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.

80 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel.

Introduction(A)

Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled[a] among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first(B) were eyewitnesses(C) and servants of the word.(D) With this in mind, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account(E) for you, most excellent(F) Theophilus,(G) so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.(H)

The Birth of John the Baptist Foretold

In the time of Herod king of Judea(I) there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah;(J) his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly.(K) But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old.

Once when Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God,(L) he was chosen by lot,(M) according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense.(N) 10 And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshipers were praying outside.(O)

11 Then an angel(P) of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense.(Q) 12 When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear.(R) 13 But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid,(S) Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John.(T) 14 He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth,(U) 15 for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink,(V) and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit(W) even before he is born.(X) 16 He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. 17 And he will go on before the Lord,(Y) in the spirit and power of Elijah,(Z) to turn the hearts of the parents to their children(AA) and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”(AB)

18 Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this?(AC) I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.”(AD)

19 The angel said to him, “I am Gabriel.(AE) I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. 20 And now you will be silent and not able to speak(AF) until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their appointed time.”

21 Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he stayed so long in the temple. 22 When he came out, he could not speak to them. They realized he had seen a vision in the temple, for he kept making signs(AG) to them but remained unable to speak.

23 When his time of service was completed, he returned home. 24 After this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion. 25 “The Lord has done this for me,” she said. “In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace(AH) among the people.”

The Birth of Jesus Foretold

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

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

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,(AS) and the power of the Most High(AT) will overshadow you. So the holy one(AU) to be born will be called[b] the Son of God.(AV) 36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child(AW) 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.”(AX)

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

46 And Mary said:

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

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

The Birth of John the Baptist

57 When it was time for Elizabeth to have her baby, she gave birth to a son. 58 Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they shared her joy.

59 On the eighth day they came to circumcise(BQ) the child, and they were going to name him after his father Zechariah, 60 but his mother spoke up and said, “No! He is to be called John.”(BR)

61 They said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who has that name.”

62 Then they made signs(BS) to his father, to find out what he would like to name the child. 63 He asked for a writing tablet, and to everyone’s astonishment he wrote, “His name is John.”(BT) 64 Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue set free, and he began to speak,(BU) praising God. 65 All the neighbors were filled with awe, and throughout the hill country of Judea(BV) people were talking about all these things. 66 Everyone who heard this wondered about it, asking, “What then is this child going to be?” For the Lord’s hand was with him.(BW)

Zechariah’s Song

67 His father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit(BX) and prophesied:(BY)

68 “Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel,(BZ)
    because he has come to his people and redeemed them.(CA)
69 He has raised up a horn[c](CB) of salvation for us
    in the house of his servant David(CC)
70 (as he said through his holy prophets of long ago),(CD)
71 salvation from our enemies
    and from the hand of all who hate us—
72 to show mercy to our ancestors(CE)
    and to remember his holy covenant,(CF)
73     the oath he swore to our father Abraham:(CG)
74 to rescue us from the hand of our enemies,
    and to enable us to serve him(CH) without fear(CI)
75     in holiness and righteousness(CJ) before him all our days.

76 And you, my child, will be called a prophet(CK) of the Most High;(CL)
    for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him,(CM)
77 to give his people the knowledge of salvation
    through the forgiveness of their sins,(CN)
78 because of the tender mercy of our God,
    by which the rising sun(CO) will come to us from heaven
79 to shine on those living in darkness
    and in the shadow of death,(CP)
to guide our feet into the path of peace.”(CQ)

80 And the child grew and became strong in spirit[d];(CR) and he lived in the wilderness until he appeared publicly to Israel.

Footnotes

  1. Luke 1:1 Or been surely believed
  2. Luke 1:35 Or So the child to be born will be called holy,
  3. Luke 1:69 Horn here symbolizes a strong king.
  4. Luke 1:80 Or in the Spirit

Dedication to Theophilus

Inasmuch as many have taken in hand to set in order a narrative of those (A)things which [a]have been fulfilled among us, just as those who (B)from the beginning were (C)eyewitnesses and ministers of the word (D)delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also, having [b]had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write to you an orderly account, (E)most excellent Theophilus, (F)that you may know the certainty of those things in which you were instructed.

John’s Birth Announced to Zacharias

There was (G)in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, (H)of the division of (I)Abijah. His (J)wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well advanced in years.

So it was, that while he was serving as priest before God in the order of his division, according to the custom of the priesthood, [c]his lot fell (K)to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. 10 (L)And the whole multitude of the people was praying outside at the hour of incense. 11 Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of (M)the altar of incense. 12 And when Zacharias saw him, (N)he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.

13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and (O)you shall call his name John. 14 And you will have joy and gladness, and (P)many will rejoice at his birth. 15 For he will be (Q)great in the sight of the Lord, and (R)shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, (S)even from his mother’s womb. 16 And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. 17 (T)He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, ‘to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,’ and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”

18 And Zacharias said to the angel, (U)“How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years.”

19 And the angel answered and said to him, “I am (V)Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and was sent to speak to you and bring you [d]these glad (W)tidings. 20 But behold, (X)you will be mute and not able to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words which will be fulfilled in their own time.”

21 And the people waited for Zacharias, and marveled that he lingered so long in the temple. 22 But when he came out, he could not speak to them; and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple, for he beckoned to them and remained speechless.

23 So it was, as soon as (Y)the days of his service were completed, that he departed to his own house. 24 Now after those days his wife Elizabeth conceived; and she hid herself five months, saying, 25 “Thus the Lord has dealt with me, in the days when He looked on me, to (Z)take away my reproach among people.”

Christ’s Birth Announced to Mary

26 Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin (AA)betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And having come in, the angel said to her, (AB)“Rejoice, highly favored one, (AC)the Lord is with you; [e]blessed are you among women!”

29 But [f]when she saw him, (AD)she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. 30 Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found (AE)favor with God. 31 (AF)And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and (AG)shall call His name Jesus. 32 He will be great, (AH)and will be called the Son of the Highest; and (AI)the Lord God will give Him the (AJ)throne of His (AK)father David. 33 (AL)And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”

34 Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I [g]do not know a man?”

35 And the angel answered and said to her, (AM)The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called (AN)the Son of God. 36 Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. 37 For (AO)with God nothing will be impossible.”

38 Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

Mary Visits Elizabeth

39 Now Mary arose in those days and went into the hill country with haste, (AP)to a city of Judah, 40 and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth. 41 And it happened, when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, that the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was (AQ)filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 Then she spoke out with a loud voice and said, (AR)“Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! 43 But why is this granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For indeed, as soon as the voice of your greeting sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. 45 (AS)Blessed is she who [h]believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord.”

The Song of Mary

46 And Mary said:

(AT)“My soul [i]magnifies the Lord,
47 And my spirit has (AU)rejoiced in (AV)God my Savior.
48 For (AW)He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant;
For behold, henceforth (AX)all generations will call me blessed.
49 For He who is mighty (AY)has done great things for me,
And (AZ)holy is His name.
50 And (BA)His mercy is on those who fear Him
From generation to generation.
51 (BB)He has shown strength with His arm;
(BC)He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
52 (BD)He has put down the mighty from their thrones,
And exalted the lowly.
53 He has (BE)filled the hungry with good things,
And the rich He has sent away empty.
54 He has helped His (BF)servant Israel,
(BG)In remembrance of His mercy,
55 (BH)As He spoke to our (BI)fathers,
To Abraham and to his (BJ)seed forever.”

56 And Mary remained with her about three months, and returned to her house.

Birth of John the Baptist

57 Now Elizabeth’s full time came for her to be delivered, and she brought forth a son. 58 When her neighbors and relatives heard how the Lord had shown great mercy to her, they (BK)rejoiced with her.

Circumcision of John the Baptist

59 So it was, (BL)on the eighth day, that they came to circumcise the child; and they would have called him by the name of his father, Zacharias. 60 His mother answered and said, (BM)“No; he shall be called John.”

61 But they said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who is called by this name.” 62 So they made signs to his father—what he would have him called.

63 And he asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, saying, “His name is John.” So they all marveled. 64 Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, praising God. 65 Then fear came on all who dwelt around them; and all these sayings were discussed throughout all the hill country of Judea. 66 And all those who heard them (BN)kept them in their hearts, saying, “What kind of child will this be?” And (BO)the hand of the Lord was with him.

Zacharias’ Prophecy

67 Now his father Zacharias (BP)was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying:

68 “Blessed(BQ) is the Lord God of Israel,
For (BR)He has visited and redeemed His people,
69 (BS)And has raised up a horn of salvation for us
In the house of His servant David,
70 (BT)As He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets,
Who have been (BU)since the world began,
71 That we should be saved from our enemies
And from the hand of all who hate us,
72 (BV)To perform the mercy promised to our fathers
And to remember His holy covenant,
73 (BW)The oath which He swore to our father Abraham:
74 To grant us that we,
Being delivered from the hand of our enemies,
Might (BX)serve Him without fear,
75 (BY)In holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our life.

76 “And you, child, will be called the (BZ)prophet of the Highest;
For (CA)you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways,
77 To give (CB)knowledge of salvation to His people
By the remission of their sins,
78 Through the tender mercy of our God,
With which the [j]Dayspring from on high [k]has visited us;
79 (CC)To give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death,
To (CD)guide our feet into the way of peace.”

80 So (CE)the child grew and became strong in spirit, and (CF)was in the deserts till the day of his manifestation to Israel.

Footnotes

  1. Luke 1:1 Or are most surely believed
  2. Luke 1:3 Lit. accurately followed
  3. Luke 1:9 he was chosen by lot
  4. Luke 1:19 this good news
  5. Luke 1:28 NU omits blessed are you among women
  6. Luke 1:29 NU omits when she saw him
  7. Luke 1:34 Am a virgin
  8. Luke 1:45 Or believed that there
  9. Luke 1:46 Declares the greatness of
  10. Luke 1:78 Lit. Dawn; the Messiah
  11. Luke 1:78 NU shall visit