Luke 1
Young's Literal Translation
1 Seeing that many did take in hand to set in order a narration of the matters that have been fully assured among us,
2 as they did deliver to us, who from the beginning became eye-witnesses, and officers of the Word, --
3 it seemed good also to me, having followed from the first after all things exactly, to write to thee in order, most noble Theophilus,
4 that thou mayest know the certainty of the things wherein thou wast instructed.
5 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest, by name Zacharias, of the course of Abijah, and his wife of the daughters of Aaron, and her name Elisabeth;
6 and they were both righteous before God, going on in all the commands and righteousnesses of the Lord blameless,
7 and they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and both were advanced in their days.
8 And it came to pass, in his acting as priest, in the order of his course before God,
9 according to the custom of the priesthood, his lot was to make perfume, having gone into the sanctuary of the Lord,
10 and all the multitude of the people were praying without, at the hour of the perfume.
11 And there appeared to him a messenger of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of the perfume,
12 and Zacharias, having seen, was troubled, and fear fell on him;
13 and the messenger said unto him, `Fear not, Zacharias, for thy supplication was heard, and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear a son to thee, and thou shalt call his name John,
14 and there shall be joy to thee, and gladness, and many at his birth shall joy,
15 for he shall be great before the Lord, and wine and strong drink he may not drink, and of the Holy Spirit he shall be full, even from his mother's womb;
16 and many of the sons of Israel he shall turn to the Lord their God,
17 and he shall go before Him, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn hearts of fathers unto children, and disobedient ones to the wisdom of righteous ones, to make ready for the Lord, a people prepared.'
18 And Zacharias said unto the messenger, `Whereby shall I know this? for I am aged, and my wife is advanced in her days?'
19 And the messenger answering said to him, `I am Gabriel, who have been standing near before God, and I was sent to speak unto thee, and to proclaim these good news to thee,
20 and lo, thou shalt be silent, and not able to speak, till the day that these things shall come to pass, because thou didst not believe my words, that shall be fulfilled in their season.'
21 And the people were waiting for Zacharias, and wondering at his tarrying in the sanctuary,
22 and having come out, he was not able to speak to them, and they perceived that a vision he had seen in the sanctuary, and he was beckoning to them, and did remain dumb.
23 And it came to pass, when the days of his service were fulfilled, he went away to his house,
24 and after those days, his wife Elisabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, saying --
25 `Thus hath the Lord done to me, in days in which He looked upon [me], to take away my reproach among men.'
26 And in the sixth month was the messenger Gabriel sent by God, to a city of Galilee, the name of which [is] Nazareth,
27 to a virgin, betrothed to a man, whose name [is] Joseph, of the house of David, and the name of the virgin [is] Mary.
28 And the messenger having come in unto her, said, `Hail, favoured one, the Lord [is] with thee; blessed [art] thou among women;'
29 and she, having seen, was troubled at his word, and was reasoning of what kind this salutation may be.
30 And the messenger said to her, `Fear not, Mary, for thou hast found favour with God;
31 and lo, thou shalt conceive in the womb, and shalt bring forth a son, and call his name Jesus;
32 he shall be great, and Son of the Highest he shall be called, and the Lord God shall give him the throne of David his father,
33 and he shall reign over the house of Jacob to the ages; and of his reign there shall be no end.'
34 And Mary said unto the messenger, `How shall this be, seeing a husband I do not know?'
35 And the messenger answering said to her, `The Holy Spirit shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee, therefore also the holy-begotten thing shall be called Son of God;
36 and lo, Elisabeth, thy kinswoman, she also hath conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month to her who was called barren;
37 because nothing shall be impossible with God.'
38 And Mary said, `Lo, the maid-servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to thy saying,' and the messenger went away from her.
39 And Mary having arisen in those days, went to the hill-country, with haste, to a city of Judea,
40 and entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth.
41 And it came to pass, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe did leap in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit,
42 and 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 might come unto me?
44 for, lo, when the voice of thy salutation came to my ears, leap in gladness did the babe in my womb;
45 and happy [is] she who did believe, for there shall be a completion to the things spoken to her from the Lord.'
46 And Mary said, `My soul doth magnify the Lord,
47 And my spirit was glad on God my Saviour,
48 Because He looked on the lowliness of His maid-servant, For, lo, henceforth call me happy shall all the generations,
49 For He who is mighty did to me great things, And holy [is] His name,
50 And His kindness [is] to generations of generations, To those fearing Him,
51 He did powerfully with His arm, He scattered abroad the proud in the thought of their heart,
52 He brought down the mighty from thrones, And He exalted the lowly,
53 The hungry He did fill with good, And the rich He sent away empty,
54 He received again Israel His servant, To remember kindness,
55 As He spake unto our fathers, To Abraham and to his seed -- to the age.'
56 And Mary remained with her about three months, and turned back to her house.
57 And to Elisabeth was the time fulfilled for her bringing forth, and she bare a son,
58 and the neighbours and her kindred heard that the Lord was making His kindness great with her, and they were rejoicing with her.
59 And it came to pass, on the eighth day, they came to circumcise the child, and they were calling him by the name of his father, Zacharias,
60 and his mother answering said, `No, but he shall be called John.'
61 And they said unto her -- `There is none among thy kindred who is called by this name,'
62 and they were making signs to his father, what he would wish him to be called,
63 and having asked for a tablet, he wrote, saying, `John is his name;' and they did all wonder;
64 and his mouth was opened presently, and his tongue, and he was speaking, praising God.
65 And fear came upon all those dwelling around them, and in all the hill-country of Judea were all these sayings spoken of,
66 and all who heard did lay them up in their hearts, saying, `What then shall this child be?' and the hand of the Lord was with him.
67 And Zacharias his father was filled with the Holy Spirit, and did prophesy, saying,
68 `Blessed [is] the Lord, the God of Israel, Because He did look upon, And wrought redemption for His people,
69 And did raise an horn of salvation to us, In the house of David His servant,
70 As He spake by the mouth of His holy prophets, Which have been from the age;
71 Salvation from our enemies, And out of the hand of all hating us,
72 To do kindness with our fathers, And to be mindful of His holy covenant,
73 An oath that He sware to Abraham our father,
74 To give to us, without fear, Out of the hand of our enemies having been delivered,
75 To serve Him, in holiness and righteousness Before Him, all the days of our life.
76 And thou, child, Prophet of the Highest Shalt thou be called; For thou shalt go before the face of the Lord, To prepare His ways.
77 To give knowledge of salvation to His people In remission of their sins,
78 Through the tender mercies of our God, In which the rising from on high did look upon us,
79 To give light to those sitting in darkness and death-shade, To guide our feet to a way of peace.'
80 And the child grew, and was strengthened in spirit, and he was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel.
Lucas 1
Reina Valera Contemporánea
Dedicatoria a Teófilo
1 Excelentísimo Teófilo: Muchos han tratado ya de relatar en forma ordenada la historia de los sucesos que ciertamente se han cumplido entre nosotros, 2 tal y como nos los enseñaron quienes desde el principio fueron testigos presenciales y ministros de la palabra. 3 Después de haber investigado todo con sumo cuidado desde su origen, me ha parecido una buena idea escribírtelas por orden, 4 para que llegues a conocer bien la verdad de lo que se te ha enseñado.
Anuncio del nacimiento de Juan
5 En los días de Herodes, rey de Judea, había un sacerdote llamado Zacarías, de la clase de Abías,(A) cuya esposa, Elisabet, era descendiente de Aarón. 6 Ambos eran íntegros delante de Dios y obedecían de manera irreprensible todos los mandamientos y ordenanzas del Señor. 7 Pero no tenían hijos, porque Elisabet era estéril y los dos eran ya muy ancianos. 8 Un día en que Zacarías oficiaba como sacerdote delante de Dios, pues le había llegado el turno a su grupo, 9 le tocó en suerte entrar en el santuario del Señor para ofrecer incienso, conforme a la costumbre del sacerdocio. 10 Mientras se quemaba el incienso, todo el pueblo estaba orando afuera. 11 En eso, un ángel del Señor se le apareció a Zacarías. Estaba parado a la derecha del altar del incienso. 12 Cuando Zacarías lo vio, se desconcertó y le sobrevino un gran temor; 13 pero el ángel le dijo: «Zacarías, no tengas miedo, porque tu oración ha sido escuchada. Tu esposa Elisabet te dará un hijo, y tú le pondrás por nombre Juan. 14 Tendrás gozo y alegría, y muchos se regocijarán de su nacimiento, 15 pues ante Dios será un hombre muy importante. No beberá vino ni licor,(B) y tendrá la plenitud del Espíritu Santo desde antes de nacer. 16 Él hará que muchos de los hijos de Israel se vuelvan al Señor su Dios, 17 y lo precederá con el espíritu y el poder de Elías, para hacer que los padres se reconcilien con sus hijos,(C) y para llevar a los desobedientes a obtener la sabiduría de los justos. Así preparará bien al pueblo para recibir al Señor.» 18 Zacarías le preguntó al ángel: «¿Y cómo voy a saber que esto será así? ¡Yo estoy ya muy viejo, y mi esposa es de edad avanzada!» 19 El ángel le respondió: «Yo soy Gabriel,(D) y estoy en presencia de Dios. He sido enviado a hablar contigo para comunicarte estas buenas noticias. 20 Pero como no has creído mis palabras, las cuales se cumplirán a su debido tiempo, ahora vas a quedarte mudo, y no podrás hablar hasta el día en que esto suceda.» 21 Mientras tanto, el pueblo esperaba a que saliera Zacarías, extrañados de que se tardara tanto en el santuario. 22 Pero cuando salió y no les podía hablar, comprendieron que habría tenido una visión en el santuario, pues les hablaba por señas y seguía mudo. 23 Cuando terminaron los días de su ministerio, Zacarías se fue a su casa.
24 Días después, su esposa Elisabet quedó encinta y se recluyó en su casa durante cinco meses, pues decía: 25 «El Señor ha actuado así conmigo para que ya no tenga nada de qué avergonzarme ante nadie.»
Anuncio del nacimiento de Jesús
26 Seis meses después, Dios envió al ángel Gabriel a la ciudad galilea de Nazaret 27 para ver a María,(E) una virgen que estaba comprometida con José, un hombre que era descendiente de David. 28 El ángel entró en donde ella estaba y le dijo: «¡Salve, muy favorecida! El Señor está contigo.» 29 Cuando ella escuchó estas palabras, se sorprendió y se preguntaba qué clase de saludo era ése. 30 El ángel le dijo: «María, no temas. Dios te ha concedido su gracia. 31 Vas a quedar encinta, y darás a luz un hijo, y le pondrás por nombre JESÚS.(F) 32 Éste será un gran hombre, y lo llamarán Hijo del Altísimo. Dios, el Señor, le dará el trono de David, su padre, 33 y reinará sobre la casa de Jacob para siempre, y su reino no tendrá fin.»(G) 34 Pero María le dijo al ángel: «¿Y esto cómo va a suceder? ¡Nunca he estado con un hombre!» 35 El ángel le respondió: «El Espíritu Santo vendrá sobre ti, y el poder del Altísimo te cubrirá con su sombra. Por eso el Santo Ser que nacerá será llamado Hijo de Dios. 36 También tu parienta Elisabet, la que llamaban estéril, ha concebido un hijo en su vejez, y ya está en su sexto mes de embarazo. 37 ¡Para Dios no hay nada imposible!»(H) 38 María dijo entonces: «Yo soy la sierva del Señor. ¡Cúmplase en mí lo que has dicho!» Y el ángel se fue de su presencia.
María visita a Elisabet
39 Por esos mismos días, María fue de prisa a una ciudad de Judá que estaba en las montañas. 40 Al entrar en la casa de Zacarías, saludó a Elisabet. 41 Y sucedió que, al oír Elisabet el saludo de María, la criatura saltó en su vientre y Elisabet recibió la plenitud del Espíritu Santo. 42 Entonces ella exclamó a voz en cuello: «¡Bendita eres tú entre las mujeres, y bendito es el fruto de tu vientre! 43 ¿Cómo pudo sucederme que la madre de mi Señor venga a visitarme? 44 ¡Tan pronto como escuché tu saludo, la criatura saltó de alegría en mi vientre! 45 ¡Dichosa tú, que has creído, porque se cumplirá lo que el Señor te ha anunciado!»
46 Entonces María dijo:(I)
«Mi alma glorifica al Señor,
47 y mi espíritu se regocija en Dios mi Salvador.
48 Pues se ha dignado mirar a su humilde sierva,
Y desde ahora me llamarán dichosa
por todas las generaciones.
49 Grandes cosas ha hecho en mí el Poderoso;
¡Santo es su nombre!
50 La misericordia de Dios es eterna
para aquellos que le temen.
51 Con su brazo hizo grandes proezas,
y deshizo los planes de los soberbios.
52 Derrocó del trono a los poderosos,
Y puso en alto a los humildes.
53 A los hambrientos los colmó de bienes,
y a los ricos los dejó con las manos vacías.
54 Socorrió a su siervo Israel,
y se acordó de su misericordia,
55 de la cual habló con nuestros padres,
con Abrahán(J) y con su descendencia para siempre.»
56 María se quedó con Elisabet como tres meses, y después volvió a su casa.
Nacimiento de Juan el Bautista
57 Cuando se cumplió el tiempo, Elisabet dio a luz un hijo. 58 Y cuando sus vecinos y parientes supieron que Dios le había mostrado su gran misericordia, se alegraron con ella. 59 Al octavo día fueron para circuncidar al niño,(K) y querían ponerle el nombre de su padre, Zacarías. 60 Pero su madre dijo: «No, va a llamarse Juan.» 61 Le preguntaron: «¿Por qué? ¡No hay nadie en tu familia que se llame así!» 62 Luego le preguntaron a su padre, por señas, qué nombre quería ponerle. 63 Zacarías pidió una tablilla y escribió: «Su nombre es Juan.» Y todos se quedaron asombrados. 64 En ese mismo instante, a Zacarías se le destrabó la lengua y comenzó a hablar y a bendecir a Dios. 65 Todos sus vecinos se llenaron de temor, y todo esto se divulgó por todas las montañas de Judea. 66 Todos los que oían esto se ponían a pensar, y se preguntaban: «¿Qué va a ser de este niño?» Y es que la mano del Señor estaba con él.
Profecía de Zacarías
67 Lleno del Espíritu Santo, Zacarías, su padre, profetizó:
68 «Bendito sea el Señor, Dios de Israel,
porque ha venido a redimir a su pueblo.
69 Nos ha levantado un poderoso Salvador
en la casa de David, su siervo,
70 tal y como lo anunció en el pasado
por medio de sus santos profetas:
71 “Salvación de nuestros enemigos,
y del poder de los que nos odian.”
72 Mostró su misericordia a nuestros padres,
y se acordó de su santo pacto,
73 de su juramento a nuestro padre Abrahán:
Prometió que nos concedería
74 ser liberados de nuestros enemigos,
para poder servirle sin temor,
75 en santidad y en justicia
todos nuestros días delante de él.
76 Y a ti, niño, te llamarán “Profeta del Altísimo”,
porque irás precediendo al Señor
para preparar sus caminos.(L)
77 Darás a conocer a su pueblo la salvación
y el perdón de sus pecados,
78 por la entrañable misericordia de nuestro Dios.
La aurora nos visitó desde lo alto,
79 para alumbrar a los que viven en tinieblas(M)
y en medio de sombras de muerte;
para encaminarnos por la senda de la paz.»
80 El niño fue creciendo y fortaleciéndose en espíritu, y vivió en lugares apartados hasta el día en que se presentó públicamente a Israel.
Luke 1
New King James Version
Dedication to Theophilus
1 Inasmuch as many have taken in hand to set in order a narrative of those (A)things which [a]have been fulfilled among us, 2 just as those who (B)from the beginning were (C)eyewitnesses and ministers of the word (D)delivered them to us, 3 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, 4 (F)that you may know the certainty of those things in which you were instructed.
John’s Birth Announced to Zacharias
5 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. 6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. 7 But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well advanced in years.
8 So it was, that while he was serving as priest before God in the order of his division, 9 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
- Luke 1:1 Or are most surely believed
- Luke 1:3 Lit. accurately followed
- Luke 1:9 he was chosen by lot
- Luke 1:19 this good news
- Luke 1:28 NU omits blessed are you among women
- Luke 1:29 NU omits when she saw him
- Luke 1:34 Am a virgin
- Luke 1:45 Or believed that there
- Luke 1:46 Declares the greatness of
- Luke 1:78 Lit. Dawn; the Messiah
- Luke 1:78 NU shall visit
Copyright © 2009, 2011 by Sociedades Bíblicas Unidas
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
