The Preface to Luke’s Gospel

Since many have attempted to compile an account concerning the events that have been fulfilled among us,

just as those who were eyewitnesses and servants of the word from the beginning passed on to us,

it seemed best to me also—class="trans-change">because I have followed all class="trans-change">things carefully from the beginning—to write class="trans-change">them down in orderly sequence for you, most excellent Theophilus,

so that you may know the certainty concerning the things about which you were taught.

The Prediction of John the Baptist’s Birth

It happened that in the days of Herod, king of Judea, class="trans-change">there was a certain priest, Zechariah by name, of the division of Abijah. And class="idiom trans-change">he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name class="trans-change">was Elizabeth.

And they were both righteous in the sight of God, living blamelessly in all the commandments and regulations of the Lord.

And class="idiom trans-change">they did not have a child, because Elizabeth was barren. And they were both advanced class="idiom trans-change">in years.

And it happened that class="trans-change">while he was serving as priest before God in the order of his division,

according to the custom of the priesthood he was chosen by lot to enter into the temple of the Lord to burn incense.

And the whole crowd of the people were praying outside at the hour of the incense offering.

But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will call his name John.

And class="idiom trans-change">you will experience joy and exultation, and many will rejoice at his birth.

For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and he must never drink wine or beer, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit class="trans-change">while he is still in his mother’s womb.

And he will go on 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 righteous, to prepare for the Lord a people made ready.”

And Zechariah said to the angel, “By what will I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced class="idiom trans-change">in years!”

And behold, you will be silent and not able to speak until the day these class="trans-change">things take place, class="idiom trans-change">because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time.”

And the people were waiting for Zechariah, and began to wonder class="trans-change">when he was delayed in the temple.

And class="trans-change">when he came out he was not able to speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in the temple. And he kept making signs to them, and remained unable to speak.

And it happened that when the days of his service came to an end, he went away to his home.

Now after these days, his wife Elizabeth conceived, and she kept herself in seclusion class="trans-change">for five months, saying,

“Thus the Lord has done for me in the days in which he has concerned himself with class="trans-change">me, to take away my disgrace among people.”

The Prediction of Jesus’ Birth

Now in the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee class="idiom trans-change">named Nazareth,

And he came to her class="trans-change">and said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord class="trans-change">is with you.”

But she was greatly perplexed at the statement, and was pondering what sort of greeting this might be.

And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.