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But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old.
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But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John.
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And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their appointed time.”
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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 to them but remained unable to speak.
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But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God.
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For no word from God will ever fail.”
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for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed,
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but his mother spoke up and said, “No! He is to be called John.”
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They said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who has that name.”
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and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
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But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.
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Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him.
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It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah.
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“Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace.
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When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him.
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But they did not understand what he was saying to them.
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Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham.
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The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.”
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John answered, “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.”
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John answered them all, “I baptize you with water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
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Now Jesus himself was about thirty years old when he began his ministry. He was the son, so it was thought, of Joseph, the son of Heli,
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the son of Cainan, the son of Arphaxad, the son of Shem, the son of Noah, the son of Lamech,
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where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry.
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Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone.’”
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they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’”
