< Luke 1 >

1 Since many have undertaken to set in order a narrative concerning those matters which have been fulfilled among us,
Forasmuch as many haue taken in hand to set foorth the storie of those things, whereof we are fully persuaded,
2 even as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word delivered them to us,
As they haue deliuered them vnto vs, which from the beginning saw them their selues, and were ministers of ye word,
3 it seemed good to me also, having traced the course of all things accurately from the first, to write to you in order, most excellent Theophilus;
It seemed good also to me (most noble Theophilus) assoone as I had searched out perfectly all things from the beginning, to write vnto thee thereof from point to point,
4 that you might know the certainty concerning the things in which you were instructed.
That thou mightest acknowledge the certaintie of those things, whereof thou hast bene instructed.
5 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the priestly division of Abijah. He had a wife of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth.
In the time of Herod King of Iudea, there was a certaine Priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabet.
6 They were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord.
Both were iust before God, and walked in all the commandements and ordinances of the Lord, without reproofe.
7 But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they both were well advanced in years.
And they had no childe, because that Elisabet was barren: and both were well stricken in age.
8 Now while he executed the priest’s office before God in the order of his division
And it came to passe, as he executed the Priestes office before God, as his course came in order,
9 according to the custom of the priest’s office, his lot was to enter into the temple of the Lord and burn incense.
According to the custome of the Priests office, his lot was to burne incense, when he went into the Temple of the Lord.
10 The whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the hour of incense.
And the whole multitude of the people were without in prayer, while the incense was burning.
11 An angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense.
Then appeared vnto him an Angel of the Lord standing at the right side of the altar of incense.
12 Zacharias was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him.
And when Zacharias sawe him, he was troubled, and feare fell vpon him.
13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, because your request has been heard. Your wife, Elizabeth, will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John.
But the Angel saide vnto him, Feare not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard, and thy wise Elisabet shall beare thee a sonne, and thou shalt call his name Iohn.
14 You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth.
And thou shalt haue ioy and gladnes, and many shall reioyce at his birth.
15 For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and he will drink no wine nor strong drink. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb.
For he shalbe great in the sight of the Lord, and shall neither drinke wine, nor strong drinke: and he shalbe filled with the holy Ghost, euen from his mothers wombe.
16 He will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God.
And many of the children of Israel shall he turne to their Lord God.
17 He will 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 prepare a people prepared for the Lord.”
For he shall goe before him in the spirite and power of Elias, to turne the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisedome of the iust men, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.
18 Zacharias said to the angel, “How can I be sure of this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years.”
Then Zacharias said vnto ye Angel, Whereby shall I knowe this? for I am an olde man, and my wife is of a great age.
19 The angel answered him, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God. I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news.
And the Angell answered, and sayde vnto him, I am Gabriel that stand in the presence of God, and am sent to speake vnto thee, and to shew thee these good tidings.
20 Behold, you will be silent and not able to speak until the day that these things will happen, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their proper time.”
And beholde, thou shalt be domme, and not be able to speake, vntill the day that these things be done, because thou beleeuedst not my words, which shalbe fulfilled in their season.
21 The people were waiting for Zacharias, and they marveled that he delayed in the temple.
Now the people waited for Zacharias, and marueiled that he taried so long in the Temple.
22 When he came out, he could not speak to them. They perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple. He continued making signs to them, and remained mute.
And when hee came out, hee coulde not speake vnto them: then they perceiued that hee had seene a vision in the Temple: For he made signes vnto them, and remained domme.
23 When the days of his service were fulfilled, he departed to his house.
And it came to passe, when the daies of his office were fulfilled, that he departed to his owne house.
24 After these days Elizabeth his wife conceived, and she hid herself five months, saying,
And after those daies, his wife Elisabet conceiued, and hid her selfe fiue moneths, saying,
25 “Thus has the Lord done to me in the days in which he looked at me, to take away my reproach among men.”
Thus hath the Lord dealt with me, in the daies wherein he looked on me, to take from me my rebuke among men.
26 Now in the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth,
And in the sixth moneth, the Angell Gabriel was sent from God vnto a citie of Galile, named Nazareth,
27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man whose name was Joseph, of David’s house. The virgin’s name was Mary.
To a virgin affianced to a man whose name was Ioseph, of the house of Dauid, and the virgins name was Marie.
28 Having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, you highly favored one! The Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women!”
And the Angel went in vnto her, and said, Haile thou that art freely beloued: the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.
29 But when she saw him, she was greatly troubled at the saying, and considered what kind of salutation this might be.
And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and thought what maner of salutation that should be.
30 The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.
Then the Angel saide vnto her, Feare not, Marie: for thou hast found fauour with God.
31 Behold, you will conceive in your womb and give birth to a son, and shall name him ‘Jesus.’
For loe, thou shalt conceiue in thy wobe, and beare a sonne, and shalt call his name Iesus.
32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David,
He shall be great, and shall be called the Sonne of the most High, and the Lord God shall giue vnto him the throne of his father Dauid.
33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob for the ages (aiōn g165). There will be no end to his Kingdom."
And hee shall reigne ouer the house of Iacob for euer, and of his kingdome shall bee none ende. (aiōn g165)
34 Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, seeing I am a virgin?”
Then sayde Marie vnto the Angel, How shall this be, seeing I knowe not man?
35 The angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore also the holy one who is born from you will be called the Son of God.
And the Angel answered, and said vnto her, The holy Ghost shall come vpon thee, and the power of the most High shall ouershadowe thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall bee borne of thee, shall be called the Sonne of God.
36 Behold, Elizabeth your relative also has conceived a son in her old age; and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren.
And behold, thy cousin Elisabet, she hath also conceiued a sonne in her olde age: and this is her sixt moneth, which was called barren.
37 For nothing spoken by God is impossible.”
For with God shall nothing be vnpossible.
38 Mary said, “Behold, the servant of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.
Then Marie said, Behold the seruant of the Lord: be it vnto me according to thy woorde. So the Angel departed from her.
39 Mary arose in those days and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Judah,
And Marie arose in those daies, and went into ye hil countrey with hast to a citie of Iuda,
40 and entered into the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth.
And entred into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabet.
41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.
And it came to passe, as Elisabet heard the salutation of Marie, the babe sprang in her bellie, and Elisabet was filled with the holy Ghost.
42 She called out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!
And she cried with a loud voice, and saide, Blessed art thou among women, because the fruit of thy wombe is blessed.
43 Why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
And whence commeth this to mee, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
44 For behold, when the voice of your greeting came into my ears, the baby leaped in my womb for joy!
For loe, assoone as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine eares, the babe sprang in my bellie for ioye,
45 Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of the things which have been spoken to her from the Lord!”
And blessed is shee that beleeued: for those things shall be perfourmed, which were tolde her from the Lord.
46 Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord.
Then Marie sayde, My soule magnifieth the Lord,
47 My spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior,
And my spirite reioyceth in God my Sauiour.
48 for he has looked at the humble state of his servant. For behold, from now on, all generations will call me blessed.
For hee hath looked on the poore degree of his seruaunt: for beholde, from henceforth shall all ages call me blessed,
49 For he who is mighty has done great things for me. Holy is his name.
Because hee that is mightie, hath done for me great things, and holy is his Name.
50 His mercy is for generations and generations on those who fear him.
And his mercie is from generation to generation on them that feare him.
51 He has shown strength with his arm. He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
Hee hath shewed strength with his arme: hee hath scattered the proude in the imagination of their hearts.
52 He has put down princes from their thrones, and has exalted the lowly.
Hee hath put downe the mighty from their seates, and exalted them of lowe degree.
53 He has filled the hungry with good things. He has sent the rich away empty.
Hee hath filled the hungrie with good things, and sent away the rich emptie.
54 He has given help to Israel, his servant, that he might remember mercy,
Hee hath vpholden Israel his seruaunt to be mindefull of his mercie
55 as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and his offspring for the age (aiōn g165)."
(As hee hath spoken to our fathers, to wit, to Abraham, and his seede) for euer. (aiōn g165)
56 Mary stayed with her about three months, and then returned to her house.
And Marie abode with her about three moneths: after, shee returned to her owne house.
57 Now the time that Elizabeth should give birth was fulfilled, and she gave birth to a son.
Nowe Elisabets time was fulfilled, that shee should be deliuered, and shee brought foorth a sonne.
58 Her neighbors and her relatives heard that the Lord had magnified his mercy toward her, and they rejoiced with her.
And her neighbours, and cousins heard tell howe the Lord had shewed his great mercie vpon her, and they reioyced with her.
59 On the eighth day, they came to circumcise the child; and they would have called him Zacharias, after the name of his father.
And it was so that on the eight day they came to circumcise the babe, and called him Zacharias after the name of his father.
60 His mother answered, “Not so; but he will be called John.”
But his mother answered, and saide, Not so, but he shalbe called Iohn.
61 They said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who is called by this name.”
And they saide vnto her, There is none of thy kindred, that is named with this name.
62 They made signs to his father, what he would have him called.
Then they made signes to his father, howe he would haue him called.
63 He asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, “His name is John.” They all marveled.
So hee asked for writing tables, and wrote, saying, His name is Iohn, and they marueiled all.
64 His mouth was opened immediately and his tongue freed, and he spoke, blessing God.
And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue, and he spake and praised God.
65 Fear came on all who lived around them, and all these sayings were talked about throughout all the hill country of Judea.
Then feare came on all them that dwelt neere vnto them, and all these woordes were noised abroade throughout all the hill countrey of Iudea.
66 All who heard them laid them up in their heart, saying, “What then will this child be?” The hand of the Lord was with him.
And al they that heard them, laid them vp in their hearts, saying, What maner childe shall this be! and the hand of the Lord was with him.
67 His father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying,
Then his father Zacharias was filled with the holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying,
68 “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people;
Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, because he hath visited and redeemed his people,
69 and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David
And hath raised vp the horne of saluation vnto vs, in the house of his seruant Dauid,
70 (as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets who have been from the age (aiōn g165)),
As he spake by ye mouth of his holy Prophets, which were since the world began, saying, (aiōn g165)
71 salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us;
That he would sende vs deliuerance from our enemies, and from the hands of all that hate vs,
72 to show mercy toward our fathers, to remember his holy covenant,
That he might shewe mercie towards our fathers, and remember his holy couenant,
73 the oath which he swore to Abraham our father,
And the othe which he sware to our father Abraham.
74 to grant to us that we, being delivered out of the hand of our enemies, should serve him without fear,
Which was, that he would graunt vnto vs, that we being deliuered out of the handes of our enemies, should serue him without feare,
75 in holiness and righteousness before him all the days of our life.
All the daies of our life, in holinesse and righteousnesse before him.
76 And you, child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways,
And thou, babe, shalt be called the Prophet of the most High: for thou shalt goe before the face of the Lord, to prepare his waies,
77 to give knowledge of salvation to his people by the remission of their sins,
And to giue knowledge of saluation vnto his people, by the remission of their sinnes,
78 because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the dawn from on high will visit us,
Through ye tender mercy of our God, wherby the day spring from an hie hath visited vs,
79 to shine on those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death; to guide our feet into the way of peace.”
To giue light to them that sit in darknes, and in the shadow of death, and to guide our feete into the way of peace.
80 The child was growing and becoming strong in spirit, and was in the desert until the day of his public appearance to Israel.
And the childe grewe, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the wildernesse, til the day came that he should shewe him selfe vnto Israel.

< Luke 1 >