ⲖⲞⲨⲔⲞⲚ 1
To his Excellency, Theophilus. Many attempts have been already made to draw up an account of those events which have reached their conclusion among us,
just as they were reported to us by those who from the beginning were eye-witnesses, and afterward became bearers of the message.
And, therefore, I also, since I have investigated all these events with great care from their very beginning, have resolved to write a connected history of them for you,
in order that you may be able to satisfy yourself of the accuracy of the story which you have heard from the lips of others.
5 ⲉ̅ ⲁⲥϣⲱⲡⲓ ϧⲉⲛ ⲛⲓ⳿ⲉϩⲟⲟⲩ ⲛⲧⲉ ⲏⲣⲱⲇⲏⲥ ⳿ⲡⲟⲩⲣⲟ ⳿ⲛⲧⲉ ϯⲓⲟⲩⲇⲉ⳿ⲁ ⲛⲉ ⲟⲩⲟⲛ ⲟⲩⲟⲩⲏⲃ ⳿ⲉⲡⲉϥⲣⲁⲛ ⲡⲉ ⲍⲁⲭⲁⲣⲓⲁⲥ ⳿ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϧⲉⲛ ⲛⲓ⳿ⲉϩⲟⲟⲩ ⳿ⲛϣⲉⲙϣⲓ ⳿ⲛⲧⲉ ⲁⲃⲓ⳿ⲁ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲧⲉϥ⳿ⲥϩⲓⲙⲓ ⲉ ⲟⲩ⳿ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ⲧⲉ ϧⲉⲛ ⲛⲓϣⲉⲣⲓ ⳿ⲛⲧⲉ ⳿ⲁ⳿ⲁⲣⲱⲛ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲡⲉⲥⲣⲁⲛ ⲡⲉ ⳿ⲉⲗⲓⲥⲁⲃⲉⲧ.
In the reign of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the division called after Abijah. His wife, whose name was Elizabeth, was also a descendant of Aaron.
6 ⲋ̅ ⲛⲉ ϩⲁⲛ⳿ⲑⲙⲏⲓ ⲇⲉ ⳿ⲙ⳿ⲡⲃ̅ ⲛⲉ ⳿ⲙⲡⲉ⳿ⲙⲑⲟ ⳿ⲙⲫϯ ⲉⲩⲙⲟϣⲓ ϧⲉⲛ ⲓ⳿ⲉⲛⲧⲟⲗⲏ ⲧⲏⲣⲟⲩ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲛⲓⲙⲉⲑⲙⲏⲓ ⳿ⲛⲧⲉ Ⲡ⳪ ⲉⲩⲟⲓ ⳿ⲛⲁⲧⲁⲣⲓⲕⲓ.
They were both righteous people, who lived blameless lives, guiding their steps by all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord.
7 ⲍ̅ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲛⲉ ⳿ⲙⲙⲟⲛⲧⲟⲩ ϣⲏⲣⲓ ⳿ⲙⲙⲁⲩ ⲡⲉ ϫⲉ ⲟⲩⲏⲓ ⲛⲉ ⲟⲩⲁⲧϭⲣⲏⲛ ⲧⲉ ⲉⲗⲓⲥⲁⲃⲉⲧ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲛⲉ ⲁⲩⲁⲓⲁⲓ ⳿ⲙ⳿ⲡⲃ̅ ⲡⲉ ϧⲉⲛ ⲛⲟⲩ⳿ⲉϩⲟⲟⲩ.
But they had no child, Elizabeth being barren; and both of them were advanced in years.
One day, when Zechariah was officiating as priest before God, during the turn of his division,
9 ⲑ̅ ⲕⲁⲧⲁ ϯⲕⲁϩⲥ ⳿ⲛⲧⲉ ϯⲙⲉⲧⲟⲩⲏⲃ ⲁ ⲡⲓⲱⲡ ⳿ⲓ ⳿ⲉⲣⲟϥ ⳿ⲉ⳿ⲉⲛ ⳿ⲥⲑⲟⲓⲛⲟⲩϥⲓ ⳿ⲉ⳿ϩⲣⲏⲓ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲁϥϣⲉ ⲛⲁϥ ⳿ⲉϧⲟⲩⲛ ⳿ⲉⲡⲓⲉⲣⲫⲉⲓ ⳿ⲛⲧⲉ Ⲡ⳪.
it fell to him by lot, in accordance with the practice among the priests, to go into the Temple of the Lord and burn incense;
and, as it was the Hour of Incense, the people were all praying outside.
11 ⲓ̅ⲁ̅ ⲁϥⲟⲩⲱⲛϩ ⲇⲉ ⳿ⲉⲣⲟϥ ⳿ⲛϫⲉ ⲟⲩⲁⲅⲅⲉⲗⲟⲥ ⳿ⲛⲧⲉ Ⲡ⳪ ⲉϥⲟϩⲓ ⳿ⲉⲣⲁⲧϥ ⲥⲁⲟⲩ⳿ⲓⲛⲁⲙ ⳿ⲙⲡⲓⲙⲁ⳿ⲛⲉⲣϣⲱⲟⲩϣⲓ ⳿ⲛⲧⲉ ⲡⲓ⳿ⲥⲑⲟⲓⲛⲟⲩϥⲓ.
And an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right of the Altar of Incense.
Zechariah was startled at the sight and was awe-struck.
13 ⲓ̅ⲅ̅ ⲡⲉϫⲁϥ ⲇⲉ ⲛⲁϥ ⳿ⲛϫⲉ ⲡⲓⲁⲅⲅⲉⲗⲟⲥ ϫⲉ ⳿ⲙⲡⲉⲣⲉⲣϩⲟϯ ⲍⲁⲭⲁⲣⲓⲁⲥ ϫⲉ ⲟⲩⲏⲓ ⲁⲩⲥⲱⲧⲉⲙ ⲉⲡⲉⲕⲧⲱⲃϩ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲧⲉⲕ⳿ⲥϩⲓⲙⲓ ⳿ⲉⲗⲓⲥⲁⲃⲉⲧ ⲉⲥ⳿ⲉⲙⲓⲥⲓ ⲛⲁⲕ ⳿ⲛⲟⲩϣⲏⲣⲓ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲉⲕ⳿ⲉⲙⲟⲩϯ ⳿ⲉⲡⲉϥⲣⲁⲛ ϫⲉ ⲓⲱⲁⲛⲛⲏⲥ.
But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, whom you will call by the name John.
He will be to you a joy and a delight; and many will rejoice over his birth.
15 ⲓ̅ⲉ̅ ⳿ϥⲛⲁϣⲱⲡⲓ ⲅⲁⲣ ⲉϥⲟⲓ ⳿ⲛⲛⲓϣϯ ⳿ⲙⲡⲉ⳿ⲙⲑⲟ ⳿ⲙⲠ⳪ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲟⲩⲏⲣⲡ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲩⲥⲓⲕⲉⲣⲁ ⳿ⲛⲛⲉϥⲥⲱⲟⲩ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⳿ϥⲛⲁⲙⲟϩ ⳿ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϧⲉⲛ ⲟⲩⲡ͞ⲛⲁ̅ ⲉϥⲟⲩⲁⲃ ⲓⲥϫⲉⲛ ⲉϥϧⲉⲛ ⳿ⲑⲛⲉϫⲓ ⳿ⲛⲧⲉ ⲧⲉϥⲙⲁⲩ.
For he will be great in the sight of the Lord; he will not drink any wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit from the very hour of his birth,
and will reconcile many of the Israelites to the Lord their God.
17 ⲓ̅ⲍ̅ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⳿ⲛⲑⲟϥ ⳿ϥⲛⲁⲉⲣϣⲟⲣⲡ ⳿ⲛ⳿ⲓ ϧⲁϫⲱϥ ⳿ⲙⲡⲉϥ⳿ⲙⲑⲟ ϧⲉⲛ ⲟⲩⲡ͞ⲛⲁ̅ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲟⲩϫⲟⲙ ⳿ⲛⲧⲉ ⲏⲗⲓⲁⲥ ⲉⲧⲁⲥⲑⲉ ⳿ⲡϩⲏⲧ ⳿ⲛϩⲁⲛⲓⲟϯ ⳿ⲉⲛⲟⲩϣⲏⲣⲓ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲛⲏⲉⲧⲟⲓ ⳿ⲛⲁⲧⲑⲱⲧ ⳿ⲛϩⲏⲧ ϧⲉⲛ ⳿ⲫⲙⲉⲩⲓ ⳿ⲛⲧⲉ ⲛⲓ⳿ⲑⲙⲏⲓ ⳿ⲉⲥⲉⲃⲧⲉ ⲟⲩⲗⲁⲟⲥ ⳿ⲙⲠ⳪ ⳿ⲉⲁⲩ⳿ⲑⲙⲁⲓⲟϥ.
He will go before him in the spirit and with the power of Elijah, to reconcile fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, and so make ready for the Lord a people prepared for him.”
18 ⲓ̅ⲏ̅ ⲩⲟϩ ⲡⲉϫⲉ ⲍⲁⲭⲁⲣⲓⲁⲥ ⳿ⲙⲡⲓⲁⲅⲅⲉⲗⲟⲥ ϫⲉ ⳿ⲛ⳿ϧⲣⲏⲓ ϧⲉⲛ ⲟⲩ ϯⲛⲁ⳿ⲉⲙⲓ ⳿ⲉⲫⲁⲓ ⳿ⲁⲛⲟⲕ ⲅⲁⲣ ⲟⲩϧⲉⲗⲗⲟ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲧⲁ⳿ⲥϩⲓⲙⲓ ⲁⲥⲁⲓⲁⲓ ϧⲉⲛ ⲛⲉⲥ⳿ⲉϩⲟⲟⲩ.
“How can I be sure of this?” Zechariah asked the angel. “For I am an old man and my wife is advanced in years.”
19 ⲓ̅ⲑ̅ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲁϥⲉⲣⲟⲩⲱ ⳿ⲛϫⲉ ⲡⲓⲁⲅⲅⲉⲗⲟⲥ ⲡⲉϫⲁϥ ⲛⲁϥ ϫⲉ ⳿ⲁⲛⲟⲕ ⲡⲉ ⲅⲁⲃⲣⲓⲏⲗ ⲫⲏⲉⲧⲟϩⲓ ⳿ⲉⲣⲁⲧϥ ⳿ⲙⲡⲉ⳿ⲙⲑⲟ ⳿ⲙⲫϯ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲁⲩⲧⲁⲟⲩⲟⲓ ⳿ⲉⲥⲁϫⲓ ⲉⲙⲁⲕ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⳿ⲉϩⲓϣⲉⲛⲛⲟⲩϥⲓ ⲛⲁⲕ ⳿ⲛⲛⲁⲓ.
“I am Gabriel,” the angel answered, “who stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news.
20 ⲕ̅ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ϩⲏⲡⲡⲉ ⲉⲕ⳿ⲉϣⲱⲡⲓ ⲉⲕⲭⲱ ⳿ⲛⲣⲱⲕ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⳿ⲙⲙⲟⲛ ⳿ϣϫⲟⲙ ⳿ⲙⲙⲟⲕ ⳿ⲉⲥⲁϫⲓ ϣⲁ ⲡⲓ⳿ⲉϩⲟⲟⲩ ⲉⲧⲉ ⲁⲓ ⲛⲁϣⲱⲡⲓ ⳿ⲙⲙⲟϥ ⳿ⲙ⳿ⲫⲙⲁ ϫⲉ ⳿ⲙⲡⲉⲕⲛⲁϩϯ ⳿ⲉⲛⲁⲥⲁϫⲓ ⲛⲁⲓ ⲉⲑⲛⲁϫⲱⲕ ⳿ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲟⲩⲥⲏⲟⲩ.
And now you will be silent and unable to speak until the day when this takes place, because you did not believe what I said, though my words will be fulfilled in due course.”
21 ⲕ̅ⲁ̅ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲛⲁⲣⲉ ⲡⲓⲗⲁⲟⲥ ⲧⲏⲣϥ ϫⲟⲩϣⲧ ⳿ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϧⲁϫⲱϥ ⳿ⲛⲍⲁⲭⲁⲣⲓⲁⲥ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲛⲁⲩⲉⲣ⳿ϣⲫⲏ ⲣⲓ ⲡⲉ ⲉⲑⲃⲉϫⲉ ⲁϥⲱⲥⲕ ⳿ⲛϧⲟⲩⲛ ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲓⲉⲣⲫⲉⲓ.
Meanwhile the people were watching for Zechariah, wondering at his remaining so long in the Temple.
22 ⲕ̅ⲃ̅ ⲉⲧⲁϥ⳿ⲓ ⲇⲉ ⳿ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ⲛⲁϥ⳿ϣϫⲉⲙϫⲟⲙ ⲛⲥⲁϫⲓ ⲛⲉⲙⲱⲟⲩ ⲁⲛ ⲡⲉ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲁⲩ⳿ⲉⲙⲓ ϫⲉ ⲟⲩⲟⲩⲱⲛϩ ⲡⲉⲧⲁϥⲛⲁⲩ ⳿ⲉⲣⲟϥ ⳿ⲛϧⲟⲩⲛ ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲓⲉⲣⲫⲉⲓ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⳿ⲛⲑⲟϥ ⲛⲁϥϭⲱⲣⲉⲙ ⳿ⲉⲣⲱⲟⲩ ⲡⲉ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ϥⲟϩⲓ ϥⲟⲓ ⳿ⲛ⳿ⲉⲃⲟ.
When he came out, he was unable to speak to them, and they perceived that he had seen a vision there. But Zechariah kept making signs to them, and remained dumb.
And, as soon as his term of service was finished, he returned home.
24 ⲕ̅ⲇ̅ ⲙⲉⲛⲉⲛⲥⲁ ⲛⲁⲓ⳿ⲉϩⲟⲟⲩ ⲇⲉ ⲉⲧⲉ⳿ⲙⲙⲁⲩ ⲁⲥⲉⲣⲃⲟⲕⲓ ⳿ⲛϫⲉ ⳿ⲉⲗⲓⲥⲁⲃⲉⲧ ⲧⲉϥ⳿ⲥϩⲓⲙⲓ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲛⲁⲥϩⲱⲡ ⳿ⲙⲙⲟⲥ ⲡⲉ ⳿ⲛⲉ̅ ⳿ⲛ⳿ⲁⲃⲟⲧ ⲉⲥϫⲱ ⳿ⲙⲙⲟⲥ.
After this his wife, Elizabeth, became pregnant and lived in seclusion for five months.
25 ⲕ̅ⲉ̅ ϫⲉ ⲡⲁⲓⲣⲏϯ ⲡⲉⲧⲁ Ⲡ⳪ ⲁⲓϥ ⲏⲓ ⲉⲛ ⲛⲓ⳿ⲉϩⲟⲟⲩ ⲉⲧⲁϥϫⲟⲩϣⲧ ⳿ⲉⲣⲟⲓ ⳿ⲛϧⲏⲧⲟⲩ ⳿ⲉⲱⲗⲓ ⳿ⲙⲡⲁϣⲱϣ ⳿ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϧⲉⲛ ⲛⲓⲣⲱⲙⲓ.
“The Lord has done this for me,” she said, “he has shown me kindness and taken away the public disgrace of childlessness under which I have been living.”
26 ⲕ̅ⲋ̅ ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲓⲁⲃⲟⲧ ⲇⲉ ⳿ⲙⲙⲁϩⲋ̅ ⲁⲩⲟⲩⲱⲣⲡ ⳿ⲛⲅⲁⲃⲣⲓⲏⲗ ⲓⲁⲅⲅⲉⲗⲟⲥ ⳿ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϩⲓⲧⲉⲛ ⲫϯ ⳿ⲉⲟⲩⲃⲁⲕⲓ ⳿ⲛⲧⲉ ϯⲅⲁⲗⲓⲗⲉ⳿ⲁ ⳿ⲉⲡⲉⲥⲣⲁⲛ ⲡⲉ ⲛⲁⲍⲁⲣⲉⲑ.
Six months later the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth,
27 ⲕ̅ⲍ̅ ϩⲁ ⲟⲩⲡⲁⲣⲑⲉⲛⲟⲥ ⳿ⲉⲁⲩⲱⲡ ⳿ⲛⲥⲱⲥ ⳿ⲛⲟⲩⲣⲱⲙⲓ ⳿ⲉⲡⲉϥⲣⲁⲛ ⲡⲉ ⲓⲱⲥⲏⲫ ⳿ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϧⲉⲛ ⳿ⲡⲏⲓ ⳿ⲛⲇⲁⲩⲓⲇ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⳿ⲫⲣⲁⲛ ⳿ⲛϯⲡⲁⲣⲑⲉⲛⲟⲥ ⲡⲉ ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁⲙ.
to a maiden there who was engaged to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. Her name was Mary.
Gabriel came into her presence and greeted her, saying, “You have been shown great favor – the Lord is with you.”
Mary was much disturbed at his words, and was wondering to herself what such a greeting could mean,
when the angel spoke again, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.
And now, you will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will give him the name Jesus.
32 ⲗ̅ⲃ̅ ⲫⲁⲓ ⲉϥ⳿ⲉⲉⲣⲟⲩⲛⲓϣϯ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲉⲩ⳿ⲉⲙⲟⲩϯ ⳿ⲉⲣⲟϥ ϫⲉ ⲡϣⲏⲣⲓ ⳿ⲙⲡⲉⲧϭⲟⲥⲓ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲉϥ⳿ⲉϯ ⲛⲁϥ ⳿ⲛϫⲉ Ⲡ⳪ ⲫϯ ⳿ⲙ⳿ⲡ⳿ⲑⲣⲟⲛⲟⲥ ⳿ⲛⲇⲁⲩⲓⲇ ⲡⲉϥⲓⲱⲧ.
The child will be great and will be called ‘Son of the Most High,’ and the Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David,
and he will reign over the descendants of Jacob for ever; And to his kingdom there will be no end.” (aiōn g165)
“How can this be?” Mary asked the angel. “For I have no husband.”
35 ⲗ̅ⲉ̅ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲁϥⲉⲣⲟⲩⲱ ⳿ⲛϫⲉ ⲡⲓⲁⲅⲅⲉⲗⲟⲥ ⲡⲉϫⲁϥ ⲛⲁⲥ ϫⲉ ⲟⲩⲡ͞ⲛⲁ̅ ⲉϥⲟⲩⲁⲃ ⳿ϥⲛⲁ⳿ⲓ ⳿ⲉ⳿ϩⲣⲏⲓ ⳿ⲉϫⲱ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲟⲩϫⲟⲙ ⳿ⲛⲧⲉ ⲡⲉⲧϭⲟⲥⲓ ⲉⲑⲛⲁⲉⲣϧⲏ ⲓⲃⲓ ⲉⲣⲟ ⲉⲑⲃⲉⲫⲁⲓ ⲫⲏⲉⲧⲟⲩⲛⲁⲙⲁⲥϥ ⳿ϥⲟⲩⲁⲃ ⲉⲩ⳿ⲉⲙⲟⲩϯ ⳿ⲉⲣⲟϥ ϫⲉ ⳿ⲡϣⲏⲣⲓ ⳿ⲙⲫϯ.
“The Holy Spirit will descend on you,” answered the angel, “and the Power of the Most High will overshadow you; and therefore the child will be called ‘holy,’ and ‘Son of God.’
36 ⲗ̅ⲋ̅ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ϩⲏⲡⲡⲉ ⲓⲥ ⲉⲗⲓⲥⲁⲃⲉⲧ ⲧⲉⲥⲥⲩⲅⲅⲉⲛⲏ ⲥ ⲁⲥⲉⲣⲃⲟⲕⲓ ⲱⲥ ⳿ⲛⲟⲩϣⲏⲣⲓ ϧⲉⲛ ⲧⲉⲥⲙⲉⲧϧⲉⲗⲗⲱ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲫⲁⲓ ⲡⲉⲥⲙⲁϩⲋ̅ ⳿ⲛ⳿ⲁⲃⲟⲧ ⲡⲉ ⲑⲏ ⲉⲧⲟⲩⲙⲟⲩϯ ⳿ⲉⲣⲟⲥ ϫⲉ ϯⲁⲧϭⲣⲏⲛ.
And Elizabeth, your cousin, is herself also expecting a son in her old age; and it is now the sixth month with her, though she is called barren;
for no promise from God will fail to be fulfilled.”
38 ⲗ̅ⲏ̅ ⲡⲉϫⲉ ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁⲙ ⲇⲉ ϫⲉ ⲓⲥ ϯⲃⲱⲕⲓ ⳿ⲛⲧⲉ Ⲡ⳪ ⲉⲥ⳿ⲉϣⲱⲡⲓ ⲛⲏⲓ ⲕⲁⲧⲁ ⲡⲉⲕⲥⲁϫⲓ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲁϥϣⲉ ⲛⲁϥ ⳿ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϩⲁⲣⲟⲥ ⲛϫⲉ ⲡⲓⲁⲅⲅⲉⲗⲟⲥ.
“I am the servant of the Lord,” exclaimed Mary. “Let it be with me as you have said.” Then the angel left her.
39 ⲗ̅ⲑ̅ ⲁⲥⲧⲱⲛⲥ ⲇⲉ ⳿ⲛϫⲉ ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁⲙ ϧⲉⲛ ⲛⲓ⳿ⲉϩⲟⲟⲩ ⳿ⲉⲧⲉ⳿ⲙⲙⲁⲩ ⲁⲥϣⲉ ⲛⲁⲥ ϧⲉⲛ ⲟⲩⲓⲏⲥ ⳿ⲉⲡⲓⲓⲁⲛⲧⲱⲟⲩ ⳿ⲉⲟⲩⲃⲁⲕⲓ ⳿ⲛⲧⲉ ⲓⲟⲩⲇⲁ.
Soon after this Mary set out, and made her way quickly into the hill-country, to a town in Judah;
and there she went into Zechariah’s house and greeted Elizabeth.
41 ⲙ̅ⲁ̅ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲁⲥϣⲱⲡⲓ ⲉⲧⲁⲥⲥⲱⲧⲉⲙ ⳿ⲛϫⲉ ⳿ⲉⲗⲓⲥⲁⲃⲉⲧ ⳿ⲉ⳿ⲡⲁⲥⲡⲁⲥⲙⲟⲥ ⳿ⲙⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁⲙ ⲁϥⲕⲓⲙ ⳿ⲛϫⲉ ⲡⲓⲙⲁⲥ ϧⲉⲛ ⲧⲉⲥⲛⲉϫⲓ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲁⲥⲙⲟϩ ⳿ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϧⲉⲛ ⲟⲩⲡ͞ⲛⲁ̅ ⲉϥⲟⲩⲁⲃ ⳿ⲛϫⲉ ⳿ⲉⲗⲓⲥⲁⲃⲉⲧ.
When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child moved within her, and Elizabeth herself was filled with the Holy Spirit,
42 ⲙ̅ⲃ̅ ⲩⲟϩ ⲁⲥⲱϣ ⳿ⲉ⳿ⲡϣⲱⲓ ϧⲉⲛ ⲟⲩⲛⲓϣϯ ⳿ⲛ⳿ⲥⲙⲏ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲡⲉϫⲁⲥ ⲧⲉ⳿ⲥⲙⲁⲣⲱⲟⲩⲧ ⳿ⲛⲑⲟ ϧⲉⲛ ⲛⲓϩⲓ⳿ⲟⲙⲓ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⳿ϥ⳿ⲥⲙⲁⲣⲱⲟⲩⲧ ⳿ⲛϫⲉ ⳿ⲡⲟⲩⲧⲁϩ ⳿ⲛⲧⲉ ⲧⲉⲛⲉϫⲓ.
and cried aloud, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is your unborn child!
But how have I this honor, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
44 ⲙ̅ⲇ̅ ϩⲏⲡⲡⲉ ⲅⲁⲣ ⲓⲥϫⲉⲛ ⲉⲧⲁⲥϣⲱⲡⲓ ⳿ⲛϫⲉ ⳿ⲧ⳿ⲥⲙⲏ ⳿ⲛⲧⲉ ⲉⲁⲥⲡⲁⲥⲙⲟⲥ ⲉⲛ ⲛⲁⲙⲁϣϫ ⲁϥⲕⲓⲙ ⳿ⲛϫⲉ ⲡⲓⲙⲁⲥ ϧⲉⲛ ⲟⲩⲑⲉⲗⲏⲗ ϧⲉⲛ ⲧⲁⲛⲉϫⲓ.
For, as soon as your greeting reached my ears, the child moved within me with delight!
Happy indeed is she who believed that the promise which she received from the Lord would be fulfilled.”
And Mary said: “My soul exalts the Lord,
and my spirit delights in God my Savior,
48 ⲙ̅ⲏ̅ ϫⲉ ⲁϥϫⲟⲩϣⲧ ⳿ⲉ⳿ϧⲣⲏⲓ ⳿ⲉϫⲉⲛ ⳿ⲡⲑⲉⲃⲓⲟ ⳿ⲛⲧⲉ ⲧⲉϥⲃⲱⲕⲓ ϩⲏⲡⲡⲉ ⲅⲁⲣ ⲓⲥϫⲉⲛ ϯⲛⲟⲩ ⲥⲉⲛⲁⲉⲣⲙⲁⲕⲁⲣⲓⲍⲓⲛ ⳿ⲙⲙⲟⲓ ⳿ⲛϫⲉ ⲓⲅⲉⲛⲉ⳿ⲁ ⲏⲣⲟⲩ.
for he has looked with favor on his humble servant girl. From now on all generations will call me blessed!
“For the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.
He has mercy on those who revere him in every generation.
“Mighty are the deeds of his arm! He has scattered the self-satisfied proud,
he has cast down the mighty from their thrones, and he uplifts the humble,
he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty.
“He has stretched out his hand to his servant Israel, ever mindful of his mercy,
as he promised to our ancestors, to Abraham and his descendants for ever.” (aiōn g165)
Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months, and then returned to her home.
When Elizabeth’s time came, she gave birth to a son;
58 ⲛ̅ⲏ̅ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲁⲩⲥⲱⲧⲉⲙ ⳿ⲛϫⲉ ⲛⲏ ⲧⲉ⳿ⲙ⳿ⲡⲕⲱϯ ⳿ⲙⲡⲉⲥⲏⲓ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲛⲉⲥⲥⲩⲅⲅⲉⲛⲏⲥ ϫⲉ ⲁ Ⲡ⳪ ⲉⲣ ⲡⲉϥⲛⲁⲓ ⳿ⲛⲟⲩⲛⲓϣϯ ⲛⲉⲙⲁⲥ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲛⲁⲩⲣⲁϣⲓ ⲛⲉⲙⲁⲥ ⲡⲉ.
and her neighbors and relatives, hearing of the great goodness of the Lord to her, came to share her joy.
59 ⲛ̅ⲑ̅ ⲁⲥϣⲱⲡⲓ ⲇⲉ ϧⲉⲛ ⲓ⳿ⲉϩⲟⲟⲩ ⳿ⲙⲙⲁϩⲏ̅ ⲁⲩ⳿ⲓ ϫⲉ ⳿ⲛⲧⲟⲩⲥⲟⲩⲃⲉ ⲡⲓ⳿ⲁⲗⲟⲩ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲛⲁⲩⲙⲟⲩϯ ⳿ⲉⲣⲟϥ ⲡⲉ ⳿ⲉ⳿ⲫⲣⲁⲛ ⳿ⲙⲡⲉϥⲓⲱⲧ ⲍⲁ ⲭⲁⲣⲓⲁⲥ.
A week later they met to circumcise the child, and were about to call him Zechariah after his father,
when his mother spoke up, “No, he is to be called John.”
“You have no relation of that name!” they exclaimed;
and they made signs to the child’s father, to find out what he wished the child to be called.
63 ⲝ̅ⲅ̅ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲉⲧⲁϥⲉⲣ⳿ⲉⲧⲓⲛ ⳿ⲛⲟⲩⲡⲓⲛⲁⲕⲓⲥ ⲁϥ⳿ⲥϧⲁⲓ ⲉϥϫⲱ ⳿ⲙⲙⲟⲥ ϫⲉ ⲓⲱⲁⲛⲛⲏⲥ ⲡⲉ ⲡⲉϥⲣⲁⲛ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲛⲁⲩⲉⲣ⳿ϣⲫⲏⲣⲓ ⲧⲏⲣⲟⲩ ⲡⲉ.
Asking for a writing tablet, he wrote the words – ‘His name is John.’ Everyone was surprised
and immediately Zechariah recovered his voice and the use of his tongue, and began to bless God.
65 ⲝ̅ⲉ̅ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲁⲥϣⲱⲡⲓ ⳿ⲛϫⲉ ⲟⲩϩⲟϯ ⳿ⲉϫⲉⲛ ⲟⲩⲟⲛ ⲛⲓⲃⲉⲛ ⲉⲧϣⲟⲡ ⳿ⲙⲡⲟⲩⲕⲱϯ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲛⲁⲩⲥⲁϫⲓ ⳿ⲛⲛⲁⲓ ⲧⲏⲣⲟⲩ ϩⲓ ⲓⲓⲁⲛⲧⲱⲟⲩ ⳿ⲛⲧⲉ ⲓⲟⲩⲇⲁ.
All their neighbors were awe-struck at this, and throughout the hill-country of Judea the whole story was much talked about.
66 ⲝ̅ⲋ̅ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲛⲁⲩⲙⲟⲕⲙⲉⲕ ⲧⲏⲣⲟⲩ ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲟⲩϩⲏⲧ ⳿ⲛϫⲉ ⲛⲏⲉⲧⲥⲱⲧⲉⲙ ⲉⲩϫⲱ ⳿ⲙⲙⲟⲥ ϫⲉ ⲟⲩ ϩⲁⲣⲁ ⲡⲉⲑⲛⲁϣⲱⲡⲓ ⲙⲡⲁⲓ⳿ⲁⲗⲟⲩ ⲕⲉ ⲅⲁⲣ ⲛⲁⲣⲉ ⳿ⲧϫⲓϫ ⳿ⲙⲠ⳪ ⲭⲏ ⲛⲉⲙⲁϥ.
All who heard it kept it in mind, asking one another – “What can this child be destined to become?” For the Power of the Lord was with him.
Then his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit, and, speaking under inspiration, said:
“Blessed is the Lord, the God of Israel, who has visited his people and wrought their deliverance,
and has raised up for us the strength of our salvation in the house of his servant David –
as he promised by the lips of his holy prophets of old – (aiōn g165)
salvation from our enemies and from the hands of all who hate us,
showing mercy to our ancestors, and mindful of his sacred covenant.
This was the oath which he swore to our ancestor Abraham –
that we should be rescued from the hands of our enemies,
and should serve him without fear in holiness and righteousness, in his presence all our days.
76 ⲟ̅ⲋ̅ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⳿ⲛⲑⲟⲕ ⲇⲉ ⲡⲓ⳿ⲁⲗⲟⲩ ⲉⲩ⳿ⲉⲙⲟⲩϯ ⳿ⲉⲣⲟⲕ ϫⲉ ⲡⲓ⳿ⲡⲣⲟⲫⲏⲧⲏⲥ ⳿ⲛⲧⲉ ⲡⲉⲧϭⲟⲥⲓ ⳿ⲭⲛⲁⲉⲣϣⲟⲣⲡ ⲅⲁⲣ ⳿ⲙⲙⲟϣⲓ ⳿ⲙⲡⲉ⳿ⲙⲑⲟ ⳿ⲙⲠ⳪ ⲉⲥⲉⲃⲧⲉ ⲛⲉϥⲙⲱⲓⲧ.
And you, child, will be called prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to make ready his way,
to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins,
78 ⲟ̅ⲏ̅ ⲉⲑⲃⲉ ⲛⲓⲙⲉⲧϣⲉⲛϩⲏⲧ ⳿ⲛⲧⲉ ⲫⲛⲁⲓ ⳿ⲙⲡⲉⲛⲛⲟⲩϯ ϧⲉⲛ ⲛⲁⲓ ⲉⲧⲁϥⲛⲁϣⲓⲛⲓ ⳿ⲉⲣⲟⲛ ⳿ⲛϧⲏⲧⲟⲩ ϫⲉ ⲁⲛⲁⲧⲟⲗⲏ ⳿ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϧⲉⲛ ⳿ⲡϭⲓⲥⲓ.
through the tender mercy of our God, whereby the dawn will break on us from heaven,
79 ⲟ̅ⲑ̅ ⳿ⲉⲉⲣⲟⲩⲱⲓⲛⲓ ⳿ⲛⲛⲏⲉⲧϩⲉⲙⲥⲓ ϧⲉⲛ ⳿ⲡⲭⲁⲕⲓ ⲛⲉⲙ ⳿ⲧϧⲏⲓⲃⲓ ⳿ⲙ⳿ⲫⲙⲟⲩ ⳿ⲉ⳿ⲡϫⲓⲛⲥⲟⲩⲧⲉⲛ ⲛⲉⲛ ϭⲁⲗⲁⲩϫ ⳿ⲉ⳿ⲫⲙⲱⲓⲧ ⳿ⲛⲧⲉ ϯϩⲓⲣⲏⲛⲏ.
to give light to those who live in darkness and the shadow of death, and guide our feet into the way of peace.”
80 ⲡ̅ ⲡⲓ⳿ⲁⲗⲟⲩ ⲇⲉ ⲁϥⲁⲓⲁⲓ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲛⲁϥ⳿ⲁⲙⲁϩⲓ ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲓⲡ͞ⲛⲁ̅ ⲩⲟϩ ⲛⲁϥⲭⲏ ⲡⲉ ϩⲓ ⲛⲓϣⲁϥⲉⲩ ϣⲁ ⲡⲓ⳿ⲉϩⲟⲟⲩ ⳿ⲛⲧⲉ ⲡⲉϥⲟⲩⲱⲛϩ ⳿ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϣⲁ ⲡⲓⲥ̅ⲗ̅
The child grew and became strong in spirit, and he lived in the wilds until the time came for his appearance before Israel.
