Luke 1
1 Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us,
As you know, many others have attempted to put down in writing the things that have been fulfilled that involve us.
2 Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word;
They based their accounts on evidence from the earliest eyewitnesses and ministers of the Word,
3 It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus,
and so I also decided that since I have followed these things very carefully from the beginning, it would be a good idea to write out an accurate account of all that happened.
4 That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed.
I have done this dear Theophilus so you can be certain that what you were taught is completely reliable.
5 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judæa, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife [was] of the daughters of Aaron, and her name [was] Elisabeth.
During the time when Herod was king of Judea, there was a priest called Zechariah, who came from the Abijah priestly division. He was married to Elizabeth, who was also descended from Aaron the priest.
6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.
They both did what was right before God, being careful to follow all the Lord's commandments and regulations.
7 And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were [now] well stricken in years.
They had no children because Elizabeth wasn't able to have any, and they were both growing old.
8 And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest’s office before God in the order of his course,
While Zechariah was serving as a priest before God, on behalf of his priestly division,
9 According to the custom of the priest’s office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord.
he was chosen by lot according to priestly custom to enter the Temple of the Lord and burn incense.
10 And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense.
During the time of offering incense a large crowd of people were praying outside.
11 And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense.
An angel of the Lord appeared to Zechariah, standing to the right of the altar of incense.
12 And when Zacharias saw [him], he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.
When Zechariah saw the angel, he was startled and became terrified.
13 But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.
But the angel told him, “Don't be afraid, Zechariah. Your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call him John.
14 And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth.
He will bring you joy and gladness, and many will celebrate his birth.
15 For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother’s womb.
He will be great in the sight of the Lord. He will refuse to drink wine or other alcoholic drink. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he's born.
16 And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God.
He will turn many Israelites back to the Lord their God.
17 And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, 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.
He will go ahead of the Lord in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the fathers back to thinking about their children, and to turn those who are rebellious back to a right understanding—to prepare a people ready for the Lord.”
18 And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years.
“How can I be sure about this?” Zechariah asked the angel. “I'm an old man, and my wife is getting old too.”
19 And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings.
“I am Gabriel,” the angel replied. “I stand in God's presence, and I was sent to speak to you and give you this good news.
20 And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season.
But since you didn't believe what I told you, you'll become dumb, unable to speak, until the appointed time when my words come true.”
21 And the people waited for Zacharias, and marvelled that he tarried so long in the temple.
Outside the people were waiting for Zechariah, wondering why he was taking so long in the Temple.
22 And when he came out, he could not speak unto them: and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple: for he beckoned unto them, and remained speechless.
When eventually he came out, he wasn't able to speak to them. They realized he'd seen a vision in the Temple, for though he could make gestures, he was completely dumb.
23 And it came to pass, that, as soon as the days of his ministration were accomplished, he departed to his own house.
After he'd finished his time of service, he went back home.
24 And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, saying,
Some time later his wife Elizabeth became pregnant. She stayed at home for five months.
25 Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he looked on [me], to take away my reproach among men.
“The Lord has done this for me,” she said, “now that he's taken away my disgrace in the eyes of others.”
26 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,
In the sixth month of her pregnancy God sent the angel Gabriel to a young girl called Mary who lived in the town of Nazareth in Galilee.
27 To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name [was] Mary.
She was engaged to a man named Joseph.
28 And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, [thou that art] highly favoured, the Lord [is] with thee: blessed [art] thou among women.
The angel greeted her. “You are very privileged,” he told her. “The Lord is with you.”
29 And when she saw [him], she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.
Mary was very puzzled at what he said, and wondered what this greeting meant.
30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.
“Don't worry, Mary,” the angel went on, “for God has shown his graciousness to you.
31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.
You will become pregnant and give birth to a son. You shall call him Jesus.
32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:
He will be very great, and he will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of David his father,
33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. (aiōn g165)
and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever. His kingdom will never come to an end.” (aiōn g165)
34 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?
“How is this possible?” Mary asked. “I'm still a virgin.”
35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
He replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will cover you. The baby who is to be born is holy, and will be called the Son of God.
36 And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.
And Elizabeth, your relative, even she is pregnant in her old age. The woman that people said couldn't have children is already six months pregnant.
37 For with God nothing shall be impossible.
Nothing is impossible for God.”
38 And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.
“Here I am, ready to be the Lord's servant,” said Mary. “May it happen to me just as you said.” Then the angel left her.
39 And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda;
A little while later, Mary got herself ready and hurried up into the hills of Judea, to the town where
40 And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth.
Zechariah's house was. She called out to Elizabeth as she went in.
41 And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:
As soon as Elizabeth heard Mary's voice, the baby jumped for joy inside her. Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit,
42 And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed [art] thou among women, and blessed [is] the fruit of thy womb.
and cried out in a loud voice, “How blessed you are among women, and how blessed will be the child born to you!
43 And whence [is] this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
Why am I so honored that the mother of my Lord should visit me?
44 For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.
As soon as I heard you call out in greeting, my baby jumped for joy inside me.
45 And blessed [is] she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.
How fortunate you are, because you are convinced that the Lord will do what he has promised you!”
46 And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,
Mary replied, “How I praise the Lord!
47 And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
I am so happy with God my Savior,
48 For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
because he decided that I, his servant, was worthy of his consideration, despite my humble background. From now on every generation will say I was blessed.
49 For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy [is] his name.
God Almighty has done great things for me; his name is holy.
50 And his mercy [is] on them that fear him from generation to generation.
His mercy lasts for generation after generation to those who respect him.
51 He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
With his power he has broken to pieces those who arrogantly think they're so clever.
52 He hath put down the mighty from [their] seats, and exalted them of low degree.
He tears the powerful down from their thrones, and elevates those who are humble.
53 He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.
He fills the hungry with good things to eat, and he sends the rich away empty-handed.
54 He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of [his] mercy;
He has helped his servant Israel, remembering him in mercy,
just as he promised our fathers, to Abraham and his descendants for ever.” (aiōn g165)
56 And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house.
Mary stayed with her for three months and then returned home.
57 Now Elisabeth’s full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son.
The time came for Elizabeth to have her baby and she gave birth to a son.
58 And her neighbours and her cousins heard how the Lord had shewed great mercy upon her; and they rejoiced with her.
Her neighbors and relatives heard how the Lord had showed her great kindness, and they celebrated together with her.
59 And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father.
Eight days later they came to circumcise the boy. They planned to call him Zechariah after his father.
60 And his mother answered and said, Not [so]; but he shall be called John.
“No,” Elizabeth said. “He shall be called John.”
61 And they said unto her, There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name.
“But there's nobody among your relatives who has this name,” they told her.
62 And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called.
Through gestures they asked Zechariah, the boy's father, what he wanted to call his son.
63 And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marvelled all.
Zechariah motioned for something to write on. To everyone's surprise he wrote, “His name is John.”
64 And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue [loosed], and he spake, and praised God.
Immediately he could speak again, and he started praising God.
65 And fear came on all that dwelt round about them: and all these sayings were noised abroad throughout all the hill country of Judæa.
All those living nearby were in awe at what had happened, and the news spread throughout the hill country of Judea.
66 And all they that heard [them] laid [them] up in their hearts, saying, What manner of child shall this be! And the hand of the Lord was with him.
Everyone who heard the news wondered what it meant. “What will the little boy grow up to be?” they asked, for it was clear he was very special to God.
67 And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying,
Zechariah, his father, filled with the Holy Spirit, spoke this prophecy:
68 Blessed [be] the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people,
“The Lord, the God of Israel, he is wonderful, for he has come to his people and set them free.
69 And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David;
He has given us a great Savior from the line of his servant David,
70 As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began: (aiōn g165)
as he promised through his holy prophets long ago. (aiōn g165)
71 That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us;
He promised to save us from our enemies, from those who hate us.
72 To perform the mercy [promised] to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant;
He was merciful to our fathers, remembering his holy agreement—
73 The oath which he sware to our father Abraham,
the promise that he made to our father Abraham.
74 That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear,
He gives us freedom from fear and rescues us from our enemies,
75 In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life.
so we can serve him by doing what is good and right for our whole lives.
76 And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways;
Even though you are only a small child, you will be called the prophet of the Most High, for you will go ahead of the Lord to prepare his way,
77 To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins,
providing knowledge of salvation to his people through the forgiveness of their sins.
78 Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us,
Through God's caring kindness to us, heaven's dawn will break upon us
79 To give light to them that sit in darkness and [in] the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.
to shine on those who live in darkness and under the shadow of death, and to guide us along the path of peace.”
80 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel.
The boy John grew and became spiritually strong. He lived in the desert until the time came for his public ministry to Israel.
