Luke 1
1 My noble [friend] Theophilus, many people saw the things that [Jesus] did while he was with us, from the time when he started [MTY] [his ministry]. They served God [by teaching people] the message [about the Lord Jesus]. Many of those who heard what they taught wrote down for us accounts of the things that [Jesus did from the time when] he began [his ministry].
Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us,
Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word;
3 I myself have studied these accounts carefully. So I decided that it would be good for me also to write for you [(sg)] an accurate account of these matters.
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,
4 I want you to know the truth about what you have been taught {what others have taught you}.
That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed.
5 When King Herod [the Great ruled] Judea [district], there was a [Jewish] priest named Zechariah. He belonged to the [group of priests called] the Abijah group. He and his wife Elizabeth were both descended from the [first priest of Israel], Aaron.
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.
6 [God considered that] both of them were righteous, because they constantly completely obeyed everything that God had commanded.
And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.
7 But they had no children, because Elizabeth had been unable to bear children. Furthermore, she and her husband were very old.
And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years.
8 One day [Zechariah’s] group was doing their work [in the Temple in Jerusalem], and he was serving as a priest in God’s presence.
And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest’s office before God in the order of his course,
9 Following their custom, [the other priests] chose him by lot to enter the Lord’s temple and burn incense.
According to the custom of the priest’s office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord.
10 While he was burning the incense, many people were outside [in the courtyard], praying.
And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense.
11 Then an angel whom God had [sent] appeared to him. The angel was standing at the right side of the place [where the priests burned] incense.
And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense.
12 When Zechariah saw the angel, he was startled and became very afraid.
And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.
13 But the angel said to him, “Zechariah, do not be afraid! When you [(sg)] prayed [asking God for a son] (OR, [that God would send the Messiah]), God heard what you prayed. [So] your wife Elizabeth shall bear a son. You must name him John.
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.
14 He will cause you to be very happy, and many other people will also be happy because he is born.
And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth.
15 God will consider him to be very important. He must never drink wine or any other alcoholic drink, [in order that he will be completely dedicated to God]. He will be controlled by the Holy Spirit {The Holy Spirit will control him} from before he is born.
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.
16 He will [persuade] many people in Israel to turn away [from their sins and please] the Lord their God.
And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God.
17 As [God’s] Spirit enables him [to preach] powerfully as [the prophet] Elijah did, he will precede [the Messiah]. He will cause parents [SYN] to act [peacefully] toward their children [again]. He will cause [many] people who do not obey [God to hear and obey] the wise things that righteous people [tell them]. He will do this in order to help [many] people to be ready when the Lord [comes].”
And he shall 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 make ready a people prepared for the Lord.
18 Then Zechariah said to the angel, “I am very old, and my wife is also so old [that she cannot bear a child. So] (I cannot [believe] that what you [(sg)] said [will happen]!/how can I [believe] that what you [(sg)] said [will happen]?) [RHQ]”
And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years.
19 Then the angel said to him, “I am [God’s chief angel], Gabriel! [I do what God tells me, because] I constantly am in God’s presence! I was sent {[He] sent me} to tell you [(sg)] something good [that is going to happen to you].
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.
20 What I have told you will certainly happen at the time [God decides], but you did not believe what I told you. So now [God will make] you will be unable to talk until the day [your son is born]”!
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.
21 While [Zechariah and the angel] were talking, the people [in the courtyard] were waiting for Zechariah [to come out]. They wondered, “Why is he staying in the Temple for such a long time?”
And the people waited for Zacharias, and marvelled that he tarried so long in the temple.
22 When Zechariah came out, he was not able to speak to the people. Because he could not talk, he made motions with his hands [to try to convey what had happened]. Then they realized that he had seen (a vision [from God]/something that [God] showed him) while he was in the Temple.
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.
23 When Zechariah’s time to work [as a priest in the Temple] was finished, he [left Jerusalem and] returned to his home.
And it came to pass, that, as soon as the days of his ministration were accomplished, he departed to his own house.
24 Some time later his wife Elizabeth became pregnant [EUP]. She did not leave their house for five months, [because she knew that people would laugh at her if she told them that she was pregnant].
And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, saying,
25 But she thought, “God has enabled me to become pregnant. He has pitied me and I will no longer be ashamed [because I have no children]!”
Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he looked on me, to take away my reproach among men.
26 When Elizabeth had been [pregnant] [EUP] [for almost] six months, the angel Gabriel was sent by God {God sent the angel Gabriel} [again].
And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,
27 [This time] he went to Nazareth [town] in Galilee [district], to a virgin whose name was Mary. It had been {[Her parents] had} promised that she would marry a man named Joseph, who was descended from [King] David.
To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.
28 The angel greeted her and said, “(The Lord/God) is with you [(sg)] and you will be greatly blessed {[has decided to] greatly bless you}!”
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.
29 But Mary was very confused [when she heard] that. She wondered what [the angel meant] by these words.
And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.
30 Then the angel said to her, “Mary, God is very pleased with you [(sg)], so do not be afraid.
And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.
31 You will become pregnant and bear a son, and you must name him Jesus.
And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.
32 He will become great. He will be called {[People will] call him} (the Son of God/the man who is also God). God, the Lord, will make him a king [MTY] as his ancestor [King] David was.
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:
33 He will be the King of [the] Jews, the descendants [MTY] of [your ancestor] Jacob, forever. He will rule as king forever!” (aiōn g165)
And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. (aiōn g165)
34 Then Mary said to the angel, “I am a virgin, so how can I [have a baby]?”
Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?
35 The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come to you; the power of God [MTY/EUP] will overshadow you [and enable you to become pregnant]. So the child [you will] bear will be completely set apart {give himself completely} to obey God, and he will be called {[people] will say that he is} (the Son of God/the man who is also God).
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.
36 [I also need to tell you something else]. Your cousin Elizabeth is very old, and it was thought {[people] said} that she could not bear any children. But she has been [pregnant] [EUP] [for almost] six months, and will bear a son!
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.
37 [You should not be surprised at that], because God can do everything!”
For no word spoken by God shall be void of power.
38 Then Mary said, “All right, I want to serve (the Lord/God), so may what you [(sg)] have said about me come true!” Then the angel left her.
And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.
39 Very soon after that, Mary got ready and went quickly to a town in the highlands of Judea [district] where Zechariah lived.
And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Judah;
40 She entered his house and greeted [his wife] Elizabeth.
And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth.
41 As soon as Elizabeth heard Mary greet her, the baby moved inside [Elizabeth’s] womb. The Holy Spirit took complete control of Elizabeth,
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:
42 and she said loudly [to Mary], “[God] has blessed you [more than] he has blessed [any other] woman, and [he has] blessed the child you will bear!
And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.
43 (I am not worthy that [God would allow you] to visit me!/Why is [God allowing you] to visit me?) [RHQ] You will be the mother of my Lord!
And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
44 [I realize this because] as soon as I heard you greet me, the baby inside my womb moved because he was so happy [that you had come].
For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.
45 [God] is pleased with you [because] you believed that what (the Lord/God) told you would come true.”
And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.
46 Then Mary [praised God by] saying/singing: “, how I [SYN] praise (the Lord/God)!
And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,
47 I am happy because God is the one who saves me.
And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
48 I was only his lowly servant girl, but he did not forget me. So from now on, everyone will say that God was pleased with me,
For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
49 because they will hear about the things that God [MTY], the mighty one, has done for me. He [MTY] is awesome!
For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.
50 He acts mercifully toward all those who respect him.
And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.
51 He shows people that he [MTY] is very powerful. He scatters those who think proudly.
He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
52 He does not let mighty kings rule [MTY] any more, but he honors people who are oppressed (OR, humble).
He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.
53 He gives good things to eat to those who are hungry, but he sends away the rich people without giving them anything.
He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.
54 And now he has remembered what he promised. So he has helped me and all the other people of [MTY] Israel who serve him.
He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy;
55 He promised to Abraham and all our other ancestors who descended from him that he would act mercifully toward them forever.” (aiōn g165)
As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever. (aiōn g165)
56 Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months. Then she returned to her home.
And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house.
57 When it was time for Elizabeth to give birth to her child, she bore a son.
Now Elisabeth’s full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son.
58 Her neighbors and relatives heard how (the Lord/God) had greatly blessed her [by enabling her to bear a child], so they were happy along with [Elizabeth].
And her neighbours and her cousins heard how the Lord had shewed great mercy upon her; and they rejoiced with her.
59 Seven days later they gathered together for the [ceremony for] circumcising the baby [to show that he belonged to God]. They wanted to give the baby the same name as his father, Zechariah.
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.
60 But his mother said, “No, [his name will not be Zechariah]. His name will be John!”
And his mother answered and said, Not so; but he shall be called John.
61 [So] they said to her, “[John] is not the name of any of your [(dl)] relatives, [so you(dl) should not give him that name]!”
And they said unto her, There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name.
62 Then they made motions with their hands to Zechariah, [for him] to indicate what name [he] wanted to be given {to give} to his son.
And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called.
63 [So] he signaled that they [should give him] a tablet [to write on. When they gave him one], he wrote [on it], “His name is John.” All those [who were there] were surprised!
And he asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marvelled all.
64 Immediately Zechariah was able to speak again [MTY], and he praised God.
And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake, and praised God.
65 All their neighbors were amazed/awestruck! They told other people who lived all over the highlands of Judea about what had happened.
And fear came on all that dwelt round about them: and all these sayings were noised abroad throughout all the hill country of Judæa.
66 Everyone who heard about it kept thinking about it. They were saying, “We wonder what will this child do [for God when] he [grows up] [RHQ]!” They wondered that because [from what had happened they were sure that] God would be helping that child [SYN] [in a powerful way].
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.
67 [After] Zechariah’s [son was born], Zechariah was completely directed by the Holy Spirit {the Holy Spirit completely directed Zechariah} as he spoke these words that came from God:
And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying,
68 “Praise the Lord, the God whom we(inc) people of Israel worship, because he has come to set us, his people, free from our enemies.
Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people,
69 He is sending us someone who will powerfully [MTY] save us, someone who is descended from [MTY] King David, who served God well.
And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David;
As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began: (aiōn g165)
71 He will rescue us from our enemies, and he will save us from the power of all those who hate us.
That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us;
72 He will do this because he has not forgotten what he promised our ancestors; he made an agreement that he would act mercifully to us, their descendants.
To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant;
73 That is what he strongly promised our ancestor Abraham that he would do.
The oath which he sware to our father Abraham,
74 God told him that we would be rescued {he would rescue us} from the power of our enemies, that he would enable us to serve him without being afraid,
That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear,
75 that he would cause us to be completely dedicated to him, and enable us to live righteously all of our lives.”
In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life.
76 [Then Zechariah said this to] his little son: “My child, you will be called {people will say that you are} a prophet whom God [MTY/EUP] has sent; you will begin your work before (the Lord/Messiah) comes; you will prepare people so that they will be ready for him. (OR, you will begin your work before the Messiah comes).
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;
77 You will tell God’s people how he will forgive them and save them from being punished for their sins.
To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins,
78 Our God will do that because he is very kind to us. Just like a new day begins when the sun rises [MET], God will do that new thing for us when the Messiah comes to us from heaven.
Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us,
79 People who do not know God [MET] are like those who sit in the darkness. They are afraid [MTY] that they will soon die. But when the Messiah tells us God’s message, it will be like causing such people to see a bright light. He will guide us [SYN] so that we will be living peacefully.”
To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.
80 [Later], Zechariah’s son grew up and became spiritually strong. Then he lived in a desolate region until he began to preach to the Israeli people.
And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel.
