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Lokˈalaj tat Teófilo: E qˈuia ri winak ri xcaj xquitzˈibaj pa cholaj ri tzijobelil chrij ri kas xbantaj waral chkaxol. Ri xbantaj na are jeˈ jas ri cˈutum chkawäch cumal ri winak ri xquil ronojel waˈ kas pa ri u chaplexic lok. We winak riˈ e areˈ ri xetob chutzijoxic ru Lokˈ Pixab ri Dios. Ri in xukujeˈ sibalaj utz rilic waˈ nu banom in rech quinwetamaj ronojel waˈ kas pa ru chaplexic lok. Rumal rech waˈ xinchomaj in chi are utz we ri in xukujeˈ quintzˈibaj bi pa ru cholajil ronojel ri xbantajic. Je riˈ quinban na rech quetamaj la ri kas tzij chrij ri tijonic ri yoˈm che la.

Jun ángel cubij lok chi quil na u wäch ri Juan Kasal Jaˈ

Aretak ri tat Herodes are nim takanel pa qui wiˈ ri winak aj Judea, xcˈoji jun tataˈ chic chilaˈ, Zacarías u biˈ. Ri tataˈ riˈ are sacerdote aj Israel ri jun cucˈ ri juchˈob sacerdotes aj re ri mam Abías. Ri rixokil, Elisabet u biˈ, are jun chque ri rachalaxic ri mam Aarón. E utzalaj tak winak waˈ we jucˈulaj riˈ, jicom cˈu canimaˈ cho ri Dios. Xeniman che ri Dios pa ronojel ri xtakan wi, pa ronojel ru Lokˈ Pixab ri Kajaw. Man cˈo tä etzelal ri xcaˈno. Man cˈo tä cˈu calcˈual rumal chi ri nan Elisabet man calcˈualan taj. E nimak tak winak chi cˈut ri quieb riˈ.

Pa jun kˈij ri tat Zacarías tajin cäpatänin ri areˈ pa ri nimalaj rachoch ri Dios rumal chi cäquirik u banic waˈ ri achijab ri e jun cucˈ ri juchˈob sacerdotes aj re ri mam Abías pa tak ri kˈij riˈ. Ri u chac ri tat Zacarías are laˈ chi cächˈaw pa qui wiˈ ri winak rucˈ ri Dios. Jeˈ jas ri qui nakˈatisam wi quib ri sacerdotes, xquichaˈ ri tat Zacarías rech coc bi pa ri lokˈalaj cˈolibal ri sibalaj äwas chi coc bi xa apachinok chuporoxic ri incienso. 10 Conojel ri winak xquimulij apan quib cho ja chubanic orar aretak tajin cäporox ri incienso. 11 Teˈtalic cˈut xucˈut rib jun ángel cho ri tat Zacarías, ri takom lok rumal ri Dios. Xtaqˈui cˈu chuxcut ri cäporox wi ri incienso. 12 Aretak ri tat Zacarías xril ri ángel, man xurik taj jas xubano, xane sibalaj xuxej rib.

13 Xubij cˈu ri ángel che ri tat Zacarías: Maxej awib. Ri a bochiˈnic xtaˈtaj rumal ri Dios. Quil cˈu na u wäch jun a cˈojol rumal ri nan Elisabet ri awixokil. Cacoj cˈu na a Juan che ru biˈ, ―cächa che. 14 Xukujeˈ xubij: Sibalaj catquicot na rumal ri acˈal, xukujeˈ e qˈuia chque ri juleˈ winak chic ri quequicot na aretak quil u wäch, ―cächa ri ángel che. 15 Cänimar na u kˈij cho ri Kajaw Dios. Man cutij tä na vino, man cutij tä cˈu tzam. Cätakan na ri Lokˈalaj Espíritu pa ranimaˈ ri acˈal cˈä mäjok quil u wäch, ―cächaˈ. 16 Cuban cˈu na ri a Juan chi qˈuia chque ri winak aj Israel quetzelej na rucˈ ri Kajaw ri qui Dios, ―cächa ri ángel che ri tat Zacarías. 17 Ri a Juan cänabej na cho ri Kajaw Jesús. Cäcˈoji cˈu na ru noˈj xukujeˈ ru chukˈab jeˈ jas ri xcˈoji che ri mam Elías, kˈalajisal re ru Lokˈ Pixab ri Dios ojer. Cuban na chi ri nan tat quetzelejic queutzir cucˈ ri calcˈual, xukujeˈ chi ri winak ri cäquiyac quib chrij ri Dios cäquiqˈuex na canimaˈ, cäquiqˈuex ri qui chomanic, cäquetamaj na ri nimanic, quetzelej qui wäch cucˈ ri utzalaj tak winak, cäcaˈn na que ri e areˈ. Ri a Juan cuban na chque ri winak chi quecowin na chucˈulaxic ri Kajaw, ―xcha ri ángel che ri tat Zacarías.

18 Xutaˈ cˈu ri tat Zacarías che ri ángel, xubij: ¿Jas ta quinban che retamaxic waˈ chi kas tzij ri cätzijoj la chwe? Ri in, in riˈj achi chic, xukujeˈ ri wixokil are nim winak chic, ―xcha che.

19 Xchˈaw chi na jumul ri ángel, xubij che: In riˈ ri Gabriel, in patänil re ri Dios. In takom cˈu lok che a tzijobexic, che qui tzijoxic we utzalaj tak tzij riˈ chawe, ―cächa che. 20 Tzche we cämic riˈ man catcowin tä chic catchˈawic cˈä copan na ri kˈij ri cäbantaj na waˈ ri xinbij chawe, cˈä quil na u wäch ri a cˈojol rumal rech waˈ chi man xacoj tä ri nu tzij, ―cächa riˈ. Cäbantaj na waˈ we nu tzijom riˈ tzpa ru kˈijol, ―xcha ri ángel che.

21 Ri winak cˈut queyeˈm ri tat Zacarías. Xquicajmaj waˈ chi sibalaj xbeytaj pa ri lokˈalaj cˈolibal ri sibalaj äwas chi coc bi xa apachinok. 22 Aretak xel lok ri tat Zacarías, man xcowin tä chic che qui chˈabexic ri winak. Xquetamaj chi cˈo jas ri xucˈut rib chuwäch ri tat Zacarías pa ri lokˈalaj cˈolibal. Xak pa memal chic xeuchˈabej, rumal chi xmemar canok.

23 Aretak xetzˈakat ri kˈij ri cäpatänin ri tat Zacarías pa ri nimalaj rachoch Dios, xeˈ ri areˈ cho rachoch. 24 Te cˈu riˈ ri nan Elisabet xcanaj yawab winak chic, xcanaj cˈu job icˈ cho rachoch. Xubij ri nan Elisabet pa ranimaˈ: 25 “Xcaˈy ri Kajaw Dios chwe, xutokˈobisaj cˈu nu wäch rech man quinquiyokˈ tä chi ri winak,” ―xcha ri nan Elisabet.

Jun ángel cubij lok chi quil na u wäch ri Jesucristo

26 Chuwak icˈ chi cˈut ri Dios xutak bi ri ángel Gabriel pa ri tinimit Nazaret re Galilea. 27 Xopan cˈu rucˈ jun kˈapoj ali, María u biˈ, ri tzˈonom chic rumal jun achi, José u biˈ. We achi riˈ rachalaxic can ri nim takanel David ojer. 28 Ri ángel xoc bi chilaˈ jawijeˈ cˈo wi ri kˈapoj al María, xubij che: ¿A utz a wäch, María? ―cächaˈ. ¡At riˈ ri at chaˈtal rumal ri Dios! Kas cˈo ri Kajaw Dios awucˈ, ―cächa che. Ri at cˈut, at tewchim na rumal ri Dios chquiwäch conojel ixokib, ―xcha ri ángel che ri al María.

29 Aretak ri al María xril ri ángel, xutatabej ru tzij, xtˈujuw cˈu ri ranimaˈ rumal ri xbix che. Xuchomaj pa ranimaˈ, xubij: ¿Jas waˈ ri cubij chwe? ―xcha riˈ. 30 Xchˈaw chi ri ángel, xubij che ri kˈapoj al María: Maxej awib, María, ―cächa che. Ri at sibalaj at lokˈ cho ri Dios. 31 Ri at cˈut catcanaj can yawab winak. Cawil na u wäch jun awal ala ri cacoj na “Jesús” che ru biˈ, ―cächaˈ. 32 Cänimar na u kˈij ri a Jesús. Cäbix na u Cˈojol ri Dios aj Chicaj che. Ri Kajaw Dios cucoj na che nim takanel jeˈ jas ra mam David. 33 Je riˈ rech cätakan na puwiˈ ri tinimit Israel pa tak ri kˈij ri junab ri quepetic. Ru takanic ri Areˈ, man cˈo tä u qˈuisic, ―xcha ri ángel che ri al María.

34 Te riˈ ri al María xutaˈ che ri ángel, xubij: ¿Jas lo quincˈulmaj waˈ? ―cächaˈ. Mäjaˈ quincˈoji rucˈ achi, ―xcha che ri ángel.

35 Xchˈaw cˈu ri ángel, xubij che: Cäkaj na lok ri Lokˈalaj Espíritu pa wiˈ. Ri Dios aj Chicaj cärokxanej na waˈ awucˈ rumal ru chukˈab. Rumal riˈ we lokˈalaj acˈal riˈ ri quil na u wäch cäbix na u Cˈojol ri Dios che, ―cächa che. 36 Xukujeˈ ri nan Elisabet ri awachalal areˈ cäril na u wäch jun acˈal pune riˈj chic. Are cˈu wakib icˈ waˈ cämic yawab winak chic ri nan Elisabet pune xbix canok che chi man cäcowin tä che ri alcˈualanic. 37 Man cˈo tä cˈu jas ri mat cäcowin ri Dios chubanic, ―xcha ri ángel.

38 Xubij cˈu ri kˈapoj al María: In riˈ ri patänil re ri Kajaw Dios. Chubana baˈ ri Areˈ chwe jas ri tzijom la chwe, ―xcha che.

Xel cˈu bi ri ángel chuwäch.

Ri al María copan cho rachoch ri nan Elisabet

39 Pa tak ri kˈij riˈ xel bic ri al María cho ja, xeˈ aninak pa jun tinimit ri cˈo pa tak ri u juyubal ri Judea. 40 Xoc cˈu bic pa rachoch ri tat Zacarías, xuya rutzil u wäch ri nan Elisabet ri rixokil. 41 Ri nan Elisabet, aretak xuta ru tzij ri al María, xslab cˈu ri ral pa ru cˈux. Xkaj ri Lokˈalaj Espíritu puwiˈ ri nan Elisabet, xtakan cˈu pa ranimaˈ. 42 Co xchˈaw ri nan Elisabet, xubij che ri al María: Ri at cˈut at tewchim na rumal ri Dios chquiwäch conojel ixokib. U tewchim na ri awal at xukujeˈ, ―cächaˈ. 43 ¿Jas lo waˈ chi ri Dios cuban jun nimalaj utzil chwe in, chi ru nan ri Kajaw xpe wucˈ? ―cächa ri nan Elisabet. 44 Chanim riˈ aretak xinto chi xatchˈawic, ri wal xquicotic, xslab pa nu cˈux. 45 Utz awe at ri xatcojon che ri Kajaw Dios, rumal chi kas tzij cäbantaj na ri xbix chawe rumal ri Dios, ―xcha ri nan Elisabet che ri al María.

46 Xubij ri kˈapoj al María:
    Quinnimarisaj u kˈij ri Kajaw Dios.
47     Cäquicot cˈu ri wanimaˈ
rumal ri Dios ri Toˈl We.
48     Quinquicotic rumal chi ri Dios
xcaˈy chwe in ru patäninel ri man
nim tä nu banic.
    Conojel winak cäquibij na chwe
pa tak ri kˈij ri junab ri quepetic
chi utz we.
49     Je riˈ cäquibij na rumal rech waˈ
chi ri Dios ri sibalaj cˈo u chukˈab
u banom nimak tak utzil chwe.
    Sibalaj lokˈ ri Dios, sibalaj lokˈ
ru biˈ ri Areˈ, ―cächa ri al María.
    50 Amakˈel ronojel kˈij cutokˈobisaj na
qui wäch conojel winak
ri nim cäquil wi ri Areˈ,
ri cäquixej quib chuwäch.
51     U cˈutum ri nimalaj u chukˈab
chquiwäch conojel. Xukasaj qui kˈij
ri winak ri cäquichomaj
chi sibalaj nim qui banic, ―cächaˈ.
    52 Xeresaj ri takanic pa qui kˈab
ri nimak qui banic,
xuya cˈu waˈ chque ri winak
ri man nim tä queil wi.
53     E qˈuia ri utzil ri xuban ri Dios
chque ri mebaˈib,
ri winak ri quenumic.
    Ri Dios xubij chque ri kˈinomab:
Jix, man cˈo tä iwe ix, ―xcha chque, ―cächaˈ.
    54 Xtoban chque ri winak aj Israel,
ri patänil tak re ri Dios.
    Man xsach tä pu jolom ri Dios
ru tokˈobisaxic qui wäch.
55     Jeˈ xuban waˈ rumal chi jeˈ xuchiˈj
chque ri katiˈt ka mam,
    che ri ka mam Abraham
xukujeˈ ri rachalaxic ri areˈ
amakˈel pa tak ri kˈij ri junab
ri quepetic, ―xcha ri al María.

56 Craj oxib icˈ xcanaj na can ri al María rucˈ ri nan Elisabet. Te cˈu riˈ xtzelej bic, xeˈ cho rachoch.

Quil u wäch ri a Juan Kasal Jaˈ

57 Aretak xopan ri kˈij ri cutzir ri nan Elisabet, xril cˈu u wäch jun ral ala. 58 Ri u cˈul tak ja ri nan Elisabet xukujeˈ ri rachalaxic, aretak xquito chi ri Kajaw Dios sibalaj xutokˈobisaj u wäch ri nan Elisabet, xequichˈabej, xequicot cˈu rucˈ. 59 Chuwajxak kˈij cˈut xebeˈ chucojic ri retal ri ojer u trato ri Dios che ru cuerpo ri acˈal. Xcaj cˈut xquicoj Zacarías che ru biˈ, junam rucˈ ru biˈ ru tat. 60 Xchˈaw cˈu ru nan, xubij chque: ¡No! ―cächaˈ. Ru biˈ ri cäkacoj chrij ri acˈal are Juan, ―xcha chque.

61 Xquibij cˈu che: ¿Jas che? Man cˈo tä jun chque ri achalal la ri jeˈ u biˈ waˈ, ―xecha che.

62 Xak pa memal xquichˈabej ru tat ri acˈal, xquitaˈ che: ¿Jas u biˈ ri acˈal cäcoj la? ―xecha che. 63 Ri tat Zacarías xutaˈ jun wuj rech cätzˈibanic. Xutzˈibaj cˈu waˈ, xubij: “Juan ru biˈ ri acˈal,” ―xcha pa ri tzˈibanic. Conojel xquicajmaj waˈ. 64 Xak cˈu teˈtalic xtzelej ru chˈabal ri tat Zacarías, xcowin chic cätzijonic. Xtzijon cˈut, xunimarisaj u kˈij ri Dios. 65 Sibalaj xquixej quib conojel ri qui cˈul tak ja, xquicajmaj waˈ. Ronojel ri xucˈulmataj jelaˈ xtzijox apan pa tak ronojel ri juyub re Judea. 66 Conojel ri winak ri xetowic xechoman pa que wi, xquibij: ¿Jas lo cuban waˈ we acˈal riˈ? ―xechaˈ.

Jeˈ xquibij waˈ rumal chi kˈalaj chi cˈo ri Kajaw Dios rucˈ ri acˈal.

Ri tat Zacarías cubixoj jun bix rech kˈalajisanic

67 Kajinak ri Lokˈalaj Espíritu puwiˈ ri tat Zacarías ru tat ri ala, xkˈalajisanic, xubij:
68     Quinya baˈ u kˈij ri Kajaw
ri ka Dios uj, uj riˈ ri winak
aj Israel, rumal chi xulic,
    xpe che ka toˈic uj, uj cˈu riˈ
ri winak re ri u tinimit.
69     Xuya cˈu chke jun Toˈl Ke
ri sibalaj cˈo u chukˈab.
    Are cˈu waˈ jun chque ri rachalaxic
ri ka mam David, patänil re ri Dios, ―cächa riˈ.
    70 Are waˈ ri xuchiˈj lok ri Dios
cumal ri lokˈalaj tak kˈalajisal tak
re ru Lokˈ Pixab
pa ri ojer tak kˈij canok.
71     Xubij chi cujutoˈ na chquiwäch
ri ka cˈulel, che ka toˈic
pa qui kˈab,
xukujeˈ pa qui kˈab conojel
ri queetzelan ka wäch, ―cächa ri tat Zacarías.
    72 Xukujeˈ xubij chi cutokˈobisaj na
qui wäch ri katiˈt ka mam,
    xukujeˈ chucˈutic chquiwäch
chi xnaˈtaj che ri Areˈ ri Lokˈalaj Trato
ri xuchiˈj chque.
73     Are cˈu waˈ ri Kas Tzij ri u bim
che ri ka mam Abraham, ―cächaˈ.
    74 Je riˈ rech aretak uj esam chic
pa qui kˈab ri ka cˈulel,
    cuyaˈ cujpatänin che ri Dios,
man cäkaxej tä chi kib,
75     xukujeˈ rech jicom ri kanimaˈ
cujpatänin che, ka jachom kib
pu kˈab ri Dios pa tak ronojel
ri kˈij re ri ka cˈaslemal, ―cächa riˈ.
    76 At cˈut, alaj acˈal, cäbix na
kˈalajisal re ru Lokˈ Pixab
ri Dios aj Chicaj chawe,
    rumal chi catnabej na chuwäch ri Kajaw
chubanic jicom che ru be.
77     At cˈut catyoˈw na retamaxic
ri u tobanic ri Dios chque ri winak
re ri u tinimit, xukujeˈ
chi cäsach na ri qui mac, ―cächaˈ.
78     Ri ka Dios sibalaj quel u cˈux chke.
Rumal riˈ cutak na lok ri Kajaw Jesús
kucˈ uj. Sibalaj jeˈl cˈu ri Areˈ jeˈ
jas ru sakilal ri kˈij aretak cäsakiric.
79     Cuya na sakilal pa canimaˈ ri winak
ri jeˈ ta ne e cˈo pa ri kˈekumal
rumal ri qui mac,
cäquixej cˈu quib cho ri cämical.
Cäcˈoji na che cˈamal ka be
pa ri be ri cuxlan wi ri kanimaˈ, ―xcha ri tat Zacarías.

80 Ri a Juan xqˈuiyic, sibalaj cˈo u chukˈab ri xyiˈ che rumal ri Lokˈalaj Espíritu. Xcanaj can pa tak ri juyub ri sibalaj cätzˈinowic cˈä pa ri kˈij ri xucˈut rib chquiwäch ri winak aj Israel.

Introduction(A)

Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled[a] among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first(B) were eyewitnesses(C) and servants of the word.(D) With this in mind, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account(E) for you, most excellent(F) Theophilus,(G) so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.(H)

The Birth of John the Baptist Foretold

In the time of Herod king of Judea(I) there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah;(J) his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly.(K) But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old.

Once when Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God,(L) he was chosen by lot,(M) according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense.(N) 10 And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshipers were praying outside.(O)

11 Then an angel(P) of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense.(Q) 12 When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear.(R) 13 But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid,(S) Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John.(T) 14 He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth,(U) 15 for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink,(V) and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit(W) even before he is born.(X) 16 He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. 17 And he will go on before the Lord,(Y) in the spirit and power of Elijah,(Z) to turn the hearts of the parents to their children(AA) and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”(AB)

18 Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this?(AC) I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.”(AD)

19 The angel said to him, “I am Gabriel.(AE) I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. 20 And now you will be silent and not able to speak(AF) until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their appointed time.”

21 Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he stayed so long in the temple. 22 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(AG) to them but remained unable to speak.

23 When his time of service was completed, he returned home. 24 After this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion. 25 “The Lord has done this for me,” she said. “In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace(AH) among the people.”

The Birth of Jesus Foretold

26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel(AI) to Nazareth,(AJ) a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph,(AK) a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”

29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid,(AL) Mary; you have found favor with God.(AM) 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus.(AN) 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.(AO) The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David,(AP) 33 and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom(AQ) will never end.”(AR)

34 “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”

35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you,(AS) and the power of the Most High(AT) will overshadow you. So the holy one(AU) to be born will be called[b] the Son of God.(AV) 36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child(AW) in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. 37 For no word from God will ever fail.”(AX)

38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.

Mary Visits Elizabeth

39 At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea,(AY) 40 where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.(AZ) 42 In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women,(BA) and blessed is the child you will bear! 43 But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord(BB) should come to me? 44 As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45 Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”

Mary’s Song(BC)

46 And Mary said:

“My soul glorifies the Lord(BD)
47     and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,(BE)
48 for he has been mindful
    of the humble state of his servant.(BF)
From now on all generations will call me blessed,(BG)
49     for the Mighty One has done great things(BH) for me—
    holy is his name.(BI)
50 His mercy extends to those who fear him,
    from generation to generation.(BJ)
51 He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;(BK)
    he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.(BL)
52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones
    but has lifted up the humble.(BM)
53 He has filled the hungry with good things(BN)
    but has sent the rich away empty.
54 He has helped his servant Israel,
    remembering to be merciful(BO)
55 to Abraham and his descendants(BP) forever,
    just as he promised our ancestors.”

56 Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.

The Birth of John the Baptist

57 When it was time for Elizabeth to have her baby, she gave birth to a son. 58 Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they shared her joy.

59 On the eighth day they came to circumcise(BQ) the child, and they were going to name him after his father Zechariah, 60 but his mother spoke up and said, “No! He is to be called John.”(BR)

61 They said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who has that name.”

62 Then they made signs(BS) to his father, to find out what he would like to name the child. 63 He asked for a writing tablet, and to everyone’s astonishment he wrote, “His name is John.”(BT) 64 Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue set free, and he began to speak,(BU) praising God. 65 All the neighbors were filled with awe, and throughout the hill country of Judea(BV) people were talking about all these things. 66 Everyone who heard this wondered about it, asking, “What then is this child going to be?” For the Lord’s hand was with him.(BW)

Zechariah’s Song

67 His father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit(BX) and prophesied:(BY)

68 “Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel,(BZ)
    because he has come to his people and redeemed them.(CA)
69 He has raised up a horn[c](CB) of salvation for us
    in the house of his servant David(CC)
70 (as he said through his holy prophets of long ago),(CD)
71 salvation from our enemies
    and from the hand of all who hate us—
72 to show mercy to our ancestors(CE)
    and to remember his holy covenant,(CF)
73     the oath he swore to our father Abraham:(CG)
74 to rescue us from the hand of our enemies,
    and to enable us to serve him(CH) without fear(CI)
75     in holiness and righteousness(CJ) before him all our days.

76 And you, my child, will be called a prophet(CK) of the Most High;(CL)
    for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him,(CM)
77 to give his people the knowledge of salvation
    through the forgiveness of their sins,(CN)
78 because of the tender mercy of our God,
    by which the rising sun(CO) will come to us from heaven
79 to shine on those living in darkness
    and in the shadow of death,(CP)
to guide our feet into the path of peace.”(CQ)

80 And the child grew and became strong in spirit[d];(CR) and he lived in the wilderness until he appeared publicly to Israel.

Footnotes

  1. Luke 1:1 Or been surely believed
  2. Luke 1:35 Or So the child to be born will be called holy,
  3. Luke 1:69 Horn here symbolizes a strong king.
  4. Luke 1:80 Or in the Spirit

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;

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,

That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed.

There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth.

And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.

And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years.

And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest's office before God in the order of his course,

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 And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense.

11 And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense.

12 And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.

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.

14 And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at 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.

16 And many of the children of Israel shall he turn 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.

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.

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.

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.

21 And the people waited for Zacharias, and marvelled that he tarried 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.

23 And it came to pass, that, as soon as the days of his ministration were accomplished, he departed to his own house.

24 And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, saying,

25 Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he looked on me, to take away my reproach among men.

26 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,

27 To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.

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.

29 And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.

30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.

31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name 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:

33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

34 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?

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.

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.

37 For with God nothing shall be impossible.

38 And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.

39 And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda;

40 And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth.

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:

42 And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.

43 And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?

44 For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.

45 And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.

46 And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,

47 And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.

48 For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.

49 For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.

50 And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.

51 He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.

52 He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.

53 He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.

54 He hath helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy;

55 As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.

56 And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house.

57 Now Elisabeth's full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son.

58 And her neighbours and her cousins heard how the Lord had shewed great mercy upon her; and they rejoiced 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.

60 And his mother answered and said, Not so; but he shall be called John.

61 And they said unto her, There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name.

62 And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called.

63 And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marvelled all.

64 And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake, and praised 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 Judaea.

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.

67 And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying,

68 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people,

69 And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David;

70 As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began:

71 That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us;

72 To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant;

73 The oath which he sware 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,

75 In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life.

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;

77 To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins,

78 Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited 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.

80 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel.