Luke 1
1 Many have undertaken to compose an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us,
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].
2 just as they were handed down to us by the initial eyewitnesses and servants of the word.
3 Therefore, having carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus,
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.
4 so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.
I want you to know the truth about what you have been taught {what others have taught you}.
5 In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah, and whose wife Elizabeth was a daughter of Aaron.
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.
6 Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and decrees of the Lord.
[God considered that] both of them were righteous, because they constantly completely obeyed everything that God had commanded.
7 But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well along in years.
But they had no children, because Elizabeth had been unable to bear children. Furthermore, she and her husband were very old.
8 One day while Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God,
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.
9 he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense.
Following their custom, [the other priests] chose him by lot to enter the Lord’s temple and burn incense.
10 And at the hour of the incense offering, the whole congregation was praying outside.
While he was burning the incense, many people were outside [in the courtyard], praying.
11 Just then an angel of the Lord appeared to Zechariah, standing at the right side of the altar of incense.
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.
12 When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and gripped with fear.
When Zechariah saw the angel, he was startled and became very afraid.
13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John.
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.
14 He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice at his birth,
He will cause you to be very happy, and many other people will also be happy because he is born.
15 for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He shall never take wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother’s womb.
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.
16 Many of the sons of Israel he will turn back to the Lord their God.
He will [persuade] many people in Israel to turn away [from their sins and please] the Lord their God.
17 And he will go on before the Lord in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”
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].”
18 “How can I be sure of this?” Zechariah asked the angel. “I am an old man, and my wife is well along in years.”
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]”
19 “I am Gabriel,” replied the angel. “I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news.
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].
20 And now you will be silent and unable to speak until the day this comes to pass, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled at their proper time.”
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]”!
21 Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he took so long in the temple.
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?”
22 When he came out and was unable to speak to them, they realized he had seen a vision in the temple. He kept making signs to them but remained speechless.
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.
23 And when the days of his service were complete, he returned home.
When Zechariah’s time to work [as a priest in the Temple] was finished, he [left Jerusalem and] returned to his home.
24 After these days, his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion. She declared,
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].
25 “The Lord has done this for me. In these days He has shown me favor and taken away my disgrace among the people.”
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]!”
26 In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to a town in Galilee called Nazareth,
When Elizabeth had been [pregnant] [EUP] [for almost] six months, the angel Gabriel was sent by God {God sent the angel Gabriel} [again].
27 to a virgin pledged in marriage to a man named Joseph, who was of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary.
[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.
28 The angel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”
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}!”
29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.
But Mary was very confused [when she heard] that. She wondered what [the angel meant] by these words.
30 So the angel told her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.
Then the angel said to her, “Mary, God is very pleased with you [(sg)], so do not be afraid.
31 Behold, you will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus.
You will become pregnant and bear a son, and you must name him Jesus.
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 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 will be the King of [the] Jews, the descendants [MTY] of [your ancestor] Jacob, forever. He will rule as king forever!” (aiōn g165)
34 “How can this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”
Then Mary said to the angel, “I am a virgin, so how can I [have a baby]?”
35 The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the Holy One to be born will be called the Son of God.
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).
36 Look, even Elizabeth your relative has conceived a son in her old age, and she who was called barren is in her sixth month.
[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!
37 For no word from God will ever fail.”
[You should not be surprised at that], because God can do everything!”
38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it happen to me according to your word.” Then the angel left her.
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.
39 In those days Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judah,
Very soon after that, Mary got ready and went quickly to a town in the highlands of Judea [district] where Zechariah lived.
40 where she entered the home of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.
She entered his house and greeted [his wife] Elizabeth.
41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.
As soon as Elizabeth heard Mary greet her, the baby moved inside [Elizabeth’s] womb. The Holy Spirit took complete control of Elizabeth,
42 In a loud voice she exclaimed, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!
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!
43 And why am I so honored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
(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!
44 For as soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.
[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].
45 Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord’s word to her will be fulfilled.”
[God] is pleased with you [because] you believed that what (the Lord/God) told you would come true.”
46 Then Mary said: “My soul magnifies the Lord,
Then Mary [praised God by] saying/singing: “, how I [SYN] praise (the Lord/God)!
47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!
I am happy because God is the one who saves me.
48 For He has looked with favor on the humble state of His servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed.
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,
49 For the Mighty One has done great things for me. Holy is His name.
because they will hear about the things that God [MTY], the mighty one, has done for me. He [MTY] is awesome!
50 His mercy extends to those who fear Him, from generation to generation.
He acts mercifully toward all those who respect him.
51 He has performed mighty deeds with His arm; He has scattered those who are proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
He shows people that he [MTY] is very powerful. He scatters those who think proudly.
52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones, but has exalted the humble.
He does not let mighty kings rule [MTY] any more, but he honors people who are oppressed (OR, humble).
53 He has filled the hungry with good things, but has sent the rich away empty.
He gives good things to eat to those who are hungry, but he sends away the rich people without giving them anything.
54 He has helped His servant Israel, remembering to be merciful,
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 promised to Abraham and all our other ancestors who descended from him that he would act mercifully toward them forever.” (aiōn g165)
56 Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.
Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months. Then she returned to her home.
57 When the time came for Elizabeth to have her child, she gave birth to a son.
When it was time for Elizabeth to give birth to her child, she bore a son.
58 Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they rejoiced with her.
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].
59 On the eighth day, when they came to circumcise the child, they were going to name him after his father Zechariah.
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.
60 But his mother replied, “No! He shall be called John.”
But his mother said, “No, [his name will not be Zechariah]. His name will be John!”
61 They said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who bears this name.”
[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]!”
62 So they made signs to his father to find out what he wanted to name the child.
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.
63 Zechariah asked for a tablet and wrote, “His name is John.” And they were all amazed.
[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!
64 Immediately Zechariah’s mouth was opened and his tongue was released, and he began to speak, praising God.
Immediately Zechariah was able to speak again [MTY], and he praised God.
65 All their neighbors were filled with awe, and people throughout the hill country of Judea were talking about these events.
All their neighbors were amazed/awestruck! They told other people who lived all over the highlands of Judea about what had happened.
66 And all who heard this wondered in their hearts and asked, “What then will this child become?” For the Lord’s hand was with him.
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].
67 Then his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied:
[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:
68 “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, because He has visited and redeemed His people.
“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.
69 He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of His servant David,
He is sending us someone who will powerfully [MTY] save us, someone who is descended from [MTY] King David, who served God well.
Long ago God caused his prophets to say that he would do that. (aiōn g165)
71 salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us,
He will rescue us from our enemies, and he will save us from the power of all those who hate us.
72 to show mercy to our fathers and to remember His holy covenant,
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.
73 the oath He swore to our father Abraham, to grant us
That is what he strongly promised our ancestor Abraham that he would do.
74 deliverance from hostile hands, that we may serve Him without fear,
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,
75 in holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our lives.
that he would cause us to be completely dedicated to him, and enable us to live righteously all of our lives.”
76 And you, child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for Him,
[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).
77 to give to His people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins,
You will tell God’s people how he will forgive them and save them from being punished for their sins.
78 because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the Dawn will visit us from on high,
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.
79 to shine on those who live in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.”
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.”
80 And the child grew and became strong in spirit; and he lived in the wilderness until the time of his public appearance to Israel.
[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.
