Luke 1
1 Inasmuch as many have undertaken to arrange a narrative of those things which are fully believed 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 even as they were delivered to us by those who were eye-witnesses from the beginning and became ministers of the word,
3 it seemed good to me also, having accurately traced up all things from the first, to write to thee a connected account, 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 that thou mightst know the exact truth with regard to those things in which thou wast instructed.
I want you to know the truth about what you have been taught {what others have taught you}.
5 There was in the days of Herod, king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zachariah, of the course of Abijah; and he had a wife of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth.
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 And they were both righteous in the sight of God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.
[God considered that] both of them were righteous, because they constantly completely obeyed everything that God had commanded.
7 And they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both far advanced in years.
But they had no children, because Elizabeth had been unable to bear children. Furthermore, she and her husband were very old.
8 And it came to pass, that, while he was serving as priest before God in the order of his course,
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 according to the custom of the priesthood the lot fell to him to go into the temple of the Lord and burn the incense.
Following their custom, [the other priests] chose him by lot to enter the Lord’s temple and burn incense.
10 And the whole multitude of the people was praying without at the time of the incense.
While he was burning the incense, many people were outside [in the courtyard], praying.
11 And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord, standing on the right 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 And Zachariah was troubled at the sight, and fear fell upon him.
When Zechariah saw the angel, he was startled and became very afraid.
13 But the angel said to him, Fear not, Zachariah; for thy prayer was heard, and thy wife Elizabeth shall bear thee a son; and thou shalt call his 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 And thou wilt have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice for 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; and will drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit from his very birth.
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 And many of the sons of Israel will he turn 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 before his face in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of fathers to children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, to make ready for the Lord a prepared people.
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 And Zachariah said to the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife is far advanced 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 And the angel answering said to him, I am Gabriel, who stand in the presence of God; and I was sent to speak to thee, and to tell thee these glad tidings.
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 lo! thou shalt be silent, and not able to speak, until the day when these things shall come to pass, because thou didst not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their season.
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 And the people were looking for Zachariah, and wondering that he remained 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 And on coming out, he was not able to speak to them; and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple; and he was beckoning to them, and 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 it came to pass, when the days of his ministration were completed, that he returned to his house.
When Zechariah’s time to work [as a priest in the Temple] was finished, he [left Jerusalem and] returned to his home.
24 And after those days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, saying,
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 Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he looked on me to take away my reproach among men.
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 And in her sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of 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 betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, 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 And the angel came in to her and said, Hail, thou that art highly favored! the Lord is with thee.
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 And she was troubled at the words, and was considering what this salutation could mean.
But Mary was very confused [when she heard] that. She wondered what [the angel meant] by these words.
30 And the angel said to her, Fear not, Mary; for thou hast found favor with God.
Then the angel said to her, “Mary, God is very pleased with you [(sg)], so do not be afraid.
31 And lo! thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and hear a son, and shalt call his name Jesus.
You will become pregnant and bear a son, and you must name him Jesus.
32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give to him the throne of David his father;
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.
33 and he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. (aiōn g165)
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 Then said Mary to the angel, How shall this be, since I know not a man?
Then Mary said to the angel, “I am a virgin, so how can I [have a baby]?”
35 And the angel answering said to her, The Holy Spirit will come upon thee, and the power of the Most High will overshadow thee; wherefore the holy one that is 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 And lo! Elizabeth, thy kinswoman, she also hath conceived a son in her old age; and this is the sixth month with her who is called barren.
[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 nothing will be impossible with God.
[You should not be surprised at that], because God can do everything!”
38 And Mary said, Lo, the handmaid of the Lord! May it be to me according to thy word. And the angel departed from 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 And Mary arose and went in those days into the hill-country with haste, into a city 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 And she entered the house of Zachariah, and saluted Elizabeth.
She entered his house and greeted [his wife] Elizabeth.
41 And it came to pass, when Elizabeth heard the salutation of Mary, that the babe 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 and cried out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women; and blessed is the fruit of thy 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 whence is this to me, 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 lo! as soon as the voice of thy salutation came to my ears, the babe leaped in my womb in exultation.
[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 And blessed is she who hath believed that there will be an accomplishment of those things which were told her from the Lord.
[God] is pleased with you [because] you believed that what (the Lord/God) told you would come true.”
46 And Mary said, My soul magnifieth the Lord,
Then Mary [praised God by] saying/singing: “, how I [SYN] praise (the Lord/God)!
47 and my spirit hath exulted in God my Saviour;
I am happy because God is the one who saves me.
48 for he hath looked upon the low estate of his handmaiden. For lo! from this time 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 hath done great things for me; and 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 and his mercy is from generation to generation on them that fear him.
He acts mercifully toward all those who respect him.
51 He hath wrought mightily with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the device of their heart.
He shows people that he [MTY] is very powerful. He scatters those who think proudly.
52 He hath cast down princes from thrones, and exalted men of low degree.
He does not let mighty kings rule [MTY] any more, but he honors people who are oppressed (OR, humble).
53 The hungry he hath filled with good things, and the rich he hath sent 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 hath given help to Israel his servant, in remembrance of his mercy
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 And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house.
Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months. Then she returned to her home.
57 Now Elizabeth's full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son.
When it was time for Elizabeth to give birth to her child, she bore a son.
58 And her neighbors and her kinsfolk heard that the Lord had showed great mercy toward her; 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 And it came to pass that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they were about to call him Zachariah, after the name of his father.
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 And his mother answering said, Not so; but he shall be called John.
But his mother said, “No, [his name will not be Zechariah]. His name will be John!”
61 And they said to her, There is no one of thy kindred that is called by 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 And they made signs to his father, how he would have him named.
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 And he asked for a writing-tablet, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they all marveled.
[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 And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue was loosed; and he spoke, blessing God.
Immediately Zechariah was able to speak again [MTY], and he praised God.
65 And fear came on all that dwelt around them; and all these things were talked of throughout the whole of the hill-country of Judaea.
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 that heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, What then will this child be? For the hand of the Lord 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 And Zachariah his father was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying,
[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! for he hath 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 and hath raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of David his servant, —
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 that 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 accomplish his mercy toward 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 which he swore to Abraham our father,
That is what he strongly promised our ancestor Abraham that he would do.
74 to grant to us, that being delivered from the hand of our enemies, we might worship 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 our days.
that he would cause us to be completely dedicated to him, and enable us to live righteously all of our lives.”
76 And thou, child, shalt be called a prophet of the Most High; for thou shalt go in advance before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways,
[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 knowledge of salvation to his people in the remission of their sins
You will tell God’s people how he will forgive them and save them from being punished for their sins.
78 through the tender mercy of our God, whereby the day-spring from on high hath visited us,
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 give light to those sitting in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way 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 waxed strong in spirit; and was in the deserts till the day of his manifestation 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.
