Luke 1
1 To his Excellency, Theophilus. Many attempts have been already made to draw up an account of those events which have reached their conclusion 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 reported to us by those who from the beginning were eye-witnesses, and afterwards became bearers of the Message.
3 And, therefore, I also, since I have investigated all these events with great care from their very beginning, have resolved to write a connected history of them for you,
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 in order that you may be able to satisfy yourself of the accuracy of the story which you have heard from the lips of others.
I want you to know the truth about what you have been taught {what others have taught you}.
5 In the reign of Herod, King of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the Division called after Abijah. His wife, whose name was Elizabeth, was also a descendant 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 They were both righteous people, who lived blameless lives, guiding their steps by all the commandments and ordinances 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 child, Elizabeth being barren; and both of them were 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 One day, when Zechariah was officiating as priest before God, during the turn of his Division,
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 it fell to him by lot, in accordance with the practice among the priests, to go into 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, as it was the Hour of Incense, the people were all praying outside.
While he was burning the incense, many people were outside [in the courtyard], praying.
11 And an angel of the Lord appeared to him, 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 Zechariah was startled at the sight and was awe-struck.
When Zechariah saw the angel, he was startled and became very afraid.
13 But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth shall bear you a son, whom you shall call by 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 shall be to you a joy and a delight; and many shall rejoice over 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 shall be great in the sight of the Lord; he shall not drink any wine or strong drink, and he shall be filled with the Holy Spirit from the very hour of his 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 shall reconcile many of the Israelites 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 He shall go before him in the spirit and with the power of Elijah, ‘to reconcile fathers to their children’ and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, and so make ready for the Lord a people prepared for him.”
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. “For I am an old man and my wife is 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 “I am Gabriel,” the angel answered, “who 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 shall be silent and unable to speak until the day when this takes place, because you did not believe what I said, though my words will be fulfilled in due course.”
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 watching for Zechariah, wondering at his remaining 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, he was unable to speak to them, and they perceived that he had seen a vision there. But Zechariah kept making signs to them, and remained dumb.
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, as soon as his term of service was finished, 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 this his wife, Elizabeth, expecting to become a mother, lived in seclusion for five months.
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 “This is what the Lord has done for me,” she said, “now that he has deigned to take away the reproach under which I have been living.”
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 Six months later the angel Gabriel was sent from God 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 maiden there who was betrothed to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. Her 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 Gabriel came into her presence and said: “Hail, you who have been highly favoured! 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 much disturbed at his words, and was wondering to herself what such a greeting could mean,
But Mary was very confused [when she heard] that. She wondered what [the angel meant] by these words.
30 when the angel spoke again: “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God.
Then the angel said to her, “Mary, God is very pleased with you [(sg)], so do not be afraid.
31 And now, you shall be with child and give birth to a son, and you shall give him the name Jesus.
You will become pregnant and bear a son, and you must name him Jesus.
32 The child shall be great and shall be called ‘Son of the Most High,’ and the Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor 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.
33 and he shall reign over the descendants of Jacob for ever; And to 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 “How can this be?” Mary asked the angel. “For I have no husband.”
Then Mary said to the angel, “I am a virgin, so how can I [have a baby]?”
35 “The Holy Spirit shall descend upon you,” answered the angel, “and the Power of the Most High shall overshadow you; and therefore the child will be called ‘holy,’ and ‘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 Elizabeth, your cousin, is herself also expecting a son in her old age; and it is now the sixth month with her, though she 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 no promise from God shall fail to be fulfilled.”
[You should not be surprised at that], because God can do everything!”
38 “I am the servant of the Lord,” exclaimed Mary; “let it be with me as you have said.” 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 Soon after this Mary set out, and made her way quickly into the hill-country, to a town in 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 there she went into Zechariah’s house and greeted Elizabeth.
She entered his house and greeted [his wife] Elizabeth.
41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child moved within her, and Elizabeth herself 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 aloud: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is your unborn child!
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 But how have I this honour, 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 your greeting reached my ears, the child moved within me with delight!
[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 Happy indeed is she who believed that the promise which she received from the Lord would be fulfilled.”
[God] is pleased with you [because] you believed that what (the Lord/God) told you would come true.”
46 And Mary said: “My soul exalts the Lord,
Then Mary [praised God by] saying/singing: “, how I [SYN] praise (the Lord/God)!
47 my spirit delights in God my Saviour;
I am happy because God is the one who saves me.
48 for he has remembered his servant in her lowliness; And from this hour all ages will count me happy!
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 Great things has the Almighty done 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 From age to age his mercy rests On those who reverence him.
He acts mercifully toward all those who respect him.
51 Mighty are the deeds of his arm; He scatters the proud with their own devices,
He shows people that he [MTY] is very powerful. He scatters those who think proudly.
52 he casts down princes from their thrones, and the lowly he uplifts,
He does not let mighty kings rule [MTY] any more, but he honors people who are oppressed (OR, humble).
53 the hungry he loads with gifts, and the rich he sends empty away.
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 stretched out his hand to his servant Israel, Ever mindful 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 Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months, and then returned to her home.
Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months. Then she returned to her home.
57 When Elizabeth’s time came, she gave birth to a son;
When it was time for Elizabeth to give birth to her child, she bore a son.
58 and her neighbours and relations, hearing of the great goodness of the Lord to her, came to share her joy.
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 A week later they met to circumcise the child, and were about to call him ‘Zechariah’ after 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 when his mother interposed: “No, he is to be called John.”
But his mother said, “No, [his name will not be Zechariah]. His name will be John!”
61 “You have no relation of that name!” they exclaimed;
[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 the child’s father, to find out what he wished the child to be called.
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 Asking for a writing-tablet, he wrote the words — ‘His name is John.’ Every one was surprised;
[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 immediately Zechariah recovered his voice and the use of his tongue, and began to bless God.
Immediately Zechariah was able to speak again [MTY], and he praised God.
65 All their neighbours were awe-struck at this; and throughout the hill-country of Judea the whole story was much talked about;
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 it kept it in mind, asking one another — “What can this child be destined to become?” For the Power 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 Then his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit, and, speaking under inspiration, said:
[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 is the Lord, the God of Israel, Who has visited his people and wrought their deliverance,
“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 has raised up for us the Strength of our Salvation 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 hands 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 showing mercy to our forefathers, And mindful of his sacred 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 This was the oath which he swore to our forefather Abraham —
That is what he strongly promised our ancestor Abraham that he would do.
74 That we should be rescued from the hands of our enemies,
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 and should serve him without fear in holiness and righteousness, In his presence 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 Prophet of the Most High, For thou shalt go before the Lord to make ready his way,
[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 his people the knowledge of salvation In 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 through the tender mercy of our God, Whereby the Dawn will break on us from Heaven,
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 who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, And 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 The child grew and became strong in spirit; and he lived in the Wilds till the time came for his appearance before 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.
