< Luke 1 >
1 Many have taken on the work of putting together an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us,
Seeing, indeed, that, many, had taken in hand to re-arrange for themselves a narrative, concerning the facts which have been fully confirmed amongst us, —
2 just as they were passed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word.
according as they who from the beginning became eye-witnesses and attendants of the Word delivered them unto us,
3 So it seemed good to me also, because I have accurately investigated everything from the beginning, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus,
it seemed good, even to me, having closely traced from the outset all things accurately, to write unto thee, in order, most excellent Theophilus:
4 so that you might know the certainty of the things you have been taught.
that, as touching the matters which thou hadst been taught by word of mouth, thou mightest obtain full knowledge, of the certainty.
5 In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a certain priest named Zechariah, from the division of Abijah. His wife was from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth.
It came to pass, in the days of Herod, king of Judaea, that there was a certain priest, by name Zachariah, of the daily course of Abia; and that he had a wife of the daughters of Aaron, and, her name, was Elizabeth.
6 They were both righteous before God, obeying all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord.
Now they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and righteous appointments of the Lord, blameless;
7 But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both very old by this time.
and they had no child, inasmuch as Elizabeth was barren, and, both, had become, advanced in their days.
8 Now it came about that Zechariah was in God's presence, carrying out the priestly duties in the order of his division.
But it came to pass, as he was doing priestly service in the order of his daily course, before God,
9 According to the customary way of choosing which priest would serve, he had been chosen by lot to enter into the temple of the Lord to burn incense.
according to the custom of his priesthood, it fell to his lot to offer incense, entering into the Temple of the Lord;
10 The whole crowd of people was praying outside at the hour when the incense was burned.
and, all the throng of the people, was praying outside, at the hour of the incense offering.
11 Now an angel of the Lord appeared to him and stood at the right side of the incense altar.
And there appeared unto him a messenger of the Lord, standing on the right hand of the altar of incense;
12 When Zechariah saw him, he was terrified and fear fell on him.
and Zachariah was troubled when he beheld, and, fear, fell upon him.
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. You will call his name John.
But the messenger said unto him—Do not fear, Zachariah! Inasmuch as thy supplication hath been hearkened to, —and, thy wife Elizabeth, shall bring forth a son to thee, and thou shalt call his name, John;
14 You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth.
And there shall be joy to thee and exulting, and, many, over his birth, shall rejoice;
15 For he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He must never drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit from his mother's womb.
For he shall be great before the Lord, and, wine and strong drink, in nowise may he drink, and, with Holy Spirit, shall he be filled, already, from his mother’s womb;
16 Many of the people of Israel will be turned to the Lord their God.
And, many of the Sons of Israel, shall he turn towards the Lord their God;
17 He will go before the face of the Lord 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 righteous—to make ready for the Lord a people prepared for him.”
And, he, shall go before him, in the spirit and power of Elijah, —To turn the hearts of fathers unto children, and the unyielding, into the prudence of the righteous, and to prepare, for the Lord, a people made ready.
18 Zechariah said to the angel, “How can I know this? For I am an old man and my wife is very old.”
And Zachariah said unto the messenger—Whereby, shall I know this? for, I, am, aged, and, my wife, advanced in her days.
19 The angel answered and said to him, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God. I was sent to speak to you, to bring you this good news.
And the messenger, answering, said unto him—I, am Gabriel, —he that standeth near before God; and have been sent forth to speak unto thee, and to deliver the joyful message unto thee, as touching these things.
20 Behold! You will be silent, unable to speak, until the day these things take place. This is because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled at the right time.”
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 in my words, —the which shall be fulfilled for their season.
21 Now the people were waiting for Zechariah. They were surprised that he was spending so much time in the temple.
And the people were expecting Zachariah, and began to marvel that he should tarry in the Temple;
22 But when he came out, he could not speak to them. They realized that he had seen a vision while he was in the temple. He kept on making signs to them and remained silent.
and when he came forth he was not able to speak unto them, and they perceived that, a vision, he had seen in the Temple, —and, he, continued making signs unto them, and remained dumb.
23 It came about that when the days of his service were over, he went to his house.
And it came to pass, when the days of his public ministration were fulfilled, that he departed unto his house.
24 After these days, his wife Elizabeth conceived and for five months she kept herself hidden. She said,
And, after these days, Elizabeth his wife conceived, and she disguised herself five months, saying—
25 “This is what the Lord has done for me when he looked at me with favor in order to take away my shame before people.”
Thus, for me, hath the Lord wrought, —in the days in which he looked upon me, to take away my reproach among men.
26 In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee named Nazareth,
Now, in the sixth month, was the messenger Gabriel sent forth from God, into a city of Galilee, the name of which was Nazareth, —
27 to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph. He belonged to the house of David, and the virgin's name was Mary.
unto a virgin, betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and, the name of the virgin, was, Mary;
28 He came to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”
and entering in unto her, he said—Joy to thee, favoured one! The Lord, be with thee!
29 But she was very confused by his words and she wondered what kind of greeting this could be.
And, she, at the word, was greatly troubled, and began to deliberate, of what kind, this salutation, might be.
30 The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.
And the messenger said unto her—Do not fear, Mary, for thou hast found favour with God, —
31 See, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son. You will call his name 'Jesus.'
And lo! thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name, 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 ancestor David.
the same, shall be great, and, Son of the Most High, shall be called, and the Lord God, will give unto him, the throne of David his father, —
33 He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and there will be no end to his kingdom.” (aiōn )
And he shall reign over the house of Jacob, unto the ages, and, of his kingdom, there shall be, no end. (aiōn )
34 Mary said to the angel, “How will this happen, since I have not slept with any man?”
But Mary said unto the messenger—How, shall this thing be, seeing that, a man, I know not?
35 The angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will come over you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.
And answering, the messenger said unto her—The Holy Spirit, shall come upon thee, and, the power of the Most High, shall overshadow thee; wherefore, even that which is to be born, Holy, shall be called, Son of God.
36 See, your relative Elizabeth has also conceived a son in her old age. This is the sixth month for her, she who was called barren.
And lo! Elizabeth thy kinswoman, even she, hath conceived a son in, her old-age; —and, this month, is, the sixth, to her, the so-called barren one;
37 For nothing will be impossible for God.”
Because no declaration from God, shall be void of power.
38 Mary said, “See, I am the female servant of the Lord. Let it be for me according to your message.” Then the angel left her.
And Mary said—Lo! the handmaid of the Lord! Might it come to pass unto me, according to thy declaration. And the messenger departed from her.
39 Then Mary arose in those days and quickly went into the hill country, to a city in Judea.
And Mary, arising, in these days, journeyed into the hill country with haste, into a city of Judah, —
40 She went into the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.
and entered into the house of Zachariah, and saluted Elizabeth.
41 Now it happened that when Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby in her womb jumped, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.
And it came to pass that, as Elizabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leapt in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with Holy Spirit, —
42 She raised her voice and said loudly, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.
and lifted up her voice with loud exclamation, and said—Blessed, art thou among women, and, blessed, is the fruit of thy womb;
43 Why has it happened to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
And, whence, to me is, this, That the mother of my Lord should come, unto me?
44 For see, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb jumped for joy.
For lo! as the sound of thy salutation came into mine ears, the babe in my womb, leapt in exultation.
45 Blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of the things that were told her from the Lord.”
And, happy, is she who hath believed, that there shall be a perfecting of the things which have been spoken to her from the Lord!
46 Mary said, “My soul praises the Lord,
And Mary said—My soul doth magnify the Lord,
47 and my spirit has rejoiced in God my savior.
And my spirit hath exulted upon God my saviour;
48 For he has looked at the low condition of his female servant. For see, from now on all generations will call me blessed.
Because he hath looked upon the humbling of his handmaid; for lo! from the present time, all the generations, will pronounce me happy.
49 For he who is mighty has done great things for me, and his name is holy.
Because he that is mighty hath done for me great things, and, holy, is his name;
50 His mercy lasts from generation to generation for those who fear him.
And his mercy is unto generations and generations, to them who revere him;
51 He has displayed strength with his arm; he has scattered those who were proud about the thoughts of their hearts.
He hath wrought strength with his arm, He hath scattered men arrogant in the intention of their heart;
52 He has thrown down princes from their thrones and he has raised up those of low condition.
He hath deposed potentates from thrones, and uplifted the lowly;
53 He has filled the hungry with good things, but the rich he has sent away empty.
The hungry, hath he filled with good things, and, the wealthy, hath he sent empty away;
54 He has given help to Israel his servant, so as to remember to show mercy
He hath laid hold of Israel his servant, to be mindful of mercies:
55 (as he said to our fathers) to Abraham and his descendants forever.” (aiōn )
According as he spake unto our fathers, —To Abraham, and to his seed, —Unto times age-abiding. (aiōn )
56 Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months and then returned to her house.
And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned unto her house.
57 Now the time had come for Elizabeth to deliver her baby and she gave birth to a son.
And, to Elizabeth, was the time fulfilled, that she should be bringing forth, —and she gave birth to a son.
58 Her neighbors and her relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her.
And her neighbours and kinsfolk heard, that the Lord had magnified his mercy with her, and they were rejoicing with her.
59 Now it happened on the eighth day that they came to circumcise the child. They would have called him “Zechariah,” after the name of his father.
And it came to pass, on the eighth day, that they came to circumcise the child, and were calling it, after the name of its father, Zachariah.
60 But his mother answered and said, “No. He will be called John.”
And his mother, answering, said—Nay! but he shall be called, John.
61 They said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who is called by this name.”
And they said unto her—There is, no one from among thy kindred, who is called by this name!
62 They made signs to his father as to how he wanted him to be named.
And they began making signs unto his father, as to what he might be wishing it to be called.
63 His father asked for a writing tablet and wrote, “His name is John.” They all were astonished at this.
And, asking for a small tablet, he wrote, saying—John, is his name! and they marvelled all.
64 Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue was freed. He spoke and praised God.
And his mouth was opened instantly, and his tongue [loosed], and he began to speak, blessing, God.
65 Fear came on all who lived around them. All these matters were spread throughout all the hill country of Judea.
And fear came upon all the neighbours themselves; and, throughout all the hill-country of Judaea, were all these matters being much talked of;
66 All who heard them stored them in their hearts, saying, “What then will this child become?” For the hand of the Lord was with him.
and all who heard laid [them] up in their hearts, saying—What then shall his child be? for, even the hand of the Lord, was with him.
67 His father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied, saying,
And, Zachariah his father, was filled with Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying: —
68 “Praised be the Lord, the God of Israel, for he has come to help and he has accomplished redemption for his people.
Blessed, be the Lord, the God of Israel! Because he hath visited and wrought redemption for his people,
69 He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David
And hath raised up a horn of salvation for us, In the house of David his servant:
70 (as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from long ago), (aiōn )
According as he hath spoken by mouth of his holy ancient prophets, — (aiōn )
71 salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us.
Of salvation from among our foes, and out of the hand of all them that hate us:
72 He will do this to show mercy to our fathers and to remember his holy covenant,
To perform mercy with our fathers, and to be mindful of his holy covenant, —
73 the oath that he spoke to Abraham our father.
The oath which he sware unto Abraham our father, To grant us,
74 He swore to grant to us that we, having been delivered out of the hand of our enemies, would serve him without fear,
without fear, from the hand of enemies rescued, to be rendering divine service unto him,
75 in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.
in lovingkindness and righteousness before him, all our days.
76 Yes, and you, child, will be called a prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare his paths, to prepare people for his coming,
And, even thou, child, prophet of the Most High, shalt be called, —for thou shall march on before the Lord, to prepare his ways,
77 to give knowledge of salvation to his people by the forgiveness of their sins.
Giving a knowledge of salvation unto his people, by a remission of their sins.
78 This will happen because of the tender mercy of our God, because of which the sunrise from on high will come to help us,
Because of the yearning compassion of the mercy of our God, wherein shall visit us a day-dawn from on high, —
79 to shine on those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death. He will do this to guide our feet into the path of peace.”
To shine on them who, in the darkness and shade of death, are sitting, to guide our feet into a way of peace.
80 Now the child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the wilderness until the day of his public appearance to Israel.
And, the child, went on growing, and being strengthened in spirit, and was in the deserts, until the day he was pointed out unto Israel.