| NET Bible | New American Standard Bible 1995 |
| 1Now many have undertaken to compile an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, | 1Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile an account of the things accomplished among us, |
| 2like the accounts passed on to us by those who were eyewitnesses and servants of the word from the beginning. | 2just as they were handed down to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word, |
| 3So it seemed good to me as well, because I have followed all things carefully from the beginning, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, | 3it seemed fitting for me as well, having investigated everything carefully from the beginning, to write it out for you in consecutive order, most excellent Theophilus; |
| 4so that you may know for certain the things you were taught. | 4so that you may know the exact truth about the things you have been taught. |
| 5During the reign of Herod king of Judea, there lived a priest named Zechariah who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah, and he had a wife named Elizabeth, who was a descendant of Aaron. | 5In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zacharias, of the division of Abijah; and he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. |
| 6They were both righteous in the sight of God, following all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blamelessly. | 6They were both righteous in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and requirements of the Lord. |
| 7But they did not have a child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both very old. | 7But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both advanced in years. |
| 8Now while Zechariah was serving as priest before God when his division was on duty, | 8Now it happened that while he was performing his priestly service before God in the appointed order of his division, |
| 9he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the holy place of the Lord and burn incense. | 9according to the custom of the priestly office, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense. |
| 10Now the whole crowd of people were praying outside at the hour of the incense offering. | 10And the whole multitude of the people were in prayer outside at the hour of the incense offering. |
| 11An angel of the Lord, standing on the right side of the altar of incense, appeared to him. | 11And an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the altar of incense. |
| 12And Zechariah, visibly shaken when he saw the angel, was seized with fear. | 12Zacharias was troubled when he saw the angel, and fear gripped him. |
| 13But the angel said to him, "Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son; you will name him John. | 13But the angel said to him, "Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your petition has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will give him the name John. |
| 14Joy and gladness will come to you, and many will rejoice at his birth, | 14"You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth. |
| 15for 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, even before his birth. | 15"For he will be great in the sight of the Lord; and he will drink no wine or liquor, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit while yet in his mother's womb. |
| 16He will turn many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. | 16"And he will turn many of the sons of Israel back to the Lord their God. |
| 17And he will go as forerunner before the Lord in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers back to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared for him." | 17"It is he who will go as a forerunner before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, TO TURN THE HEARTS OF THE FATHERS BACK TO THE CHILDREN, and the disobedient to the attitude of the righteous, so as to make ready a people prepared for the Lord." |
| 18Zechariah said to the angel, "How can I be sure of this? For I am an old man, and my wife is old as well." | 18Zacharias said to the angel, "How will I know this for certain? For I am an old man and my wife is advanced in years." |
| 19The angel answered him, "I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. | 19The angel answered and said to him, "I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. |
| 20And now, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time, you will be silent, unable to speak, until the day these things take place." | 20"And behold, you shall be silent and unable to speak until the day when these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their proper time." |
| 21Now the people were waiting for Zechariah, and they began to wonder why he was delayed in the holy place. | 21The people were waiting for Zacharias, and were wondering at his delay in the temple. |
| 22When he came out, he was not able to speak to them. They realized that he had seen a vision in the holy place, because he was making signs to them and remained unable to speak. | 22But when he came out, he was unable to speak to them; and they realized that he had seen a vision in the temple; and he kept making signs to them, and remained mute. |
| 23When his time of service was over, he went to his home. | 23When the days of his priestly service were ended, he went back home. |
| 24After some time his wife Elizabeth became pregnant, and for five months she kept herself in seclusion. She said, | 24After these days Elizabeth his wife became pregnant, and she kept herself in seclusion for five months, saying, |
| 25"This is what the Lord has done for me at the time when he has been gracious to me, to take away my disgrace among people." | 25"This is the way the Lord has dealt with me in the days when He looked with favor upon me, to take away my disgrace among men." |
| 26In the sixth month of Elizabeth's pregnancy, the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, | 26Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee called Nazareth, |
| 27to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, a descendant of David, and the virgin's name was Mary. | 27to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the descendants of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. |
| 28The angel came to her and said, "Greetings, favored one, the Lord is with you!" | 28And coming in, he said to her, "Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you." |
| 29But she was greatly troubled by his words and began to wonder about the meaning of this greeting. | 29But she was very perplexed at this statement, and kept pondering what kind of salutation this was. |
| 30So the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God! | 30The angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God. |
| 31Listen: You will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. | 31"And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus. |
| 32He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of his father David. | 32"He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; |
| 33He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and his kingdom will never end." | 33and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end." |
| 34Mary said to the angel, "How will this be, since I have not had sexual relations with a man?" | 34Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I am a virgin?" |
| 35The angel replied, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called the Son of God. | 35The angel answered and said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy Child shall be called the Son of God. |
| 36"And look, your relative Elizabeth has also become pregnant with a son in her old age--although she was called barren, she is now in her sixth month! | 36"And behold, even your relative Elizabeth has also conceived a son in her old age; and she who was called barren is now in her sixth month. |
| 37For nothing will be impossible with God." | 37"For nothing will be impossible with God." |
| 38So Mary said, "Yes, I am a servant of the Lord; let this happen to me according to your word." Then the angel departed from her. | 38And Mary said, "Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her. |
| 39In those days Mary got up and went hurriedly into the hill country, to a town of Judah, | 39Now at this time Mary arose and went in a hurry to the hill country, to a city of Judah, |
| 40and entered Zechariah's house and greeted Elizabeth. | 40and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth. |
| 41When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. | 41When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. |
| 42She exclaimed with a loud voice, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child in your womb! | 42And she cried out with a loud voice and said, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! |
| 43And who am I that the mother of my Lord should come and visit me? | 43"And how has it happened to me, that the mother of my Lord would come to me? |
| 44For the instant the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. | 44"For behold, when the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby leaped in my womb for joy. |
| 45And blessed is she who believed that what was spoken to her by the Lord would be fulfilled." | 45"And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what had been spoken to her by the Lord." |
| 46And Mary said, "My soul exalts the Lord, | 46And Mary said: "My soul exalts the Lord, |
| 47and my spirit has begun to rejoice in God my Savior, | 47And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. |
| 48because he has looked upon the humble state of his servant. For from now on all generations will call me blessed, | 48"For He has had regard for the humble state of His bondslave; For behold, from this time on all generations will count me blessed. |
| 49because he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name; | 49"For the Mighty One has done great things for me; And holy is His name. |
| 50from generation to generation he is merciful to those who fear him. | 50"AND HIS MERCY IS UPON GENERATION AFTER GENERATION TOWARD THOSE WHO FEAR HIM. |
| 51He has demonstrated power with his arm; he has scattered those whose pride wells up from the sheer arrogance of their hearts. | 51"He has done mighty deeds with His arm; He has scattered those who were proud in the thoughts of their heart. |
| 52He has brought down the mighty from their thrones, and has lifted up those of lowly position; | 52"He has brought down rulers from their thrones, And has exalted those who were humble. |
| 53he has filled the hungry with good things, and has sent the rich away empty. | 53"HE HAS FILLED THE HUNGRY WITH GOOD THINGS; And sent away the rich empty-handed. |
| 54He has helped his servant Israel, remembering his mercy, | 54"He has given help to Israel His servant, In remembrance of His mercy, |
| 55as he promised to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever." | 55As He spoke to our fathers, To Abraham and his descendants forever." |
| 56So Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months and then returned to her home. | 56And Mary stayed with her about three months, and then returned to her home. |
| 57Now the time came for Elizabeth to have her baby, and she gave birth to a son. | 57Now the time had come for Elizabeth to give birth, and she gave birth to a son. |
| 58Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her. | 58Her neighbors and her relatives heard that the Lord had displayed His great mercy toward her; and they were rejoicing with her. |
| 59On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they wanted to name him Zechariah after his father. | 59And it happened that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to call him Zacharias, after his father. |
| 60But his mother replied, "No! He must be named John." | 60But his mother answered and said, "No indeed; but he shall be called John." |
| 61They said to her, "But none of your relatives bears this name." | 61And they said to her, "There is no one among your relatives who is called by that name." |
| 62So they made signs to the baby's father, inquiring what he wanted to name his son. | 62And they made signs to his father, as to what he wanted him called. |
| 63He asked for a writing tablet and wrote, "His name is John." And they were all amazed. | 63And he asked for a tablet and wrote as follows, "His name is John." And they were all astonished. |
| 64Immediately Zechariah's mouth was opened and his tongue released, and he spoke, blessing God. | 64And at once his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he began to speak in praise of God. |
| 65All their neighbors were filled with fear, and throughout the entire hill country of Judea all these things were talked about. | 65Fear came on all those living around them; and all these matters were being talked about in all the hill country of Judea. |
| 66All who heard these things kept them in their hearts, saying, "What then will this child be?" For the Lord's hand was indeed with him. | 66All who heard them kept them in mind, saying, "What then will this child turn out to be?" For the hand of the Lord was certainly with him. |
| 67Then his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied, | 67And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying: |
| 68"Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, because he has come to help and has redeemed his people. | 68"Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, For He has visited us and accomplished redemption for His people, |
| 69For he has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David, | 69And has raised up a horn of salvation for us In the house of David His servant-- |
| 70as he spoke through the mouth of his holy prophets from long ago, | 70As He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from of old-- |
| 71that we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all who hate us. | 71Salvation FROM OUR ENEMIES, And FROM THE HAND OF ALL WHO HATE US; |
| 72He has done this to show mercy to our ancestors, and to remember his holy covenant-- | 72To show mercy toward our fathers, And to remember His holy covenant, |
| 73the oath that he swore to our ancestor Abraham. This oath grants | 73The oath which He swore to Abraham our father, |
| 74that we, being rescued from the hand of our enemies, may serve him without fear, | 74To grant us that we, being rescued from the hand of our enemies, Might serve Him without fear, |
| 75in holiness and righteousness before him for as long as we live. | 75In holiness and righteousness before Him all our days. |
| 76And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High. For you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, | 76"And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; For you will go on BEFORE THE LORD TO PREPARE HIS WAYS; |
| 77to give his people knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins. | 77To give to His people the knowledge of salvation By the forgiveness of their sins, |
| 78Because of our God's tender mercy the dawn will break upon us from on high | 78Because of the tender mercy of our God, With which the Sunrise from on high will visit us, |
| 79to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace." | 79TO SHINE UPON THOSE WHO SIT IN DARKNESS AND THE SHADOW OF DEATH, To guide our feet into the way of peace." |
| 80And the child kept growing and becoming strong in spirit, and he was in the wilderness until the day he was revealed to Israel. | 80And the child continued to grow and to become strong in spirit, and he lived in the deserts until the day of his public appearance to Israel. |
| NET Bible copyright © 1996-2006 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. //netbible.com. Used by permission. All rights reserved. | New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit //www.lockman.org |
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