| English Standard Version | New American Standard Bible 1995 |
| 1Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, | 1Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile an account of the things accomplished among us, |
| 2just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, | 2just as they were handed down to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word, |
| 3it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, 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; |
| 4that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught. | 4so that you may know the exact truth about the things you have been taught. |
| 5In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, of the division of Abijah. And he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. | 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. |
| 6And they were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord. | 6They were both righteous in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and requirements of the Lord. |
| 7But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years. | 7But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both advanced in years. |
| 8Now while he 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, |
| 9according to the custom of the priesthood, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple 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. |
| 10And the whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the hour of incense. | 10And the whole multitude of the people were in prayer outside at the hour of the incense offering. |
| 11And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. | 11And an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the altar of incense. |
| 12And Zechariah was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him. | 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, and you shall call his name 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. |
| 14And you will have joy and gladness, 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 before the Lord. And he must not drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. | 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. |
| 16And he will turn many of the children 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 before him 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 just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.” | 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." |
| 18And Zechariah said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.” | 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." |
| 19And the angel answered him, “I am Gabriel. I stand 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 behold, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time.” | 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." |
| 21And the people were waiting for Zechariah, and they were wondering at his delay in the temple. | 21The people were waiting for Zacharias, and were wondering at his delay in the temple. |
| 22And 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. | 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. |
| 23And when his time of service was ended, he went to his home. | 23When the days of his priestly service were ended, he went back home. |
| 24After these days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she kept herself hidden, saying, | 24After these days Elizabeth his wife became pregnant, and she kept herself in seclusion for five months, saying, |
| 25“Thus the Lord has done for me in the days when he looked on me, to take away my reproach 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 the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, | 26Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee called Nazareth, |
| 27to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house 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. |
| 28And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O 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 at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. | 29But she was very perplexed at this statement, and kept pondering what kind of salutation this was. |
| 30And 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. |
| 31And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name 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 to 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; |
| 33and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” | 33and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end." |
| 34And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” | 34Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I am a virgin?" |
| 35And the angel answered her, “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 called holy—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. |
| 36And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. | 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." |
| 38And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And 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 arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah, | 39Now at this time Mary arose and went in a hurry to the hill country, to a city of Judah, |
| 40and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. | 40and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth. |
| 41And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, 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. |
| 42and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of 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 why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? | 43"And how has it happened to me, that the mother of my Lord would come to me? |
| 44For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to 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 there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.” | 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 magnifies the Lord, | 46And Mary said: "My soul exalts the Lord, |
| 47and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, | 47And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. |
| 48for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, 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. |
| 49for 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. |
| 50And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. | 50"AND HIS MERCY IS UPON GENERATION AFTER GENERATION TOWARD THOSE WHO FEAR HIM. |
| 51He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts 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 exalted those of humble estate; | 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 the rich he has sent away empty. | 53"HE HAS FILLED THE HUNGRY WITH GOOD THINGS; And sent away the rich empty-handed. |
| 54He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, | 54"He has given help to Israel His servant, In remembrance of His mercy, |
| 55as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever.” | 55As He spoke to our fathers, To Abraham and his descendants forever." |
| 56And Mary remained with her about three months and 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 give birth, and she bore a son. | 57Now the time had come for Elizabeth to give birth, and she gave birth to a son. |
| 58And her 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. |
| 59And on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child. And they would have called 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 answered, “No; he shall be called John.” | 60But his mother answered and said, "No indeed; but he shall be called John." |
| 61And they said to her, “None of your relatives is called by this name.” | 61And they said to her, "There is no one among your relatives who is called by that name." |
| 62And they made signs to his father, inquiring what he wanted him to be called. | 62And they made signs to his father, as to what he wanted him called. |
| 63And he asked for a writing tablet and wrote, “His name is John.” And they all wondered. | 63And he asked for a tablet and wrote as follows, "His name is John." And they were all astonished. |
| 64And immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, 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. |
| 65And fear came on all their neighbors. And all these things were talked about through all the hill country of Judea, | 65Fear came on all those living around them; and all these matters were being talked about in all the hill country of Judea. |
| 66and all who heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, “What then will this child be?” For the hand of the Lord was 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. |
| 67And his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied, saying, | 67And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying: |
| 68“Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people | 68"Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, For He has visited us and accomplished redemption for His people, |
| 69and 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 by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old, | 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; |
| 72to show the mercy promised to our fathers 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 father Abraham, to grant us | 73The oath which He swore to Abraham our father, |
| 74that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies, might 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 all our days. | 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 knowledge of salvation to his people in the forgiveness of their sins, | 77To give to His people the knowledge of salvation By the forgiveness of their sins, |
| 78because of the tender mercy of our God, whereby the sunrise shall visit 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 grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the wilderness until the day of his public appearance 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. |
| ESV Text Edition: 2016. The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®) copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. The ESV® text has been reproduced in cooperation with and by permission of Good News Publishers. Unauthorized reproduction of this publication is prohibited. 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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