Luke 1:1-9 ▼

1 Many have undertaken to compose an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us,

2 just as they were handed down to us by the initial eyewitnesses and servants of the word.

3 Therefore, having carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus (friend of god),

4 so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.

5 In the time of Herod (heroic) king of Judea (land of praise) there was a priest named Zechariah (YHWH remembers), who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah (my father is YHWH), and whose wife Elizabeth (my God is an oath) was a descendant of Aaron (exalted).

6 Both of them were righteous in the sight of God {Theou}, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and decrees of the Lord {Kyriou}.

7 But they had no children, because Elizabeth (my God is an oath) was barren, and they were both well along in years.

8 One day while Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God {Theou},

9 he was chosen by lot (covering), according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the temple of the Lord {Kyriou} and burn incense.