Dedication to Theophilus
(Acts 1:1–3)

1Whereas several have undertaken to draw up a narrative of those transactions, which pass'd among us; 2according as they were delivered to us by persons, who were all along eye-witnesses, and had a share in the transactions themselves: 3I have likewise thought proper; most excellent Theophilus, to write to you a particular account; having made a very diligent inquiry into the whole matter, 4that you may have a distinct view of those things about which you have been inform'd.

Gabriel Foretells John’s Birth

5In the time of Herod, the king of Judea, there was a certain priest, named Zacharias, of the family of Abia, whose wife; nam'd Elizabeth, was of the race of Aaron: 6they were both of them sincerely pious; observing all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord; with unspotted reputation. 7they had no children, because Elizabeth was steril, and they were both advanced in years.

8now Zachary was to officiate in divine service, in the order of his family, 9and according to the custom of distributing the parts, it fell to his lot to burn incense in the sanctuary. 10and all the congregation of the people stood praying without, at the time of offering incense, 11when there appear'd to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the incense-altar. 12Zacharias startled at the sight and was seized with fear. 13but the angel said to Zacharias, don't be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard: and your wife Elizabeth shall bear you a son, whom you shall name John: 14he shall be your joy and transport, and numbers shall rejoice at his birth. 15he shall appear as a divine messenger, he shall drink neither wine, nor any other strong liquor: he shall be filled with the holy spirit, even from his infancy: 16he shall convert many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. 17and he shall march before him, in the spirit and power of Elias, to reconcile parents and children together, and the unruly to the practice of justice, that the people may be duly dispos'd to receive the Lord.

18But Zacharias said to the angel, by what sign shall I know this? for I am old, and my wife is of a great age. 19the angel replied, I am Gabriel, who attend in the presence of God, and am sent to communicate to you this agreeable message. 20you shall now become dumb and not recover your speech, till the very day when these things shall happen; because you distrusted my words, which in due time shall have their effect.

21In the mean time the people were waiting for Zacharias, and wonder'd at his tarrying so long in the temple. 22but when he came out, he could not speak to them: and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple; for he intimated it to them by signs, and continued dumb. 23and the time of his officiating being ended, he departed to his own house.

24Some time after, Elizabeth his wife was pregnant, and went into retirement for five months. 25it is the Lord, said she, who has thus favour'd me, at the time when he took care to remove the reproach I was under among men.

Gabriel Foretells Jesus’ Birth

26In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, 27to a virgin contracted to a man; whose name was Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin's name was Mary. 28the angel, upon his arrival, said to her; "Hail, favorite of heaven, the Lord is with thee: thou happiest of thy sex." 29Mary was surpriz'd at the voice of such an appearance, and wonder'd what the meaning of this salutation should be. 30but the angel said to her, "Mary, be not afraid: for you are the object of divine favour. 31you shall be now pregnant, and be delivered of a son, whom you shall name JESUS. 32he shall be great, he shall be the son of the most high, the Lord God shall give him the throne of his father David. 33he shall reign over the house of Jacob, and of his kingdom there shall be no end." 34Then said Mary to the angel, what shall this be without any intercourse with man? 35the angel answered her, "the holy spirit shall descend upon thee, and the power of the most high shall over-shadow thee: wherefore thy holy offspring shall be called the son of God. 36even your cousin Elizabeth, as old as she is, is become pregnant with a son: she, who was stiled barren, is now in her sixth month; 37for nothing is impossible to God." 38then said Mary, "behold the servant of the Lord, be it unto me according to thy word." upon which the angel disappeared.

Mary Visits Elizabeth

39Soon after this, Mary departed, and made an expeditious journey to a city of Juda, in the mountains: 40where entring into the house of Zacharias, she saluted Elizabeth. 41no sooner had Elizabeth heard the salutation of Mary, but the babe leap'd within her: 42and Elizabeth divinely inspired, broke out into this acclamation. 43"Blessed mother of the most blessed offspring! what an honour is this, that I should be visited by the mother of our Lord! 44no sooner did the sound of your salutation strike mine ear, than the babe leap'd within me for joy. 45blessed is she that has believed; for what she has heard from the Lord, shall be accomplished."

Mary’s Song

46Then Mary said, "my soul doth magnify the Lord,

47and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my saviour,

48for he hath regarded the low estate of his servant: and future ages shall proclaim me blessed.

49the almighty hath distinguish'd me by the greatest marks of favour: his name be for ever reverenc'd.

50his mercy is on them that fear him, from generation to generation.

51he hath displayed the strength of his arm, and has confounded the proud by the devices of their hearts.

52he has cast down princes from their thrones, and exalted those of low degree,

53the needy he has furnished with plentiful enjoyments, and the rich he has reduced to poverty.

54he has taken Israel his servant into his protection, in pursuance of the mercy,

55which he promised to our forefathers, to Abraham, and to his posterity for ever."

56Now Mary stay'd about three months with Elizabeth, and then return'd to her own house.

The Birth of John the Baptist

57When Elizabeth had gone her full time, she was delivered of a son. 58her neighbours and her relations having heard how the Lord had heap'd his favours upon her, they congratulated with her:

59and on the eighth day were present at the circumcision of the child, but upon their proposing to call him by his father's name, Zacharias: his mother objected to it, 60and said, no, he shall be called John. 61they answered her, there is not any of your family of that name. 62they therefore ask'd his father to signify how he would have him call'd. 63then he made signs for a writing-book, and writ these words, "his name is John:" at which they were all surprized. 64immediately he had the use of his speech: and he uttered himself in praises to God. 65All the neighbourhood were struck with reverence, and the rumour of these events ran thro' all the mountains of Judea, 66and made an impression upon all that heard of them, what a child will this be? said they, for the divine influence does attend him.

Zechariah’s Song

67Then Zacharias his father, inspired by the holy spirit, vented his divine enthusiasm in these words.

68"blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, for he hath regarded and wrought a deliverance for his people:

69he hath rais'd up a powerful saviour for us, in the family of his servant David,

70according to the antient promise he made by the mouth of the holy prophets,

71to deliver us from our enemies, and from the power of all that hate us:

72to show regard to our forefathers, in performing his holy covenant,

73the oath which he made to our father Abraham, to grant us this favour,

74that we should be delivered from the power of our enemies, and serve him with security,

75in the sincere practice of holiness and justice, all our days.

76and you, dear babe, you shall be the prophet of the most high: for you shall go before the Lord, in order to prepare his way,

77by acquainting his people how they may be saved by the remission of their sins,

78through the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun has visited us from on high,

79to enlighten those, who are in darkness, and in the shadow of death, and to direct our steps into the ways of peace."

80Now the child continued to grow, and greatly improv'd in sense; and was in the desarts till the time, when he was to be manifested to Israel.