| Christian Standard Bible | New Living Translation |
| 1Many have undertaken to compile a narrative about the events that have been fulfilled among us, | 1Many people have set out to write accounts about the events that have been fulfilled among us. |
| 2just as the original eyewitnesses and servants of the word handed them down to us. | 2They used the eyewitness reports circulating among us from the early disciples. |
| 3It also seemed good to me, since I have carefully investigated everything from the very first, to write to you in an orderly sequence, most honorable Theophilus, | 3Having carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I also have decided to write an accurate account for you, most honorable Theophilus, |
| 4so that you may know the certainty of the things about which you have been instructed. | 4so you can be certain of the truth of everything you were taught. The Birth of John the Baptist Foretold |
| 5In the days of King Herod of Judea, there was a priest of Abijah's division named Zechariah. His wife was from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. | 5When Herod was king of Judea, there was a Jewish priest named Zechariah. He was a member of the priestly order of Abijah, and his wife, Elizabeth, was also from the priestly line of Aaron. |
| 6Both were righteous in God's sight, living without blame according to all the commands and requirements of the Lord. | 6Zechariah and Elizabeth were righteous in God’s eyes, careful to obey all of the Lord’s commandments and regulations. |
| 7But they had no children because Elizabeth could not conceive, and both of them were well along in years. | 7They had no children because Elizabeth was unable to conceive, and they were both very old. |
| 8When his division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, | 8One day Zechariah was serving God in the Temple, for his order was on duty that week. |
| 9it happened that he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense. | 9As was the custom of the priests, he was chosen by lot to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense. |
| 10At the hour of incense the whole assembly of the people was praying outside. | 10While the incense was being burned, a great crowd stood outside, praying. |
| 11An angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the altar of incense. | 11While Zechariah was in the sanctuary, an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the incense altar. |
| 12When Zechariah saw him, he was terrified and overcome with fear. | 12Zechariah was shaken and overwhelmed with fear when he saw him. |
| 13But the angel said to him: "Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John. | 13But the angel said, “Don’t be afraid, Zechariah! God has heard your prayer. Your wife, Elizabeth, will give you a son, and you are to name him John. |
| 14There will be joy and delight for you, and many will rejoice at his birth. | 14You will have great joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, |
| 15For he will be great in the sight of the Lord and will never drink wine or beer. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit while still in his mother's womb. | 15for he will be great in the eyes of the Lord. He must never touch wine or other alcoholic drinks. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even before his birth. |
| 16He will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. | 16And he will turn many Israelites to the Lord their God. |
| 17And he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of fathers to their children, and the disobedient to the understanding of the righteous, to make ready for the Lord a prepared people." | 17He will be a man with the spirit and power of Elijah. He will prepare the people for the coming of the Lord. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and he will cause those who are rebellious to accept the wisdom of the godly.” |
| 18"How can I know this?" Zechariah asked the angel. "For I am an old man, and my wife is well along in years." | 18Zechariah said to the angel, “How can I be sure this will happen? I’m an old man now, and my wife is also well along 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 tell you this good news. | 19Then the angel said, “I am Gabriel! I stand in the very presence of God. It was he who sent me to bring you this good news! |
| 20Now listen. You will become silent and unable to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their proper time." | 20But now, since you didn’t believe what I said, you will be silent and unable to speak until the child is born. For my words will certainly be fulfilled at the proper time.” |
| 21Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah, amazed that he stayed so long in the sanctuary. | 21Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah to come out of the sanctuary, wondering why he was taking so long. |
| 22When he did come out, he could not speak to them. Then they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary. He was making signs to them and remained speechless. | 22When he finally did come out, he couldn’t speak to them. Then they realized from his gestures and his silence that he must have seen a vision in the sanctuary. |
| 23When the days of his ministry were completed, he went back home. | 23When Zechariah’s week of service in the Temple was over, he returned home. |
| 24After these days his wife Elizabeth conceived and kept herself in seclusion for five months. She said, | 24Soon afterward his wife, Elizabeth, became pregnant and went into seclusion for five months. |
| 25"The Lord has done this for me. He has looked with favor in these days to take away my disgrace among the people." | 25“How kind the Lord is!” she exclaimed. “He has taken away my disgrace of having no children.” The Birth of Jesus Foretold |
| 26In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, | 26In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee, |
| 27to a virgin engaged to a man named Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin's name was Mary. | 27to a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David. |
| 28And the angel came to her and said, "Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you." | 28Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you! ” |
| 29But she was deeply troubled by this statement, wondering what kind of greeting this could be. | 29Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. |
| 30Then the angel told her: "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. | 30“Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God! |
| 31Now listen: You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. | 31You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will 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. | 32He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. |
| 33He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and his kingdom will have no end." | 33And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!” |
| 34Mary asked the angel, "How can this be, since I have not had sexual relations with a man?" | 34Mary asked the angel, “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.” |
| 35The angel replied to her: "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore, the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. | 35The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God. |
| 36And consider your relative Elizabeth--even she has conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called childless. | 36What’s more, your relative Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age! People used to say she was barren, but she has conceived a son and is now in her sixth month. |
| 37For nothing will be impossible with God." | 37For the word of God will never fail. ” |
| 38"I am the Lord's servant," said Mary. "May it be done to me according to your word." Then the angel left her. | 38Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” And then the angel left her. Mary Visits Elizabeth |
| 39In those days Mary set out and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judah | 39A few days later Mary hurried to the hill country of Judea, to the town |
| 40where she entered Zechariah's house and greeted Elizabeth. | 40where Zechariah lived. She entered the house and greeted Elizabeth. |
| 41When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped inside her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. | 41At the sound of Mary’s greeting, Elizabeth’s child leaped within her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. |
| 42Then she exclaimed with a loud cry: "Blessed are you among women, and your child will be blessed! | 42Elizabeth gave a glad cry and exclaimed to Mary, “God has blessed you above all women, and your child is blessed. |
| 43How could this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? | 43Why am I so honored, that the mother of my Lord should visit me? |
| 44For you see, when the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby leaped for joy inside me. | 44When I heard your greeting, the baby in my womb jumped for joy. |
| 45Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill what he has spoken to her!" | 45You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what he said.” The Magnificat: Mary’s Song of Praise |
| 46And Mary said: My soul praises the greatness of the Lord, | 46Mary responded, “Oh, how my soul praises the Lord. |
| 47and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, | 47How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior! |
| 48because he has looked with favor on the humble condition of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed, | 48For he took notice of his lowly servant girl, and from now on all generations will call me blessed. |
| 49because the Mighty One has done great things for me, and his name is holy. | 49For the Mighty One is holy, and he has done great things for me. |
| 50His mercy is from generation to generation on those who fear him. | 50He shows mercy from generation to generation to all who fear him. |
| 51He has done a mighty deed with his arm; he has scattered the proud because of the thoughts of their hearts; | 51His mighty arm has done tremendous things! He has scattered the proud and haughty ones. |
| 52he has toppled the mighty from their thrones and exalted the lowly. | 52He has brought down princes from their thrones and exalted the humble. |
| 53He has satisfied the hungry with good things and sent the rich away empty. | 53He has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away with empty hands. |
| 54He has helped his servant Israel, remembering his mercy | 54He has helped his servant Israel and remembered to be merciful. |
| 55to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he spoke to our ancestors. | 55For he made this promise to our ancestors, to Abraham and his children forever.” |
| 56And Mary stayed with her about three months; then she returned to her home. | 56Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months and then went back to her own home. The Birth of John the Baptist |
| 57Now the time had come for Elizabeth to give birth, and she had a son. | 57When it was time for Elizabeth’s baby to be born, she gave birth to a son. |
| 58Then her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her his great mercy, and they rejoiced with her. | 58And when her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had been very merciful to her, everyone rejoiced with her. |
| 59When they came to circumcise the child on the eighth day, they were going to name him Zechariah, after his father. | 59When the baby was eight days old, they all came for the circumcision ceremony. They wanted to name him Zechariah, after his father. |
| 60But his mother responded, "No. He will be called John." | 60But Elizabeth said, “No! His name is John!” |
| 61Then they said to her, "None of your relatives has that name." | 61“What?” they exclaimed. “There is no one in all your family by that name.” |
| 62So they motioned to his father to find out what he wanted him to be called. | 62So they used gestures to ask the baby’s father what he wanted to name him. |
| 63He asked for a writing tablet and wrote: "His name is John." And they were all amazed. | 63He motioned for a writing tablet, and to everyone’s surprise he wrote, “His name is John.” |
| 64Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue set free, and he began to speak, praising God. | 64Instantly Zechariah could speak again, and he began praising God. |
| 65Fear came on all those who lived around them, and all these things were being talked about throughout the hill country of Judea. | 65Awe fell upon the whole neighborhood, and the news of what had happened spread throughout the Judean hills. |
| 66All who heard about him took it to heart, saying, "What then will this child become?" For, indeed, the Lord's hand was with him. | 66Everyone who heard about it reflected on these events and asked, “What will this child turn out to be?” For the hand of the Lord was surely upon him in a special way. Zechariah’s Prophecy |
| 67Then his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied: | 67Then his father, Zechariah, was filled with the Holy Spirit and gave this prophecy: |
| 68Blessed is the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has visited and provided redemption for his people. | 68“Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has visited and redeemed his people. |
| 69He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David, | 69He has sent us a mighty Savior from the royal line of his servant David, |
| 70just as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets in ancient times; | 70just as he promised through his holy prophets long ago. |
| 71salvation from our enemies and from the hand of those who hate us. | 71Now we will be saved from our enemies and from all who hate us. |
| 72He has dealt mercifully with our fathers and remembered his holy covenant-- | 72He has been merciful to our ancestors by remembering his sacred covenant— |
| 73the oath that he swore to our father Abraham. He has given us the privilege, | 73the covenant he swore with an oath to our ancestor Abraham. |
| 74since we have been rescued from the hand of our enemies, to serve him without fear | 74We have been rescued from our enemies so we can serve God without fear, |
| 75in holiness and righteousness in his presence all our days. | 75in holiness and righteousness for as long as we live. |
| 76And you, child, will be called a prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, | 76“And you, my little son, will be called the prophet of the Most High, because you will prepare the way for the Lord. |
| 77to give his people knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins. | 77You will tell his people how to find salvation through forgiveness of their sins. |
| 78Because of our God's merciful compassion, the dawn from on high will visit us | 78Because of God’s tender mercy, the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us, |
| 79to shine on those who live in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace. | 79to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, and to guide us to the path of peace.” |
| 80The child grew up and became spiritually strong, and he was in the wilderness until the day of his public appearance to Israel. | 80John grew up and became strong in spirit. And he lived in the wilderness until he began his public ministry to Israel. |
| The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. | Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. |
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