| New International Version | Berean Study Bible |
| 1Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, | 1Many have undertaken to compose an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, |
| 2just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. | 2just as they were handed down to us by the initial eyewitnesses and servants of the word. |
| 3With this in mind, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, | 3Therefore, having carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, |
| 4so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught. | 4so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught. |
| 5In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. | 5In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah, and whose wife Elizabeth was a daughter of Aaron. |
| 6Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord's commands and decrees blamelessly. | 6Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and decrees of the Lord. |
| 7But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old. | 7But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well along in years. |
| 8Once when Zechariah's division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, | 8One day while Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, |
| 9he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense. | 9he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense. |
| 10And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshipers were praying outside. | 10And at the hour of the incense offering, the whole congregation was praying outside. |
| 11Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. | 11Just then an angel of the Lord appeared to Zechariah, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. |
| 12When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. | 12When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and gripped with fear. |
| 13But the angel said to him: "Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John. | 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 are to give him the name John. |
| 14He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, | 14He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice at his birth, |
| 15for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. | 15for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He shall never take wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother’s womb. |
| 16He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. | 16Many of the sons of Israel he will turn back to the Lord their God. |
| 17And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous--to make ready a people prepared for the Lord." | 17And he will go on before the Lord in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” |
| 18Zechariah asked the angel, "How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years." | 18“How can I be sure of this?” Zechariah asked the angel. “I am an old man, and my wife is well along in years.” |
| 19The angel said to him, "I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. | 19“I am Gabriel,” replied the angel. “I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. |
| 20And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their appointed time." | 20And now you will be silent and unable to speak until the day this comes to pass, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled at their proper time.” |
| 21Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he stayed so long in the temple. | 21Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he took so long in the temple. |
| 22When he came out, he could not speak to them. They realized he had seen a vision in the temple, for he kept making signs to them but remained unable to speak. | 22When he came out and was unable to speak to them, they realized he had seen a vision in the temple. He kept making signs to them but remained speechless. |
| 23When his time of service was completed, he returned home. | 23And when the days of his service were complete, he returned home. |
| 24After this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion. | 24After these days, his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion. She declared, |
| 25"The Lord has done this for me," she said. "In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people." | 25“The Lord has done this for me. In these days He has shown me favor and taken away my disgrace among the people.” |
| 26In the sixth month of Elizabeth's pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, | 26In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, |
| 27to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. | 27to a virgin pledged in marriage to a man named Joseph, who was of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. |
| 28The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you." | 28The angel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” |
| 29Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. | 29Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. |
| 30But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. | 30So the angel told her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. |
| 31You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. | 31Behold, you will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus. |
| 32He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, | 32He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David, |
| 33and he will reign over Jacob's descendants forever; his kingdom will never end." | 33and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever. His kingdom will never end!” |
| 34"How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?" | 34“How can this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” |
| 35The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So 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 Holy One to be born will be called the Son of God. |
| 36Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. | 36Look, even Elizabeth your relative has conceived a son in her old age, and she who was called barren is in her sixth month. |
| 37For no word from God will ever fail." | 37For no word from God will ever fail.” |
| 38"I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May your word to me be fulfilled." Then the angel left her. | 38“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it happen to me according to your word.” Then the angel left her. |
| 39At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, | 39In those days Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judah, |
| 40where she entered Zechariah's home and greeted Elizabeth. | 40where she entered the home of Zechariah 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. |
| 42In a loud voice she exclaimed: "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! | 42In a loud voice she exclaimed, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! |
| 43But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? | 43And why am I so honored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? |
| 44As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. | 44For as soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. |
| 45Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!" | 45Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord’s word to her will be fulfilled.” |
| 46And Mary said: "My soul glorifies the Lord | 46Then Mary said: “My soul magnifies the Lord, |
| 47and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, | 47and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior! |
| 48for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, | 48For He has looked with favor on the humble state of His servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed. |
| 49for the Mighty One has done great things for me-- holy is his name. | 49For the Mighty One has done great things for me. Holy is His name. |
| 50His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. | 50His mercy extends to those who fear Him, from generation to generation. |
| 51He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. | 51He has performed mighty deeds with His arm; He has scattered those who are proud in the thoughts of their hearts. |
| 52He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. | 52He has brought down rulers from their thrones, but has exalted the humble. |
| 53He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. | 53He has filled the hungry with good things, but has sent the rich away empty. |
| 54He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful | 54He has helped His servant Israel, remembering to be merciful, |
| 55to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors." | 55as He promised to our fathers, to Abraham and his descendants forever.” |
| 56Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home. | 56Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home. |
| 57When it was time for Elizabeth to have her baby, she gave birth to a son. | 57When the time came for Elizabeth to have her child, she gave birth to a son. |
| 58Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they shared her joy. | 58Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they rejoiced with her. |
| 59On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to name him after his father Zechariah, | 59On the eighth day, when they came to circumcise the child, they were going to name him after his father Zechariah. |
| 60but his mother spoke up and said, "No! He is to be called John." | 60But his mother replied, “No! He shall be called John.” |
| 61They said to her, "There is no one among your relatives who has that name." | 61They said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who bears this name.” |
| 62Then they made signs to his father, to find out what he would like to name the child. | 62So they made signs to his father to find out what he wanted to name the child. |
| 63He asked for a writing tablet, and to everyone's astonishment he wrote, "His name is John." | 63Zechariah asked for a tablet and wrote, “His name is John.” And they were all amazed. |
| 64Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue set free, and he began to speak, praising God. | 64Immediately Zechariah’s mouth was opened and his tongue was released, and he began to speak, praising God. |
| 65All the neighbors were filled with awe, and throughout the hill country of Judea people were talking about all these things. | 65All their neighbors were filled with awe, and people throughout the hill country of Judea were talking about these events. |
| 66Everyone who heard this wondered about it, asking, "What then is this child going to be?" For the Lord's hand was with him. | 66And all who heard this wondered in their hearts and asked, “What then will this child become?” For the Lord’s hand was with him. |
| 67His father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied: | 67Then his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied: |
| 68"Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come to his people and redeemed them. | 68“Blessed be 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 raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of His servant David, |
| 70(as he said through his holy prophets of long ago), | 70as He spoke through His holy prophets, those of ages past, |
| 71salvation 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 mercy to our ancestors and to remember his holy covenant, | 72to show mercy to our fathers and to remember His holy covenant, |
| 73the oath he swore to our father Abraham: | 73the oath He swore to our father Abraham, to grant us |
| 74to rescue us from the hand of our enemies, and to enable us to serve him without fear | 74deliverance from hostile hands, that we may serve Him without fear, |
| 75in holiness and righteousness before him all our days. | 75in holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our lives. |
| 76And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, | 76And you, child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for Him, |
| 77to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, | 77to give to His people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, |
| 78because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven | 78because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the Dawn will visit us from on high, |
| 79to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace." | 79to shine on those who live in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.” |
| 80And the child grew and became strong in spirit; and he lived in the wilderness until he appeared publicly to Israel. | 80And the child grew and became strong in spirit; and he lived in the wilderness until the time of his public appearance to Israel. |
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