| International Standard Version | New American Standard Bible 1995 |
| 1Since many people have attempted to write an orderly account of the events that have transpired among us, | 1Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile an account of the things accomplished among us, |
| 2just as they were passed down to us by those who had been eyewitnesses and servants of the word from the beginning, | 2just as they were handed down to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word, |
| 3I, too, have carefully investigated everything from the beginning and have decided 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; |
| 4so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught. | 4so that you may know the exact truth about the things you have been taught. |
| 5During the reign of King Herod of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly order of Abijah. His wife was a descendant 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. |
| 6Both of them were righteous before God, having lived blamelessly according to all of the commandments and regulations of the Lord. | 6They were both righteous in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and requirements of the Lord. |
| 7They had no children because Elizabeth was barren and because both of them were getting old. | 7But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both advanced in years. |
| 8When Zechariah was serving with his division of priests in God's presence, | 8Now it happened that while he was performing his priestly service before God in the appointed order of his division, |
| 9he was chosen by lot to go into the sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense, according to the custom of the priests. | 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 entire congregation of people was praying outside at the time when the incense was burned. | 10And the whole multitude of the people were in prayer outside at the hour of the incense offering. |
| 11An angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the incense altar. | 11And an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the altar of incense. |
| 12When Zechariah saw him, he was startled, and fear overwhelmed him. | 12Zacharias was troubled when he saw the angel, and fear gripped him. |
| 13But the angel told him, "Stop being afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to name him 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. |
| 14You will have great joy, and many people will rejoice at his birth, | 14"You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth. |
| 15because he will be great in the Lord's presence. He will never drink wine or any strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. | 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. |
| 16He will bring many of Israel's descendants back to the Lord their God. | 16"And he will turn many of the sons of Israel back to the Lord their God. |
| 17He is the one who will go before the Lord with the spirit and power of Elijah to turn the hearts of parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, and to prepare the people to be ready for the Lord." | 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." |
| 18Then Zechariah asked the angel, "How can I be sure of this, since I am an old man, and my wife is getting older?" | 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." |
| 19The angel answered him, "I am Gabriel! I stand in the very presence of God. I have been sent to speak to you and to announce this good news to you. | 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. |
| 20But because you did not believe my announcement, which will be fulfilled at its proper time, you will become silent and unable to speak until the day this happens." | 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." |
| 21Meanwhile, the people kept waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he stayed in the sanctuary so long. | 21The people were waiting for Zacharias, and were wondering at his delay in the temple. |
| 22But when he did come out, he was unable to speak to them. Then they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary. He kept motioning to them but remained unable to speak. | 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. |
| 23When the days of his service were over, he went home. | 23When the days of his priestly service were ended, he went back home. |
| 24After this, his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and remained in seclusion for five months. She said, | 24After these days Elizabeth his wife became pregnant, and she kept herself in seclusion for five months, saying, |
| 25"This is what the Lord did for me when he looked favorably on me and took away my public disgrace." | 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." |
| 26Now in the sixth month of her pregnancy, the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city in Galilee called Nazareth, | 26Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee called Nazareth, |
| 27to a virgin engaged to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. 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. |
| 28The angel came to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you!" | 28And coming in, he said to her, "Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you." |
| 29Startled by his statement, she tried to figure out what his greeting meant. | 29But she was very perplexed at this statement, and kept pondering what kind of salutation this was. |
| 30Then the angel told her, "Stop being afraid, Mary, because you have found favor with God. | 30The angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God. |
| 31Listen! You will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and you are to name him 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 him the throne of his ancestor 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; |
| 33He will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and his kingdom will never end." | 33and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end." |
| 34Mary asked the angel, "How can this happen, since I have not had relations with a man?" | 34Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I am a virgin?" |
| 35The angel answered her, "The Holy Spirit will come over you, and the power of the Most High will surround you. Therefore, the child will be holy and will be called 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 listen! Elizabeth, your relative, has herself conceived a son in her old age, this woman who was rumored to be barren is in her sixth month. | 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. |
| 37Nothing is impossible with respect to any of God's promises." | 37"For nothing will be impossible with God." |
| 38Then Mary said, "Truly I am the Lord's servant. Let everything you have said happen to me." Then the angel left 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. |
| 39Later on, Mary set out for a Judean city in the hill country. | 39Now at this time Mary arose and went in a hurry to the hill country, to a city of Judah, |
| 40She went into Zechariah's home and greeted Elizabeth. | 40and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth. |
| 41When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby jumped in her womb. 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 loudly exclaimed, "How blessed are you among women, and how blessed is the infant in 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! |
| 43Why should this happen to me, to have the mother of my Lord visit me? | 43"And how has it happened to me, that the mother of my Lord would come to me? |
| 44As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb jumped for joy. | 44"For behold, when the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby leaped in my womb for joy. |
| 45How blessed is this woman for believing that what was spoken to her by the Lord would be fulfilled!" | 45"And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what had been spoken to her by the Lord." |
| 46Then Mary said, "My soul praises the greatness of the Lord! | 46And Mary said: "My soul exalts the Lord, |
| 47My spirit exults in God, my Savior, | 47And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. |
| 48because he has looked favorably on his humble servant. 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. |
| 49because the Almighty has done great things for me. His name is holy. | 49"For the Mighty One has done great things for me; And holy is His name. |
| 50His mercy lasts from generation to generation for those who fear him. | 50"AND HIS MERCY IS UPON GENERATION AFTER GENERATION TOWARD THOSE WHO FEAR HIM. |
| 51He displayed his mighty power with his arm. He scattered people who were proud in mind and heart. | 51"He has done mighty deeds with His arm; He has scattered those who were proud in the thoughts of their heart. |
| 52He pulled powerful rulers from their thrones and lifted up humble people. | 52"He has brought down rulers from their thrones, And has exalted those who were humble. |
| 53He filled hungry people with good things and sent rich people away with nothing. | 53"HE HAS FILLED THE HUNGRY WITH GOOD THINGS; And sent away the rich empty-handed. |
| 54He helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful, | 54"He has given help to Israel His servant, In remembrance of His mercy, |
| 55according to the promise he made to our ancestors— to Abraham and his descendants forever." | 55As He spoke to our fathers, To Abraham and his descendants forever." |
| 56Now Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months and then went back home. | 56And Mary stayed with her about three months, and then returned to her home. |
| 57When the time came for Elizabeth to have her child, she gave birth to a son. | 57Now the time had come for Elizabeth to give birth, and she gave birth to a son. |
| 58Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his 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. |
| 59On the eighth day they went to circumcise the child. They were going to name 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 said, "Absolutely not! He must be named John." | 60But his mother answered and said, "No indeed; but he shall be called John." |
| 61Their friends told her, "None of your relatives has that name." | 61And they said to her, "There is no one among your relatives who is called by that name." |
| 62So they motioned to the baby's father to see what he wanted to name him. | 62And they made signs to his father, as to what he wanted him called. |
| 63He asked for a writing tablet and wrote, "His name is John." And everyone was amazed. | 63And he asked for a tablet and wrote as follows, "His name is John." And they were all astonished. |
| 64Suddenly, Zechariah could open his mouth, his tongue was set free, and he began to speak and to praise God. | 64And at once his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he began to speak in praise of God. |
| 65Fear came over all their neighbors, and throughout the hill country of Judea all these things were being discussed. | 65Fear came on all those living around them; and all these matters were being talked about in all the hill country of Judea. |
| 66Everyone who heard about it kept thinking what had happened and asked, "What will this child become?" because it was obvious that 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. |
| 67Then his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied: | 67And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying: |
| 68"Blessed be the Lord God of Israel! He has taken care of his people and has set them free. | 68"Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, For He has visited us and accomplished redemption for His people, |
| 69He has raised up a mighty Savior for us from the family of his servant David, | 69And has raised up a horn of salvation for us In the house of David His servant-- |
| 70just as he promised long ago through the mouth of his holy prophets | 70As He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from of old-- |
| 71that he would save us from our enemies and from the grip of all who hate us. | 71Salvation FROM OUR ENEMIES, And FROM THE HAND OF ALL WHO HATE US; |
| 72He has shown mercy to our ancestors and remembered his holy covenant, | 72To show mercy toward our fathers, And to remember His holy covenant, |
| 73the oath that he swore to our ancestor Abraham. He granted us | 73The oath which He swore to Abraham our father, |
| 74deliverance from our enemies' grip so that we could serve him without fear | 74To grant us that we, being rescued from the hand of our enemies, Might serve Him without fear, |
| 75and be holy and righteous before him all of our days. | 75In holiness and righteousness before Him all our days. |
| 76And you, child, will be called a prophet of the Most High, because you will go ahead of the Lord to prepare his way | 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; |
| 77and to give his people knowledge of salvation through 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, his light from on high has visited us, | 78Because of the tender mercy of our God, With which the Sunrise from on high will visit us, |
| 79to shine on those who sit in darkness and in death's shadow, and 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." |
| 80Now the child continued to grow and to become spiritually strong. He lived in the wilderness until the day he appeared in 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. |
The Holy Bible: International Standard Version® Release 2.1 Copyright © 1996-2012 The ISV Foundation
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY. | 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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