Dedication to Theophilus (Acts 1:1–3)
2 BSB just as they were handed down to us by the initial eyewitnesses and servants of the word. KJV KJV: Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word;
3 BSB Therefore, having carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, KJV KJV: It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus,
4 BSB so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught. KJV KJV: That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed.
Gabriel Foretells John’s Birth 6 BSB Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and decrees of the Lord. KJV KJV: And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.
7 BSB But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well along in years. KJV KJV: And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years.
8 BSB One day while Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, KJV KJV: And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest’s office before God in the order of his course,
9 BSB he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense. KJV KJV: According to the custom of the priest’s office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord.
10 BSB And at the hour of the incense offering, the whole congregation was praying outside. KJV KJV: And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense.
11 BSB Just then an angel of the Lord appeared to Zechariah, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. KJV KJV: And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense.
12 BSB When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and gripped with fear. KJV KJV: And when Zacharias saw him , he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.
13 BSB But 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. KJV KJV: But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.
14 BSB He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice at his birth, KJV KJV: And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth.
15 BSB for 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. KJV KJV: For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother’s womb.
16 BSB Many of the sons of Israel he will turn back to the Lord their God. KJV KJV: And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God.
18 BSB “How can I be sure of this?” Zechariah asked the angel. “I am an old man, and my wife is well along in years.” KJV KJV: And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years.
19 BSB “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. KJV KJV: And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings.
20 BSB And 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.” KJV KJV: And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season.
21 BSB Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he took so long in the temple. KJV KJV: And the people waited for Zacharias, and marvelled that he tarried so long in the temple.
22 BSB When 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 unable to speak. KJV KJV: And when he came out, he could not speak unto them: and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple: for he beckoned unto them, and remained speechless.
23 BSB And when the days of his service were complete, he returned home. KJV KJV: And it came to pass, that, as soon as the days of his ministration were accomplished, he departed to his own house.
24 BSB After these days, his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion. She declared, KJV KJV: And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, saying,
25 BSB “The Lord has done this for me. In these days He has shown me favor and taken away my disgrace among the people.” KJV KJV: Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he looked on me , to take away my reproach among men.
Gabriel Foretells Jesus’ Birth 27 BSB to a virgin pledged in marriage to a man named Joseph, who was of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. KJV KJV: To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.
28 BSB The angel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” KJV KJV: And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.
29 BSB Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. KJV KJV: And when she saw him , she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.
30 BSB So the angel told her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. KJV KJV: And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.
31 BSB Behold, you will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus. KJV KJV: And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.
32 BSB He 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, KJV KJV: He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:
33 BSB and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever. His kingdom will never end!” KJV KJV: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
35 BSB The 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. KJV KJV: And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
36 BSB Look, even Elizabeth your relative has conceived a son in her old age, and she who was called barren is in her sixth month. KJV KJV: And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.
37 BSB For no word from God will ever fail.” KJV KJV: For with God nothing shall be impossible.
Mary Visits Elizabeth 39 BSB In those days Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judah, KJV KJV: And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda;
40 BSB where she entered the home of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. KJV KJV: And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth.
41 BSB When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. KJV KJV: And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:
42 BSB In a loud voice she exclaimed, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! KJV KJV: And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.
43 BSB And why am I so honored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? KJV KJV: And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
44 BSB For as soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. KJV KJV: For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.
45 BSB Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord’s word to her will be fulfilled.” KJV KJV: And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.
Mary’s Song (1 Samuel 2:1–11)
47 BSB and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior! KJV KJV: And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
49 BSB For the Mighty One has done great things for me. Holy is His name. KJV KJV: For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.
50 BSB His mercy extends to those who fear Him, from generation to generation. KJV KJV: And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.
51 BSB He has performed mighty deeds with His arm; He has scattered those who are proud in the thoughts of their hearts. KJV KJV: He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
52 BSB He has brought down rulers from their thrones, but has exalted the humble. KJV KJV: He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.
53 BSB He has filled the hungry with good things, but has sent the rich away empty. KJV KJV: He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.
54 BSB He has helped His servant Israel, remembering to be merciful, KJV KJV: He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy;
55 BSB as He promised to our fathers, to Abraham and his descendants forever.” KJV KJV: As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.
56 BSB Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home. KJV KJV: And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house.
The Birth of John the Baptist 57 BSB When the time came for Elizabeth to have her child, she gave birth to a son. KJV KJV: Now Elisabeth’s full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son.
58 BSB Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they rejoiced with her. KJV KJV: And her neighbours and her cousins heard how the Lord had shewed great mercy upon her; and they rejoiced with her.
59 BSB On the eighth day, when they came to circumcise the child, they were going to name him after his father Zechariah. KJV KJV: And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father.
60 BSB But his mother replied, “No! He shall be called John.” KJV KJV: And his mother answered and said, Not so ; but he shall be called John.
61 BSB They said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who bears this name.” KJV KJV: And they said unto her, There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name.
62 BSB So they made signs to his father to find out what he wanted to name the child. KJV KJV: And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called.
63 BSB Zechariah asked for a tablet and wrote, “His name is John.” And they were all amazed. KJV KJV: And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marvelled all.
64 BSB Immediately Zechariah’s mouth was opened and his tongue was released, and he began to speak, praising God. KJV KJV: And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed , and he spake, and praised God.
65 BSB All their neighbors were filled with awe, and people throughout the hill country of Judea were talking about these events. KJV KJV: And fear came on all that dwelt round about them: and all these sayings were noised abroad throughout all the hill country of Judæa.
66 BSB And all who heard this wondered in their hearts and asked, “What then will this child become?” For the Lord’s hand was with him. KJV KJV: And all they that heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, What manner of child shall this be! And the hand of the Lord was with him.
Zechariah’s Song 67 BSB Then his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied: KJV KJV: And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying,
68 BSB “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, because He has visited and redeemed His people. KJV KJV: Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people,
69 BSB He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of His servant David, KJV KJV: And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David;
70 BSB as He spoke through His holy prophets, those of ages past, KJV KJV: As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began:
71 BSB salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us, KJV KJV: That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us;
72 BSB to show mercy to our fathers and to remember His holy covenant, KJV KJV: To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant;
73 BSB the oath He swore to our father Abraham, to grant us KJV KJV: The oath which he sware to our father Abraham,
74 BSB deliverance from hostile hands, that we may serve Him without fear, KJV KJV: That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear,
75 BSB in holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our lives. KJV KJV: In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life.
76 BSB And 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, KJV KJV: And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways;
77 BSB to give to His people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, KJV KJV: To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins,
78 BSB because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the Dawn will visit us from on high, KJV KJV: Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us,
79 BSB to shine on those who live in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.” KJV KJV: To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.
80 BSB And the child grew and became strong in spirit; and he lived in the wilderness until the time of his public appearance to Israel. KJV KJV: And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel.