Dedication to Theophilus (Acts 1:1–3)
2 ENGOEBUS just as they were reported to us by those who from the beginning were eye-witnesses, and afterward became bearers of the message. BSB BSB: just as they were handed down to us by the initial eyewitnesses and servants of the word.
3 ENGOEBUS And, therefore, I also, since I have investigated all these events with great care from their very beginning, have resolved to write a connected history of them for you, BSB 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,
4 ENGOEBUS in order that you may be able to satisfy yourself of the accuracy of the story which you have heard from the lips of others. BSB BSB: so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.
Gabriel Foretells John’s Birth 6 ENGOEBUS They were both righteous people, who lived blameless lives, guiding their steps by all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord. BSB BSB: Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and decrees of the Lord.
7 ENGOEBUS But they had no child, Elizabeth being barren; and both of them were advanced in years. BSB BSB: But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well along in years.
8 ENGOEBUS One day, when Zechariah was officiating as priest before God, during the turn of his division, BSB BSB: One day while Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God,
9 ENGOEBUS it fell to him by lot, in accordance with the practice among the priests, to go into the Temple of the Lord and burn incense; BSB BSB: he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense.
10 ENGOEBUS and, as it was the Hour of Incense, the people were all praying outside. BSB BSB: And at the hour of the incense offering, the whole congregation was praying outside.
11 ENGOEBUS And an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right of the Altar of Incense. BSB BSB: Just then an angel of the Lord appeared to Zechariah, standing at the right side of the altar of incense.
12 ENGOEBUS Zechariah was startled at the sight and was awe-struck. BSB BSB: When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and gripped with fear.
13 ENGOEBUS But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, whom you will call by the name John. BSB 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.
14 ENGOEBUS He will be to you a joy and a delight; and many will rejoice over his birth. BSB BSB: He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice at his birth,
15 ENGOEBUS For he will be great in the sight of the Lord; he will not drink any wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit from the very hour of his birth, BSB 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.
16 ENGOEBUS and will reconcile many of the Israelites to the Lord their God. BSB BSB: Many of the sons of Israel he will turn back to the Lord their God.
18 ENGOEBUS “How can I be sure of this?” Zechariah asked the angel. “For I am an old man and my wife is advanced in years.” BSB 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.”
19 ENGOEBUS “I am Gabriel,” the angel answered, “who stands in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. BSB 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.
20 ENGOEBUS And now you will be silent and unable to speak until the day when this takes place, because you did not believe what I said, though my words will be fulfilled in due course.” BSB 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.”
21 ENGOEBUS Meanwhile the people were watching for Zechariah, wondering at his remaining so long in the Temple. BSB BSB: Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he took so long in the temple.
22 ENGOEBUS When he came out, he was unable to speak to them, and they perceived that he had seen a vision there. But Zechariah kept making signs to them, and remained dumb. BSB 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.
23 ENGOEBUS And, as soon as his term of service was finished, he returned home. BSB BSB: And when the days of his service were complete, he returned home.
24 ENGOEBUS After this his wife, Elizabeth, became pregnant and lived in seclusion for five months. BSB BSB: After these days, his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion. She declared,
25 ENGOEBUS “The Lord has done this for me,” she said, “he has shown me kindness and taken away the public disgrace of childlessness under which I have been living.” BSB BSB: “The Lord has done this for me. In these days He has shown me favor and taken away my disgrace among the people.”
Gabriel Foretells Jesus’ Birth 27 ENGOEBUS to a maiden there who was engaged to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. Her name was Mary. BSB 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.
28 ENGOEBUS Gabriel came into her presence and greeted her, saying, “You have been shown great favor – the Lord is with you.” BSB BSB: The angel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”
29 ENGOEBUS Mary was much disturbed at his words, and was wondering to herself what such a greeting could mean, BSB BSB: Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.
30 ENGOEBUS when the angel spoke again, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. BSB BSB: So the angel told her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.
31 ENGOEBUS And now, you will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will give him the name Jesus. BSB BSB: Behold, you will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus.
32 ENGOEBUS The child will be great and will be called ‘Son of the Most High,’ and the Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David, BSB 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,
33 ENGOEBUS and he will reign over the descendants of Jacob for ever; And to his kingdom there will be no end.” BSB BSB: and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever. His kingdom will never end!”
35 ENGOEBUS “The Holy Spirit will descend on you,” answered the angel, “and the Power of the Most High will overshadow you; and therefore the child will be called ‘holy,’ and ‘Son of God.’ BSB 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.
36 ENGOEBUS And Elizabeth, your cousin, is herself also expecting a son in her old age; and it is now the sixth month with her, though she is called barren; BSB 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.
37 ENGOEBUS for no promise from God will fail to be fulfilled.” BSB BSB: For no word from God will ever fail.”
Mary Visits Elizabeth 39 ENGOEBUS Soon after this Mary set out, and made her way quickly into the hill-country, to a town in Judah; BSB BSB: In those days Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judah,
40 ENGOEBUS and there she went into Zechariah’s house and greeted Elizabeth. BSB BSB: where she entered the home of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.
41 ENGOEBUS When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child moved within her, and Elizabeth herself was filled with the Holy Spirit, BSB BSB: When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.
42 ENGOEBUS and cried aloud, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is your unborn child! BSB BSB: In a loud voice she exclaimed, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!
43 ENGOEBUS But how have I this honor, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? BSB BSB: And why am I so honored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
44 ENGOEBUS For, as soon as your greeting reached my ears, the child moved within me with delight! BSB BSB: For as soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.
45 ENGOEBUS Happy indeed is she who believed that the promise which she received from the Lord would be fulfilled.” BSB BSB: Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord’s word to her will be fulfilled.”
Mary’s Song (1 Samuel 2:1–11)
47 ENGOEBUS and my spirit delights in God my Savior, BSB BSB: and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!
49 ENGOEBUS “For the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. BSB BSB: For the Mighty One has done great things for me. Holy is His name.
50 ENGOEBUS He has mercy on those who revere him in every generation. BSB BSB: His mercy extends to those who fear Him, from generation to generation.
51 ENGOEBUS “Mighty are the deeds of his arm! He has scattered the self-satisfied proud, BSB BSB: He has performed mighty deeds with His arm; He has scattered those who are proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
52 ENGOEBUS he has cast down the mighty from their thrones, and he uplifts the humble, BSB BSB: He has brought down rulers from their thrones, but has exalted the humble.
53 ENGOEBUS he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. BSB BSB: He has filled the hungry with good things, but has sent the rich away empty.
54 ENGOEBUS “He has stretched out his hand to his servant Israel, ever mindful of his mercy, BSB BSB: He has helped His servant Israel, remembering to be merciful,
55 ENGOEBUS as he promised to our ancestors, to Abraham and his descendants for ever.” BSB BSB: as He promised to our fathers, to Abraham and his descendants forever.”
56 ENGOEBUS Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months, and then returned to her home. BSB BSB: Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.
The Birth of John the Baptist 57 ENGOEBUS When Elizabeth’s time came, she gave birth to a son; BSB BSB: When the time came for Elizabeth to have her child, she gave birth to a son.
58 ENGOEBUS and her neighbors and relatives, hearing of the great goodness of the Lord to her, came to share her joy. BSB BSB: Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they rejoiced with her.
59 ENGOEBUS A week later they met to circumcise the child, and were about to call him Zechariah after his father, BSB BSB: On the eighth day, when they came to circumcise the child, they were going to name him after his father Zechariah.
60 ENGOEBUS when his mother spoke up, “No, he is to be called John.” BSB BSB: But his mother replied, “No! He shall be called John.”
61 ENGOEBUS “You have no relation of that name!” they exclaimed; BSB BSB: They said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who bears this name.”
62 ENGOEBUS and they made signs to the child’s father, to find out what he wished the child to be called. BSB BSB: So they made signs to his father to find out what he wanted to name the child.
63 ENGOEBUS Asking for a writing tablet, he wrote the words – ‘His name is John.’ Everyone was surprised BSB BSB: Zechariah asked for a tablet and wrote, “His name is John.” And they were all amazed.
64 ENGOEBUS and immediately Zechariah recovered his voice and the use of his tongue, and began to bless God. BSB BSB: Immediately Zechariah’s mouth was opened and his tongue was released, and he began to speak, praising God.
65 ENGOEBUS All their neighbors were awe-struck at this, and throughout the hill-country of Judea the whole story was much talked about. BSB BSB: All their neighbors were filled with awe, and people throughout the hill country of Judea were talking about these events.
66 ENGOEBUS All who heard it kept it in mind, asking one another – “What can this child be destined to become?” For the Power of the Lord was with him. BSB 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.
Zechariah’s Song 67 ENGOEBUS Then his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit, and, speaking under inspiration, said: BSB BSB: Then his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied:
68 ENGOEBUS “Blessed is the Lord, the God of Israel, who has visited his people and wrought their deliverance, BSB BSB: “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, because He has visited and redeemed His people.
69 ENGOEBUS and has raised up for us the strength of our salvation in the house of his servant David – BSB BSB: He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of His servant David,
70 ENGOEBUS as he promised by the lips of his holy prophets of old – BSB BSB: as He spoke through His holy prophets, those of ages past,
71 ENGOEBUS salvation from our enemies and from the hands of all who hate us, BSB BSB: salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us,
72 ENGOEBUS showing mercy to our ancestors, and mindful of his sacred covenant. BSB BSB: to show mercy to our fathers and to remember His holy covenant,
73 ENGOEBUS This was the oath which he swore to our ancestor Abraham – BSB BSB: the oath He swore to our father Abraham, to grant us
74 ENGOEBUS that we should be rescued from the hands of our enemies, BSB BSB: deliverance from hostile hands, that we may serve Him without fear,
75 ENGOEBUS and should serve him without fear in holiness and righteousness, in his presence all our days. BSB BSB: in holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our lives.
76 ENGOEBUS And you, child, will be called prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to make ready his way, BSB 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,
77 ENGOEBUS to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, BSB BSB: to give to His people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins,
78 ENGOEBUS through the tender mercy of our God, whereby the dawn will break on us from heaven, BSB BSB: because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the Dawn will visit us from on high,
79 ENGOEBUS to give light to those who live in darkness and the shadow of death, and guide our feet into the way of peace.” BSB BSB: to shine on those who live in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.”
80 ENGOEBUS The child grew and became strong in spirit, and he lived in the wilds until the time came for his appearance before Israel. BSB 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.