Dedication to Theophilus (Acts 1:1–3)
2 ENGOJB Just as these have been handed down to us by those who from HaReshit were edei reiyah (eyewitnesses) and mesharetim (ministers) of the Dvar Hashem, BSB BSB: just as they were handed down to us by the initial eyewitnesses and servants of the word.
3 ENGOJB I thought it expedient also, having done an iyun (investigative research) , accurately and carefully being meayen (engaged in research) in every source and making a medakdeke (pain-stakingly thorough) investigation of every aspect from HaReshit (the Beginning) , to write for you and to mesader (arrange, place in succession) an orderly account, most noble Theophilus, 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 ENGOJB That you may have daas of HaEmes regarding the Divrei Moshiach about which you took shiurim (lessons) . BSB BSB: so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.
Gabriel Foretells John’s Birth 6 ENGOJB And they were both tzaddikim before Hashem, walking a derech tamim in all the mitzvos and chukkim of the Torah of Adoneinu. BSB BSB: Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and decrees of the Lord.
7 ENGOJB But they had no ben, because Elisheva was barren, and they were both advanced in their yamim. BSB BSB: But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well along in years.
8 ENGOJB And it came to pass in the performance of his avodas kodesh sherut as a kohen before Hashem in the appointed order of his division, BSB BSB: One day while Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God,
9 ENGOJB According to the minhag (custom) of the kehunah, Zecharyah was chosen by lot to enter the Beis Hamikdash and to offer ketoret (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 ENGOJB And when the hour of the offering of the ketoret came, all the multitude were davening outside. BSB BSB: And at the hour of the incense offering, the whole congregation was praying outside.
11 ENGOJB And there appeared to Zecharyah a malach Hashem, standing on the right side of the Mizbeach of ketoret. BSB BSB: Just then an angel of the Lord appeared to Zechariah, standing at the right side of the altar of incense.
12 ENGOJB And, seeing the malach, Zecharyah was terrified, and pachad (fear) fell on him. BSB BSB: When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and gripped with fear.
13 ENGOJB But the malach said to him, Do not have pachad (fear) , Zecharyah. Your tefillah (prayer) was heard and your isha, Elisheva, will bear a ben to you and you will call his shem Yochanan. 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 ENGOJB And he will be a simcha to you and sasson (joy) , and there will be sasson rav (great joy) at his huledet (birth) . BSB BSB: He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice at his birth,
15 ENGOJB And he will be gadol before Hashem, and he will not drink yayin or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Ruach Hakodesh from the womb of his Em (mother) , 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 ENGOJB And many of the Bnei Yisroel he will turn back in teshuva to Hashem Eloheihem. BSB BSB: Many of the sons of Israel he will turn back to the Lord their God.
18 ENGOJB And Zecharyah said to the malach, Just how will I have daas that this is so? For I am old and my isha is advanced in her yamim (days) . 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 ENGOJB And in reply, the malach said to Zecharyah, I am Gavriel, I stand before Hashem. And I was sent to speak to you and to announce these things to you. 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 ENGOJB And hinei! You will be illem (mute) and not be able to speak, until the yom (day) when these things come to pass, because you did not have emunah in my devarim (words) , which will be fulfilled in their time. 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 ENGOJB And the people were expecting Zecharyah and they were bewildered at his delay in the Beis HaMikdash. BSB BSB: Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he took so long in the temple.
22 ENGOJB And when he came out, he was illem (mute) and not able to speak to them, and they had daas that he had seen a chazon in the Heikhal. He kept motioning to them and he remained illem. 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 ENGOJB And it came about as the yamim of his sherut (service in the Beis HaMikdash) as a kohen were fulfilled, he went to his bais (house) . BSB BSB: And when the days of his service were complete, he returned home.
24 ENGOJB And after these yamim, Elisheva, his isha, became with child, and she kept herself in hitbodedut for chamesh chodashim, saying, BSB BSB: After these days, his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion. She declared,
25 ENGOJB Hashem has done this for me. In these yamim he looked with Chen vChesed (favor and mercy, loving kindness) on me to take away my reproach among Bnei Adam. 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 ENGOJB To a betulah (virgin) given in erusin (betrothal, engagement) to an ish from the Beis Dovid named Yosef, and the shem of the almah was Miryam. 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 ENGOJB And when the malach approached her, he said, Shalom, favored one! Hashem is with you! BSB BSB: The angel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”
29 ENGOJB But she was greatly perplexed at the message, and kept pondering what sort of Shalom greeting this might be. BSB BSB: Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.
30 ENGOJB And the malach said to her, Do not have pachad (fear) , Miryam, for you have found chen before Hashem. BSB BSB: So the angel told her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.
31 ENGOJB And in your womb you will conceive and bear BEN and you will call SHMO YEHOSHUA. BSB BSB: Behold, you will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus.
32 ENGOJB He will be gadol (great) and will be called Ben HaElyon (Son of the Most High) . Adonoi Elohim will give him the kisse Dovid Aviv, 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 ENGOJB And he will rule over the Beis Ya'akov Olam vaed, and his Malchut will never come to an end. BSB BSB: and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever. His kingdom will never end!”
35 ENGOJB And in reply, the malach said to her, The Ruach Hakodesh will come upon you and the gevurah of HaElyon will overshadow you. Therefore, also, the one being born will be called HaKadosh (The Holy One) , Ben HaElohim. 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 ENGOJB And Elisheva your krovah also has conceived a ben in her old age, and this chodesh is hashishi (the sixth) for her who 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 ENGOJB For nothing will be impossible with Hashem. BSB BSB: For no word from God will ever fail.”
Mary Visits Elizabeth 39 ENGOJB And in those yamim, Miryam got up and traveled into the hill country with haste to a shtetl of Yehudah. BSB BSB: In those days Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judah,
40 ENGOJB And she entered into the bais of Zecharyah and gave Birkat Shalom greetings to Elisheva. BSB BSB: where she entered the home of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.
41 ENGOJB And it came about, when Elisheva heard the Birkat Shalom of Miryam, the yeled leaped in Elishevaʼs womb, and she was filled with the Ruach Hakodesh. BSB BSB: When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.
42 ENGOJB And Elisheva cried out with a kol gadol (loud voice) and said, Brucha at miNashim (Blessed art thou among women) , and baruch (blessed is) the pri (fruit) of your womb! BSB BSB: In a loud voice she exclaimed, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!
43 ENGOJB And why has this happened to me that the Em Adoni should come to me? BSB BSB: And why am I so honored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
44 ENGOJB For hinei! When the sound of your Birkat Shalom came into my ears, the yeled leaped with simcha in my womb. BSB BSB: For as soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.
45 ENGOJB And ashrey is the one having had emunah that there will be a fulfillment to the things having been spoken to Miryam by Hashem. 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 ENGOJB ALATZ LIBI BA'HASHEM (My heart rejoices in Hashem) and my neshamah exalts in Hashem Yishi (G-d my Savior, Moshi'a) , BSB BSB: and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!
49 ENGOJB For Shaddai (the Almighty) did gedolot for me and Kadosh is Shmo, BSB BSB: For the Mighty One has done great things for me. Holy is His name.
50 ENGOJB And the chesed of Hashem is DOR VDOR to those with yirat Shomayim. BSB BSB: His mercy extends to those who fear Him, from generation to generation.
51 ENGOJB Hashem has done niflaot (wonders) with his zeroa (arm) . He scattered those who in the machshavot (thoughts) of their levavot are the Gaayonim (the Haughty ones) . BSB BSB: He has performed mighty deeds with His arm; He has scattered those who are proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
52 ENGOJB He brought down shalitim (rulers) from their kisot (thrones) and lifted up the Anavim (Humble) , BSB BSB: He has brought down rulers from their thrones, but has exalted the humble.
53 ENGOJB The ones hungering, Hashem made full of tov, and the ashirim he sent away empty. BSB BSB: He has filled the hungry with good things, but has sent the rich away empty.
54 ENGOJB Hashem helped his servant Yisroel, in remembrance of his rachamim (mercy) , BSB BSB: He has helped His servant Israel, remembering to be merciful,
55 ENGOJB Just as Hashem spoke to Avoteinu, to Avraham Avinu and his Zera ad Olam. BSB BSB: as He promised to our fathers, to Abraham and his descendants forever.”
56 ENGOJB And Miryam remained with Elisheva about shlosha chodashim, and then Miryam returned to her bais. BSB BSB: Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.
The Birth of John the Baptist 57 ENGOJB Now when the time of Elisheva to give birth was fulfilled, she bore a ben. BSB BSB: When the time came for Elizabeth to have her child, she gave birth to a son.
58 ENGOJB And Elishevaʼs shchenim (neighbors) and krovim (relatives) heard that Adoneinu greatly demonstrated his rachamim to her, and they had much simcha with her. BSB BSB: Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they rejoiced with her.
59 ENGOJB And it came about on the yom hashemini (the eighth day) they came for the bris milah of the yeled, and they were calling him by the name of his abba, Zecharyah. BSB BSB: On the eighth day, when they came to circumcise the child, they were going to name him after his father Zechariah.
60 ENGOJB And in reply, his Em said: Lo, but he will be called Yochanan. BSB BSB: But his mother replied, “No! He shall be called John.”
61 ENGOJB And they said to her, There is no one from your krovim who is called by this shem. BSB BSB: They said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who bears this name.”
62 ENGOJB And they began motioning to the yeledʼs abba to find out what shem he wanted to give him. BSB BSB: So they made signs to his father to find out what he wanted to name the child.
63 ENGOJB And having asked for a luach (tablet) , Zecharyah wrote, saying, Yochanan shmo. And everyone was amazed. BSB BSB: Zechariah asked for a tablet and wrote, “His name is John.” And they were all amazed.
64 ENGOJB And Zecharyahʼs mouth was loosed at once and the lashon of him, and he began speaking, saying Baruch Hashem! BSB BSB: Immediately Zechariah’s mouth was opened and his tongue was released, and he began to speak, praising God.
65 ENGOJB And upon all their shchenim (neighbors) came much yirat Shomayim, and in the entire hill country of Yehudah everyone was shmoozing about these matters. BSB BSB: All their neighbors were filled with awe, and people throughout the hill country of Judea were talking about these events.
66 ENGOJB All who heard these things pondered them in their levavot, saying, What then will this yeled become? For, indeed, the yad Hashem was on 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 ENGOJB And Zecharyah, his abba, was filled with the Ruach Hakodesh and brought forth a dvar nevuah, saying, BSB BSB: Then his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied:
68 ENGOJB BARUCH HASHEM ELOHEI YISROEL, for Adonoi has visited his Am Berit and accomplished a pedut kofer ransom for the Geulah of his people. BSB BSB: “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, because He has visited and redeemed His people.
69 ENGOJB And Hashem raised up a Keren Yeshu'ah (Horn of Salvation) , a mighty Moshia, for us in the Beis Dovid, His eved, BSB BSB: He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of His servant David,
70 ENGOJB Just as Hashem spoke through the mouth of His neviim hakedoshim meOlam (holy prophets from long ago) , BSB BSB: as He spoke through His holy prophets, those of ages past,
71 ENGOJB That we should have Yeshu'at Eloheinu from our oyvim (enemies) and from the hand of all the ones who regard us with sinas chinom (baseless hatred) . BSB BSB: salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us,
72 ENGOJB Thus Hashem has demonstrated his rachamim (mercy) to Avoteinu (our Fathers) and has remembered his Brit HaKodesh (Holy Covenant) , BSB BSB: to show mercy to our fathers and to remember His holy covenant,
73 ENGOJB The Brit HaShevu'ah (the Covenant of the oath) which He swore to Avraham Avinu to grant us, BSB BSB: the oath He swore to our father Abraham, to grant us
74 ENGOJB Having been delivered from the yad haoyvim (hand of enemies) of us to serve Hashem fearlessly, BSB BSB: deliverance from hostile hands, that we may serve Him without fear,
75 ENGOJB In kedushah (holiness) and tzedek (righteousness) before Him all our yamim (days) . BSB BSB: in holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our lives.
76 ENGOJB And you also, yeled (child) , will be called Navi HaElyon (Prophet of the Most High) ; for you will go LIFNEI HAADON (before the L-rd) to prepare the DERECH HASHEM (The Way of the L-rd) , 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 ENGOJB To give daas (knowledge) of Yeshu'at Eloheinu (the Salvation of our G-d) to Hashemʼs Am Berit (People of the Covenant) by the selichat (forgiveness) of their avon (sin) , BSB BSB: to give to His people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins,
78 ENGOJB Through the rav rachamim of Eloheinu (through the great mercy of our G-d) , by which has visited us the rising SHEMESH (Sun) from Shomayim, BSB BSB: because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the Dawn will visit us from on high,
79 ENGOJB To appear to the ones in CHOSHECH (darkness) and YOSHVEI BERETZ TZALMAVET (sitting in the land of the shadow of death) , to direct our feet into the Derech Shalom. 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 ENGOJB And the yeled was growing and was being given chizzuk (strengthening) in the Ruach Hakodesh, and Yochanan was in the desolate places until the day of his hisgalus (revelation, manifestation) to Yisroel. 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.