Dedication to Theophilus (Acts 1:1–3)
2 FBV They based their accounts on evidence from the earliest eyewitnesses and ministers of the Word, BSB BSB: just as they were handed down to us by the initial eyewitnesses and servants of the word.
3 FBV and so I also decided that since I have followed these things very carefully from the beginning, it would be a good idea to write out an accurate account of all that happened. 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 FBV I have done this Theophilus, Your Excellency, so you can be certain that what you were taught is completely reliable. BSB BSB: so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.
Gabriel Foretells John’s Birth 6 FBV They both did what was right before God, being careful to follow all the Lord's commandments and regulations. BSB BSB: Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and decrees of the Lord.
7 FBV They had no children because Elizabeth wasn't able to have any, and they were both growing old. BSB BSB: But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well along in years.
8 FBV While Zechariah was serving as a priest before God, on behalf of his priestly division, BSB BSB: One day while Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God,
9 FBV he was chosen by lot according to priestly custom to enter 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 FBV During the time of offering incense a large crowd of people were praying outside. BSB BSB: And at the hour of the incense offering, the whole congregation was praying outside.
11 FBV An angel of the Lord appeared to Zechariah, standing to 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 FBV When Zechariah saw the angel, he was startled and became terrified. BSB BSB: When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and gripped with fear.
13 FBV But the angel told him, “Don't be afraid, Zechariah. Your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call him 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 FBV He will bring you joy and gladness, and many will celebrate his birth. BSB BSB: He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice at his birth,
15 FBV He will be great in the sight of the Lord. He will refuse to drink wine or other alcoholic drink. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he's born. 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 FBV He will turn many Israelites back to the Lord their God. BSB BSB: Many of the sons of Israel he will turn back to the Lord their God.
18 FBV “How can I be sure about this?” Zechariah asked the angel. “I'm an old man, and my wife is getting old too.” 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 FBV “I am Gabriel,” the angel replied. “I stand in God's presence, and I was sent to speak to you and give 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 FBV But since you didn't believe what I told you, you'll become dumb, unable to speak, until the appointed time when my words come true.” 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 FBV Outside the people were waiting for Zechariah, wondering why he was taking 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 FBV When eventually he came out, he couldn't speak to them. They realized he'd seen a vision in the Temple, for though he could make gestures, he was completely unable to speak. 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 FBV After he'd finished his time of service, he went back home. BSB BSB: And when the days of his service were complete, he returned home.
24 FBV Some time later his wife Elizabeth became pregnant. She stayed at home for five months. BSB BSB: After these days, his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion. She declared,
25 FBV “The Lord has done this for me,” she said, “now that he's taken away my disgrace in the eyes of others.” 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 FBV She was engaged to a man named Joseph. 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 FBV The angel greeted her. “You are very privileged,” he told her. “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 FBV Mary was very puzzled at what he said, and wondered what this greeting meant. BSB BSB: Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.
30 FBV “Don't worry, Mary,” the angel went on, “for God has shown his graciousness to you. BSB BSB: So the angel told her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.
31 FBV You will become pregnant and give birth to a son. You shall call him Jesus. BSB BSB: Behold, you will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus.
32 FBV He will be very great, and he will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, 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 FBV and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever. His kingdom will never come to an end.” BSB BSB: and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever. His kingdom will never end!”
35 FBV He replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will cover you. The baby who is to be born is holy, and will be called the 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 FBV And Elizabeth, your relative, even she is pregnant in her old age. The woman that people said couldn't have children is already six months pregnant. 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 FBV Nothing is impossible for God.” BSB BSB: For no word from God will ever fail.”
Mary Visits Elizabeth 39 FBV A little while later, Mary got herself ready and hurried up into the hills of Judea, to the town where BSB BSB: In those days Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judah,
40 FBV Zechariah's house was. She called out to Elizabeth as she went in. BSB BSB: where she entered the home of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.
41 FBV As soon as Elizabeth heard Mary's voice, the baby jumped for joy inside her. Elizabeth 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 FBV and cried out in a loud voice: “How blessed you are among women, and how blessed will be the child born to you! BSB BSB: In a loud voice she exclaimed, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!
43 FBV Why am I so honored that the mother of my Lord should visit me? BSB BSB: And why am I so honored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
44 FBV As soon as I heard you call out in greeting, my baby jumped for joy inside me. BSB BSB: For as soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.
45 FBV How fortunate you are, because you are convinced that the Lord will do what he has promised you!” 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 FBV I am so happy with God my Savior, BSB BSB: and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!
49 FBV God Almighty has done great things for me; his name is holy. BSB BSB: For the Mighty One has done great things for me. Holy is His name.
50 FBV His mercy lasts for generation after generation to those who respect him. BSB BSB: His mercy extends to those who fear Him, from generation to generation.
51 FBV With his power he has broken to pieces those who arrogantly think they're so clever. BSB BSB: He has performed mighty deeds with His arm; He has scattered those who are proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
52 FBV He tears the powerful down from their thrones, and elevates those who are humble. BSB BSB: He has brought down rulers from their thrones, but has exalted the humble.
53 FBV He fills the hungry with good things to eat, and he sends the rich away empty-handed. BSB BSB: He has filled the hungry with good things, but has sent the rich away empty.
54 FBV He has helped his servant Israel, remembering him in mercy, BSB BSB: He has helped His servant Israel, remembering to be merciful,
55 FBV just as he promised our fathers, to Abraham and his descendants for ever.” BSB BSB: as He promised to our fathers, to Abraham and his descendants forever.”
56 FBV Mary stayed with her for three months and then returned home. BSB BSB: Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.
The Birth of John the Baptist 57 FBV The time came for Elizabeth to have her baby and 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 FBV Her neighbors and relatives heard how the Lord had showed her great kindness, and they celebrated together with her. BSB BSB: Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they rejoiced with her.
59 FBV Eight days later they came to circumcise the boy. They planned 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 FBV “No,” Elizabeth said. “He shall be called John.” BSB BSB: But his mother replied, “No! He shall be called John.”
61 FBV “But there's nobody among your relatives who has this name,” they told her. BSB BSB: They said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who bears this name.”
62 FBV Through gestures they asked Zechariah, the boy's father, what he wanted to call his son. BSB BSB: So they made signs to his father to find out what he wanted to name the child.
63 FBV Zechariah motioned for something to write on. To everyone's surprise he wrote, “His name is John.” BSB BSB: Zechariah asked for a tablet and wrote, “His name is John.” And they were all amazed.
64 FBV Immediately he could speak again, and he started praising God. BSB BSB: Immediately Zechariah’s mouth was opened and his tongue was released, and he began to speak, praising God.
65 FBV All those living nearby were in awe at what had happened, and the news spread throughout the hill country of Judea. BSB BSB: All their neighbors were filled with awe, and people throughout the hill country of Judea were talking about these events.
66 FBV Everyone who heard the news wondered what it meant. “What will the little boy grow up to be?” they asked, for it was clear he was very special to God. 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 FBV Zechariah, his father, filled with the Holy Spirit, spoke this prophecy: BSB BSB: Then his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied:
68 FBV “The Lord, the God of Israel, he is wonderful, for he has come to his people and set them free. BSB BSB: “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, because He has visited and redeemed His people.
69 FBV He has given us a great Savior from the line of his servant David, BSB BSB: He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of His servant David,
70 FBV as he promised through his holy prophets long ago. BSB BSB: as He spoke through His holy prophets, those of ages past,
71 FBV He promised to save us from our enemies, from those who hate us. BSB BSB: salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us,
72 FBV He was merciful to our fathers, remembering his holy agreement— BSB BSB: to show mercy to our fathers and to remember His holy covenant,
73 FBV the promise that he made to our father Abraham. BSB BSB: the oath He swore to our father Abraham, to grant us
74 FBV He gives us freedom from fear and rescues us from our enemies, BSB BSB: deliverance from hostile hands, that we may serve Him without fear,
75 FBV so we can serve him by doing what is good and right for our whole lives. BSB BSB: in holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our lives.
76 FBV Even though you are only a small child, you will be called the prophet of the Most High, for you will go ahead of the Lord to prepare 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 FBV providing knowledge of salvation to his people through the forgiveness of their sins. BSB BSB: to give to His people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins,
78 FBV Through God's caring kindness to us, heaven's dawn will break upon us BSB BSB: because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the Dawn will visit us from on high,
79 FBV to shine on those who live in darkness and under the shadow of death, and to guide us along the path 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 FBV The boy John grew and became spiritually strong. He lived in the desert until the time came for his public ministry to 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.