Dedication to Theophilus (Acts 1:1–3)
2 GNV As they haue deliuered them vnto vs, which from the beginning saw them their selues, and were ministers of ye word, BSB BSB: just as they were handed down to us by the initial eyewitnesses and servants of the word.
3 GNV It seemed good also to me (most noble Theophilus) assoone as I had searched out perfectly all things from the beginning, to write vnto thee thereof from point to point, 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 GNV That thou mightest acknowledge the certaintie of those things, whereof thou hast bene instructed. BSB BSB: so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.
Gabriel Foretells John’s Birth 6 GNV Both were iust before God, and walked in all the commandements and ordinances of the Lord, without reproofe. BSB BSB: Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and decrees of the Lord.
7 GNV And they had no childe, because that Elisabet was barren: and both were well stricken in age. BSB BSB: But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well along in years.
8 GNV And it came to passe, as he executed the Priestes office before God, as his course came in order, BSB BSB: One day while Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God,
9 GNV According to the custome of the Priests office, his lot was to burne incense, when he went into the Temple of the Lord. 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 GNV And the whole multitude of the people were without in prayer, while the incense was burning. BSB BSB: And at the hour of the incense offering, the whole congregation was praying outside.
11 GNV Then appeared vnto him an Angel of the Lord standing at the right side 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 GNV And when Zacharias sawe him, he was troubled, and feare fell vpon him. BSB BSB: When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and gripped with fear.
13 GNV But the Angel saide vnto him, Feare not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard, and thy wise Elisabet shall beare thee a sonne, and thou shalt call his name Iohn. 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 GNV And thou shalt haue ioy and gladnes, and many shall reioyce at his birth. BSB BSB: He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice at his birth,
15 GNV For he shalbe great in the sight of the Lord, and shall neither drinke wine, nor strong drinke: and he shalbe filled with the holy Ghost, euen from his mothers wombe. 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 GNV And many of the children of Israel shall he turne to their Lord God. BSB BSB: Many of the sons of Israel he will turn back to the Lord their God.
18 GNV Then Zacharias said vnto ye Angel, Whereby shall I knowe this? for I am an olde man, and my wife is of a great age. 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 GNV And the Angell answered, and sayde vnto him, I am Gabriel that stand in the presence of God, and am sent to speake vnto thee, and to shew thee these good tidings. 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 GNV And beholde, thou shalt be domme, and not be able to speake, vntill the day that these things be done, because thou beleeuedst not my words, which shalbe fulfilled in their season. 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 GNV Now the people waited for Zacharias, and marueiled that he taried 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 GNV And when hee came out, hee coulde not speake vnto them: then they perceiued that hee had seene a vision in the Temple: For he made signes vnto them, and remained domme. 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 GNV And it came to passe, when the daies of his office were fulfilled, that he departed to his owne house. BSB BSB: And when the days of his service were complete, he returned home.
24 GNV And after those daies, his wife Elisabet conceiued, and hid her selfe fiue moneths, saying, BSB BSB: After these days, his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion. She declared,
25 GNV Thus hath the Lord dealt with me, in the daies wherein he looked on me, to take from me my rebuke among men. 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 GNV To a virgin affianced to a man whose name was Ioseph, of the house of Dauid, and the virgins name was Marie. 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 GNV And the Angel went in vnto her, and said, Haile thou that art freely beloued: the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. BSB BSB: The angel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”
29 GNV And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and thought what maner of salutation that should be. BSB BSB: Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.
30 GNV Then the Angel saide vnto her, Feare not, Marie: for thou hast found fauour with God. BSB BSB: So the angel told her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.
31 GNV For loe, thou shalt conceiue in thy wobe, and beare a sonne, and shalt call his name Iesus. BSB BSB: Behold, you will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus.
32 GNV He shall be great, and shall be called the Sonne of the most High, and the Lord God shall giue vnto him the throne of his father Dauid. 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 GNV And hee shall reigne ouer the house of Iacob for euer, and of his kingdome shall bee none ende. BSB BSB: and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever. His kingdom will never end!”
35 GNV And the Angel answered, and said vnto her, The holy Ghost shall come vpon thee, and the power of the most High shall ouershadowe thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall bee borne of thee, shall be called the Sonne 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 GNV And behold, thy cousin Elisabet, she hath also conceiued a sonne in her olde age: and this is her sixt moneth, which was 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 GNV For with God shall nothing be vnpossible. BSB BSB: For no word from God will ever fail.”
Mary Visits Elizabeth 39 GNV And Marie arose in those daies, and went into ye hil countrey with hast to a citie of Iuda, BSB BSB: In those days Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judah,
40 GNV And entred into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabet. BSB BSB: where she entered the home of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.
41 GNV And it came to passe, as Elisabet heard the salutation of Marie, the babe sprang in her bellie, and Elisabet was filled with the holy Ghost. BSB BSB: When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.
42 GNV And she cried with a loud voice, and saide, Blessed art thou among women, because the fruit of thy wombe is blessed. BSB BSB: In a loud voice she exclaimed, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!
43 GNV And whence commeth this to mee, 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 GNV For loe, assoone as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine eares, the babe sprang in my bellie for ioye, BSB BSB: For as soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.
45 GNV And blessed is shee that beleeued: for those things shall be perfourmed, which were tolde her from the Lord. 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 GNV And my spirite reioyceth in God my Sauiour. BSB BSB: and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!
49 GNV Because hee that is mightie, hath done for me great things, and holy is his Name. BSB BSB: For the Mighty One has done great things for me. Holy is His name.
50 GNV And his mercie is from generation to generation on them that feare him. BSB BSB: His mercy extends to those who fear Him, from generation to generation.
51 GNV Hee hath shewed strength with his arme: hee hath scattered the proude in the imagination of their hearts. BSB BSB: He has performed mighty deeds with His arm; He has scattered those who are proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
52 GNV Hee hath put downe the mighty from their seates, and exalted them of lowe degree. BSB BSB: He has brought down rulers from their thrones, but has exalted the humble.
53 GNV Hee hath filled the hungrie with good things, and sent away the rich emptie. BSB BSB: He has filled the hungry with good things, but has sent the rich away empty.
54 GNV Hee hath vpholden Israel his seruaunt to be mindefull of his mercie BSB BSB: He has helped His servant Israel, remembering to be merciful,
55 GNV (As hee hath spoken to our fathers, to wit, to Abraham, and his seede) for euer. BSB BSB: as He promised to our fathers, to Abraham and his descendants forever.”
56 GNV And Marie abode with her about three moneths: after, shee returned to her owne house. BSB BSB: Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.
The Birth of John the Baptist 57 GNV Nowe Elisabets time was fulfilled, that shee should be deliuered, and shee brought foorth a sonne. BSB BSB: When the time came for Elizabeth to have her child, she gave birth to a son.
58 GNV And her neighbours, and cousins heard tell howe the Lord had shewed his great mercie vpon her, and they reioyced with her. BSB BSB: Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they rejoiced with her.
59 GNV And it was so that on the eight day they came to circumcise the babe, and called him Zacharias after the name of 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 GNV But his mother answered, and saide, Not so, but he shalbe called Iohn. BSB BSB: But his mother replied, “No! He shall be called John.”
61 GNV And they saide vnto her, There is none of thy kindred, that is named with this name. BSB BSB: They said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who bears this name.”
62 GNV Then they made signes to his father, howe he would haue him called. BSB BSB: So they made signs to his father to find out what he wanted to name the child.
63 GNV So hee asked for writing tables, and wrote, saying, His name is Iohn, and they marueiled all. BSB BSB: Zechariah asked for a tablet and wrote, “His name is John.” And they were all amazed.
64 GNV And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue, and he spake and praised God. BSB BSB: Immediately Zechariah’s mouth was opened and his tongue was released, and he began to speak, praising God.
65 GNV Then feare came on all them that dwelt neere vnto them, and all these woordes were noised abroade throughout all the hill countrey of Iudea. BSB BSB: All their neighbors were filled with awe, and people throughout the hill country of Judea were talking about these events.
66 GNV And al they that heard them, laid them vp in their hearts, saying, What maner childe shall this be! and the hand 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 GNV Then his father Zacharias was filled with the holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying, BSB BSB: Then his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied:
68 GNV Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, because he hath visited and redeemed his people, BSB BSB: “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, because He has visited and redeemed His people.
69 GNV And hath raised vp the horne of saluation vnto vs, in the house of his seruant Dauid, BSB BSB: He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of His servant David,
70 GNV As he spake by ye mouth of his holy Prophets, which were since the world began, saying, BSB BSB: as He spoke through His holy prophets, those of ages past,
71 GNV That he would sende vs deliuerance from our enemies, and from the hands of all that hate vs, BSB BSB: salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us,
72 GNV That he might shewe mercie towards our fathers, and remember his holy couenant, BSB BSB: to show mercy to our fathers and to remember His holy covenant,
73 GNV And the othe which he sware to our father Abraham. BSB BSB: the oath He swore to our father Abraham, to grant us
74 GNV Which was, that he would graunt vnto vs, that we being deliuered out of the handes of our enemies, should serue him without feare, BSB BSB: deliverance from hostile hands, that we may serve Him without fear,
75 GNV All the daies of our life, in holinesse and righteousnesse before him. BSB BSB: in holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our lives.
76 GNV And thou, babe, shalt be called the Prophet of the most High: for thou shalt goe before the face of the Lord, to prepare his waies, 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 GNV And to giue knowledge of saluation vnto his people, by the remission of their sinnes, BSB BSB: to give to His people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins,
78 GNV Through ye tender mercy of our God, wherby the day spring from an hie hath visited vs, BSB BSB: because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the Dawn will visit us from on high,
79 GNV To giue light to them that sit in darknes, and in the shadow of death, and to guide our feete 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 GNV And the childe grewe, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the wildernesse, til the day came that he should shewe him selfe vnto 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.