Dedication to Theophilus (Acts 1:1–3)
2 MSB just as they were handed down to us by the initial eyewitnesses and servants of the word. BSB BSB: just as they were handed down to us by the initial eyewitnesses and servants of the word.
3 MSB Therefore, having carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent 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 MSB so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught. BSB BSB: so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.
Gabriel Foretells John’s Birth 6 MSB Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and decrees 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 MSB But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well along in years. BSB BSB: But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well along in years.
8 MSB One day while Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, BSB BSB: One day while Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God,
9 MSB he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, 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 MSB And at the hour of the incense offering, the whole congregation was praying outside. BSB BSB: And at the hour of the incense offering, the whole congregation was praying outside.
11 MSB Just then an angel of the Lord appeared to Zechariah, 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 MSB When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and gripped with fear. BSB BSB: When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and gripped with fear.
13 MSB 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. 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 MSB He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice at his birth, BSB BSB: He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice at his birth,
15 MSB 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. 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 MSB Many of the sons of Israel he will turn back to the Lord their God. BSB BSB: Many of the sons of Israel he will turn back to the Lord their God.
18 MSB “How can I be sure of this?” Zechariah asked the angel. “I am an old man, and my wife is well along 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 MSB “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. 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 MSB 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.” 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 MSB Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he took 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 MSB 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. 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 MSB And when the days of his service were complete, he returned home. BSB BSB: And when the days of his service were complete, he returned home.
24 MSB After these days, his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion. She declared, BSB BSB: After these days, his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion. She declared,
25 MSB “The Lord has done this for me. In these days He has shown me favor and taken away my disgrace among the people.” 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 MSB 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. 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 MSB The angel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women!” BSB BSB: The angel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”
29 MSB When she saw this, Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. BSB BSB: Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.
30 MSB So the angel told her, “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 MSB Behold, you will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to 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 MSB 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, 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 MSB and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever. His kingdom will never end!” BSB BSB: and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever. His kingdom will never end!”
35 MSB 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. 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 MSB Look, even Elizabeth your relative has conceived a son in her old age, and she who was called barren is in her sixth month. 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 MSB For no word from God will ever fail.” BSB BSB: For no word from God will ever fail.”
Mary Visits Elizabeth 39 MSB In those days Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judah, BSB BSB: In those days Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judah,
40 MSB where she entered the home of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. BSB BSB: where she entered the home of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.
41 MSB When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and 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 MSB In a loud voice she exclaimed, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the 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 MSB And why am I so honored, 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 MSB For as soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. BSB BSB: For as soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.
45 MSB Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord’s word to her will 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 MSB and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior! BSB BSB: and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!
49 MSB For the Mighty One has done great things for me. Holy is His name. BSB BSB: For the Mighty One has done great things for me. Holy is His name.
50 MSB His mercy extends to those who fear Him, from generation to generation. BSB BSB: His mercy extends to those who fear Him, from generation to generation.
51 MSB He has performed mighty deeds with His arm; He has scattered those who are proud in the thoughts 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 MSB He has brought down rulers from their thrones, but has exalted the humble. BSB BSB: He has brought down rulers from their thrones, but has exalted the humble.
53 MSB He has filled the hungry with good things, but has sent the rich away empty. BSB BSB: He has filled the hungry with good things, but has sent the rich away empty.
54 MSB He has helped His servant Israel, remembering to be merciful, BSB BSB: He has helped His servant Israel, remembering to be merciful,
55 MSB as He promised to our fathers, to Abraham and his descendants forever.” BSB BSB: as He promised to our fathers, to Abraham and his descendants forever.”
56 MSB Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about 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 MSB When the time came for Elizabeth to have her child, 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 MSB Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they rejoiced with her. BSB BSB: Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they rejoiced with her.
59 MSB On the eighth day, when they came to circumcise the child, they were going to name him after his father Zechariah. BSB BSB: On the eighth day, when they came to circumcise the child, they were going to name him after his father Zechariah.
60 MSB But his mother replied, “No! He shall be called John.” BSB BSB: But his mother replied, “No! He shall be called John.”
61 MSB They said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who bears this name.” BSB BSB: They said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who bears this name.”
62 MSB So they made signs to his father to find out what he wanted to name the child. BSB BSB: So they made signs to his father to find out what he wanted to name the child.
63 MSB Zechariah asked for a tablet and wrote, “His name is John.” And they were all amazed. BSB BSB: Zechariah asked for a tablet and wrote, “His name is John.” And they were all amazed.
64 MSB Immediately Zechariah’s mouth was opened and his tongue was released, and he began to speak, praising God. BSB BSB: Immediately Zechariah’s mouth was opened and his tongue was released, and he began to speak, praising God.
65 MSB All their neighbors were filled with awe, and people throughout the hill country of Judea were talking about these events. BSB BSB: All their neighbors were filled with awe, and people throughout the hill country of Judea were talking about these events.
66 MSB And all who heard this wondered in their hearts and asked, “What then will this child become?” And the Lord’s hand 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 MSB Then his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied: BSB BSB: Then his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied:
68 MSB “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, because He has visited and redeemed His people. BSB BSB: “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, because He has visited and redeemed His people.
69 MSB He has raised up a horn of salvation for us 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 MSB as He spoke through His holy prophets, those of ages past, BSB BSB: as He spoke through His holy prophets, those of ages past,
71 MSB salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us, BSB BSB: salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us,
72 MSB to show mercy to our fathers and to remember His holy covenant, BSB BSB: to show mercy to our fathers and to remember His holy covenant,
73 MSB the oath He swore to our father Abraham, to grant us BSB BSB: the oath He swore to our father Abraham, to grant us
74 MSB deliverance from the hands of our enemies, that we may serve Him without fear, BSB BSB: deliverance from hostile hands, that we may serve Him without fear,
75 MSB in holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our lives. BSB BSB: in holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our lives.
76 MSB And you, child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the presence of the Lord to prepare the way for Him, 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 MSB to give to 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 MSB because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the Dawn has visited us from on high, BSB BSB: because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the Dawn will visit us from on high,
79 MSB to shine on those who live in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into 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 MSB And the child grew and became strong in spirit; and he lived in the wilderness until the time of his public appearance 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.