Dedication to Theophilus (Acts 1:1–3)
2 TCENT just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, BSB BSB: just as they were handed down to us by the initial eyewitnesses and servants of the word.
3 TCENT it seemed good to me also, having carefully investigated all things from the beginning, to write an orderly account for yoʋ, 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 TCENT so that yoʋ may know the certainty of the things about which yoʋ have been instructed. BSB BSB: so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.
Gabriel Foretells John’s Birth 6 TCENT They were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and regulations 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 TCENT But they had no children because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both advanced in their days. BSB BSB: But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well along in years.
8 TCENT While Zechariah was serving as a priest before God when his division was on duty, BSB BSB: One day while Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God,
9 TCENT 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 TCENT At the hour of incense a great crowd was assembled outside, praying. BSB BSB: And at the hour of the incense offering, the whole congregation was praying outside.
11 TCENT 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 TCENT When Zechariah saw him, he was startled, and fear fell upon him. BSB BSB: When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and gripped with fear.
13 TCENT But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for yoʋr prayer has been heard. Yoʋr wife Elizabeth will bear yoʋ a son, and yoʋ shall name 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 TCENT Yoʋ will have joy and gladness, 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 TCENT for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He must never drink any 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 TCENT He will turn many of the sons of Israel to the Lord their God. BSB BSB: Many of the sons of Israel he will turn back to the Lord their God.
18 TCENT Zechariah said to the angel, “How can I know this for certain? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in her 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 TCENT The angel answered him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God and was sent to speak to yoʋ and bring yoʋ 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 TCENT But behold, yoʋ will be silent and unable to speak until the day these things take place, because yoʋ did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled at their appointed 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 TCENT Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering about his delay in the temple. BSB BSB: Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he took so long in the temple.
22 TCENT When he came out, he was unable to speak to them, and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple, because he kept making signs to them and 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 TCENT And when the days of his service had come to an end, he returned to his home. BSB BSB: And when the days of his service were complete, he returned home.
24 TCENT After those days his wife Elizabeth conceived and kept herself in seclusion for five months, saying, BSB BSB: After these days, his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion. She declared,
25 TCENT “The Lord has done this for me. In these days he has looked upon me with favor and taken away my reproach 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 TCENT to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David. 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 TCENT The angel came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with yoʋ! Blessed are yoʋ among women!” BSB BSB: The angel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”
29 TCENT But when Mary saw him, she was greatly perplexed by his statement and began wondering what sort of greeting this could be. BSB BSB: Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.
30 TCENT Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for yoʋ 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 TCENT And behold, yoʋ will conceive in yoʋr womb and give birth to a son, and yoʋ shall name him Jesus. BSB BSB: Behold, you will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus.
32 TCENT He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High, and 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 TCENT He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of 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 TCENT The angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon yoʋ, and the power of the Most High will overshadow yoʋ; therefore the holy child that is 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 TCENT And behold, yoʋr relative Elizabeth has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who 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 TCENT For nothing is impossible with God.” BSB BSB: For no word from God will ever fail.”
Mary Visits Elizabeth 39 TCENT In those days Mary arose and went with haste to the hill country, to a town of Judah, BSB BSB: In those days Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judah,
40 TCENT where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. BSB BSB: where she entered the home of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.
41 TCENT 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 TCENT Then she exclaimed with a loud voice, “Blessed are yoʋ among women, and blessed is the fruit of yoʋr womb! BSB BSB: In a loud voice she exclaimed, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!
43 TCENT How has this happened to me 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 TCENT For behold, when the sound of yoʋr greeting came into 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 TCENT Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has spoken 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 TCENT and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, BSB BSB: and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!
49 TCENT because 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 TCENT From generation to generation his mercy is upon those who fear him. BSB BSB: His mercy extends to those who fear Him, from generation to generation.
51 TCENT He has done a mighty deed with his arm; he has scattered the 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 TCENT He has brought down rulers from their thrones and exalted the lowly. BSB BSB: He has brought down rulers from their thrones, but has exalted the humble.
53 TCENT He has filled the hungry with good things, but 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 TCENT He has helped his servant Israel, remembering his mercy, BSB BSB: He has helped His servant Israel, remembering to be merciful,
55 TCENT just as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever.” BSB BSB: as He promised to our fathers, to Abraham and his descendants forever.”
56 TCENT And Mary remained with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned to her house. BSB BSB: Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.
The Birth of John the Baptist 57 TCENT Now the time was fulfilled for Elizabeth to give birth, and she bore a son. BSB BSB: When the time came for Elizabeth to have her child, she gave birth to a son.
58 TCENT Then her neighbors and her relatives heard that the Lord had magnified his mercy with her, 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 TCENT On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to name 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 TCENT But the child's mother responded, “No! He is to be called John.” BSB BSB: But his mother replied, “No! He shall be called John.”
61 TCENT But they said to her, “There is no one among yoʋr relatives who has that name.” BSB BSB: They said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who bears this name.”
62 TCENT Then they began making signs to the child's father to find out what he wanted to name him. BSB BSB: So they made signs to his father to find out what he wanted to name the child.
63 TCENT So he 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 TCENT At once Zechariah's mouth was opened and his tongue was released, and he began to speak, blessing God. BSB BSB: Immediately Zechariah’s mouth was opened and his tongue was released, and he began to speak, praising God.
65 TCENT Then fear came upon all who dwelt around them, and in the entire hill country of Judea all these things were being discussed. BSB BSB: All their neighbors were filled with awe, and people throughout the hill country of Judea were talking about these events.
66 TCENT All who heard about it laid it up in their hearts, saying, “What then will this child become?” 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 TCENT Then Zechariah, the child's father, was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied: BSB BSB: Then his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied:
68 TCENT “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, for he has visited his people and brought them redemption. BSB BSB: “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, because He has visited and redeemed His people.
69 TCENT He has raised up for us a horn of 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 TCENT just as he spoke through the mouth of his holy prophets long ago, BSB BSB: as He spoke through His holy prophets, those of ages past,
71 TCENT 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 TCENT to deal mercifully with our fathers and to remember his holy covenant, BSB BSB: to show mercy to our fathers and to remember His holy covenant,
73 TCENT the oath he swore to Abraham our father, to grant us BSB BSB: the oath He swore to our father Abraham, to grant us
74 TCENT that we, having been rescued from the hands of our enemies, might serve him without fear, BSB BSB: deliverance from hostile hands, that we may serve Him without fear,
75 TCENT 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 TCENT And yoʋ, child, will be called a prophet of the Most High, for yoʋ will go before the presence of the Lord to prepare his ways, 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 TCENT to give his people knowledge of salvation through the remission of their sins, BSB BSB: to give to His people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins,
78 TCENT through the tender mercy of our God, by which the sunrise 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 TCENT to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to 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 TCENT And the child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the wilderness until the day 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.