Dedication to Theophilus (Acts 1:1–3)
2 WNT on the authority of those who were from the beginning eye-witnesses and were devoted to the service of the divine Message, BSB BSB: just as they were handed down to us by the initial eyewitnesses and servants of the word.
3 WNT it has seemed right to me also, after careful investigation of the facts from their commencement, to write for you, most noble Theophilus, a connected account, 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 WNT that you may fully know the truth of the things which you have been taught by word of mouth. BSB BSB: so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.
Gabriel Foretells John’s Birth 6 WNT They were both of them upright before God, blamelessly obeying all the Lord's precepts and ordinances. BSB BSB: Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and decrees of the Lord.
7 WNT But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren; and both of them were far advanced in life. BSB BSB: But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well along in years.
8 WNT Now while he was doing priestly duty before God in the prescribed course of his class, BSB BSB: One day while Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God,
9 WNT it fell to his lot--according to the custom of the priesthood--to go into the Sanctuary of the Lord and burn the 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 WNT and the whole multitude of the people were outside praying, at the hour of incense. BSB BSB: And at the hour of the incense offering, the whole congregation was praying outside.
11 WNT Then there appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on 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 WNT and Zechariah on seeing him was agitated and terrified. BSB BSB: When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and gripped with fear.
13 WNT But the angel said to him, "Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your petition has been heard: and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call his 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 WNT Gladness and exultant joy shall be yours, and many will rejoice over his birth. BSB BSB: He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice at his birth,
15 WNT For he will be great in the sight of the Lord; no wine or fermented drink shall he ever drink; but he will be filled with the Holy Spirit from the very hour of his birth. 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 WNT Many of the descendants of Israel will he turn to the Lord their God; BSB BSB: Many of the sons of Israel he will turn back to the Lord their God.
18 WNT "By what proof," asked Zechariah, "shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is far advanced 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 WNT "I am Gabriel, who stand in the presence of God," answered the angel, "and I have been sent to talk with you and tell 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 WNT And now you will be dumb and unable to speak until the day when this has taken place; because you did not believe my words--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 WNT Meanwhile the people were waiting for Zechariah, and were surprised that he stayed so long in the Sanctuary. BSB BSB: Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he took so long in the temple.
22 WNT When, however, he came out, he was unable to speak to them; and they knew that he must have seen a vision in the Sanctuary; but he kept making signs to them and continued dumb. 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 WNT When his days of service were at an end, he went to his home; BSB BSB: And when the days of his service were complete, he returned home.
24 WNT and in course of time his wife Elizabeth conceived, and kept herself secluded five months. BSB BSB: After these days, his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion. She declared,
25 WNT "Thus has the Lord dealt with me," she said, "now that He has graciously taken away my reproach 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 WNT to a maiden betrothed to a man of the name of Joseph, a descendant of David. The maiden'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 WNT So Gabriel went into the house and said to her, "Joy be to you, favoured one! 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 WNT She was greatly agitated at his words, and wondered what such a greeting meant. BSB BSB: Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.
30 WNT But the angel said, "Do not be frightened, Mary, for you have found favour with God. BSB BSB: So the angel told her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.
31 WNT You will conceive in your womb and bear a son; and you are to call His name JESUS. BSB BSB: Behold, you will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus.
32 WNT He will be great and He will be called `Son of the Most High.' And the Lord God will give Him the throne of His forefather 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 WNT and He will be King over the House of Jacob for the Ages, 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 WNT The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for this reason your holy offspring 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 WNT And see, your relative Elizabeth--she also has conceived a son in her old age; and this is the sixth month with 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 WNT For no promise from God will be impossible of fulfilment." BSB BSB: For no word from God will ever fail.”
Mary Visits Elizabeth 39 WNT Not long after this, Mary rose up and went in haste into the hill country to a town in Judah. BSB BSB: In those days Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judah,
40 WNT Here she came to the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth; BSB BSB: where she entered the home of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.
41 WNT and as soon as Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the babe leapt within her. 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 WNT and uttered a loud cry of joy. "Blest among women are you," she said, "and the offspring of your body is blest! BSB BSB: In a loud voice she exclaimed, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!
43 WNT But why is this honour done 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 WNT For, the moment your greeting reached my ears, the babe within me leapt 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 WNT And blessed is she who has believed, for the word spoken to her from the Lord shall 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 WNT And my spirit triumphs in God my Saviour; BSB BSB: and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!
49 WNT 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 WNT And His compassion is, generation after generation, Upon those who fear Him. BSB BSB: His mercy extends to those who fear Him, from generation to generation.
51 WNT He has manifested His supreme strength. He has scattered those who were haughty 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 WNT He has cast monarchs down from their thrones, And exalted men of low estate. BSB BSB: He has brought down rulers from their thrones, but has exalted the humble.
53 WNT The hungry He has satisfied with choice gifts, But the rich He has sent empty-handed away. BSB BSB: He has filled the hungry with good things, but has sent the rich away empty.
54 WNT His servant Israel He has helped, Remembering His compassion-- BSB BSB: He has helped His servant Israel, remembering to be merciful,
55 WNT In fulfillment of His promises to our forefathers--For Abraham and his posterity for ever." BSB BSB: as He promised to our fathers, to Abraham and his descendants forever.”
56 WNT So Mary stayed with Elizabeth 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 WNT Now when Elizabeth's full time was come, 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 WNT and her neighbours and relatives heard how the Lord had had great compassion on 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 WNT And on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and were going 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 WNT His mother, however, said, "No, he is to be called John." BSB BSB: But his mother replied, “No! He shall be called John.”
61 WNT "There is not one of your family," they said, "who has that name." BSB BSB: They said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who bears this name.”
62 WNT They asked his father by signs what he wished him to be called. BSB BSB: So they made signs to his father to find out what he wanted to name the child.
63 WNT So he asked for a writing-tablet, and wrote, "His name is John." And they all wondered. BSB BSB: Zechariah asked for a tablet and wrote, “His name is John.” And they were all amazed.
64 WNT Instantly his mouth and his tongue were set free, and he began to speak and bless God. BSB BSB: Immediately Zechariah’s mouth was opened and his tongue was released, and he began to speak, praising God.
65 WNT And all who lived round about them were filled with awe, and throughout the hill country of Judaea reports of all these things were spread abroad. BSB BSB: All their neighbors were filled with awe, and people throughout the hill country of Judea were talking about these events.
66 WNT All who heard the story treasured it in their memories. "What then will this child be?" they said. For the Lord's hand was indeed 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 WNT And Zechariah his father was filled with the Holy Spirit, and spoke in a rapture of praise. BSB BSB: Then his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied:
68 WNT "Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel," he said, "Because He has not forgotten His people but has effected redemption for them, BSB BSB: “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, because He has visited and redeemed His people.
69 WNT And has raised up a mighty Deliverer for us In the house of David His servant-- BSB BSB: He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of His servant David,
70 WNT As He has spoken from all time by the lips of His holy Prophets-- BSB BSB: as He spoke through His holy prophets, those of ages past,
71 WNT To deliver us from our foes and from the power of all who hate us. BSB BSB: salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us,
72 WNT He dealt pitifully with our forefathers, And remembered His holy covenant, BSB BSB: to show mercy to our fathers and to remember His holy covenant,
73 WNT The oath which He swore to Abraham our forefather, BSB BSB: the oath He swore to our father Abraham, to grant us
74 WNT To grant us to be rescued from the power of our foes And so render worship to Him free from fear, BSB BSB: deliverance from hostile hands, that we may serve Him without fear,
75 WNT In piety and uprightness before Him all our days. BSB BSB: in holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our lives.
76 WNT And you moreover, O child, shall be called Prophet of the Most High; For you shall go on in front before 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 WNT To give to His People a knowledge of salvation In the forgiveness of their sins, BSB BSB: to give to His people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins,
78 WNT Through the tender compassion of our God, Through which the daybreak from on high will come to us, BSB BSB: because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the Dawn will visit us from on high,
79 WNT Dawning on those who now dwell in the darkness and shadow of death--To direct 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 WNT And the child grew and became strong in character, and lived in the Desert till the time came for him to appear publicly 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.