NRS 1 Since many have undertaken to set down an orderly account of the events that have been fulfilled among us, NIV 1 Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, NRS 2 just as they were handed on to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word, NIV 2 just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. NRS 3 I too decided, after investigating everything carefully from the very first, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, NIV 3 With this in mind, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, NRS 4 so that you may know the truth concerning the things about which you have been instructed. NIV 4 so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught. NRS 5 In the days of King Herod of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly order of Abijah. His wife was a descendant of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. NIV 5 In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. NRS 6 Both of them were righteous before God, living blamelessly according to all the commandments and regulations of the Lord. NIV 6 Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly. NRS 7 But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were getting on in years. NIV 7 But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old. NRS 8 Once when he was serving as priest before God and his section was on duty, NIV 8 Once when Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, NRS 9 he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and offer incense. NIV 9 he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense. NRS 10 Now at the time of the incense offering, the whole assembly of the people was praying outside. NIV 10 And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshipers were praying outside. NRS 11 Then there appeared to him an angel of the Lord, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. NIV 11 Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. NRS 12 When Zechariah saw him, he was terrified; and fear overwhelmed him. NIV 12 When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. NRS 13 But the angel said to him, "Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John. NIV 13 But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John. NRS 14 You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, NIV 14 He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, NRS 15 for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He must never drink wine or strong drink; even before his birth he will be filled with the Holy Spirit. NIV 15 for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. NRS 16 He will turn many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. NIV 16 He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. NRS 17 With the spirit and power of Elijah he will go before him, to turn the hearts of parents to their children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord." NIV 17 And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” NRS 18 Zechariah said to the angel, "How will I know that this is so? For I am an old man, and my wife is getting on in years." NIV 18 Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.” NRS 19 The angel replied, "I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. NIV 19 The angel said to him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. NRS 20 But now, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time, you will become mute, unable to speak, until the day these things occur." NIV 20 And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their appointed time.” NRS 21 Meanwhile the people were waiting for Zechariah, and wondered at his delay in the sanctuary. NIV 21 Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he stayed so long in the temple. NRS 22 When he did come out, he could not speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary. He kept motioning to them and remained unable to speak. NIV 22 When he came out, he could not speak to them. They realized he had seen a vision in the temple, for he kept making signs to them but remained unable to speak. NRS 23 When his time of service was ended, he went to his home. NIV 23 When his time of service was completed, he returned home. NRS 24 After those days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she remained in seclusion. She said, NIV 24 After this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion. NRS 25 "This is what the Lord has done for me when he looked favorably on me and took away the disgrace I have endured among my people." NIV 25 “The Lord has done this for me,” she said. “In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people.” NRS 26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, NIV 26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, NRS 27 to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin's name was Mary. NIV 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. NRS 28 And he came to her and said, "Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you." NIV 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” NRS 29 But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. NIV 29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. NRS 30 The angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. NIV 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. NRS 31 And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. NIV 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. NRS 32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. NIV 32 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, NRS 33 He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end." NIV 33 and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.” NRS 34 Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I am a virgin?" NIV 34 “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” NRS 35 The angel said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God. NIV 35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on 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. NRS 36 And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. NIV 36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. NRS 37 For nothing will be impossible with God." NIV 37 For no word from God will ever fail.” NRS 38 Then Mary said, "Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word." Then the angel departed from her. NIV 38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her. NRS 39 In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, NIV 39 At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, NRS 40 where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. NIV 40 where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. NRS 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit NIV 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. NRS 42 and exclaimed with a loud cry, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. NIV 42 In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! NRS 43 And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? NIV 43 But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? NRS 44 For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy. NIV 44 As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. NRS 45 And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord." NIV 45 Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!” NRS 46 And Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord, NIV 46 And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord NRS 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, NIV 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, NRS 48 for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; NIV 48 for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, NRS 49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. NIV 49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name. NRS 50 His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. NIV 50 His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. NRS 51 He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. NIV 51 He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. NRS 52 He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; NIV 52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. NRS 53 he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty. NIV 53 He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. NRS 54 He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, NIV 54 He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful NRS 55 according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever." NIV 55 to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors.” NRS 56 And Mary remained with her about three months and then returned to her home. NIV 56 Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home. NRS 57 Now the time came for Elizabeth to give birth, and she bore a son. NIV 57 When it was time for Elizabeth to have her baby, she gave birth to a son. NRS 58 Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her. NIV 58 Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they shared her joy. NRS 59 On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to name him Zechariah after his father. NIV 59 On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to name him after his father Zechariah, NRS 60 But his mother said, "No; he is to be called John." NIV 60 but his mother spoke up and said, “No! He is to be called John.” NRS 61 They said to her, "None of your relatives has this name." NIV 61 They said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who has that name.” NRS 62 Then they began motioning to his father to find out what name he wanted to give him. NIV 62 Then they made signs to his father, to find out what he would like to name the child. NRS 63 He asked for a writing tablet and wrote, "His name is John." And all of them were amazed. NIV 63 He asked for a writing tablet, and to everyone’s astonishment he wrote, “His name is John.” NRS 64 Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue freed, and he began to speak, praising God. NIV 64 Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue set free, and he began to speak, praising God. NRS 65 Fear came over all their neighbors, and all these things were talked about throughout the entire hill country of Judea. NIV 65 All the neighbors were filled with awe, and throughout the hill country of Judea people were talking about all these things. NRS 66 All who heard them pondered them and said, "What then will this child become?" For, indeed, the hand of the Lord was with him. NIV 66 Everyone who heard this wondered about it, asking, “What then is this child going to be?” For the Lord’s hand was with him. NRS 67 Then his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke this prophecy: NIV 67 His father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied: NRS 68 "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has looked favorably on his people and redeemed them. NIV 68 “Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come to his people and redeemed them. NRS 69 He has raised up a mighty savior for us in the house of his servant David, NIV 69 He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David NRS 70 as he spoke through the mouth of his holy prophets from of old, NIV 70 (as he said through his holy prophets of long ago), NRS 71 that we would be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us. NIV 71 salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us— NRS 72 Thus he has shown the mercy promised to our ancestors, and has remembered his holy covenant, NIV 72 to show mercy to our ancestors and to remember his holy covenant, NRS 73 the oath that he swore to our ancestor Abraham, to grant us NIV 73 the oath he swore to our father Abraham: NRS 74 that we, being rescued from the hands of our enemies, might serve him without fear, NIV 74 to rescue us from the hand of our enemies, and to enable us to serve him without fear NRS 75 in holiness and righteousness before him all our days. NIV 75 in holiness and righteousness before him all our days. NRS 76 And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, NIV 76 And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, NRS 77 to give knowledge of salvation to his people by the forgiveness of their sins. NIV 77 to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, NRS 78 By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us, NIV 78 because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven NRS 79 to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace." NIV 79 to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.” NRS 80 The child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the wilderness until the day he appeared publicly to Israel. NIV 80 And the child grew and became strong in spirit ; and he lived in the wilderness until he appeared publicly to Israel.
NIV 1 Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, NIV 2 just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. NIV 3 With this in mind, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, NIV 4 so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught. NIV 5 In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. NIV 6 Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly. NIV 7 But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old. NIV 8 Once when Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, NIV 9 he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense. NIV 10 And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshipers were praying outside. NIV 11 Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. NIV 12 When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. NIV 13 But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John. NIV 14 He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, NIV 15 for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. NIV 16 He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. NIV 17 And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” NIV 18 Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.” NIV 19 The angel said to him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. NIV 20 And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their appointed time.” NIV 21 Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he stayed so long in the temple. NIV 22 When he came out, he could not speak to them. They realized he had seen a vision in the temple, for he kept making signs to them but remained unable to speak. NIV 23 When his time of service was completed, he returned home. NIV 24 After this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion. NIV 25 “The Lord has done this for me,” she said. “In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people.” NIV 26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, NIV 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. NIV 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” NIV 29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. NIV 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. NIV 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. NIV 32 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, NIV 33 and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.” NIV 34 “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” NIV 35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on 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. NIV 36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. NIV 37 For no word from God will ever fail.” NIV 38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her. NIV 39 At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, NIV 40 where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. NIV 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. NIV 42 In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! NIV 43 But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? NIV 44 As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. NIV 45 Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!” NIV 46 And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord NIV 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, NIV 48 for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, NIV 49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name. NIV 50 His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. NIV 51 He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. NIV 52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. NIV 53 He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. NIV 54 He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful NIV 55 to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors.” NIV 56 Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home. NIV 57 When it was time for Elizabeth to have her baby, she gave birth to a son. NIV 58 Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they shared her joy. NIV 59 On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to name him after his father Zechariah, NIV 60 but his mother spoke up and said, “No! He is to be called John.” NIV 61 They said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who has that name.” NIV 62 Then they made signs to his father, to find out what he would like to name the child. NIV 63 He asked for a writing tablet, and to everyone’s astonishment he wrote, “His name is John.” NIV 64 Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue set free, and he began to speak, praising God. NIV 65 All the neighbors were filled with awe, and throughout the hill country of Judea people were talking about all these things. NIV 66 Everyone who heard this wondered about it, asking, “What then is this child going to be?” For the Lord’s hand was with him. NIV 67 His father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied: NIV 68 “Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come to his people and redeemed them. NIV 69 He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David NIV 70 (as he said through his holy prophets of long ago), NIV 71 salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us— NIV 72 to show mercy to our ancestors and to remember his holy covenant, NIV 73 the oath he swore to our father Abraham: NIV 74 to rescue us from the hand of our enemies, and to enable us to serve him without fear NIV 75 in holiness and righteousness before him all our days. NIV 76 And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, NIV 77 to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, NIV 78 because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven NIV 79 to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.” NIV 80 And the child grew and became strong in spirit ; and he lived in the wilderness until he appeared publicly to Israel.