Luke 1

Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us,

Many have tried to organize and express the beliefs we hold dear, with utmost certainty.

Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word;

Just as those who first witnessed and spread God's word passed it onto us.

It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus,

Feeling confident in my deep understanding of all things from the beginning, I felt inspired to write this for you, dear Theophilus.

That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed.

So you can be sure and confident about the teachings you've received.

THERE was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth.

During the reign of King Herod in Judaea, there lived a priest named Zacharias, from the lineage of Abia. His wife, Elisabeth, was a descendant of Aaron.

And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.

Both of them were pure and faithful in God's eyes, living a life of obedience to all of His laws and rules, without any fault.

And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years.

Elisabeth and her husband were childless due to her infertility, and they were both advancing in age.

And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest’s office before God in the order of his course,

As he faithfully served God in his priestly duties, a profound sense of awe and reverence filled his heart.

According to the custom of the priest’s office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord.

Following the custom of the priests, he was chosen by lot to ignite the sacred incense as he entered God's holy temple.

And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense.

As the scent of incense filled the air, everyone, in a united spirit, was fervently praying outdoors.

And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense.

Suddenly, an angel from God appeared to him, standing to the right of the incense altar, filling him with awe and wonder.

And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.

When Zacharias laid eyes on him, his heart pounded with anxiety and a wave of fear washed over him.

But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.

The angel reassured Zacharias, "Don't be afraid. Your prayer has been answered. Your wife Elisabeth will give birth to a son, and you'll name him John."

And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth.

You will be filled with happiness and delight; his birth will bring joy to many.

For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother’s womb.

He will be great in God's eyes, abstaining from alcohol, and filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born.

And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God.

He will guide many of the people of Israel back to the Lord their God, with love and devotion.

And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.

He will lead with the strength and spirit of Elias, mending the bond between parents and children, guiding the lost towards wisdom, and preparing everyone for the Lord's arrival.

And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years.

Zacharias, overwhelmed, asked the angel, "How can I be sure of this? I'm old and my wife is too."

And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings.

With a gentle voice, the angel replied, "I am Gabriel, God's trusted messenger. I'm here to share with you joyful news from His divine presence."

And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season.

You won't be able to speak until everything I've said comes true, because you didn't believe my words. They will happen when the time is right.

And the people waited for Zacharias, and marvelled that he tarried so long in the temple.

The crowd grew anxious, wondering why Zacharias was taking such an unusually long time inside the temple.

And when he came out, he could not speak unto them: and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple: for he beckoned unto them, and remained speechless.

When he emerged, he was unable to talk to them. They sensed he had experienced a vision in the temple, as he gestured to them but remained silent.

And it came to pass, that, as soon as the days of his ministration were accomplished, he departed to his own house.

Once his duties were fulfilled, he returned home with a sense of relief and longing.

And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, saying,

Following those days, Elisabeth, his wife, discovered she was pregnant. Overwhelmed with joy and fear, she chose to keep her secret for five months, whispering to herself,

Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he looked on me, to take away my reproach among men.

The Lord saw my struggles and in His mercy, He lifted my shame in the eyes of others.

And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,

In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel, filled with divine purpose, to the humble city of Nazareth in Galilee.

To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.

A virgin named Mary, promised in marriage to a man named Joseph, who was descended from King David, was chosen.

And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.

The angel appeared before her, greeting her warmly, "You are greatly loved and blessed. God is with you, making you the most fortunate among women."

And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.

When she saw him, she was filled with anxiety at his words, wondering what kind of greeting this could be.

And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.

The angel comforted Mary, "Don't be afraid, you are greatly loved by God."

And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.

Surprise! You're going to become pregnant, give birth to a son, and you'll name him Jesus.

He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:

He will be magnificent, known as the Son of the Supreme. God will grant him the royal seat of his ancestor, David.

And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

He will forever rule Jacob's family, his reign will never cease.

Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?

Mary, puzzled, asked the angel, "How can this happen when I've never been with a man?"

And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

The angel reassured her, "God's Spirit will touch you, His mighty power will envelop you. Thus, the sacred life within you will be known as God's Son."

And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.

Look, your relative Elisabeth, even in her later years, is expecting a son! She's already six months along, this woman once thought unable to have children.

For with God nothing shall be impossible.

For nothing is impossible for God.

And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.

With a humble heart, Mary declared, "I am the Lord's servant, ready to follow His will." With her acceptance, the angel left her side.

And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda;

In those days, Mary, filled with urgency, swiftly journeyed through the rugged hills to a city in Juda.

And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth.

Stepping into Zacharias' home, she warmly greeted Elisabeth.

And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:

When Elisabeth heard Mary's greeting, her unborn child stirred within her. Overwhelmed with divine joy, Elisabeth was touched by the Holy Spirit.

And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.

With a voice full of joy, she exclaimed, "You are truly favored among women, and the child you carry is blessed!"

And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?

How can I be so blessed, that the mother of my Lord would visit me?

For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.

The moment your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb jumped with joy.

And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.

She who trusts in the Lord is truly blessed, for all His promises to her will indeed come true.

And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,

And Mary passionately declared, "My very being exalts the Lord!"

And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.

My soul has danced with joy in the presence of my God, my Savior.

For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.

He has noticed me in my humble state, his servant. From now on, everyone will recognize the blessings in my life.

For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.

The powerful one has blessed me immensely; his name is sacred.

And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.

His compassion forever embraces those who respect him, spanning across all ages.

He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.

With His mighty arm, He has displayed His power; He has humbled the arrogant, shattering their self-centered dreams.

He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.

He has humbled the powerful from their thrones, and uplifted the humble.

He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.

He has satisfied the starving with blessings, while leaving the wealthy wanting.

He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy;

He has lovingly aided his servant, Israel, in a heartfelt reminder of his compassionate mercy.

As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.

He lovingly promised our ancestors, Abraham and his descendants, an eternal covenant.

And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house.

Mary stayed with her for about three months, filled with joy and anticipation, before returning home, her heart heavy yet hopeful.

Now Elisabeth’s full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son.

Elisabeth's long-awaited moment finally arrived; filled with joy and pain, she gave birth to a beautiful baby boy.

And her neighbours and her cousins heard how the Lord had shewed great mercy upon her; and they rejoiced with her.

When her friends and family heard about the incredible kindness God had shown her, they celebrated her joy.

And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father.

On the eighth day, they gathered to circumcise the child. They were going to name him Zacharias, after his father.

And his mother answered and said, Not so; but he shall be called John.

His mother responded firmly, her voice filled with conviction, "No, his name will be John."

And they said unto her, There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name.

They gently told her, "No one in your family shares this name."

And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called.

They gestured to his father, asking him what name he wished for his child.

And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marvelled all.

He requested a tablet, and with a stroke of his hand, he wrote, "His name is John." Everyone was filled with awe.

And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake, and praised God.

Instantly, his mouth unlocked, his tongue freed, he began to speak, expressing his deep gratitude to God.

And fear came on all that dwelt round about them: and all these sayings were noised abroad throughout all the hill country of Judaea.

A wave of fear swept over everyone living nearby. The news of these events spread like wildfire across the hills of Judaea.

And all they that heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, What manner of child shall this be! And the hand of the Lord was with him.

Everyone who heard these words stored them in their hearts, wondering in awe, "What kind of child will this be?" They felt the comforting presence of the Lord guiding him.

And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying,

Zacharias, his father, was overwhelmed with the divine spirit. He began to predict the future, his voice echoing with conviction.

Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people,

Praise to the Lord God of Israel, for He has lovingly come and set His people free.

And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David;

He has raised up a mighty Savior for us from the family of his faithful servant, David.

As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began:

Through the voices of his sacred prophets, who have existed since the dawn of time, he spoke.

That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us;

He promised that we would be saved from those who wish us harm and from the grasp of all who despise us.

To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant;

To fulfill the compassionate promise made to our ancestors, and to honor His sacred agreement.

The oath which he sware to our father Abraham,

The promise He passionately made to our forefather Abraham,

That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear,

He would grant us, once freed from our foes, to serve Him fearlessly.

In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life.

Living purely and justly in His sight, every single day of our lives.

And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways;

You, dear child, will be known as the messenger of the Divine. Your mission is to pave the path for the Lord with love and devotion.

To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins,

To make known to His people the gift of salvation, through the forgiveness of their sins.

Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us,

Through the gentle kindness of our God, the dawn from above has graced us with its presence.

To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.

To bring hope to those lost in despair and fear of death, guiding us towards a path of tranquility.

And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel.

The child matured, his spirit becoming stronger, and he stayed in the wilderness until it was time to reveal himself to Israel.