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LU KE 1
page 918
sure this will happen? I’m an old man now, and
my wife is also well along in years.”
19 Then the angel said, “I am Gabriel! I stand
in the very presence of God. It was he who sent
me to bring you this good news! 20 But now,
since you didn’t believe what I said, you will
be silent and unable to speak until the child is
born. For my words will certainly be fulfilled at
the proper time.”
21 Meanwhile, the people were waiting for
Zechariah to come out of the sanctuary, wondering why he was taking so long. 22 When he
finally did come out, he couldn’t speak to them.
Then they realized from his gestures and his
silence that he must have seen a vision in the
sanctuary.
23 When Zechariah’s week of service in the
Temple was over, he returned home. 24 Soon
afterward his wife, Elizabeth, became pregnant
and went into seclusion for five months. 25 “How
kind the Lord is!” she exclaimed. “He has taken
away my disgrace of having no children.”
— promises —
from God
say she was barren, but she has conceived a son
and is now in her sixth month. 37 For the word of
God will never fail.*”
38 Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant.
May everything you have said about me come
true.” And then the angel left her.
Mary Visits Elizabeth
39 A few days later Mary hurried to the hill country of Judea, to the town 40 where Zechariah
lived. She entered the house and greeted Elizabeth. 41 At the sound of Mary’s greeting, Elizabeth’s child leaped within her, and Elizabeth
was filled with the Holy Spirit.
42 Elizabeth gave a glad cry and exclaimed to
Mary, “God has blessed you above all women,
and your child is blessed. 43 Why am I so honored, that the mother of my Lord should visit
me? 44 When I heard your greeting, the baby in
my womb jumped for joy. 45 You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what
he said.”
The Magnificat: Mary’s Song of Praise
46 Mary responded,
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“He shows mercy from
generation to generation
to all who fear him.”
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LU K E 1:50
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The Birth of Jesus Foretold
26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy,
God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village
in Galilee, 27 to a virgin named Mary. She was
engaged to be married to a man named Joseph,
a descendant of King David. 28 Gabriel appeared
to her and said, “Greetings,* favored woman!
The Lord is with you!*”
29 Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to
think what the angel could mean. 30 “Don’t be
afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have
found favor with God! 31 You will conceive and
give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus.
32 He will be very great and will be called the
Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give
him the throne of his ancestor David. 33 And he
will reign over Israel* forever; his Kingdom will
never end!”
34 Mary asked the angel, “But how can this
happen? I am a virgin.”
35 The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will
come upon you, and the power of the Most High
will overshadow you. So the baby to be born
will be holy, and he will be called the Son of
God. 36 What’s more, your relative Elizabeth has
become pregnant in her old age! People used to
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“Oh, how my soul praises the Lord.
How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!
For he took notice of his lowly servant girl,
and from now on all generations will call
me blessed.
For the Mighty One is holy,
and he has done great things for me.
He shows mercy from generation to
generation
to all who fear him.
His mighty arm has done tremendous things!
He has scattered the proud and haughty
ones.
He has brought down princes from their
thrones
and exalted the humble.
He has filled the hungry with good things
and sent the rich away with empty hands.
He has helped his servant Israel
and remembered to be merciful.
For he made this promise to our ancestors,
to Abraham and his children forever.”
56 Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three
months and then went back to her own home.
The Birth of John the Baptist
57 When it was time for Elizabeth’s baby to be
born, she gave birth to a son. 58 And when her
neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had
been very merciful to her, everyone rejoiced
with her.
59 When the baby was eight days old, they
all came for the circumcision ceremony. They
1:28a Or Rejoice. 1:28b Some manuscripts add Blessed
are you among women. 1:33 Greek over the house of Jacob.
1:37 Some manuscripts read For nothing is impossible with God.