Luke 1
1 My noble [friend] Theophilus, many people saw the things that [Jesus] did while he was with us, from the time when he started [MTY] [his ministry]. They served God [by teaching people] the message [about the Lord Jesus]. Many of those who heard what they taught wrote down for us accounts of the things that [Jesus did from the time when] he began [his ministry].
As you know, many others have attempted to put down in writing the things that have been fulfilled that involve us.
They based their accounts on evidence from the earliest eyewitnesses and ministers of the Word,
3 I myself have studied these accounts carefully. So I decided that it would be good for me also to write for you [(sg)] an accurate account of these matters.
and so I also decided that since I have followed these things very carefully from the beginning, it would be a good idea to write out an accurate account of all that happened.
4 I want you to know the truth about what you have been taught {what others have taught you}.
I have done this dear Theophilus so you can be certain that what you were taught is completely reliable.
5 When King Herod [the Great ruled] Judea [district], there was a [Jewish] priest named Zechariah. He belonged to the [group of priests called] the Abijah group. He and his wife Elizabeth were both descended from the [first priest of Israel], Aaron.
During the time when Herod was king of Judea, there was a priest called Zechariah, who came from the Abijah priestly division. He was married to Elizabeth, who was also descended from Aaron the priest.
6 [God considered that] both of them were righteous, because they constantly completely obeyed everything that God had commanded.
They both did what was right before God, being careful to follow all the Lord's commandments and regulations.
7 But they had no children, because Elizabeth had been unable to bear children. Furthermore, she and her husband were very old.
They had no children because Elizabeth wasn't able to have any, and they were both growing old.
8 One day [Zechariah’s] group was doing their work [in the Temple in Jerusalem], and he was serving as a priest in God’s presence.
While Zechariah was serving as a priest before God, on behalf of his priestly division,
9 Following their custom, [the other priests] chose him by lot to enter the Lord’s temple and burn incense.
he was chosen by lot according to priestly custom to enter the Temple of the Lord and burn incense.
10 While he was burning the incense, many people were outside [in the courtyard], praying.
During the time of offering incense a large crowd of people were praying outside.
11 Then an angel whom God had [sent] appeared to him. The angel was standing at the right side of the place [where the priests burned] incense.
An angel of the Lord appeared to Zechariah, standing to the right of the altar of incense.
12 When Zechariah saw the angel, he was startled and became very afraid.
When Zechariah saw the angel, he was startled and became terrified.
13 But the angel said to him, “Zechariah, do not be afraid! When you [(sg)] prayed [asking God for a son] (OR, [that God would send the Messiah]), God heard what you prayed. [So] your wife Elizabeth shall bear a son. You must name him John.
But the angel told him, “Don't be afraid, Zechariah. Your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call him John.
14 He will cause you to be very happy, and many other people will also be happy because he is born.
He will bring you joy and gladness, and many will celebrate his birth.
15 God will consider him to be very important. He must never drink wine or any other alcoholic drink, [in order that he will be completely dedicated to God]. He will be controlled by the Holy Spirit {The Holy Spirit will control him} from before he is born.
He will be great in the sight of the Lord. He will refuse to drink wine or other alcoholic drink. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he's born.
16 He will [persuade] many people in Israel to turn away [from their sins and please] the Lord their God.
He will turn many Israelites back to the Lord their God.
17 As [God’s] Spirit enables him [to preach] powerfully as [the prophet] Elijah did, he will precede [the Messiah]. He will cause parents [SYN] to act [peacefully] toward their children [again]. He will cause [many] people who do not obey [God to hear and obey] the wise things that righteous people [tell them]. He will do this in order to help [many] people to be ready when the Lord [comes].”
He will go ahead of the Lord in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the fathers back to thinking about their children, and to turn those who are rebellious back to a right understanding—to prepare a people ready for the Lord.”
18 Then Zechariah said to the angel, “I am very old, and my wife is also so old [that she cannot bear a child. So] (I cannot [believe] that what you [(sg)] said [will happen]!/how can I [believe] that what you [(sg)] said [will happen]?) [RHQ]”
“How can I be sure about this?” Zechariah asked the angel. “I'm an old man, and my wife is getting old too.”
19 Then the angel said to him, “I am [God’s chief angel], Gabriel! [I do what God tells me, because] I constantly am in God’s presence! I was sent {[He] sent me} to tell you [(sg)] something good [that is going to happen to you].
“I am Gabriel,” the angel replied. “I stand in God's presence, and I was sent to speak to you and give you this good news.
20 What I have told you will certainly happen at the time [God decides], but you did not believe what I told you. So now [God will make] you will be unable to talk until the day [your son is born]”!
But since you didn't believe what I told you, you'll become dumb, unable to speak, until the appointed time when my words come true.”
21 While [Zechariah and the angel] were talking, the people [in the courtyard] were waiting for Zechariah [to come out]. They wondered, “Why is he staying in the Temple for such a long time?”
Outside the people were waiting for Zechariah, wondering why he was taking so long in the Temple.
22 When Zechariah came out, he was not able to speak to the people. Because he could not talk, he made motions with his hands [to try to convey what had happened]. Then they realized that he had seen (a vision [from God]/something that [God] showed him) while he was in the Temple.
When eventually he came out, he wasn't able to speak to them. They realized he'd seen a vision in the Temple, for though he could make gestures, he was completely dumb.
23 When Zechariah’s time to work [as a priest in the Temple] was finished, he [left Jerusalem and] returned to his home.
After he'd finished his time of service, he went back home.
24 Some time later his wife Elizabeth became pregnant [EUP]. She did not leave their house for five months, [because she knew that people would laugh at her if she told them that she was pregnant].
Some time later his wife Elizabeth became pregnant. She stayed at home for five months.
25 But she thought, “God has enabled me to become pregnant. He has pitied me and I will no longer be ashamed [because I have no children]!”
“The Lord has done this for me,” she said, “now that he's taken away my disgrace in the eyes of others.”
26 When Elizabeth had been [pregnant] [EUP] [for almost] six months, the angel Gabriel was sent by God {God sent the angel Gabriel} [again].
In the sixth month of her pregnancy God sent the angel Gabriel to a young girl called Mary who lived in the town of Nazareth in Galilee.
27 [This time] he went to Nazareth [town] in Galilee [district], to a virgin whose name was Mary. It had been {[Her parents] had} promised that she would marry a man named Joseph, who was descended from [King] David.
She was engaged to a man named Joseph.
28 The angel greeted her and said, “(The Lord/God) is with you [(sg)] and you will be greatly blessed {[has decided to] greatly bless you}!”
The angel greeted her. “You are very privileged,” he told her. “The Lord is with you.”
29 But Mary was very confused [when she heard] that. She wondered what [the angel meant] by these words.
Mary was very puzzled at what he said, and wondered what this greeting meant.
30 Then the angel said to her, “Mary, God is very pleased with you [(sg)], so do not be afraid.
“Don't worry, Mary,” the angel went on, “for God has shown his graciousness to you.
31 You will become pregnant and bear a son, and you must name him Jesus.
You will become pregnant and give birth to a son. You shall call him Jesus.
32 He will become great. He will be called {[People will] call him} (the Son of God/the man who is also God). God, the Lord, will make him a king [MTY] as his ancestor [King] David was.
He will be very great, and he will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of David his father,
33 He will be the King of [the] Jews, the descendants [MTY] of [your ancestor] Jacob, forever. He will rule as king forever!” (aiōn g165)
and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever. His kingdom will never come to an end.” (aiōn g165)
34 Then Mary said to the angel, “I am a virgin, so how can I [have a baby]?”
“How is this possible?” Mary asked. “I'm still a virgin.”
35 The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come to you; the power of God [MTY/EUP] will overshadow you [and enable you to become pregnant]. So the child [you will] bear will be completely set apart {give himself completely} to obey God, and he will be called {[people] will say that he is} (the Son of God/the man who is also God).
He replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will cover you. The baby who is to be born is holy, and will be called the Son of God.
36 [I also need to tell you something else]. Your cousin Elizabeth is very old, and it was thought {[people] said} that she could not bear any children. But she has been [pregnant] [EUP] [for almost] six months, and will bear a son!
And Elizabeth, your relative, even she is pregnant in her old age. The woman that people said couldn't have children is already six months pregnant.
37 [You should not be surprised at that], because God can do everything!”
Nothing is impossible for God.”
38 Then Mary said, “All right, I want to serve (the Lord/God), so may what you [(sg)] have said about me come true!” Then the angel left her.
“Here I am, ready to be the Lord's servant,” said Mary. “May it happen to me just as you said.” Then the angel left her.
39 Very soon after that, Mary got ready and went quickly to a town in the highlands of Judea [district] where Zechariah lived.
A little while later, Mary got herself ready and hurried up into the hills of Judea, to the town where
40 She entered his house and greeted [his wife] Elizabeth.
Zechariah's house was. She called out to Elizabeth as she went in.
41 As soon as Elizabeth heard Mary greet her, the baby moved inside [Elizabeth’s] womb. The Holy Spirit took complete control of Elizabeth,
As soon as Elizabeth heard Mary's voice, the baby jumped for joy inside her. Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit,
42 and she said loudly [to Mary], “[God] has blessed you [more than] he has blessed [any other] woman, and [he has] blessed the child you will bear!
and cried out in a loud voice, “How blessed you are among women, and how blessed will be the child born to you!
43 (I am not worthy that [God would allow you] to visit me!/Why is [God allowing you] to visit me?) [RHQ] You will be the mother of my Lord!
Why am I so honored that the mother of my Lord should visit me?
44 [I realize this because] as soon as I heard you greet me, the baby inside my womb moved because he was so happy [that you had come].
As soon as I heard you call out in greeting, my baby jumped for joy inside me.
45 [God] is pleased with you [because] you believed that what (the Lord/God) told you would come true.”
How fortunate you are, because you are convinced that the Lord will do what he has promised you!”
46 Then Mary [praised God by] saying/singing: “, how I [SYN] praise (the Lord/God)!
Mary replied, “How I praise the Lord!
47 I am happy because God is the one who saves me.
I am so happy with God my Savior,
48 I was only his lowly servant girl, but he did not forget me. So from now on, everyone will say that God was pleased with me,
because he decided that I, his servant, was worthy of his consideration, despite my humble background. From now on every generation will say I was blessed.
49 because they will hear about the things that God [MTY], the mighty one, has done for me. He [MTY] is awesome!
God Almighty has done great things for me; his name is holy.
50 He acts mercifully toward all those who respect him.
His mercy lasts for generation after generation to those who respect him.
51 He shows people that he [MTY] is very powerful. He scatters those who think proudly.
With his power he has broken to pieces those who arrogantly think they're so clever.
52 He does not let mighty kings rule [MTY] any more, but he honors people who are oppressed (OR, humble).
He tears the powerful down from their thrones, and elevates those who are humble.
53 He gives good things to eat to those who are hungry, but he sends away the rich people without giving them anything.
He fills the hungry with good things to eat, and he sends the rich away empty-handed.
54 And now he has remembered what he promised. So he has helped me and all the other people of [MTY] Israel who serve him.
He has helped his servant Israel, remembering him in mercy,
55 He promised to Abraham and all our other ancestors who descended from him that he would act mercifully toward them forever.” (aiōn g165)
just as he promised our fathers, to Abraham and his descendants for ever.” (aiōn g165)
56 Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months. Then she returned to her home.
Mary stayed with her for three months and then returned home.
57 When it was time for Elizabeth to give birth to her child, she bore a son.
The time came for Elizabeth to have her baby and she gave birth to a son.
58 Her neighbors and relatives heard how (the Lord/God) had greatly blessed her [by enabling her to bear a child], so they were happy along with [Elizabeth].
Her neighbors and relatives heard how the Lord had showed her great kindness, and they celebrated together with her.
59 Seven days later they gathered together for the [ceremony for] circumcising the baby [to show that he belonged to God]. They wanted to give the baby the same name as his father, Zechariah.
Eight days later they came to circumcise the boy. They planned to call him Zechariah after his father.
60 But his mother said, “No, [his name will not be Zechariah]. His name will be John!”
“No,” Elizabeth said. “He shall be called John.”
61 [So] they said to her, “[John] is not the name of any of your [(dl)] relatives, [so you(dl) should not give him that name]!”
“But there's nobody among your relatives who has this name,” they told her.
62 Then they made motions with their hands to Zechariah, [for him] to indicate what name [he] wanted to be given {to give} to his son.
Through gestures they asked Zechariah, the boy's father, what he wanted to call his son.
63 [So] he signaled that they [should give him] a tablet [to write on. When they gave him one], he wrote [on it], “His name is John.” All those [who were there] were surprised!
Zechariah motioned for something to write on. To everyone's surprise he wrote, “His name is John.”
64 Immediately Zechariah was able to speak again [MTY], and he praised God.
Immediately he could speak again, and he started praising God.
65 All their neighbors were amazed/awestruck! They told other people who lived all over the highlands of Judea about what had happened.
All those living nearby were in awe at what had happened, and the news spread throughout the hill country of Judea.
66 Everyone who heard about it kept thinking about it. They were saying, “We wonder what will this child do [for God when] he [grows up] [RHQ]!” They wondered that because [from what had happened they were sure that] God would be helping that child [SYN] [in a powerful way].
Everyone who heard the news wondered what it meant. “What will the little boy grow up to be?” they asked, for it was clear he was very special to God.
67 [After] Zechariah’s [son was born], Zechariah was completely directed by the Holy Spirit {the Holy Spirit completely directed Zechariah} as he spoke these words that came from God:
Zechariah, his father, filled with the Holy Spirit, spoke this prophecy:
68 “Praise the Lord, the God whom we(inc) people of Israel worship, because he has come to set us, his people, free from our enemies.
“The Lord, the God of Israel, he is wonderful, for he has come to his people and set them free.
69 He is sending us someone who will powerfully [MTY] save us, someone who is descended from [MTY] King David, who served God well.
He has given us a great Savior from the line of his servant David,
as he promised through his holy prophets long ago. (aiōn g165)
71 He will rescue us from our enemies, and he will save us from the power of all those who hate us.
He promised to save us from our enemies, from those who hate us.
72 He will do this because he has not forgotten what he promised our ancestors; he made an agreement that he would act mercifully to us, their descendants.
He was merciful to our fathers, remembering his holy agreement—
73 That is what he strongly promised our ancestor Abraham that he would do.
the promise that he made to our father Abraham.
74 God told him that we would be rescued {he would rescue us} from the power of our enemies, that he would enable us to serve him without being afraid,
He gives us freedom from fear and rescues us from our enemies,
75 that he would cause us to be completely dedicated to him, and enable us to live righteously all of our lives.”
so we can serve him by doing what is good and right for our whole lives.
76 [Then Zechariah said this to] his little son: “My child, you will be called {people will say that you are} a prophet whom God [MTY/EUP] has sent; you will begin your work before (the Lord/Messiah) comes; you will prepare people so that they will be ready for him. (OR, you will begin your work before the Messiah comes).
Even though you are only a small child, you will be called the prophet of the Most High, for you will go ahead of the Lord to prepare his way,
77 You will tell God’s people how he will forgive them and save them from being punished for their sins.
providing knowledge of salvation to his people through the forgiveness of their sins.
78 Our God will do that because he is very kind to us. Just like a new day begins when the sun rises [MET], God will do that new thing for us when the Messiah comes to us from heaven.
Through God's caring kindness to us, heaven's dawn will break upon us
79 People who do not know God [MET] are like those who sit in the darkness. They are afraid [MTY] that they will soon die. But when the Messiah tells us God’s message, it will be like causing such people to see a bright light. He will guide us [SYN] so that we will be living peacefully.”
to shine on those who live in darkness and under the shadow of death, and to guide us along the path of peace.”
80 [Later], Zechariah’s son grew up and became spiritually strong. Then he lived in a desolate region until he began to preach to the Israeli people.
The boy John grew and became spiritually strong. He lived in the desert until the time came for his public ministry to Israel.
