1 Since indeed many have set out to arrange a narrative {diegēsin: carefully arranged account} about the things that have been fully accomplished {peplērophorēmenōn: completely brought to completion} among us,
2 Just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses {autoptai: direct observers} and servants of the word {logou: proclaimed message} delivered these things to us.
3 It seemed good also to me, after tracing {parekolouthekoti: closely examined} everything carefully from the beginning, to write it out in an orderly sequence for you, most excellent Theophilus {Theophile: honored recipient}.
4 In order that you may understand the certainty {asphaleia: firm assurance} of the matters in which you have been instructed {katecheo: taught orally}.
5 During the reign of Herod as king of Judea {Ioudaias: Jewish homeland}, a priest named Zechariah served in the division of Abijah {Abia: temple rotation}. His wife was one of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth.
6 Now both of them were righteous before God {Theos, Righteous Judge}, living in all the commandments {entole: covenant demands} and ordinances of the Lord {Kyrios, Covenant Lawgiver} without blame.
7 They remained childless, for Elizabeth {Elisabet: God’s oath} was barren, and both of them were advanced in their days {hemerais: life span}.
8 Now it came about that he was serving as priest before God {Theos, Attentive Witness}, in the order of his division {ephemerias: scheduled service}.
9 As the priesthood’s custom dictated, the lot fell to him to burn incense {thumiasai: fragrant offering} upon entering the Lord’s {Kyrios, Temple Sovereign} temple.
10 And the whole multitude {plethos: assembled throng} of the people was praying outside at the hour of incense {thumiamatos: ritual offering}.
11 He saw an angel of the Lord {Kyrios, Holy Sender} standing at the right side of the altar {thysiasteriou: incense shrine} of incense.
12 When Zechariah saw him, he was troubled {etarachthe: sudden agitation}, and fear {phobos: intense dread} came upon him.
13 But the angel {angelos: divine messenger} said to him, “Do not fear, Zechariah, for your petition {deesis: earnest request} has been heard; your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call him John.”
14 And there will be joy {chara: deep delight} and exultation {agalliasis: overflowing gladness} for you, and many will rejoice at his birth.
15 For he will be great before the Lord {Kyrios, Divine Judge}; he shall not partake of any wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit {pneumatos hagiou, Sanctifying Empowerer} even from his mother’s womb.
16 And he will turn {epistrepsei: covenant renewal} many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God {Kyrios Theos, Promised Redeemer}.
17 And he will go before the Lord {Kyrios, Coming Messiah} in the Spirit and power of Elijah {Eliou: prophetic pattern}, to turn the hearts of fathers toward their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, and to prepare for the Lord a people who have been prepared.
18 Then Zechariah spoke to the angel, “By what means shall I know this? For I am an aged man {presbytes: elder by age}, and my wife is advanced {probebekuia: advanced in age} in her days.”
19 And the angel {angelos: divine messenger} answered him, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God {Theos, Heavenly King}. I was sent to speak to you and to proclaim these glad tidings.”
20 Behold, you will be silent {siopon: enforced silence} and unable to speak until the day {hemeras: fixed date} when these matters come to pass, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time.
21 The people stood in eager expectation {prosdokon: expectant anticipation} for Zechariah, and they were astonished by how long he lingered in the temple {naos: sacred sanctuary}.
22 Upon exiting, he found himself unable to address them, and they inferred that he had witnessed a vision {optasian: divine appearance} in the temple. He continued signaling to them and remained mute {kophos: unable to speak}.
23 And it came to pass that, when the days of his service {leitourgia: temple duty} were completed, he departed to his house {oikos: family residence}.
24 After these days had passed, Elizabeth {Elisabet: honored one}, his wife, conceived and withdrew {periekruben: carefully concealed} herself for five months, saying,
25 Because in this way the Lord {Kyrios, Remover of Reproach} has acted for me in the days when He looked upon me, to take away my reproach {oneidos: public disgrace} among people.
26 Now in the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God {Theos, Sender of Gabriel} to a city in Galilee called Nazareth {Nazareth: Galilean village}.
27 He was sent to a virgin {parthenos: pledged maiden} betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the name of the virgin was Mary {Mariam: chosen woman}.
28 Entering her presence, he said, “Rejoice, favored one {kecharitomenē: divinely graced}; the Lord {Kyrios, Divine Presence} is with you.”
29 But she was deeply unsettled by the word {logos: spoken message} and reflected on what form of greeting {aspasmos: formal salutation} this might be.
30 The angel then spoke to her: “Do not fear, Mary, for you have been granted favor {charin: unearned grace} by God {Theos, Giver of Favor}.”
31 Behold {idou: divine announcement}: you will conceive in your womb, bear a son, and call His name Jesus {Iesous, Promised Redeemer}.
32 He will be great, and He will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God {Kyrios Theos, Royal Bestower} will give Him the throne {thronos: sovereign seat} of His father David.
33 And He {Iesous: Promised Messiah} will reign over the house {oikon: covenant household} of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.
34 But Mary addressed the angel {angelos: heavenly messenger}, “How will this occur, since I do not know {ginosko: have intimate relations} a man?”
35 And the angel answered {apokritheis: responsive reply} her, “The Holy Spirit {Pneuma Hagion, Life-Giving Presence} will come upon you, and the power of the Most High {Hypsistos, Sovereign God} will overshadow you; therefore also the Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God {Huios Theou, Incarnate Son}.”
36 And behold, your kinswoman {syngenis: close kin} Elizabeth has herself conceived a son in her advanced years; it is her sixth month now, for she is known as barren {steira: unable to conceive}.
37 With God {Theos, All-Powerful One}, there will be no word {rhema: spoken promise} that will be impossible.
38 Then Mary answered, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord {Kyrios, Sovereign Master}; may the declaration {rhema: spoken declaration} you have given be fulfilled in me.” With that, the angel departed from her.
39 In those days Mary {Mariam: favored woman} rose and went with urgency into the mountainous region {oreinen: mountainous region}, reaching a town of Judah.
40 She entered {eiselthen: deliberate arrival} Zechariah’s house and greeted {espasato: formal welcome} Elizabeth.
41 It came about that when Elizabeth heard Mary’s salutation {aspasmon: affectionate salute}, the child within her womb leaped, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit {pneuma hagion, Divine Indwelling}.
42 And she cried out with a loud cry and said, “Blessed are you among women {gynaixin: among all women}, and blessed is the fruit of your womb {koilia: bodily motherhood}.”
43 And how has this happened to me, that the mother {meter: biological parent} of my Lord {Kyrios, Divine Master} should come to me?
44 For behold, at the moment the voice {phōnē: audible speech} of your greeting touched my ears, the child in my womb leaped in exultation {agalliasei: overflowing joy}.
45 She who believed {pisteusasa: personal trust} is blessed, for the things spoken to her by the Lord {Kyrios, Faithful Promise Giver} will surely be fulfilled.
46 And Mary declared, “My soul {psyche: inner self} magnifies the Lord {Kyrios, Worthy King}.”
47 And my spirit has exulted in God {Theos, Personal Savior} my Savior {soter: Covenant Rescuer}.
48 Because He {Theos, Faithful Watcher} has regarded the lowliness {tapeinosis: humble condition} of His servant girl, behold, from this moment on all generations will call me blessed.
49 For the Mighty One {dynatos, Almighty Ruler} has accomplished great things {megala: extraordinary deeds} for me, and holy is His name.
50 And His {Theos, Covenant Keeper} mercy {eleos: steadfast loving-kindness} continues generation upon generation toward those who fear Him.