Forasmuch{G1895} as many{G4183} have taken in hand{G2021}{(G5656)} to set forth in order{G392}{(G5664)} a declaration{G1335} of{G4012} those things{G4229} which are most surely believed{G4135}{(G5772)} among{G1722} us{G2254},

Even{G2531} as they delivered{G3860}{(G5627)} them unto us{G2254}, which{G3588} from{G575} the beginning{G746} were{G1096}{(G5637)} eyewitnesses{G845}, and{G2532} ministers{G5257} of the word{G3056};

It seemed{G1380}{(G5656)} good to me also{G2504}, having had perfect{G199} understanding{G3877}{(G5761)} of all things{G3956} from the very first{G509}, to write{G1125}{(G5658)} unto thee{G4671} in order{G2517}, most excellent{G2903} Theophilus{G2321},

That{G2443} thou mightest know{G1921}{(G5632)} the certainty{G803} of{G4012} those things{G3056}, wherein{G3739} thou hast been instructed{G2727}{(G5681)}.

There was{G1096}{(G5633)} in{G1722} the days{G2250} of Herod{G2264}, the king{G935} of Judaea{G2449}, a certain{G5100} priest{G2409} named{G3686} Zacharias{G2197}, of{G1537} the course{G2183} of Abia{G7}: and{G2532} his{G846} wife{G1135} was of{G1537} the daughters{G2364} of Aaron{G2}, and{G2532} her{G846} name{G3686} was Elisabeth{G1665}.

And{G1161} they were{G2258}{(G5713)} both{G297} righteous{G1342} before{G1799} God{G2316}, walking{G4198}{(G5740)} in{G1722} all{G3956} the commandments{G1785} and{G2532} ordinances{G1345} of the Lord{G2962} blameless{G273}.

And{G2532} they{G846} had{G2258}{(G5713)} no{G3756} child{G5043}, because{G2530} that Elisabeth{G1665} was{G2258}{(G5713)} barren{G4723}, and{G2532} they{G846} both{G297} were{G2258}{(G5713)} now well stricken{G4260}{(G5761)} in{G1722} years{G2250}.

And{G1161} it came to pass{G1096}{(G5633)}, that while{G1722} he{G846} executed the priest's office{G2407}{(G5721)} before{G1725} God{G2316} in{G1722} the order{G5010} of his{G846} course{G2183},

According{G2596} to the custom{G1485} of the priest's office{G2405}, his lot{G2975}{(G5627)} was to burn incense{G2370}{(G5658)} when he went{G1525}{(G5631)} into{G1519} the temple{G3485} of the Lord{G2962}.

And{G2532} the whole{G3956} multitude{G4128} of the people{G2992} were{G2258}{(G5713)} praying{G4336}{(G5740)} without{G1854} at the time{G5610} of incense{G2368}.

And{G1161} there appeared{G3700}{(G5681)} unto him{G846} an angel{G32} of the Lord{G2962} standing{G2476}{(G5761)} on{G1537} the right side{G1188} of the altar{G2379} of incense{G2368}.

And{G2532} when Zacharias{G2197} saw{G1492}{(G5631)} him, he was troubled{G5015}{(G5681)}, and{G2532} fear{G5401} fell{G1968}{(G5627)} upon{G1909} him{G846}.

But{G1161} the angel{G32} said{G2036}{(G5627)} unto{G4314} him{G846}, Fear{G5399}{(G5737)} not{G3361}, Zacharias{G2197}: for{G1360} thy{G4675} prayer{G1162} is heard{G1522}{(G5681)}; and{G2532} thy{G4675} wife{G1135} Elisabeth{G1665} shall bear{G1080}{(G5692)} thee{G4671} a son{G5207}, and{G2532} thou shalt call{G2564}{(G5692)} his{G846} name{G3686} John{G2491}.

And{G2532} thou{G4671} shalt have{G2071}{(G5704)} joy{G5479} and{G2532} gladness{G20}; and{G2532} many{G4183} shall rejoice{G5463}{(G5690)} at{G1909} his{G846} birth{G1083}.

For{G1063} he shall be{G2071}{(G5704)} great{G3173} in the sight{G1799} of the Lord{G2962}, and{G2532} shall drink{G4095}{(G5632)} neither{G3364} wine{G3631} nor{G2532} strong drink{G4608}; and{G2532} he shall be filled{G4130}{(G5701)} with the Holy{G40} Ghost{G4151}, even{G2089} from{G1537} his{G846} mother's{G3384} womb{G2836}.

And{G2532} many{G4183} of the children{G5207} of Israel{G2474} shall he turn{G1994}{(G5692)} to{G1909} the Lord{G2962} their{G846} God{G2316}.

And{G2532} he{G846} shall go{G4281}{(G5695)} before{G1799} him{G846} in{G1722} the spirit{G4151} and{G2532} power{G1411} of Elias{G2243}, to turn{G1994}{(G5658)} the hearts{G2588} of the fathers{G3962} to{G1909} the children{G5043}, and{G2532} the disobedient{G545} to{G1722} the wisdom{G5428} of the just{G1342}; to make ready{G2090}{(G5658)} a people{G2992} prepared{G2680}{(G5772)} for the Lord{G2962}.

And{G2532} Zacharias{G2197} said{G2036}{(G5627)} unto{G4314} the angel{G32}, Whereby{G2596}{G5101} shall I know{G1097}{(G5695)} this{G5124}? for{G1063} I{G1473} am{G1510}{(G5748)} an old man{G4246}, and{G2532} my{G3450} wife{G1135} well stricken{G4260}{(G5761)} in{G1722} years{G2250}{G846}.

And{G2532} the angel{G32} answering{G611}{(G5679)} said{G2036}{(G5627)} unto him{G846}, I{G1473} am{G1510}{(G5748)} Gabriel{G1043}, that stand{G3936}{(G5761)} in the presence{G1799} of God{G2316}; and{G2532} am sent{G649}{(G5648)} to speak{G2980}{(G5658)} unto{G4314} thee{G4571}, and{G2532} to shew{G2097} thee{G4671} these{G5023} glad tidings{G2097}{(G5670)}.

And{G2532}, behold{G2400}{(G5628)}, thou{G2071}{(G5704)} shalt be dumb{G4623}{(G5723)}, and{G2532} not{G3361} able{G1410}{(G5740)} to speak{G2980}{(G5658)}, until{G891} the day{G2250} that{G3739} these things{G5023} shall be performed{G1096}{(G5638)}, because{G473}{G3739} thou believest{G4100}{(G5656)} not{G3756} my{G3450} words{G3056}, which{G3748} shall be fulfilled{G4137}{(G5701)} in{G1519} their{G846} season{G2540}.

And{G2532} the people{G2992} waited{G2258}{(G5713)}{G4328}{(G5723)} for Zacharias{G2197}, and{G2532} marvelled{G2296}{(G5707)} that{G1722} he{G846} tarried so long{G5549}{(G5721)} in{G1722} the temple{G3485}.

And{G1161} when he came out{G1831}{(G5631)}, he could{G1410}{(G5711)} not{G3756} speak{G2980}{(G5658)} unto them{G846}: and{G2532} they perceived{G1921}{(G5627)} that{G3754} he had seen{G3708}{(G5758)} a vision{G3701} in{G1722} the temple{G3485}: for{G2532} he{G846} beckoned{G2258}{(G5713)}{G1269}{(G5723)} unto them{G846}, and{G2532} remained{G1265}{(G5707)} speechless{G2974}.

And{G2532} it came to pass{G1096}{(G5633)}, that, as soon as{G5613} the days{G2250} of his{G846} ministration{G3009} were accomplished{G4130}{(G5681)}, he departed{G565}{(G5627)} to{G1519} his own{G846} house{G3624}.

And{G1161} after{G3326} those{G5025} days{G2250} his{G846} wife{G1135} Elisabeth{G1665} conceived{G4815}{(G5627)}, and{G2532} hid{G4032}{(G5707)} herself{G1438} five{G4002} months{G3376}, saying{G3004}{(G5723)},

{G3754} Thus{G3779} hath{G4160} the Lord{G2962} dealt{G4160}{(G5758)} with me{G3427} in{G1722} the days{G2250} wherein{G3739} he looked on{G1896}{(G5627)} me, to take away{G851}{(G5629)} my{G3450} reproach{G3681} among{G1722} men{G444}.

And{G1161} in{G1722} the sixth{G1623} month{G3376} the angel{G32} Gabriel{G1043} was sent{G649}{(G5648)} from{G5259} God{G2316} unto{G1519} a city{G4172} of Galilee{G1056}, named{G3739}{G3686} Nazareth{G3478},

To{G4314} a virgin{G3933} espoused{G3423}{(G5772)} to a man{G435} whose{G3739} name{G3686} was Joseph{G2501}, of{G1537} the house{G3624} of David{G1138}; and{G2532} the virgin's{G3933} name{G3686} was Mary{G3137}.

And{G2532} the angel{G32} came in{G1525}{(G5631)} unto{G4314} her{G846}, and said{G2036}{(G5627)}, Hail{G5463}{(G5720)}, thou that art highly favoured{G5487}{(G5772)}, the Lord{G2962} is with{G3326} thee{G4675}: blessed{G2127}{(G5772)} art thou{G4771} among{G1722} women{G1135}.

And{G1161} when she saw{G1492}{(G5631)} him, she was troubled{G1298}{(G5681)} at{G1909} his{G846} saying{G3056}, and{G2532} cast in her mind{G1260}{(G5711)} what manner{G4217} of salutation{G783} this{G3778} should be{G1498}{(G5751)}.

And{G2532} the angel{G32} said{G2036}{(G5627)} unto her{G846}, Fear{G5399}{(G5737)} not{G3361}, Mary{G3137}: for{G1063} thou hast found{G2147}{(G5627)} favour{G5485} with{G3844} God{G2316}.

And{G2532}, behold{G2400}{(G5628)}, thou shalt conceive{G4815}{(G5695)} in{G1722} thy womb{G1064}, and{G2532} bring forth{G5088}{(G5695)} a son{G5207}, and{G2532} shalt call{G2564}{(G5692)} his{G846} name{G3686} JESUS{G2424}.

He{G3778} shall be{G2071}{(G5704)} great{G3173}, and{G2532} shall be called{G2564}{(G5701)} the Son{G5207} of the Highest{G5310}: and{G2532} the Lord{G2962} God{G2316} shall give{G1325}{(G5692)} unto him{G846} the throne{G2362} of his{G846} father{G3962} David{G1138}:

And{G2532} he shall reign{G936}{(G5692)} over{G1909} the house{G3624} of Jacob{G2384} for{G1519} ever{G165}; and{G2532} of his{G846} kingdom{G932} there shall be{G2071}{(G5704)} no{G3756} end{G5056}.

Then{G1161} said{G2036}{(G5627)} Mary{G3137} unto{G4314} the angel{G32}, How{G4459} shall{G2071} this{G5124} be{G2071}{(G5704)}, seeing{G1893} I know{G1097}{(G5719)} not{G3756} a man{G435}?

And{G2532} the angel{G32} answered{G611}{(G5679)} and said{G2036}{(G5627)} unto her{G846}, The Holy{G40} Ghost{G4151} shall come{G1904}{(G5695)} upon{G1909} thee{G4571}, and{G2532} the power{G1411} of the Highest{G5310} shall overshadow{G1982}{(G5692)} thee{G4671}: therefore{G1352} also{G2532} that holy thing{G40} which shall be born{G1080}{(G5746)} of{G1537} thee{G4675} shall be called{G2564}{(G5701)} the Son{G5207} of God{G2316}.

And{G2532}, behold{G2400}{(G5628)}, thy{G4675} cousin{G4773} Elisabeth{G1665}, she{G846} hath{G4815} also{G2532} conceived{G4815}{(G5761)} a son{G5207} in{G1722} her{G846} old age{G1094}: and{G2532} this{G3778} is{G2076}{(G5748)} the sixth{G1623} month{G3376} with her{G846}, who{G3588} was called{G2564}{(G5746)} barren{G4723}.

For{G3754} with{G3844} God{G2316} nothing{G3756}{G3956}{G4487} shall be impossible{G101}{(G5692)}.

And{G1161} Mary{G3137} said{G2036}{(G5627)}, Behold{G2400}{(G5628)} the handmaid{G1399} of the Lord{G2962}; be it{G1096}{(G5636)} unto me{G3427} according{G2596} to thy{G4675} word{G4487}. And{G2532} the angel{G32} departed{G565}{(G5627)} from{G575} her{G846}.

And{G1161} Mary{G3137} arose{G450}{(G5631)} in{G1722} those{G5025} days{G2250}, and went{G4198}{(G5675)} into{G1519} the hill country{G3714} with{G3326} haste{G4710}, into{G1519} a city{G4172} of Juda{G2448};

And{G2532} entered{G1525}{(G5627)} into{G1519} the house{G3624} of Zacharias{G2197}, and{G2532} saluted{G782}{(G5662)} Elisabeth{G1665}.

And{G2532} it came to pass{G1096}{(G5633)}, that, when{G5613} Elisabeth{G1665} heard{G191}{(G5656)} the salutation{G783} of Mary{G3137}, the babe{G1025} leaped{G4640}{(G5656)} in{G1722} her{G846} womb{G2836}; and{G2532} Elisabeth{G1665} was filled{G4130}{(G5681)} with the Holy{G40} Ghost{G4151}:

And{G2532} she spake out{G400}{(G5656)} with a loud{G3173} voice{G5456}, and{G2532} said{G2036}{(G5627)}, Blessed{G2127}{(G5772)} art thou{G4771} among{G1722} women{G1135}, and{G2532} blessed{G2127}{(G5772)} is the fruit{G2590} of thy{G4675} womb{G2836}.

And{G2532} whence{G4159} is this{G5124} to me{G3427}, that{G2443} the mother{G3384} of my{G3450} Lord{G2962} should come{G2064}{(G5632)} to{G4314} me{G3165}?

For{G1063}, lo{G2400}{(G5628)}, as soon as{G5613} the voice{G5456} of thy{G4675} salutation{G783} sounded{G1096}{(G5633)} in{G1519} mine{G3450} ears{G3775}, the babe{G1025} leaped{G4640}{(G5656)} in{G1722} my{G3450} womb{G2836} for{G1722} joy{G20}.

And{G2532} blessed{G3107} is she that believed{G4100}{(G5660)}: for{G3754} there shall be{G2071}{(G5704)} a performance{G5050} of those things which were told{G2980}{(G5772)} her{G846} from{G3844} the Lord{G2962}.

And{G2532} Mary{G3137} said{G2036}{(G5627)}, My{G3450} soul{G5590} doth magnify{G3170}{(G5719)} the Lord{G2962},

And{G2532} my{G3450} spirit{G4151} hath rejoiced{G21}{(G5656)} in{G1909} God{G2316} my{G3450} Saviour{G4990}.

For{G3754} he hath regarded{G1914}{(G5656)}{G1909} the low estate{G5014} of his{G846} handmaiden{G1399}: for{G1063}, behold{G2400}{(G5628)}, from{G575} henceforth{G3568} all{G3956} generations{G1074} shall call{G3106} me{G3165} blessed{G3106}{(G5692)}.

For{G3754} he that is mighty{G1415} hath done{G4160}{(G5656)} to me{G3427} great things{G3167}; and{G2532} holy{G40} is his{G846} name{G3686}.

And{G2532} his{G846} mercy{G1656} is on them that fear{G5399}{(G5740)} him{G846} from{G1519} generation{G1074} to generation{G1074}.

He hath shewed{G4160}{(G5656)} strength{G2904} with{G1722} his{G846} arm{G1023}; he hath scattered{G1287}{(G5656)} the proud{G5244} in the imagination{G1271} of their{G846} hearts{G2588}.

He hath put down{G2507}{(G5627)} the mighty{G1413} from{G575} their seats{G2362}, and{G2532} exalted{G5312}{(G5656)} them of low degree{G5011}.

He hath filled{G1705}{(G5656)} the hungry{G3983}{(G5723)} with good things{G18}; and{G2532} the rich{G4147}{(G5723)} he hath sent{G1821} empty{G2756} away{G1821}{(G5656)}.

He hath holpen{G482}{(G5633)} his{G846} servant{G3816} Israel{G2474}, in remembrance{G3415}{(G5683)} of his mercy{G1656};

As{G2531} he spake{G2980}{(G5656)} to{G4314} our{G2257} fathers{G3962}, to Abraham{G11}, and{G2532} to his{G846} seed{G4690} for{G1519} ever{G165}.

And{G1161} Mary{G3137} abode{G3306}{(G5656)} with{G4862} her{G846} about{G5616} three{G5140} months{G3376}, and{G2532} returned{G5290}{(G5656)} to{G1519} her own{G846} house{G3624}.

Now{G1161} Elisabeth's{G1665} full{G4130} time{G5550} came{G4130}{(G5681)} that she{G846} should be delivered{G5088}{(G5629)}; and{G2532} she brought forth{G1080}{(G5656)} a son{G5207}.

And{G2532} her neighbours{G4040} and{G2532} her{G846} cousins{G4773} heard{G191}{(G5656)} how{G3754} the Lord{G2962} had shewed great{G3170}{(G5707)} mercy{G1656}{G846} upon{G3326} her{G846}; and{G2532} they rejoiced{G4796}{(G5707)} with her{G846}.

And{G2532} it came to pass{G1096}{(G5633)}, that on{G1722} the eighth{G3590} day{G2250} they came{G2064}{(G5627)} to circumcise{G4059}{(G5629)} the child{G3813}; and{G2532} they called{G2564}{(G5707)} him{G846} Zacharias{G2197}, after{G1909} the name{G3686} of his{G846} father{G3962}.

And{G2532} his{G846} mother{G3384} answered{G611}{(G5679)} and said{G2036}{(G5627)}, Not{G3780} so; but{G235} he shall be called{G2564}{(G5701)} John{G2491}.

And{G2532} they said{G2036}{(G5627)} unto{G4314} her{G846},{G3754} There is{G2076}{(G5748)} none{G3762} of{G1722} thy{G4675} kindred{G4772} that{G3739} is called{G2564}{(G5743)} by this{G5129} name{G3686}.

And{G1161} they made signs{G1770}{(G5707)} to his{G846} father{G3962}, how{G5101}{G302} he would have{G2309}{(G5722)} him{G846} called{G2564}{(G5745)}.

And{G2532} he asked for{G154}{(G5660)} a writing table{G4093}, and wrote{G1125}{(G5656)}, saying{G3004}{(G5723)}, His{G846} name{G3686} is{G2076}{(G5748)} John{G2491}. And{G2532} they marvelled{G2296}{(G5656)} all{G3956}.

And{G1161} his{G846} mouth{G4750} was opened{G455}{(G5681)} immediately{G3916}, and{G2532} his{G846} tongue{G1100} loosed, and{G2532} he spake{G2980}{(G5707)}, and praised{G2127}{(G5723)} God{G2316}.

And{G2532} fear{G5401} came{G1096}{(G5633)} on{G1909} all{G3956} that dwelt round about{G4039}{(G5723)} them{G846}: and{G2532} all{G3956} these{G5023} sayings{G4487} were noised abroad{G1255}{(G5712)} throughout{G1722} all{G3650} the hill country{G3714} of Judaea{G2449}.

And{G2532} all{G3956} they that heard{G191}{(G5660)} them laid them up{G5087}{(G5639)} in{G1722} their{G846} hearts{G2588}, saying{G3004}{(G5723)}, What{G5101} manner{G686} of child{G3813} shall{G2071} this{G5124} be{G2071}{(G5704)}! And{G2532} the hand{G5495} of the Lord{G2962} was{G2258}{(G5713)} with{G3326} him{G846}.

And{G2532} his{G846} father{G3962} Zacharias{G2197} was filled{G4130}{(G5681)} with the Holy{G40} Ghost{G4151}, and{G2532} prophesied{G4395}{(G5656)}, saying{G3004}{(G5723)},

Blessed{G2128} be the Lord{G2962} God{G2316} of Israel{G2474}; for{G3754} he hath visited{G1980}{(G5662)} and{G2532} redeemed{G3085} his{G846} people{G2992}{G4160}{(G5656)},

And{G2532} hath raised up{G1453}{(G5656)} an horn{G2768} of salvation{G4991} for us{G2254} in{G1722} the house{G3624} of his{G846} servant{G3816} David{G1138};

As{G2531} he spake{G2980}{(G5656)} by{G1223} the mouth{G4750} of his{G846} holy{G40} prophets{G4396}, which{G3588} have been since{G575} the world began{G165}:

That we should be saved{G4991} from{G1537} our{G2257} enemies{G2190}, and{G2532} from{G1537} the hand{G5495} of all{G3956} that hate{G3404}{(G5723)} us{G2248};

To perform{G4160}{(G5658)} the mercy{G1656} promised to{G3326} our{G2257} fathers{G3962}, and{G2532} to remember{G3415}{(G5683)} his{G846} holy{G40} covenant{G1242};

The oath{G3727} which{G3739} he sware{G3660}{(G5656)} to{G4314} our{G2257} father{G3962} Abraham{G11},

That he would grant{G1325}{(G5629)} unto us{G2254}, that we being delivered{G4506}{(G5685)} out of{G1537} the hand{G5495} of our{G2257} enemies{G2190} might serve{G3000}{(G5721)} him{G846} without fear{G870},

In{G1722} holiness{G3742} and{G2532} righteousness{G1343} before{G1799} him{G846}, all{G3956} the days{G2250} of our{G2257} life{G2222}.

And{G2532} thou{G4771}, child{G3813}, shalt be called{G2564}{(G5701)} the prophet{G4396} of the Highest{G5310}: for{G1063} thou shalt go{G4313}{(G5695)} before{G4253} the face{G4383} of the Lord{G2962} to prepare{G2090}{(G5658)} his{G846} ways{G3598};

To give{G1325}{(G5629)} knowledge{G1108} of salvation{G4991} unto his{G846} people{G2992} by{G1722} the remission{G859} of their{G846} sins{G266},

Through{G1223} the tender{G4698} mercy{G1656} of our{G2257} God{G2316}; whereby{G1722}{G3739} the dayspring{G395} from{G1537} on high{G5311} hath visited{G1980}{(G5662)} us{G2248},

To give light{G2014}{(G5658)} to them that sit{G2521}{(G5740)} in{G1722} darkness{G4655} and{G2532} in the shadow{G4639} of death{G2288}, to guide{G2720}{(G5658)} our{G2257} feet{G4228} into{G1519} the way{G3598} of peace{G1515}.

And{G1161} the child{G3813} grew{G837}{(G5707)}, and{G2532} waxed strong{G2901}{(G5712)} in spirit{G4151}, and{G2532} was{G2258}{(G5713)} in{G1722} the deserts{G2048} till{G2193} the day{G2250} of his{G846} shewing{G323} unto{G4314} Israel{G2474}.