THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO S. LUKE. CHAPTER I. 1 The preface of Luke to his whole gospel. 5 The conception of John the Baptist, 26 and of Christ. 39 The prophecy of Elisabeth, and of Mary, concerning Christ. 57 The nativity and circumcision of John. 67 The prophecy of Zacharias, both of Christ, 76 and of John. HERE was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth. 6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. 7 And they had no child, because 1Or, fully established IFOR ORASMUCH as many have taken in hand to draw up a narrative concerning those matters which have been fulfilled 2 among us, even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses and 3 ministers of the word, it seemed good to me also, having traced the course of all things accurately from the first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent 4 Theophilus; that thou mightest know the certainty concerning the things wherein thou wast instructed. 5 THERE was in the days of Herod, king of Judæa, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abijah: and he had a wife of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth. 6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. 7 And they had no child, because 2 Gr. words. 3 Or, which thou wast taught by word of mouth that Elisabeth was barren; and they both were now well stricken in years. 8 And it came to pass, that, while he executed the priest's office before God in the order of his course, 9 According to the custom of the priest's office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. IO And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense. II And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. 12 And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. 13 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. 14 And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth. 15 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. 16 And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. 17 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 8 that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now 'well stricken in years. Now it came to pass, while he executed the priest's office before God in the order of his course, 9 according to the custom of the priest's office, his lot was to enter into the temple of the Lord and 10 burn incense. And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the hour of 11 incense. And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the 12 altar of incense. And Zacharias was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him. But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: because thy supplication is heard, and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. 14 And thou shalt have joy and 13 1 Gr. advanced in their days. 2 Or, sanctuary 3 Gr. sikera. this book. 5 Some ancient authorities read come nigh before his face. 4 Or, Holy Spirit: and so throughout wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. 18 And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years. 19 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. 20 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. 21 And the people waited for Zacharias, and marvelled that he tarried so long in the temple. 22 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. 23 And it came to pass, that, as soon as the days of his ministration were accomplished, he departed to his own house. 24 And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, saying, 25 Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he looked on me, to take away my reproach among men. 26 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God 1 Gr. advanced in her days. dom of the just; to make ready for the Lord a people prepared 18 for him. And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife 1well stricken in years. 19 And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and I was sent to speak unto thee, and to bring thee these good tidings. 20 And behold, thou shalt be silent and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall come to pass, because thou believedst not my words, which shall be ful21 filled in their season. And the people were waiting for Zacharias, and they marvelled while 22 he tarried in 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: and he continued making signs unto them, and re23 mained dumb. And it came to pass, when the days of his ministration were fulfilled, he departed unto his house. Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God 3 Or, at his tarrying 3 Or, sanctuary unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, 27 To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. 28 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. 29 And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. 30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. 31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. 32 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: 33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. 34 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? 35 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. unto a city of Galilee, named Naz27 areth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the vir28 gin's name was Mary. And he came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that árt 'highly favoured, the 29 Lord is with thee. But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this might be 30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found 31 3 favour with God. And behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt 32 call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son, of the Most High: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne 33 of his father David: and he shall reign over the house of Jacob 'for ever; and of his kingdom 34 there shall be no end. And Mary said unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? 35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Most High shall overshadow thee: wherefore also 5 that which is to be born 7shall be called holy, the Son of God. 1 Or, endued with grace 2 Many ancient authorities add blessed art thou among women. Or, grace 6 Or, is begotten See ver. 42. Gr. unto the ages. 5 Or, the holy thing which is to be born shall be called the Son of God. 'Some ancient authorities insert of thee. |